Tullamore native wins prestigious business award in Australia
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Tullamore native Grace Kelly has won a major business award in Darwin, Australia.
The Business Woman of the year award win came as part of the Magnify Her - Women in Business awards, where Grace was also one of three finalists in the Industry Leader of the Year category.
Grace hails from Chancery Lane in Tullamore, and is the daughter of Killeigh native Carmel Kelly. She went to school in the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, before moving to Australia 16 years ago, aged just 19.
She has spent many years building her successful business Blend & Snatch by Grace, where she specialises in photography, television, and event makeup, with many TV personalities and celebrities entrusting their beauty to her capable hands.
"I came to Australia 16 years ago as a 19-year-old backpacker and never left. I wore many job hats before settling for a course in what would ultimately become the making of a very successful business in makeup.
"I cannot believe I placed in both Business Woman of the Year and Industry Leader of the Year categories," she said. "The competition is absolutely elite and I am absolutely ecstatic for these incredible ladies."
Grace works as a makeup artist and an influencer, boasting an Instagram following of over 15.5k.
The 35-year-old was also recently invited to attend the brand relaunch of the Balearic Beauty International, an award-winning Luxury Brow Cosmetics brand - which is just one of the many opportunities that have come Grace's way as her career began to flourish.
The event took place in Bali in Indonesia, and featured over 35 international influencer. Grace's inclusion underlines the level of connection she has built in the beauty community since her move to Australia.
The beauty influencer also offers makeup masterclasses.
"I am now working alongside Angelica Koplic, a hugely successful business woman who is on the Forbes Business development council," Grace said. "She is giving me business mentoring and handpicked me to do so."
Grace couldn't be more proud to represent Tullamore abroad, and always retains a soft spot for her home town.
"I’m so proud to be an Irish girl from our gorgeous little Offaly making such an impact in business here.
"It wasn’t always easy, and sometimes it still isn’t, but I absolutely love what I do so it really makes it all worthwhile,” she said.