When her maternity leave came to an end, mum-of-two Bonnie Charles didn't want to return to work in a hospital. So, she trained as a nail technician and set her heart on working from home.
But with a small budget and a full family house, she had to think outside the box. Bonnie found a caravan that was being offered out for free on Facebook and roped in her husband's help.
Along with her stepdad, the pair transformed the unwanted and unloved old caravan into a glamorous, green beauty salon on wheels - spending just £300 on materials.
Bonnie told the Mirror: "I had a drive at the back of my house that I didn't use and I was determined to make the business work with no start-up money available."
Last year, the 28-year-old decided to do a part-time nail technician course at a local college in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
"I went self-employed in the July and in the September, I opened up the doors to the caravan. While I was waiting for it to be finished, I worked mobile using every payment to fund it," Bonnie said.
"The caravan was free off Facebook and my husband and stepdad did the renovations. I had a £0 budget to be honest.
"All the interiors were scrap pieces from a local DIY shop. The green paint was a tin someone had mixed by mistake and the labour was free.
"The most expensive part was furnishing the caravan with cushions, chairs and shelves."
Bonnie spent less than £300 to get the caravan to a standard where she could welcome clients inside.
She purchased floral cushions, faux plants, candles and animal ornaments to spruce up the interior and make it feel homely.
"To rent a chair it's about £25 to £30 a day, which doesn't include any supplies," Bonnie explained - meaning she saves approximately £6,000 a year with her set-up.
"The electricity comes off my main home supply and I really haven't noticed a massive increase on my bills," she said.
"It's definitely cheaper than if I was to pay a separate electric bill on a salon property. It's financially beneficial for me to stay where I am."
The colourful and clean caravan has become a well-loved location by locals, who find it "more personal" than sitting in a large salon.
Bonnie has running water to wash hands, electricity to work her UV lamps and lighting, although the space is already very bright.
"My neighbours have been really supportive and are happy for me to work from home. I've saved so much money not having to pay any extra business rates and rent charges," Bonnie said.
"I can work it around my family and once I'm finished, the commute is a 10-second walk home."
Bonnie's husband has recently gravelled the drive and their next project is to paint the outside of the caravan.
"I'd love to open a bigger salon one day, but at the moment, I enjoy having my own space and it's personal because it was all done by myself and my family," Bonnie said.
Have you converted a caravan? Get in touch. Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
