Mum and daughter’s business Luton launch hopes to inspire others to never give up
A mum and daughter partnership is opening a new business in Luton as an inspiration to others who have had to overcome personal challenges.
Carly Charles and her daughter Matilda May are hosting the official opening of a tanning studio in Stopsley tomorrow (September 12) with a launch party from 10am to 3pm.
The business, Tan Lines, will welcome visitors with balloons, drinks and cupcakes to serve as a local success story and celebrate starting a business against the odds.
The duo’s story is one of a phoenix rising from the ashes after Carly hit rock bottom following years of battling mental health to one of personal triumph and proving that people can turn their lives around.
Carly, 51, who was highly commended for a Women of Inspiration Award, sponsored by LoveLuton in 2025, is hoping her story will inspire others to overcome adversity and never give up on their life ambitions.
“It’s really like a rags to riches story,” said Carly. “I have an interesting back story, from poverty and addiction, domestic abuse, and trauma to recovery. My children grew up in Marsh Farm on free school meals while I was an alcoholic in and out of psychiatric wards. I’m now 12 years sober and we are all successful.
“We try to give back to our community and I’m hoping to get involved in Marsh Farm Futures, a charity which promotes regeneration in the area of social and economic deprivation to benefit the public.
"Matilda May, my daughter is successful in aesthetics after overcoming her childhood traumas.”
Carly said she has suffered with depression since the age of 23 and was sectioned for two months after attempting to take her own life.
“From then I suffered severe mental health issues, repeated suicide attempts and spiralled into alcoholism and addiction.
“My children were dragged through my addiction and we lived in chaos although to the outside world I was functioning somewhat.
“We lived on benefits and life was a constant battle and so was my mental health and addiction.
“I finally, after many failed attempts, got sober in 2014 and have remained sober ever since. I recently celebrated 12 years of sobriety.
“Since then I have turned our lives around. I have a Property Management company which I started in 2023, my daughter has an aesthetics clinic and we are now going into business together. We have learned and grown up together really, along with my son who is a successful electrician.”
Carly in now involved with charities to help women battling addiction and is regularly finding ways to give back to the Luton community she grew up in.
"I’m hoping to be able to teach others about starting a business and all that it entails and also get involved in crime prevention in Marsh Farm,” she said.
“My motto is never give up. Anything is possible and if I can do it, anyone can.”
The Tan Lines studio, which will employ five staff, is offering an Open Day offer of 50percent discount for its first five customers and then a ten per cent discount to all customers.