We Mean Business: Leading hair extensions salon shares worrying impact of global current affairs on business
A leading hair extensions salon has shared the worrying impact that global current affairs have on running a business, as its bricks and mortar store approaches its third anniversary.
Launched in February, the Chronicle & Echo’s new campaign hopes to help curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across the town.
The twice-weekly stories spotlight what Northampton stands to lose if your favourite businesses were to close down, highlight the biggest challenges they currently face, and encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.
The next business owner to share her insight is Sian, who runs Lola Hair Extensions alongside her sister Georgia Baugh. As co-owner and salon manager, who joined Georgia five years into her venture, Sian ensures the smooth running of the UK side of the business.
Lola Hair Extensions opened its salon and academy on Wellingborough Road in July 2023, over a decade after the business launched in 2011, and it has since seen worldwide growth.
More than 100 students across the UK and Dubai have now been trained through the international academy, helping them to build successful businesses of their own.
The team’s true passion lies in helping clients get their confidence back, as many come to the salon feeling self conscious due to thin or damaged hair. Seeing clients leave feeling empowered is the most rewarding part of what they do.
Let’s see what Sian had to say…
How would you summarise your experience of running an independent business in Northampton at the moment?
“It can be tough,” said Sian. “There’s lots of other people doing similar things and the current economic climate is hard. We seem to be treading water and keeping it going, and the main focus is to keep it growing.”
What are the biggest challenges you currently face as a business owner, and what impact do these have on the daily running of your venture?
Sian continued: “What’s going on in the world and making sure we have enough stock of things. It’s about getting hair into the country and supplying our customers. When war breaks out, our costs go up for shipping in and the hair goes out of stock. Our clients might have to wait a couple of weeks longer or we use alternative products.
“The cost of living also does affect people. Hair extensions are a luxury treat and not a given. It’s something you need to make sure you can afford.”
What do you believe Northampton stands to lose if your business were to close down? What unique offerings do you bring to the town that would be sorely missed?
“We’re the only extension-only salon and that’s our niche,” said Sian. “They feel they can trust us as we are experts in our area and know what we’re talking about. We specialise rather than it being a service we offer every now and then. People tell us they’re confident.”
What small actions can our readers and the Northampton community take to support your business in 2026?
Lola Hair Extensions looks forward to celebrating the third anniversary of the Northampton salon this summer, which will be accompanied by the launch of new products and the team hopes to welcome more new faces through the door throughout 2026.
Sian concluded: “Keep supporting us and recommending us to friends and family.”