Telford based hairdresser, Eliz Chausheva, has been announced as a finalist at the Official UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2024 in the category of ‘Best for Blonde’.

The prestigious awards ceremony celebrates the best hair and beauty professionals from across the UK, and is well attended by over 300 guests per year.

Eliz says “It’s an honour to be recognized for the work that I love doing. I’m grateful to my clients who have supported me throughout the years and helped me achieve this milestone.”

Eliz trained as a hairdresser with the support of the ASYSTOR panel process with Shropshire Youth Support Trust (SYST) in 2021, receiving just shy of £5000 in funding following an impressive pitch.

Eliz first undertook SYST’s two year ASYSTED Business programme, it’s business start-up support programme, which included marketing, legal and financial knowledge, allocation of a business mentor and the opportunity to present her business to the ASYSTOR panel, a friendly ‘dragons den’, who provide essential knowledge, feedback and funding to viable businesses.

Eliz initially heard of the ASYSTED business programme through a friend, and soon undertook the pitching process including writing a business plan, cash flow and vision board.

She used her funding to enrol in courses that aided her study and improve her skills to achieve her qualifications, currently studying to become a natural haircare formulator. The AYSTOR’s are a group of Shropshire businesses committed to helping young people to kick start their business dreams with guidance and funding.

Katie Morris, one of the ASYSTOR’s said: “Eliz’s achievement as finalist for the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2024 is testament to her skill and dedication to colour. Her passion for haircare has earned her a loyal clientele and a respected reputation in the local community.”

Richard Nuttall CEO of SYST, said: “Eliz is an inspiration and we are glad to have been able to support her on her entrepreneurial journey. We are we’re thrilled to see her recognised as a finalist in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2024 and a true talent in the beauty industry. We’re are excited to see how she continues to excel in her business”.

In addition to her achievement as finalist, Eliz also has aspirations to undertake The Wella Colour Higher Level Diploma, to aid her dreams of becoming a specialist hair doctor. The course will provide insights into scalp biology, economic impacts of colour business, leadership in hairdressing, psychology, client safeguarding and more.

Eliz says “The university course will enable me to offer specialised services to my clients that are bespoke to their individual hair needs. My dream is to be able to open up my own salon using all natural products and no harsh chemicals. I know how important having healthy hair and scalp is to my clients, and this diploma will enable me to take my services to the next level.”

When asked about her advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs, she advises to dream big and never give up. “Keep working at your dreams, and believe in yourself. Only once you truly believe in yourself, other will share your vision.”

Eliz works across Shrewsbury and Telford offering a range of hair care services from cuts and colour, to styling and blow-dries. Specialising in blondes, Eliz has quickly become a trusted name in the local community. She can be found on social media via Facebook (Hair by Eliz) or Instagram (@_eliz_hair)