Northampton woman makes huge success of hair extension business despite launching just before lockdown

A Northampton woman who set up her own hair extension just over a year ago has managed to go from strength to strength, despite being unable to operate for large periods of time due to various lockdowns.

Georgia Baugh, owner of Lola Hair Extensions who runs the business alone, completed training to become a hair extensionist ten years ago and worked with clients alongside other jobs until she felt confident enough to ‘take the plunge’ and set up a full-time business in November 2019.

Five months later, the first national lockdown was enforced meaning Georgia was unable to work with clients.

Despite a rocky first year, the 29-year-old has been named as a ‘master extensionist’ by her supplier, Beauty Works, has grown her business and social media following and has even become a finalist for ‘Hair Extenstionist of the Year’ at the Hair & Beauty Awards.

Georgia said: “It may not have been the best timing, but it was the best decision I ever made to take the plunge. I absolutely love my job.

“While I have been unable to work in the lockdowns, I have been growing my social media with online tutorials and live videos, building my platform and building a rapport with everyone.

“I have branched into hair care as well so I’m not just thought of as a hair extensionist and I have more of a brand.

“In the current climate, the award shortlist is giving me that positive vibe and that drive to keep going.

“The hairdressing industry is really struggling, so this has been good for my self-confidence and to show that what I am doing is worth all the hard work.”

When Georgia first started out, she was welcoming clients to her salon in a back room at her parents’ house.

Now she has converted a room at her new home in Spinney Hill into an ‘Instagrammable’ salon filled with all things pink, flowers and neon lights, ready to welcome clients back as soon as personal care services are allowed to reopen.

While the business has been closed, Georgia has been selling removal kits and products to clients online and sharing hair care tips on social media.

Although in the future she hopes to have a high street salon, she believes her ‘five-star’ salon experience at home, for affordable prices is what has helped her business grow so much so that there is a waiting list of five to six weeks for appointments once the salon is allowed to reopen.

Georgia added: “There is a stigma around at-home salons, but I make sure I deliver a professional and five-star service for my clients.

“I think that quality of work without the salon price is what makes the business popular.

“I will be so busy when we’re allowed to get back to work and if I was to win the award, I would hope it will grow my clientele further, but I also would like it to inspire people.

“I want people who have the same mindset as I did previously of ‘little old me’ to see that you don’t need a big shop front and ten people working for you.”

Georgia will find out at a virtual awards ceremony in March whether she has won ‘Hair Extensionist of the Year’.

She has also been nominated for the same category at The Social Media awards.

Search @LolaHairExtenstions on Instagram and Facebook for more information.

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