Restaurant manager launches her own personal styling service

Amy Beckett, who runs The Exchange in Greenock, has turned a passion for looking good into a thriving business.

Her fledgling firm, Trend Trip, has only just been established but is already making waves.

She has been working with top brands and was also enlisted to do styling for businesswoman Victoria Halliday, the head of business for Fake Bake.

Amy, 35, said: "I met Victoria at an event and she told me she was really struggling to find things that suited her body shape.

"I went to see her and started styling for her and it went from there.

"She works a lot and she doesn't have time to shop and doesn't enjoy it either."

Amy has now been asked to come up with a red carpet gown for Victoria ahead of the National Television Awards in January.

She went down to London to do a course and since then she's worked with The Stylist London, delivered professional bra fitting at Selfridges and tailoring at Saville Row.

She also worked on a campaign photoshoot with luxury cashmere producer Begg & Co.

Amy said: "It's such a luxury brand and I knew I would be working with the best in the business.

"I was doing a shoot with them for their collection in London and when they decided to do a campaign shoot in Glasgow their creative director asked if I could be part of the styling team.

"The opportunities I've had, with being such a new business, have been amazing.

"I've just said yes to everything I've been offered."

Amy has clients as far afield as London and is currently helping a lady with her outfit to receive her OBE.

But her main priority is her growing local customer base and she is fully booked for the month of December.

Amy says she provides three services - online styling, styling at home and decluttering wardrobes.

She said: "I've been doing it for friends and family and friends of friends for years.

"I just like browsing and if I can get something cheaper I will."

She hopes to educate panic buy shoppers not to snap up items they do not need just because they are on sale.

She said: "It's a mindset.

"You've got to ask does it suit you, is it your size?

"People tend to wear the same things all the time and say they have nothing to wear, when their wardrobes are bulging.

"It's just that they don't know what to wear with what.

"I help to structure their wardrobes.

"One client said I had saved her a fortune because all we had to do was add half a dozen items and she had a brand new wardrobe.

"I want to thank all my local clients who have given me the confidence to go ahead and pursue these other opportunities with bigger brands."

Amy says the business is a dream come true and would encourage anyone who is thing to take the plunge to go for it.

She said: "It is something I've wanted to do for years and I thought 'if I don't do it now, I'll never do it'.

"It's just taken off.

"You've got to have a good work ethic and give it 110 per cent."

Amy wants to thank Business Gateway Inverclyde, who helped Amy to develop her business plan and identify funding, for their support.

Amy said: "My adviser Alexis Watson was a source of valuable support and guided me through every aspect of starting my business.

"She also provided a wealth of information and knowledge about company regulations, tax returns, website building and how to make the most of networking events.

“It’s been a tremendous start for Trend Trip, and I am thrilled by all the feedback and encouragement I’ve received.”

Adviser Alexis added: “Amy’s passion for the fashion industry combined with our business support has helped Trend Trip get off to a fantastic start.

"Amy had a clear vision to provide a personal, client focused service but Business Gateway advice has been the missing piece that helped to bring her ideas to life.”