Being in the right place at the right time has a familiar ring to it for many business people.
Whether they are talking about co-incidence, fate, a slice of good luck, or a combination of all three, is open to interpretation but the outcome is always positive.
The day Karen Forster decided to take a stroll up to Durham Cathedral was to present one of those ‘right place – right time’ moments in the form of a To Let sign on a property in Owengate.
It was to be a defining moment and the trigger that would see Karen take her first steps into the world of business and self-employment.
Shortly afterwards the Trampas male grooming salon opened and she later seized the opportunity to take over the upstairs rooms of the same building and launch Dream Oasis, a beauty parlour and more.
Almost two years down the line, Karen, who also holds down a job as a part-time nurse, is in charge of a thriving business and a credit to the Entrepreneurs Forum in Newcastle where she was inspired to go for her business dream.
The Entrepreneurs´ Forum was created in 2002 by a group of the region´s leading business people. The idea was simple – to create a cross sector peer–group of like minded individuals who could share ideas, knowledge, inspiration and opportunities in a confidential environment.
Attending sessions at the Forum convinced Karen she was ready to take on the challenge of running her own business – and to make it distinctively different.
“From the outset I wanted to provide more for the customer and Dream Oasis, as well as being a beauty parlour, is also a place where people can meet and socialise,” said Karen.
So while customers can book into have their hair done and the whole range of beauty treatments such as manicures, pedicures and tanning additional they can also check out added value services such as homeopathy and aromatherapy.
And on the social side of life at Dream Oasis includes a crochet club, better known as the Happy Hookers, a book club and ladies who love to ‘stitch and bitch’, to the uninitiated that’s the group who enjoy knitting and nattering.
Activities also include flower parties which Karen and a colleague organise as part of fragrant symphony www.fragrantsymphony.com
“We are still fairly new to the scene but business is growing all the time. Our social activities have really taken off and we are planning more as the business develops. There’s interest in making bags, jewellery and chocolates and plenty more ideas coming through from customers,” added Karen.
Dream Oasis is planning a formal opening in December and there’s every chance Karen will have cause for further business celebrations in the New Year. Trampas is in the running for the title of male grooming salon of the year in a competition run by Male Groom magazine.
Check out Dream Oasis at 0191 3848912 and online at its website which is www.dreamoasis.co.uk