NEW SPOTLIGHT SERIES: Meeting the local women involved in the Ladies First Charity Calendar

PAOLA SPIGA – Kenilworth - Miss December - Raising money for Arrive Alive

placeholder image — The latest Calendar Girl in the Spotlight | Supplied

Tell us about yourself. When did you establish your business, and why?

I'm Paola Spiga. I was born in Italy and I'm proud to be Sardinian. I opened Glam and Glow Beauty Lab in Hockley Heath, Solihull, in October 2023. I wanted to build a community salon, driven by the purpose of helping people discover themselves through knowledgeable and compassionate support on high level of service. In under three years, I've collected 18 accolades, which still amazes me. I've even spoken at the House of Commons about my story and building the salon from scratch.

Paola Spiga runs the multi-award-winning Glam and Glow Beauty Lab. | Photo by Chalmers News PR

I'm also the founder of Janas Healing, an integrative healing practice I built from the ground up. It's inspired by the Janas figures of Sardinian mythology and by my heritage. Both businesses come from the same place. I want people to feel truly cared for, and to leave feeling more like themselves.

What did you do before that?

I was a spa manager in several prestigious spas, developing my skills at every one. I have over 20 years' experience, including time at the five-star St Regis hotel in Florence, where I treated royalty and famous people. That taught me to give every guest the same level of care, whoever they are. I've brought that standard to my own salon.

Why did you agree to be part of the calendar?

Paola is Miss December in the calendar alongside Suzanne Virdee and Sue Cressman. | Photo by Visually Virtual Photography.

Because I loved the idea of helping Debbie and Ellie. I know them, and they are incredible in what they do for others. Supporting them felt like a real privilege. It also meant standing alongside amazing women from Ladies First Networking. I'll admit I was nervous. But I'd rather step outside my comfort zone for something that matters than stay comfortable and do nothing.

Were you nervous on the day? How did you overcome it?

Very nervous at the start. Once we got going, we had fun and laughed all the way through. The professional photographers put me at ease, and the other women made it feel like a day out with friends.

What have you learned about yourself?

That I can walk into something scary and come out the other side. I teach self-love and self-compassion to everyone I work with. They're the hardest things to practise, and I had to practise them that day.

Besides raising money, what's the most important message behind the calendar?

Real women can be seen and celebrated for who they are, not picked apart. We live in a world that's becoming more and more superficial. This calendar shows the opposite: women lifting each other up for a cause bigger than themselves.

Why did you choose Arrive Alive?

Because it's a charity that can help everyone, whoever you are and wherever you live. Arrive Alive is Britain's only registered charity dedicated to funding lifesaving vehicles and equipment for Community First Responders. These are medically trained volunteers sent to life-threatening 999 calls by West Midlands Ambulance Service. Their vehicles can reach an emergency in those vital minutes before an ambulance arrives, so treatment starts sooner. They've funded vehicles across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country, so this is close to home for me. The charity gets no government or NHS funding and relies entirely on donations. That's why every pound from this calendar matters. You can find out more at www.arrivealiveresponse.co.uk.

What woman most inspires you?

Women inspire me every day. I meet incredible women through my work, but not many of them get the chance to share their story with everyone. I'm very lucky that I get to hear those stories through my job. They remind me how strong women are, and how much courage sits behind an ordinary day.

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

Be brave and always choose to break out of your comfort zone. The world is beautiful and full of opportunities on the other side of it. Be compassionate with others and try to bring positivity into every person's life.

Something unusual most people don't know about you?

I love my private lifestyle. I have to be on social media for work, but I'm a private person at heart. I also studied Pharmacy at university for two years before I trained in beauty, which surprises people.

Anything else?

Ladies First Networking is where I've met so many wonderful women. Some of those friendships have become part of my family. That's the real gift of this calendar for me.