Aspect chosen as a business championing Small Business Saturday 2015

Photo: Phil Wareing Photography

Stefanie Smith working on a bride's make up

Aspect has been chosen as one of 100 small businesses who are championing Small Business Saturday for 2015.

The Littleborough and Wardle based business has been chosen as part of the initiatives ‘Small Biz 100’ which profiles 100 businesses leading up to Small Business Saturday on Saturday 5 December.

Started in 2011, by Stefanie and Jan Smith, a daughter and mother team, Stefanie had spent four years training to be a makeup artist culminating with a degree. She learnt a wide range of skills including, bridal, catwalk, fashion shoots, cos play and special effects. She also learnt about skin structure, researching time periods/cultures for authentic looks etc., hygiene and client safety. Stefanie wanted to run her own business upon leaving university and Jan had years of experience working as a software engineer and business manager for both corporate and SME clients. They pair talked and decided to launch the business together.

Since their launch, Aspect has four other artists working with them, all of which are qualified to a high standard, with three of them having degrees. The company has also collaborated with Hopwood Hall College to provide work experience, interview practice and Q&A sessions.

Although based in Wardle and Littleborough, the company are mobile and can cover the whole of the North West. They participated in Pride in Rochdale last year and have a heart to see the town revived and businesses working together.

On Small Business Saturday, Aspect will be holding two events at the same time at the Flying Horse Hotel. One event will be a drop in session where anyone in business can get advice on accountancy, strategy for growth, social media and promotion. The second event will be a Christmas Fair, where small business owners who don’t have a ‘shop’ can sell face-to-face.

Last year small business Pringle Accountants from Rochdale was a Small Business 100 and will be working with Aspect.

Speaking about being one of the 100 small businesses, Jan Smith said: “We’re honoured to be a Small Biz 100 so we can promote small businesses in the borough.”