16 Oct 2024 Community

Celebrating 40 Years in Business: Jill Yvette’s Holistic Beauty marks milestone with fundraiser

Jill Yvette Painter, a holistic beauty expert and trailblaser in her field, is celebrating a remarkable 40 years in business with a heartfelt fundraiser in memory of her father, Donald Hobson. Jill, 62, who runs Jill Yvette’s Holistic Beauty in Cowlersley, Huddersfield, has commemorated her journey with a garden/house party to raise funds for The Kirkwood.

Jill, whose business is believed to be one of the longest-standing of its kind in Huddersfield, attributes much of her success to her late father, Donald. He was a respected lecturer in electrical engineering at the University of Huddersfield and a beloved captain at Longley Park Golf Club, known for his warm spirit and dedication to his community. Donald died after being diagnosed with cancer 16 years ago, and in his honour, Jill decided to host a fundraiser to support a cause close to both their hearts.

Reflecting on her journey, Jill shared: “My story began with severe lifelong eczema and allergies from birth. When I was just 12 in 1974, I was really struggling with eczema, and medical knowledge was limited. My ambition then was to become a beauty therapist. My dad and mum were the ones who stood by me at a time when no one knew how amazing the profession was to become.”

Her career flourished from these early struggles, and Jill went on to create her own award-winning skin and wellbeing therapy. She also co-authored the book Beauty and the Best. But for Jill, this milestone is not just about celebrating her professional accomplishments; it is about giving back to the community and remembering her father's legacy.

Jill’s garden/house party held earlier this year was a nostalgic celebration of her journey. The event transported guests back to 1984, the year Jill founded her business. Attendees donned fancy dress accessories, enjoyed a traditional buffet, and danced to the music of the era. Jill expressed the significance of the event, saying: “I wanted to express how the whole 40th Anniversary event and fundraising was about helping people to feel good and happy in today’s world of stress and upsets, a safe, secure window of downtime if you like."

She added: “It was a very light-hearted event. Those who attended have since said how much they enjoyed it and smiled to themselves with memories of the afternoon. This is something close to my heart and reciprocates many things you do as a charity, helping to make people smile in times of turmoil.”

The party raised £1,079 for The Kirkwood, Jill was deeply touched by the generosity of those who contributed, saying: “My dad would be so proud to have done this in his name. However, I could not have done this without the donations of other well-established businesses.”

Contributors included Bolster Moor Farm Shop, Rumpus Burgers, and Vinery Hair, as well as Gernetic and Jane Iredale. Jill expressed her gratitude, noting that raffle prizes valued at over £500 boosted ticket sales and helped to reach the impressive fundraising total.

Jill's connection to The Kirkwood runs deep. “My parents were always big supporters of The Kirkwood,” she said. “While my dad didn’t access their services, he strongly believed in what they did for people and how they cared for this community. They always put money into buckets for The Kirkwood as they believed in their work.”

Jill's event was not just a celebration of her 40-year career but a tribute to her father’s love for his community. The day was filled with laughter, games, and nostalgia, with a special theme of Dixon’s Ice Cream, her father’s favorite treat.

Beverley Shaw, Business Development Manager for The Kirkwood, praised Jill’s dedication: “Jill Yvette’s is a long-established local business, and her dedication to her profession over four decades and supporting others is well known. We are honoured and delighted that Jill incorporated a fundraiser for The Kirkwood into her 40th year of trading.”

Looking back, Jill emphasised the importance of The Kirkwood’s work in the community, saying: “The Kirkwood is so important to the care it provides hundreds of people across Kirklees. I hope the funds I have raised have gone a long way to helping make people’s lives just that little bit easier.”

For more information on Jill’s business, visit www.jillyvettes.co.uk