Double national triumph for Sussex beauty expert who started out with just £700

A Sussex businesswoman who began her career with a £700 beauty course has scooped two prestigious national awards — almost 20 years after taking her first steps into the industry.

Katy Jobbins, whose Permanent Makeup Training Academy is based in Wivelsfield, has been named National First Place Semi-Permanent Makeup Artist of the Year 2026 at the UK Hair & GB Beauty Awards.

And in an extraordinary double celebration, the academy she founded was also awarded National First Place Beauty Training Academy of the Year 2026.

The awards recognise not only Katy's skill as an artist, but also her success in passing those skills on to hundreds of other women.

It's a remarkable achievement for someone who started out as a teenager with little money, few connections and an ambition to make something of her life.

From humble beginnings to national recognition

Katy left home at 16 and began building her career after investing £2,000 of her savings and borrowing another £700 to complete a three-day nail course.

She started working as a mobile nail technician, eventually opening her own salon with six members of staff by the age of just 21.

Her move into permanent makeup came almost by chance, after a visiting trainer spotted her artistic ability and encouraged her to pursue the profession.

Almost two decades later, Katy has carried out more than 12,000 permanent makeup procedures, worked from around 50 clinics, including locations in London's Harley Street, and trained nearly 1,000 students.

Many have subsequently gone on to establish successful businesses of their own.

And her achievements have now been recognised on a national stage — twice.

Katy said: "Winning the artist award meant so much to me because I've spent almost 20 years refining my work.

"But when they then announced the academy as National 1st Place too, I couldn't quite believe it.

"I've trained nearly 1,000 students over the years, and teaching women this skill and watching what they go on to do with it has become such a huge part of my life."

A little Sussex magic — with a touch of The Repair Shop

Adding to the charm of Katy's story is the setting in which she now works.

Her academy is based at More House Business Centre in Wivelsfield, sharing its surroundings with other independent, creative local businesses.

It's the sort of place that brings to mind the atmosphere and look of BBC One's much-loved West Sussex based programme, The Repair Shop — where craftsmanship, creativity and individual skills are celebrated.

Rather than the surroundings of a conventional high-street beauty salon, Katy uses the latest technology to create products, carry-out treatments and run her specialised courses  in a stunning setting that reflects the spirit of independent businesses and specialist craftspeople.

And while her work involves beauty rather than restoring treasured antiques, there's a similar appreciation for patience, artistry and the personal stories behind each transformation.

It's a fitting home for a woman whose career has been built around combining artistic talent with the confidence to create something new.

From Sussex to the television screen

Katy may already be familiar to viewers of Channel 5's Rich House, Poor House.

In 2019, she and her family appeared on the programme, swapping lives with Portsmouth single mother Nadine Hill and her family.

But their connection didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling.

Katy went on to help Nadine learn permanent makeup and develop her own business.

The pair have remained in touch, with Katy recently hearing that Nadine had achieved a four-figure day in her business — a milestone that once seemed unimaginable.

It's a story that reflects something Katy feels passionately about: helping other women achieve financial independence and build careers they enjoy.

More than just beauty

Katy's work has also extended beyond the commercial beauty industry.

Through her Pay with a Smile initiative, she has previously provided complimentary permanent makeup treatments to people affected by cancer and other life-changing circumstances.

For some clients, procedures such as restoring the appearance of eyebrows can help rebuild confidence during or after difficult experiences.

Her training academy also attracts women looking for a fresh start, including mothers returning to work, nurses and people considering a complete career change.

Rather than teaching large groups, Katy specialises in individual training, allowing her to offer students more personal attention and guidance.

In 2024, the academy was named National First Place Training Centre of Excellence, while Katy herself took second place nationally in a permanent makeup brow artist category.

Now, two years later, she has gone one better, achieving first place for her own artistry as well as another national victory for her academy.

A proud moment for Sussex

Katy's double success is a reminder that national talent and extraordinary business achievements can be found right on our doorstep.

From a teenager wondering how she could afford a beauty course to a double national award winner working among Sussex's independent creative businesses, her journey has been anything but ordinary.

Yet despite the awards, television appearances and thousands of treatments, Katy insists her greatest satisfaction still comes from helping other people.

"I genuinely believe money isn't everything. Joy matters. Confidence matters. Kindness and helping people matter," she said.

"Permanent makeup gave me a career I absolutely loved, but eventually it also gave me the chance to help other women create something of their own.

"I could never have imagined that almost 20 years later I would be holding two National 1st Place awards for both my artistry and my academy.

"That's what makes this one so special."

And for Katy Jobbins, those two national awards celebrate not only a remarkable personal achievement, but almost two decades of helping others find their own success.

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