About Me
My Story
From the slums of Cameroon to owning my own beauty salon in East London ‘Nothing destined me to live the life I enjoy today.’
I was born in Douala in a poor and crowded house. Opportunities and prospects of a better life were slim. I quickly realised that if I wanted anything more for myself, I had to leave Cameroon. I learnt about a way to Europe through university and set my mind to it. Everyone thought this was too big of a dream that I would never reach. But I didn’t let anyone go against my determination. I worked hard every day with this one goal in mind.
When I was 22, I was offered an opportunity I couldn’t refuse: to go to Italy to work as I always dreamt of. I arrived in Parma alone with just a few belongings, leaving my husband and two young daughters back home. I felt more than ever the responsibility to earn a decent living for myself and my family.
I wish I could tell you that the colour of my skin didn’t matter so much in the way I was welcomed. But this wouldn’t be the truth. When I started looking for work, I hoped to be offered the same opportunities as any other young and hard-working woman. I soon found out that the only positions available to me were being a cleaner or taking care of the elderly, which no one else wanted to do.
This wasn’t good enough. I hadn’t worked so hard, studied for so many hours and left my family in Cameroon so that I could clean after other people. Once again, I decided to go against the odds. I visited the jobcentre again and again until they told me about an opening in a spa. I applied, and to everyone’s surprise, they hired me as a massage therapist.
It’s there that I discovered a new world of wellness and beauty, where hard work is valued, and the client’s experience is at the heart of everything you do. I enjoyed every aspect of it. My clients often said I had ‘good hands’ which gave me confidence in pursuing a career in beauty. I wanted to learn more and train to provide other treatments.
The next six years were hectic. I found a way to support myself, work, train at the renowned Ecipar Beauty school and take care of my family now living with me. I can’t say it was easy. There were many obstacles, I was told ‘no’ more times than ever before, but I always saw past it. I had a new goal to reach – to work for myself and open my own salon.
Elise Sombi
‘You get to choose –Ether you have a good excuse not to start or a great story about how you started.’
In 2009, I was the first black woman to own the first beauty salon in Parma. I established my reputation thanks to my knowledge and expert skills. But it’s my positive, kind and professional attitude that my clients came back for.
I found happiness and a healthy balance between a job I enjoyed and more time for my family. And in 2013, when my youngest daughter moved to London to pursue her career, I decided to join her. I realised that beauty treatments are easily provided anywhere in the world – the expertise and knowledge you gained are your own to keep. Starting again was an easy choice because I already had a lot to offer.
The first version of Good Hand Therapy in London was different from what it is now. It was much smaller and much harder to find. I rented a back room near Bethnal Green Station that I was told ‘was never going to work as a beauty salon’. Yet it did. I made it work. Three years later, I moved into my current location on Bethnal Green Road where I welcome clients every day to provide the best beauty treatments at a competitive price.
After 19 years of working in a beauty salon, I still love my job. I know that I’m lucky, but only because I created my own luck. Now I want to share everything I learnt along the way for people to discover their potential and thrive.
With Good Hand Therapy Academy, I offer specialised training for all level beauty therapists (and therapists-to-be!). With my training, you will excel in a fulfilling job and start earning an income as soon as the next day.
I'm looking forward to meeting you!
MY STORY
From the slums of Cameroon to owning my own beauty salon in East London
‘Nothing destined me to live the life I enjoy today.’
I was born in Douala in a poor and crowded house. Opportunities and prospects of a better life were slim. I quickly realised that if I wanted anything more for myself, I had to leave Cameroon. I learnt about a way to Europe through university and set my mind to it. Everyone thought this was too big of a dream that I would never reach. But I didn’t let anyone go against my determination. I worked hard every day with this one goal in mind.
When I was 22, I was offered an opportunity I couldn’t refuse: to go to Italy to work as I always dreamt of. I arrived in Parma alone with just a few belongings, leaving my husband and two young daughters back home. I felt more than ever the responsibility to earn a decent living for myself and my family.
I wish I could tell you that the colour of my skin didn’t matter so much in the way I was welcomed. But this wouldn’t be the truth. When I started looking for work, I hoped to be offered the same opportunities as any other young and hard-working woman. I soon found out that the only positions available to me were being a cleaner or taking care of the elderly, which no one else wanted to do.
This wasn’t good enough. I hadn’t worked so hard, studied for so many hours and left my family in Cameroon so that I could clean after other people. Once again, I decided to go against the odds. I visited the jobcentre again and again until they told me about an opening in a spa. I applied, and to everyone’s surprise, they hired me as a massage therapist.
It’s there that I discovered a new world of wellness and beauty, where hard work is valued, and the client’s experience is at the heart of everything you do. I enjoyed every aspect of it. My clients often said I had ‘good hands’ which gave me confidence in pursuing a career in beauty. I wanted to learn more and train to provide other treatments.
The next six years were hectic. I found a way to support myself, work, train at the renowned Ecipar Beauty school and take care of my family now living with me. I can’t say it was easy. There were many obstacles, I was told ‘no’ more times than ever before, but I always saw past it. I had a new goal to reach – to work for myself and open my own salon.
‘You get to choose – either you have a good excuse not to start or a great story about how you started.’
In 2009, I was the first black woman to own the first beauty salon in Parma. I established my reputation thanks to my knowledge and expert skills. But it’s my positive, kind and professional attitude that my clients came back for.
I found happiness and a healthy balance between a job I enjoyed and more time for my family. And in 2013, when my youngest daughter moved to London to pursue her career, I decided to join her. I realised that beauty treatments are easily provided anywhere in the world – the expertise and knowledge you gained are your own to keep. Starting again was an easy choice because I already had a lot to offer.
The first version of Good Hand Therapy in London was different from what it is now. It was much smaller and much harder to find. I rented a back room near Bethnal Green Station that I was told ‘was never going to work as a beauty salon’. Yet it did. I made it work. Three years later, I moved into my current location on Bethnal Green Road where I welcome clients every day to provide the best beauty treatments at a competitive price.
After 19 years of working in a beauty salon, I still love my job. I know that I’m lucky, but only because I created my own luck. Now I want to share everything I learnt along the way for people to discover their potential and thrive.
With Good Hand Therapy Academy, I offer specialised training for all level beauty therapists (and therapists-to-be!). With my training, you will excel in a fulfilling job and start earning an income as soon as the next day.
