One week on from winning my award for ‘Wedding Make-up Artist of the Year’ at the VOWS 2016, and I can’t tell you how exciting it has been with all of the recognition and congratulations I have received. I’ve had to wait until it actually sunk in to write this, but now I would like to share my journey with you…..
I first became aware of the VOWS Awards when I was planning my own wedding, some 8 years ago. For those of you who don’t know, VOWS stands for ‘Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier’ and for a number of years now has been dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of the Scottish wedding industry.
When I launched Sarah-Lou Beauty in 2012, right from the get go I knew that I wanted my business to centre around delivering an excellent level of customer service for my clients – after all, a wedding day is such a special day, and I’m honoured to be part of that. So for me to deliver anything less than excellent customer service….. well, it just wouldn’t happen! Four years on, and I pride myself on the level of recommendations and repeat business I receive, based on the quality service that I provide.
So it felt only natural that I should put myself forward for a wedding award that celebrates and promotes excellence in customer service within the wedding industry – the VOWS Awards.
The first couple of years were spent building up my business and gaining a reputation as a quality provider of bridal hair, make-up and beauty packages in Scotland. By late 2014 I thought it was time to have a go at entering. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be that year and I wasn’t shortlisted, but did receive some excellent feedback from the judges, so I wasn’t put off entering again the following year. I was delighted to reach the finals in 2015, but sadly it wasn’t to be that year either.
Once again I reached the finals in 2016, and to say that I was shocked when my name was called out as the winner is an understatement! Not because I didn’t think I was a worthy winner, but the level of competition in these awards is so very high. It’s such an achievement even to be a finalist in the VOWS Awards, but for the judges to have picked me from all of the other entrants….. wow, what an amazing feeling!
But it’s important for me to remember one of the very reasons I won this award in the first place, and that’s YOU!! Without the feedback and recommendations from previous brides like you, and without you taking the time to nominate me for awards, then wins like this just wouldn’t happen! I truly am so grateful that you guys take the time to recommend and nominate me ….. you have made me one happy girl and for that I thank you all so much! Here’s to 2017!