A woman who used her life savings to open a men’s barber shop in Wrexham is reaping the benefits – thanks to girl power.

Sharon Hughes risked everything she had to open Gozo at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in the teeth of the recession in 2010.

But the salon has  really taken off  and she’s now expanding the business to provide a beauty treatments for women.

The new women’s beauty business was launched with a glamorous cocktail party at the shop.

Sharon’s ultimate aim is to open a second premises so she can have his and hers salons.

The mother-of-two, a former nurse, fulfilled a lifelong ambition to run her own business when she opened Gozo (the Portuguese word for pleasure) but admitted it had been a difficult decision at the time.

Among those who’s helped make Gozo a success is Sharon’s daughter, Katie, 23, who is the company’s Style Director.

Sharon recalled: “Establishing Gozo was stressful because I put all of my savings into it but I’ve overcome that now and I’m now looking to expand further..

“Things are going very well and we are attracting about 10 to 15 new customers a week in addition to our regulars.

“In this era of people like David Beckham and these reality stars, men’s grooming seems to be coming ever more important.

“We’ve got a bar we’re a licensed bar as well so the guys quite like that.

The idea to provide beauty treatments for women came after Gozo took part at a charity event at the Ramada Hotel.

Sharon discovered there was a huge demand for everything from waxing to Indian head massages.

“People kept asking us why we didn’t do women’s beauty treatments at Gozo.”

The demand inspired Sharon to employ beautician Laura Owen, 24, to work solely with women.

Sharon added: “I decided to see how it goes with beauty treatments for women and it just took off.

“It’s very exciting because it’s a whole new element to the business and the response has been great.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the ladies as well, and they certainly enjoy the wine and the cocktails we make.

“We now do a full range of beauty treatments including waxing such as eyebrow, leg, and underarm waxing.

“Also we do eyelash extensions, eyelash tints, facials, massaging, pedicures, manicures, file and polish, acrylic nails, gel nails, and nail art.

“There’s a huge demand. The men and the women get on really well. The ladies bring in their partners and their children in for their haircuts when they’ve been coming in for treatments.

“It’s been such a success that I am now looking for another property.

“I currently employ five people but when we open the new premises there’ll be more jobs.”

Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley is delighted  Gozo has proved such a success.

He said: “I am so pleased that Sharon’s hard work is paying off so handsomely and that she has now been able to create a women’s beauty salon within Gozo.

“It’s great news for Sharon and it’s great news for Eagles Meadow.”

For more information go to: www.gozo-men.co.uk