About Emma

Educator. Salon owner. Wife. Mum. And quite a few things in between.

If you’d told me years ago that I’d end up running my own beauty academy and salon in Portglenone, I’m not sure I would have believed you.

Not because I couldn’t see myself doing something I loved, but because, well, I’ve lived quite a few different lives to get here.

There are a lot of versions of Emma Kearney to get to know. Some you might expect, and a few that might surprise you. But every experience, every unexpected turn and every lesson along the way has played a part in making me who I am today.

And I wouldn’t change a thing.

A Life That’s Been Anything but Ordinary

Before the academy, before the salon, and long before I ever imagined teaching beauty professionally, I spent 20 years of my life working in film, television, radio and theatre.

I have a degree in Theatre Arts, and performing and working in the entertainment industry has been a huge part of my life. It taught me about people, confidence, creativity and the importance of finding your own voice.

But that’s only one part of the story.

Over the years, I’ve pulled pints, worked in fast-food takeaways, cleaned toilets, worked in a probation office and spent time in traffic management wearing a hard hat and steel-toe-cap boots.

I’ve painted children’s faces at parties, worked as an au pair in America and, while living in England, had my own market stall. I used to travel around with the boot of my car packed to the brim with makeup, setting up wherever I could and making the most of every opportunity.

I’ve been employed, unemployed, self-employed and an employer.

I’ve had jobs I absolutely loved, jobs that paid the bills and jobs that taught me exactly what I didn’t want to do for the rest of my life.

Every single one taught me something.

From Thailand to the Great Barrier Reef

Travel has also been a huge part of my story. I’ve lived in four countries, met some incredible people and found myself in situations I could never have planned.

I once spent three and a half months living on the beautiful island of Koh Tao in Thailand, training to become a divemaster.

Eventually, the money ran out, as it tends to do when you’re having a little too much fun, so I found a cheap ticket to Australia and off I went.

In Australia, I worked as a scuba diver on the Great Barrier Reef, taking holidaymakers out to experience one of the most incredible places in the world. I later made my way to Melbourne, where I worked in a dive shop.

I also spent three months on a farm in Queensland completing regional work. My job? Cleaning. And yes, that occasionally involved lifting dead snakes.

Not quite the glamorous Australian adventure you might picture!

At one point, I was even driving a big ute up the motorway as part of my work in traffic management.

Looking back, I can laugh at some of the things I’ve done. But those experiences gave me confidence, independence, resilience and an appreciation for people from all walks of life.

They’re qualities I still carry with me every single day.

Finding My Place in the Beauty Industry

For the past decade, beauty and education have been at the heart of what I do.

But I didn’t arrive here with everything figured out.

Like so many people starting something new, I’ve made mistakes, changed direction, taken chances and learned along the way.

I’ve experienced the uncertainty of working for myself, the responsibility of employing others and the determination it takes to build something you genuinely believe in.

And somewhere along the way, I found something that brought together so many of the things I’d learned throughout my life.

Teaching. Creating. Connecting with people. Helping someone discover what they’re capable of.

Emma Kearney Academy & Salon is a little piece of every chapter of my life.

My years in entertainment taught me confidence and communication. Travelling taught me independence and adaptability. Working in so many different environments taught me patience, resilience and that everyone has their own story.

And building my own business taught me just how much it means to have somebody believe in you.

That’s the kind of person I want to be for my students.

More Than Just Learning a Skill

Over the years, my academy has welcomed more than 600 students, many of whom have gone on to build successful careers and businesses of their own, both locally and further afield.

Being recognised as Best Training Academy in Ireland and Northern Ireland has been an incredible achievement. But what means the most to me is seeing what happens after a student leaves my classroom.

It’s the student who arrives nervous and unsure of themselves, then leaves with a completely different level of confidence.

It’s hearing that somebody has taken their first paying client, opened their own salon or finally decided to pursue the career they’ve been thinking about for years.

I know what it’s like to start again, to take a chance and to wonder whether you’re making the right decision.

That’s why my approach to education is so personal.

I want my students to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and learning at their own pace. I want them to understand not just how to carry out a treatment, but why they’re doing it and how to build the confidence to do it well.

You’re never just another name on a course booking.

And that same care carries through to my salon clients. Whether you’re visiting for a treatment or joining me for training, you’re spending your time with me, and I never take that for granted.

The Most Important Parts of Me

For all the different jobs I’ve had, the places I’ve lived and the things I’ve achieved, my most important roles have nothing to do with work.

I’m a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter and an aunt.

Family is a huge part of who I am, and it’s one of the reasons I’m so grateful to have created a business that feels like home.

After years of travelling, working in different industries and finding my way, I’m now settled in my beautiful salon in Portglenone, doing what I genuinely love.

And the fact that so many clients and students have followed me through the different stages of my business means more than I could ever properly put into words.

Some of you have been with me for years. Others might be discovering me for the very first time.

Either way, I’m so glad you’re here.

So, This Is Emma Kearney.

Twenty years in entertainment. Four countries. More jobs than I can probably remember. A degree, a few unexpected adventures, plenty of mistakes, some wonderful achievements and a whole lot of lessons along the way.

And now, over a decade spent doing something that brings all of those experiences together.

I’m incredibly proud of the academy and salon I’ve built, but more than anything, I’m grateful for the people who make it what it is.

Every student who trusts me with their education. Every client who walks through my door. Every person who has supported me along the way.

All those different versions of me have brought me here.

And I couldn’t be happier with where I’ve landed.

It’s so lovely to meet you.

Emma x