Founder of Studio 444 named finalist in Hair and Beauty Awards

Jen Lumb, founder of Studio 444, is shortlisted for Best New Salon and Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards.

The studio, located on Wigan Road, was launched with the aim of creating a different kind of beauty and aesthetics business in Bolton.

Ms Lumb said her aim was “to raise the bar for beauty and aesthetics by putting safety, professional standards and collaboration at its heart.”

Rather than operating as a traditional salon, the business provides a shared space where beauty and clinical professionals can run and grow their own businesses while offering clients a range of services in one location.

The founder said the concept was inspired by concerns about standards within parts of the industry, including unlicensed practitioners, counterfeit products and inconsistent safety practices.

By carefully vetting professionals and encouraging the use of legitimate and appropriately regulated products, she hopes Studio 444 can provide reassurance to clients while supporting practitioners to deliver high-quality treatments.

The double awards recognition marks a significant milestone for the business, which Ms Lumb built largely through her own determination and hands-on efforts.

She feels as though the Entrepreneur of the Year nomination recognises the work involved in establishing Studio 444 from the ground up, including renovating the premises herself, overseeing registrations and clinical requirements, managing marketing and even teaching herself coding skills to create the company’s website.

Ms Lumb said the journey had required a willingness to learn new skills and overcome challenges at every stage of the business’s development.

Since opening, Studio 444 has sought to create a supportive environment where professionals can collaborate, share knowledge and build successful businesses while maintaining high standards of care for clients.

Her long-term ambition is to help reshape perceptions of the beauty and aesthetics sector locally and create a model that other businesses can follow.

She said her goal is “to create a new standard that beauty and aesthetics businesses in Bolton can aspire to.”

The winners of the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards will be announced later this year.