A mum who dropped out of university after having her son at 19-years-old is celebrating winning a top award.

Ella Shorten, 24, was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the national Hair and Beauty Awards.

Ella, who owns Limit Lash in Horwich, said: "It feels mad to have won, I didn’t think that I was going to win it, so I didn’t even buy a ticket to go down to see it because I just didn’t think that I would have any chance of winning it because it was out of all the UK.

“To actually have won it out of all the other businesses that are out there is mental and it really makes me feel like what I have been doing and working so hard for is actually being recognised which is amazing considering everything that I have had to put into it.

“And especially having my little lad so young as well it just feels amazing for both me and him.”

The salon owner dropped out of studying psychology when here son was born, but always wanted more.

Ella decided to do a lash course and qualified in 2019 and quit her job just two weeks later to pursue a self-employed career working within the beauty industry.

The mum-of-one then went back to university in 2019 to complete her degree.

Ella graduated in July 2022 and whilst studying at university, she continued doing lashes and built up her clientele.

The Bolton News: Ella Shorten, Entrepreneur of the YearElla Shorten, Entrepreneur of the Year (Image: Ella Shorten)

When Covid-19 hit, Ella wasn’t allowed to work so she started thinking about creating her own lash brand which she first brought out in September 2020.

In 2022 Ella did her teacher training course to be able to teach lashes and other beauty treatments.

In the summer of 2022, Ella opened her first salon in Horwich town centre which she says was her dream.

Ella now has a team who work in her salon, and she said she has done all the hard work for her little boy who without him, she would be where she is today.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.