A LITHUANIAN art teacher is enjoying a brush with success after opening her own beauty salon in Greenock.

Ana-Inga Dragu only planned to come to Scotland for three months to improve her English skills.

But the 30-year-old fell in love with the Inverclyde area, so she enrolled in the HND make-up artistry course at West College Scotland in Greenock.

After passing the course with flying colours, Ana-Inga used her savings to open her own hair and beauty salon in Eldon Street.

She told the Tele: “I was working in a school in Lithuania and I had three months holiday over the summer.

“I decided to come to Scotland for three months to work in a hotel in Dunoon with the idea of learning English before going back home.

“But I decided to stay as my manager extended my contract, so I worked and saved up some money.”

With her background as an art teacher and as a qualified hairdresser, Ana-Inga then decided to move to Greenock to pursue her ambition to open up her own beauty salon.

She said: “I had the basic skills and techniques needed, however make-up here in Scotland is very different so I thought it important to learn more.

“I decided to apply for the course at West College Scotland in Greenock and I really enjoyed it.

“We covered a lot of different areas over the two years from occasion make-up to special effects and theatrical make-up. 

“I love being able to transform someone in the space of an hour as everyone loves to look and feel good.”

After completing the course, Ana-Inga used the money she had saved up from working in the hotel to start her own salon in Greenock from scratch.

She added: “It was a big decision and has been very stressful, mainly down to the fact that I funded the whole venture on my own from savings. 

“I had to count every penny, kitting out and decorating the shop myself which has allowed me to invest in professional products which I think is really important.

“Things are going well. 

“I already had an established client base and the shop is in a great location with parking which is a bonus so I’m in a good position.

“Greenock is a beautiful place, I like it here.”
With her burgeoning business, Ana-Inga is now hoping to grow and develop her career.

She said: “It’s early days but all going well I’m hoping to expand and take on some staff.”