18th September
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France competed against tough competition in the Businesswoman of the Year category to become one of four finalists in the national competition.

Jenni Middleton of Professional Beauty magazine said: “The judges of the Professional Beauty Women category in our business awards were bowled-over by an impressively sophisticated French-style salon concept.

The attention to detail was flawless from this pioneer of the Cannelle brand, who has considered how to ensure her brand translates into a franchise concept, without losing any of its chic approach or peerless interiors. Her brave spirit, consistent standards and understanding of customer service sets her apart.”

As well as being committed to providing the best possible service to its clients, Cannelle is also committed to caring for the environment.

Cannelle uses environmentallyfriendly products, runs all machines using the lowest possible energy and has electricity from energy-efficient suppliers who have sustainability at the heart of their long-term strategy.

Cannelle marketing manager Emily Lovell said: “We research and use, wherever possible, environmentally friendly washing products. These have been developed to achieve optimum results while having the minimum effect on the environment.

“Produced in ecological factories, they are based on sustainable plant and mineral ingredients, which have been chosen to work well and limit the chemicals in the environment. We recycle all waste products possible and encourage our suppliers to deliver products using environmentally-friendly packaging.”

France Baudet, who owns Cannelle salons in Summertown, Oxford and Henley-on-Thames has been awarded the prestigious Federation of Small Businesses trophy for reaching the regional finals of the competition, organised by the Federation of Small Businesses.

On Friday 17th August Dr Evan Harris MP Oxford West and Abingdon came to France's beauty salon in Summertown for the presentation of her Federation of Small Businesses award. He met with owner France Baudet, Marketing Manager Emily Lovell, and members of the staff.

France started work in Oxford in 1997 as a volunteer at the British Red Cross in Summertown and quickly realised that there was a niche in the growing beauty market for a salon that created the ambiance and treatments of her home country. She opened her first salon, in Oakthorpe Road, Summertown in 1999 with one member of staff and a limited range of therapies.

By listening to her customers' needs and using French-based treatments the business grew and a second salon was opened in Henley in 2002. Bigger premises in Henley were acquired in 2006 and a beauty treatment room was also established at an Oxford City Centre Gym, under the Cannelle name.

Now the combined businesses employ 11 people within Oxfordshire and offer a wide range of treatments for both women and men. More than 60 per cent of new clients return within a month of their first visit and 70 per cent of clients have been recommended through word-of-mouth.

Says France: "I am very grateful to all our customers and our staff who have made the business a success from very small beginnings ten years ago. We have a different approach to beauty therapies and also work hard to contribute to our local communities through charity-raising and offering work experience opportunities".

"charm coupled with the determination to bring the French approach to beauty therapy to Oxford have led to the success of this business" - is what the judges said after meeting France Baudet and hearing her talk about her business Cannelle, which is a regional finalist in the service and retail categories of the the British Small Business Champions Awards 2007. When she came to England 10 years ago France Baudet was surprised to find that the same level of beauty treatments offered in France was not available here.

Her aim was to bring the quality, style and individually tailored precision of French beauty therapy to England. She chose Summertown to set up her salon and developed a treatment list offering the best of French beauty treatments as well as the usual waxing, manicure, pedicure etc. All the while getting across the message that beauty therapy should not be regarded as a reward but an essential part of routine. Her mission has succeeded and as well as her original Summertown salon, she has a second in Henley-on-Thames and a base within a gym in the centre of Oxford. And from the one therapist that she originally employed she now has eight, and two receptionists. The British Small Business Champions Awards (BSBC) are the only national awards exclusively for small businesses. Established in 2003 by the Federation of Small Businesses to celebrate the achievements and raise the profile of the UK's small businesses - there are four million of them.