WHEN Michelle Boyle and Zoe Gibson bagged work experience at a beauty salon they never dreamed that less than two years later they'd be taking over the company!
But now the young pair are fully-fledged business owners at The Treatment Suite at Total Fitness, Waterloo.
And Michelle, who's just turned 20, has proved her parents wrong.
She explains: "They tried to talk me out of dropping my A-levels to do beauty therapy.
"They didn't think it was the best move. But now they know I did the right thing!"
Michelle, of Cowlersley, met Zoe, 21, at Huddersfield Technical College, where they gained their NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications.
Now they're open for business, doing treatments including facials, massage, body wrap, waxing, eyelash tinting, manicures and pedicures.
They became friends and both won work experience placements with the previous owner in October, 2003.
Michelle and Zoe were taken on as paid staff five months ago, but their employer decided she had to give up to spend more time with her young family.
Michelle says: "Zoe and I had talked about what we wanted to do if we got the chance.
"But we never imagined we'd take on the business. Anyway, we made her an offer and she accepted!"
Their fathers lent them cash to set up in business. Zoe's father is helping with the books.
Michelle did her GCSEs at Salendine Nook High School, gaining good grades, including Bs and Cs. She started A-levels in travel and tourism, hospitality and catering and Spanish at Huddersfield New College.
Five months later, she decided on the switch in direction.
Zoe, who has a two-year-old daughter, Holly, is a former pupil of Almondbury High School.
She says: "I'm really chuffed that we're in business. We love what we do."
The pair have spotted a particular marketing niche - male grooming - and have waxed plenty of chests and backs!
Zoe says: "Men are increasingly interested in the way they look. They are just as vain as women!"
