We’re delighted to announce Diva Aesthetics & Beauty as the winner of Beauty Salon of the Year at the My Local Awards 2026 Yorkshire.
This award celebrates salons that combine professionalism, client care and real dedication to their craft, and Diva Aesthetics & Beauty is a truly deserving winner. Offering a wide range of anti-ageing and beauty treatments, the salon has built a fantastic reputation for delivering results while making every client feel comfortable, welcome and genuinely cared for.
What makes this win even more special is the story behind the business. Diva Aesthetics & Beauty was not built on luck or convenience. It was built through resilience, determination and a huge amount of hard work. From recovering after a brain injury to going back to college, renting a room in a local salon and then taking the leap to open her own salon in 2020, the journey behind this business is nothing short of inspiring.
A business built through strength and determination
The story of Diva Aesthetics & Beauty starts with an incredible personal journey. After being off work for five years following a brain injury, the owner began attending college while recovering. That decision became the starting point for something life-changing.
What followed was a steady and determined path forward. From training and building skills, she moved on to renting a room in a local salon before eventually taking the plunge and opening her own salon in 2020. That kind of leap takes courage at the best of times, but doing it after such a challenging chapter makes it even more impressive.
It is clear that Diva Aesthetics & Beauty has been shaped by real grit and ambition. This is a business that has grown from personal adversity into something positive, empowering and successful. That foundation gives the salon a depth and authenticity that clients can clearly feel when they walk through the door.
Why clients love Diva Aesthetics & Beauty
In the beauty industry, treatments matter, but relationships matter just as much. One of the things that sets Diva Aesthetics & Beauty apart is its approach to client care. The team describes themselves as down to earth and friendly, treating clients as though they have known them all their lives.
That warmth is a huge part of the salon’s appeal. Beauty and aesthetics treatments can feel daunting for some people, especially if they are trying something for the first time or feeling self-conscious. A welcoming and relaxed atmosphere makes all the difference, and that is exactly what Diva Aesthetics & Beauty provides.
Clients are not just appointments in a diary here. They are people who are listened to, supported and made to feel at ease. That personal approach helps build trust, and trust is everything in this kind of business. It is one of the reasons the salon has grown so strongly and why this award feels like such a fitting recognition.
Growing from small beginnings
One of the biggest milestones for Diva Aesthetics & Beauty has been moving from a small salon to a much bigger salon in order to accommodate its growing number of treatments and clients. That kind of expansion is always a major achievement for any business, but especially for one that has been built with such determination from the ground up.
Growth like that does not happen by accident. It comes from consistently doing the right things, building a loyal client base and creating an experience that people want to come back to again and again. Moving into a larger space is not just a practical change. It is a sign of confidence, progress and a business that is clearly moving in the right direction.
It also shows the ambition behind Diva Aesthetics & Beauty. The salon is not standing still. It is evolving, expanding and continuing to meet the needs of more clients, all while holding onto the friendly and personal atmosphere that helped it grow in the first place.
Overcoming heartbreak and coming back stronger
Like many successful businesses, Diva Aesthetics & Beauty has had to overcome serious challenges along the way. In 2022, the salon suffered a burglary that left the team heartbroken and thousands of pounds out of pocket.
For any independent business, something like that can be devastating. It is not just about the financial loss. It is the emotional impact too, especially when so much hard work and personal investment has gone into building something special. Moments like that can knock confidence and test even the strongest business owners.
What stands out is the response. They carried on and kept growing. That says so much about the resilience behind Diva Aesthetics & Beauty. Instead of letting that setback define them, they pushed forward and continued building the business. That strength and refusal to give up is one of the many reasons this award is so richly deserved.
Changing lives through confidence
Beauty treatments are often about much more than appearance. At their best, they can restore confidence, lift self-esteem and have a real emotional impact on someone’s life. One customer story shared by Diva Aesthetics & Beauty captures that perfectly.
A lady came to the salon deeply unhappy with her nose and had been saving for surgery. She had reached the point where she would not have her picture taken. At the same time, her little boy had cancer, which made photographs with him incredibly important. Through a non-surgical rhinoplasty, the salon was able to achieve a result she loved so much that surgery was no longer needed. She went straight home to take pictures with her son.
It is hard to imagine a clearer example of why this work matters. That moment was not just about aesthetics. It was about confidence, family and creating memories during a deeply emotional time. Stories like that show the human side of the beauty industry and the difference a skilled and compassionate professional can make.
Commitment to learning and the local community
Another proud moment for the owner has been completing her final year at college and working towards Level 7 in Aesthetics, often described as equivalent to a master’s level qualification. That commitment to continued learning speaks volumes. It shows a real desire not just to run a successful business, but to keep improving, developing and offering clients the highest standards possible.
Diva Aesthetics & Beauty also makes sure to give back locally. The salon regularly supports local charities by donating vouchers for raffles to help good causes. That community spirit adds another layer to the business and reflects a genuine connection to the area, which is especially meaningful given that the owner has lived here all her life.
This is clearly a salon that cares about more than treatments alone. It cares about people, the local community and building something that has a positive impact beyond the business itself.
What this award means
When Diva Aesthetics & Beauty found out they had won, the reaction was simple and honest: “Absolutely shocked!!!” That excitement says everything. Winning Beauty Salon of the Year means so much because it reflects the hard work, passion and perseverance that have gone into building the business.
In their own words, this achievement means the world and shows that all the blood, sweat and tears have been worth it. That is what makes this win so powerful. It is not just a trophy or title. It is recognition of a journey filled with challenges, growth and determination.
The team believes their clients will be thrilled for them, and that makes perfect sense. A salon built on genuine relationships creates clients who feel part of the journey too. This award is something they can all celebrate together.
Looking ahead, Diva Aesthetics & Beauty plans to keep growing and may even move into bigger premises in the future. With the momentum they have built, that sounds like a very exciting next step.
Congratulations to Diva Aesthetics & Beauty
At My Local Awards 2026 Yorkshire, we are proud to celebrate businesses that bring passion, resilience and excellence to their local communities. Diva Aesthetics & Beauty has done exactly that.
This award recognises not just the quality of treatments on offer, but the heart behind the business. From an inspiring personal journey to impressive professional growth, loyal client relationships and a commitment to the local community, Diva Aesthetics & Beauty represents everything this award stands for.
Congratulations to Diva Aesthetics & Beauty, a very worthy winner of Beauty Salon of the Year 2026.
A special thank you was also given to Kerrie Martin, a best friend of 35 years, for nominating the business to the Wakefield Express and writing the heartfelt post that helped lead to this huge achievement.
And finally, a message from the team: “We would like to say a massive thank you to each and every client for your support, we couldn’t do this without you.”
