A beauty specialist from Poland now living in Falmouth has broken down language barriers to pursue her dream of starting her own successful business.

Renata Redas, aged 43, worked as a nail technician in Poland for two years before coming to the UK. She immediately got a taste for Cornish life by working in a pasty factory but soon felt restricted due to her struggles with learning English.

It was after seeing an advert for an English language course at Truro and Penwith College that Renata decided to give her ambition of opening her own nail salon another shot.

“I arrived in England in 2013 and moved to Cornwall,” she said. “I enjoyed my time at the factory but my passion is beauty and I really wanted to work in the area I love, but, I needed to learn English to speak with my customers.”

After one year of working in the factory, Renata applied for an English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) course at Truro and Penwith College. ESOL is a four to eight week programme that provides students whose first language isn’t English the chance to develop their language skills.

“The ESOL course helped me break down the language barrier,” said Renata. “It really helped me to learn the language, which has been important in the preparation of my business. It has also given me the confidence to speak with my clients, which is really important for the social environment in a salon.”

In Poland, Renata took several courses to learn her trade and become a beauty therapist. She then received a certificate for earning her licence to practice nail therapy and eyelash treatments. Her salon, Renee Beauty, has grown from a start-up business to having over 50 regular clients.

"The salon has been very successful, and growing at a fast rate, with new customers on a daily basis," she said. "Beauty has always been a passion of mine, and it was an amazing feeling to achieve my dream and start my own beauty salon.”

If you are interested in studying English for speakers of other languages call 01872 265800 or 01736 335149.