SKIN stylist to the stars Alyson Hogg, the Northern Ireland-born award-winning founder of Vita Liberata tanning technology, will share her phenomenal story as guest speaker at this year's Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards.
The inspirational Co Antrim businesswoman will take to the podium at the glittering event at Titanic Belfast on June 16, when the winners of this year's categories will be announced.
With a professional career spanning fashion, broadcast news, academia, hospitality and politics, Alyson's big beauty breakthrough came with the launch of Vita Liberata luxury tanning in 2007 when she developed the world's first odourless tan.
Four years later, her innovative company created the first completely non-toxic tanning brand, creating a range of solutions free from parabens, perfume, alcohol and all 'chemicals of concern'.
As a result, the brand became the self-tanner of choice for the world's top spas, including George V, Paris; St Regis, Viceroy, Ritz-Carlton and Burj Al Arab in Dubai - with celebrities Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ellie Goulding among a long list of devotees.
Today, the company which began life as an anti-age skin care line back in 2003, 'dresses' everyone from A-listers on the red carpet to local brides-to-be, as well as and women (and men) who just want their skin to have a healthy, natural glow all-year round.
Using natural, certified organic and Ecocert approved extracts, Vita Liberata products are also famed for their advanced hydrating components, resulting in a flawless finish and smooth, hydrated skin.
Award-winning technologies include 'moisture locking' for 72-hour hydration, odour removal for zero smell, pHenO2 long- lasting tan, HyH20 for anti-age hydration and Trysal3 technology which produces a tan from oil-free, micronised crystals.
It has been a winning formula for the talented businesswoman and busy mother-of-five who sells into more than 26 countries and has projected global retail sales of more than £50 million in the next three years.
Along the way she has picked up some notable accolades, among them the Queen's Award for Enterprise - twice-over - and the First Trust Bank/Ulster University Distinguished Graduate Award from Ulster University, as well as being a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of The Year 2015.
Speaking ahead of the awards night, Alyson said she was "truly honoured" to be associated with this year's business Oscars, which celebrate the achievements of the "people behind the best businesses" in Northern Ireland.
"We spend a lot of time reflecting on failure - it's part of our culture," she said.
"But the innovation and business acumen displayed in Ireland, north and south, is awesome and it's always down to the people.
"From this tiny corner of the world we punch way above our weight across the globe. We must have done something right and we should be very proud of that."
:: The 10th anniversary Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards takes place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday June 16. For entry pack and awards information visit www.irishnews.com/wea16.
