AFTER 16 years in the business Sam White reckoned hairstyling was just a snip... But to fulfil her ambition of starting her own salon, the 32-year-old also needed professional skills of a different kind, and so she turned to Newport & Gwent Enterprise for advice.

And now, just eight weeks after her first contact with agency business adviser Dave Bevan, she has opened Storm Hair Designers, in Cwmbran.

Mr Bevan said: "Sam went about setting up the business in exactly the right way. "She has tremendous background in hairdressing in terms of technical and managerial expertise and vocational qualifications, but recognised she lacked business experience. "We put together an intensive training programme in business planning, finance and marketing, and that enabled her to prepare her own business plan."

Armed with the business plan, Mrs White secured financial support from other organisations, including a £2,000 Women's Enterprise Grant from Torfaen county borough council.

She took out a lease on her new premises in Victoria Street on September 1, and with help from husband Shaun, the former charity shop has been transformed into a smart, fully-equipped hairdressing salon, complete with its own coffee bar and extensive reception area.

The N&GE agency provided consultancy support in interior design through its Business Start-up programme.

Mrs White said: "The help I've had from Dave and Newport & Gwent Enterprise has been invaluable. I wanted to create a salon with a really good environment, where people could enjoy having their hair done - and I've done it."

There is currently one other stylist employed at the shop, but she has plans to recruit more staff.

N&GE will continue to keep in touch with her via the Welsh Development Agency Business Start-up programme.

The programme will provide at least four annual one-to-one mentoring sessions in each of the next three years, as well as further training in business-related topics, such as marketing, finance and new legislation.

Mrs White, who has a 14-month-old daughter, called Seren, spent 14 years at a hairdressing salon in Abertillery.

PICTURED: Dave Bevan, of Newport and Gwent Enterprise, lends a helping hand to stylist Sam White.