World’s ‘girliest’ multi-million dollar business sits in giant PINK warehouse

By Bradley Stokes

A beautician who began her career doing client's nails in her mom's kitchen is now running "Britain's girliest" multi-million dollar business - from a giant PINK warehouse.

Annabel Maginnis, 30, shot to success and became a social media star with over 750,000 followers after her incredible nail art went viral.

The determined businesswoman started out ten years ago by booking appointments at her family home where her mom would hand out champagne to customers.

"I started in my mom's kitchen after I asked my nail technician to train me because I really enjoyed getting my nails done,” said the mom-of-one.

"She would give out champagne to my clients, but my husband Elliott encouraged me to open my own salon and we thought why not.

Since then, she has gone on to open a fairy-tale like salon in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England which features pink and gold unicorns, flowers and feather-clad chandeliers.

Annabel has now expanded her empire as her lucrative business Glitterbels grows by purchasing an eye-catching 55,000 sq ft warehouse - painted bright pink.

Husband Elliot, 30 said: "Annabel first started doing make-up but she enjoyed getting her nails done and I said 'go for it.’”

"The salons we set up before were nice, but it was never exactly what Annabel wanted, so for this one I told her she could have whatever she wanted.

"She wanted the unicorn, the flowers and trees. She spray painted everything gold herself. She's always gone the extra mile for her customers and the warehouse was the next step which, of course, had to be pink.”

Self-taught entrepreneur, Annabel started her business after undergoing just a two-day training course when she asked her nail technician to teach her.

She opened her salon - complete with sparkly and glittery décor - in 2018 before investing in the warehouse, which she has also painted in her favorite color.

“We wanted create a business like no other, so the customer can feel comfortable and experience a salon like no other,” she said.

"We also wanted to give a visual for a customer which was exciting and inspirational. It took us around six months to plan, design and execute, and four months to empty clean and design.

Talented nail technician Annabel Maginnis, 30, has painted her new warehouse bright pink, as the determined businesswoman grows her company along with husband Elliot, 30. (Tristan Potter via SWNS)

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“We had some difficulties along the way, even trying to secure the building. Then, when COVID happened, we experienced some long delays.

“Trying to schedule in works in such a short amount of time, has been hard. Now we are now the other end, we can enjoy the amazing new area we have created.

“The response has been amazing and it is so nice to see how we have inspired nail technicians; nails are always changing and it’s amazing to be a part of that.”

The massive unit dominating the skyline in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent has led to some locals dubbing it an eyesore.

"Nobody wants a massive pink warehouse in their town, its a right eyesore,” complained Tunstall resident Graham Simms.

Talented nail technician Annabel Maginnis, 30, has painted her new warehouse bright pink, as the determined businesswoman grows her company along with husband Elliot, 30. (Tristan Potter via SWNS)

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But others residents and Annabel's customers say they love the colorful addition to the drab town center and heralded Glitterbels as the "girliest business in Britain."

"Annabel deserves all the success in the world, she has worked so hard to get this far,” said customer Celina Jones, 33, of Stoke-on-Trent.

"I think it’s safe to say it's Britain's girliest business. It's just very pink and girly.

"I know in this day and age you can't really say as much that pink is for girls and blue is for boys - but I'm a girlie girl and not ashamed to say I love pink. But obviously it boils down to the quality of the product and Annabel is just amazing."

Another customer and local resident Charlotte Mullins, 20, added: "Anybody moaning needs to get a life.

"It brightens up a drab town center and any successful company based here should be applauded and supported."

Now that they have opened the warehouse Annabel and Elliot, who helps run the business, have lofty ambition to take the business worldwide.

“We see the business opening up into America and Australia too," said Annabel.

“And of course, all our potential new salons will be pink. Why? Because who doesn’t love pink.

“We have over 200 staff now both here in the UK and ambassadors and educators internationally. We will be in Manchester soon, where we will have potentially 2,000 customers."

Glitterbels offers a range of high-quality acrylic powders, gel polishes and crystals for nail technicians.

Annabel Maginnis with husband Elliot. (Tristan Potter via SWNS)

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Over the last decade, Annabel's impressive nail art has helped her attract almost 500,000 followers on Instagram and over 175,000 on Facebook.

Annabel said: "I started getting a following on Instagram about four years into my career. I did one of my best friend's nails where I covered them in crystals and her lips."

"I uploaded it to Instagram and I was really lucky because a big nail account started to share it and that's what started it all. Instagram is really important, it's what we use to promote the salon. Most of the people that come here come for the nail art and designs.

"I never dreamed I'd get this far."