Sweet Winks Receives $10K Grant To Renovate New Location

BRISTOL HERALD MAIL

High-quality yet affordable skin care services are a key focus of Sweet Winks LLC, according to owner Sarah Mullins Botts, who notes that value-added services are also offered, including eyelash extensions and organic teeth whitening, as the company maintains its goals. enhance the client's signature natural look.

Sweet Winks, located at 502 Wood Avenue East in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Coal Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for start-up capital.

"Sweet Winks, LLC offers a wide range of personal care services near you here in Southwest Virginia," said Jonathan Belcher, Executive Director/General Counsel for VCEDA. "The new company plans two full-time employees and four part-time employees for five years."

“I founded Sweet Winks, LLC to cater to women like myself who are looking for a sophisticated yet natural look,” says Botts. "Sweet Winks is a full-service studio for light aesthetics such as eyelash extensions, eyelash removal and tinting, eyebrow lamination, eyebrow tinting, facials, teeth whitening and more."

People also read...

Botts is a licensed cosmetologist and certified lash professional. The new business opened in March and Mullins said an appointment will be made in about a month.

"Sweet Winks is a one-stop shop for natural and organic beauty products and treatments," says Botts. "We targeted women aged 14 to 70 and men aged 16 to 60.

Botts added that nurses have contracts and can administer injections, including botox and fillers.

Retail goods are also available, including jewelry, essential oils, and organic skin care.

“I used a VCEDA grant to complete renovations at our new location,” Botts said. "I couldn't have done it without a grant. I added one full-time employee and one part-time employee.

Botts worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) to prepare his VCEDA application and received a letter of support from the Wise County Industrial Development Authority.

"It has been a pleasure working with Sarah and watching the company grow," said Becky O'Quinn-Purdy, SBDC Director at MECC. “The Mountain Empire Small Business Development Center is pleased that this business is thriving in such a short period of time. Sarah's commitment to excellent customer service and quality service is evident. Thanks to VCEDA seed funding, Sweet Winks was able to offer the region the opportunity to take advantage of this service without traveling outside the region.

"The passion and enthusiasm Sarah has for her business is evident when reviewing the application package," said Wise County IDA Executive Director Brian Falin. “Wise County IDA is proud to present the Sweet Winks Letter of Support with its application for the VCEDA Seed Capital Program. As personal care services are in high demand, we see great opportunities for businesses to expand and offer additional services that will only improve the quality of life in our community.

Get the latest FREE local business news in your inbox every week.