A HAWARDEN mum who battled mental illness while embarking on a new career in hair and beauty has now started her own training academy.

Jennifer Roberts, 43, decided to leave her job as a banker to follow her passion and start a career in hair and beauty in 2010.

While battling severe depression and anxiety, she first rented a space in Scissor Sisters in Hawarden where painted nails, before getting her own room, doing full beauty services.

Going from strength to strength, Jennifer went on to open Dazzle Beauty and Hair Studio in 2014 in Aston, her own business, while studying hairdressing, tutoring and assessor courses.

This was all done both during and after pregnancy, as she raised a child as a single mum. And just eight years on, she has now started her own hair and beauty training academy at her salon in Aston.

Jennifer said: ‘’I suffered with depression and anxiety for years, I had a comfortable job working in a bank but had become so disillusioned with it.

‘’It was then when I decided to have a complete career change and follow my dream by starting my own hair and beauty business.

‘’It was extremely difficult, and people were questioning why someone in my position had given up what was a stable job and a decent income while pregnant and already suffering from mental illness.

‘’But through hard work and dedication I did it and I just want to inspire more people to follow their dream and help young people to have a career in beauty.

‘’I want to show struggling single mums that you can be successful outside of being a mum, and people battling mental illness that things can and will change.’’