Utopia hair and beauty owner from Holbeach hopes to share ‘good vibes’ with people across the world after rising to fame on a social media platform

An ambitious hairdresser and beauty therapist is on a mission to educate her 56,000 followers and spread ‘good vibes’ to men and women across the world – after rising to fame on a social media platform.

Cath Carter, 53, of Holbeach, refused to sit still during lockdown in 2020 and decided to keep track of her weight loss journey by going live on Facebook.

Within a short period of time her viewers had grown from seven to more than 100 – with many of them located all over the world.

Cath said: “Once the restrictions started to relax, I took my selfie stick and phone and went live during my walk - now I have followers all over the world, which is beautiful.

“I have got people in Australia waking up to do their steps with me and I have also sent my merchandise to my viewers in New Zealand.

“I had zero intention of turning this community I have built into a business, I just wanted to share a laugh, motivate people to keep active, and maybe teach them how to master the perfect winged liner.

“I try to promote looking after your body inside and out and being healthy because holding fat on your body is not going to be your friend.

“In the beginning, I was fitness based but when I started going through the menopause, I began sharing my personal story with my viewers. I think it is also really important to raise awareness about andropause, which is the the male menopause, because not many men know they are going through it.

“Men don’t like to talk about it so women have to plant the seed. It’s real and a lot of the time their symptoms such as low testosterone is being seen as depression when it’s not.

“When I was live, people started asking me what products I use in my salon and makeup videos – so I thought, why don’t I start supplying the products?”

Cath invested in the same products she used in her day to day life and started her own website, which has since shipped more than 5,000 items worldwide.

Some of the videos on her page include ‘cooking in the kitchen with me’, shopping and makeup hauls, skincare tips, meal inspiration and more.

Cath also has a weekly check-in call with her 56,000 followers, which she does from her bed or hot tub with a cup of tea every Sunday, to talk about what kind of week everyone has had and how they can make it better going forward.

She said: ”They aren’t just drawn to my makeup advice, they connect with my personal stories of overcoming health challenges which include my weight loss journey and the struggles of finding support for menopause symptoms.

“I want to educate people on topics that are missing in our education systems and what makes me sad is that you can see where it is missing.

“People say money is tight but still buy takeaways. Poor quality food is quite dear and it’s not cheap anymore. If you go to the supermarket, you can make something that isn’t as expensive and will be healthier for you.

After covid restrictions allowed people to return to normality, Cath started getting back into the swing of her own business, Utopia, which offers a range of treatments for clients.

She said: “There are busy days but it’s all about being organised. I wake up at 6.15am, go live on Facebook at 7am, go to the gym at 7.30am, get back home, have my breakfast and get ready to work in my salons.

“Life is a bit crazy but it’s a beautiful crazy and it doesn't feel like work. I am proud of it but it dosen’t feel real because it just happened so authentically – it’s just so crazy and surreal.

“I never thought to myself, I want to get into social media and sell loads of products. I have created a natural and authentic relationship with my viewers and they are watching me for me.

“You feel like you know these people yet you’ve never met them before – it’s beautiful.

“I have received so many thank you cards and gifts from my followers which thank me for helping them get through lockdown and other hard times in life.”

At the moment Cath goes live on Facebook every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday to encourage her viewers to get their steps in with her.

She also offers a community membership called ‘Fabulous Flockers’ where members can gain access to exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes beauty secrets, personalised question and answer sessions and guest expert calls.

The subscription costs £3.49 each month or £20 for six months.

Cath added: “I named it after flamingos because anyone can be a pigeon but that’s not me.

“My dream would be to write some children’s books, start a charity or have my own make up range. I want to do so much and I have so many ideas.”

For more information visit Cath Carter’s Facebook page and website.

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