Orewa’s one-stop shop with a twist
A woman with the trick for all trades has managed to turn her garage into a one-stop shop for both cars and beauty.
One of Orewa’s certified automotive engineers, Katie Harris, has decided to shift the gears and start up her own business in her garage that completely contrasts the typical tomboy stereotype.
Harris is now in the process of setting up three businesses from her home that will offer women the full pamper package of hair, makeup, body paint, portraits and photography. She also continues to do the odd automotive job for friends and family.
After growing up watching and helping both her mother’s father and brother work on vintage cars and aircrafts, Harris decided she wanted to go to Unitec and complete a one year certificate in automotive engineering.
‘‘I have always been a bit of a hands-on tomboy and I have always wanted to own my own business. I started my work experience in automotive and decided that I wanted to start my own business sooner rather than later,’’ Harris says.
Harris looked into how much it would cost to open her own workshop and found it would be too expensive at that time.
‘‘I decided, after giving photography and body art a go, that I wanted to do a makeup and hair course. I found an online course called QC Makeup Academy and have managed to just about complete the three year course in six months, I love it that much,’’ she says.
Harris mostly loves doing bridal makeup, editorial fantasy and stage makeup.
‘‘I use to have a low self-esteem because of acne. When I discovered makeup it made me feel a bit more confident. I love being able to make women feel good.’’
Next on the agenda for Harris is to complete a hairdressing course, and to start womens tanning ‘‘so that mainly bridal parties can get everything done in the one place and feel comfortable.’’
Harris says she loves working with bridal parties because she loves ‘‘pampering them, spending time with them and calming their nerves.’’
Every now and then Harris will go back to working on petrol engines but prefers to work on older styles of cars.
‘‘In older cars you are able to get amongst the engine and fix it, now it is more about plugging it into a computer,’’
Visit Katie Emma Hair & Makeup on facebook for more information.