Sheer Bliss: 20 years of success for Kirkcaldy businesswoman Christine

Christine Cunningham-Smith owns Bliss Beauty in the town’s Whytescauseway and said it was a combination of hard work, determination and loyal staff which have ensured the salon’s growth, despite the challenges of the current economic climate.

Christine, who recently toasted the milestone with her staff at a party in Cafe Continental in Kirkcaldy, first launched the business on February 14, 2000 when she worked in partnership with Dom Panetta at Migele Experience in Tolbooth Street.

She said: “I had two treatment rooms upstairs in the salon and there were two of us doing beauty treatments at that time.

We were there for five and a half years. But it became really busy and I thought it would be beneficial if I developed the business and had my own shop front.

“I secured the premises in Whytescauseway in May 2005 and we opened the salon in September that same year.”

But Christine revealed that after leaving Balwearie High she didn’t set out pursue a career in the beauty industry: “After school I did a degree in art at Edinburgh College of Art but I didn’t find work after finishing,” she explained.

“I did have a great experience though working with the Brady family at Raith Fruit and Flowers - I have a lot to thank them for.”

She then went on to study an HND in beauty therapy at Telford College in Edinburgh and Christine was also hugely inspired by her dad who ran a successful engineering business. After completing her studies, she worked as a beauty therapist in treatment rooms for Dom Panetta at Migele Experience before going on to work for Clarins as a therapist at Debenhams in Edinburgh.

Towards the end of the two years she spent at Clarins, Dom approached Christine about coming back to Kirkcaldy and forming a partnership.

She said: “When I first opened Bliss it was hard work because I was learning how to run a business and learning about self-promotionI have always been very grateful for working with Dom as he is an exceptionally good businessman and he had a well-established salon.”

In 2005 the partnership dissolved and Christine went on to open Bliss Beauty in its current location.

She started off with two staff and now has a team of 10.

There has been a number of highlights over the past 20 years. Christine said: “One of the highlights was definitely opening here and having my own team of girls.

“Another was becoming a Clarins Gold Salon in 2011 and winning the Clarins Gold Salon of the Year Award in 2013 which recognises performance and excellence in customer service.

“Then in 2016 we won the Best Beauty Salon in Fife and then went on to the final to win the Best Beauty Salon in Scotland that year.”

She added: “I always tell my clients I would not have a business without the team and I have always been lucky to work with a great bunch of girls.”