Zoe Aldous is a make-up artist, living and working in Leeds. She is also a Trust Leeds pilot micro-finance borrower, one of the first to benefit from Trust Leeds’ pilot micro-finance loan scheme. Having previously worked as a nail technician, renting a chair in a studio space, Zoe took the plunge into self-employment in 2019. After test trading her make up service on friends and family, Zoe began to upload photos of her work to social media and grew her clientele through Instagram.
When the pandemic hit at the start of 2020, Trust Leeds put Zoe’s loan repayments on hold. Now the world is opening back up again, and people are wanting professional make-up for nights out. Zoe is taking courses to refresh herself on the most up-to-date make-up looks & styles, ensuring that she can provide clients with the looks they desire. Her loan has gone towards a studio within Zoe’s home, meaning she can invite customers into a space which is both accessible and professional. Best of luck Zoe, we can’t wait to see what you achieve next!
Having completed our small pilot successfully, Trust Leeds is now applying for Financial Conduct Authority registration with a view to rolling out our micro-finance programme.