SHE'S in the business of making people feel good about themselves, but it has taken beauty therapist Natalie Williams a long time to feel happy with her lot.
Natalie has faced an up-hill struggle in the past 12 months after not one, but two setbacks that left the single-mum reeling.
The first came last December when her six-year-old son, Liam Crabtee, was diagnosed with the bleeding disorder haemophilia. That same month Liam's dad, 26-year-old Lee Crabtree went out on his works Christmas party, came home and never woke up. An inquest has just recorded accidental death.
The couple were childhood sweethearts and spent seven years together before going their separate ways four years ago. Liam was the apple of his dad's eye and spent three days a week with him and his family.
Natalie, who lives in Ovenden Way, Halifax, with her son, not surprisingly went into depression and had to give up her office job and take anti-depressants. She suffered from post-natal depression and the two December incidents sent her into a downward spiral.
But Natalie's life is now back on course thanks in no small part to her strength of character and the Prince's Trust. Rather than go under she decided to go back to college and try a new career in beauty. The Prince's Trust saw how positive and determined she was and helped her get her own business off the ground with the help of a grant.
She has opened her own beauty and nail salon, Beauty Matterz within Workout Warehouse Gym, Square Road, Halifax, and says instead of dreading Christmas she's now looking forward to it.
"Last Christmas went by in a haze. It was a terrible time but things are looking up at last," says Natalie, who loves her new career and offers all the usual treatments such as make-up, waxing, eyelash and eyebrow tinting and spray tanning."
Liam, who attends St Malachy's Primary School, Illingworth, Halifax, can't run wild and have fun like most boys his age because of his condition.
"The school is always on the phone because the slightest knock or bang can set him off. He has a nose bleed most nights and has to go to Bradford Royal Infirmary regularly for check ups," says Natalie, who is really proud of her son.
"He's a tower of strength to me because he's been through an awful lot but he never moans. The only regret I have is that he has had to grow up too quickly."
She also has praise for the Prince's Trust and both her own and Lee's family.
"If it wasn't for the Prince's Trust I wouldn't be where I am today. And I couldn't have got by without the help of both families. I now want to make a go of my new venture and give Liam a Christmas to remember."