Meet the Stockton Heath hairdresser offering more than just a hair cut

The ambitious 26-year-old got the keys in April 2020 – right at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic – but opened the salon doors in the July of that year.

BRHAIVE – pronounced brave – is a popular destination for clients wanting to be treated and pampered, where their well-being is at the forefront of each appointment.

Here, in our new feature - Meet The Salon Owner - Leanne, who was born and raised in Oldham and now lives in Great Sankey, tells us about the new business she’s launched and how she has plans for more Brhaive salons in the future.

Onwer Leanne Bartlett

What’s the name of the salon?

BRHAIVE (Pronounced BRAVE)

What’s the address?

11 London Road, Stockton Heath, WA4 6SG

What are your opening hours?

Tuesday - Saturday with two late night openings

Are you the owner/manager?

Salon owner

How many employees do you have?

4

The talented team at BRHAIVE

When did you open the salon?

I got the keys in lockdown 2020 and opened on July 4 of that year.

Has it always been in the same location?

Yes, although set up another company in the same name, BRHAIVE Events which I have with my business partner makeup artist Louise Hood. We have a full team specialising in freelance bridal hair and makeup.

Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

I currently live in Great Sankey and moved from south Warrington during the pandemic. I’m originally from Oldham, Manchester. I moved straight out of school and had to make new friends. Hairdressing was a great profession for meeting new people!

Tell me a bit about your salon/business

BRHAIVE is all about being brave, acknowledging your own well-being and having the time to spend on yourself. We promote self-love with a self-help bookshelf for our clients to read during their time with us. Mirrors aren’t the focal point of our salon and they can be pushed down or moved to help with customers’ self esteem. We have a four-metre style station, which is more like a breakfast bar, and this allows and encourages clients to be social. It’s great for those who fancy a visit to the salon with friends or family as we can remove the mirrors and provide food and cocktails. Self-care goes beyond having your hair done, so we team up with local well-being coaches who offer yoga sessions and walking clubs as well as reiki healing.

What do you do? What services do you provide?

We provide all things hair and beauty as well as nurse-led aesthetic treatments, skin tightening and makeup.

Why did you decide to open your own salon?

I was determined to create a niche - something that hadn’t been thought about before. I wanted to build something that came from the heart and had genuine meaning. I live and breathe my brand BRHAIVE, and I feel strongly about the importance of talking, feeling good and looking after yourself. My own personal well-being journey led me to opening BRHAIVE and adapting the typical salon experience to something a bit more chilled.

The entrance to the salon is an archway of flowers

What’s your hair and beauty background?

I’ve worked in a few prestigious salons across Warrington during my career but my most memorable experience was the time I spent as an apprentice, as the salon I once trained in is now my own! I worked in salons for a couple of years after qualifying as a hairdresser before deciding to go self-employed. I always wanted to open my own salon so I worked extremely hard to build a loyal and stable client base. As soon as my client books were full, I knew it was time to find a salon.

Why this type of business?

I’m very creative and have always had a natural flair for hairdressing. Anything that involves helping people to feel and look good was something I always got huge satisfaction from. My genuine passion though is business. I have always thrived off working for myself, conducting projects, creating niches and new challenges.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school and I was always encouraged to try my best but to do whatever made me happy. Hairdressing was where I found that fulfilment.

How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect your business?

I opened my salon on Independence Day 2020. We’ve had our challenges and it’s been incredibly stressful and hard at times. Some days are harder than others but the good always outweighs the bad.

BRHAIVE on London Road in Stockton Heath

What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from your competitors?

I don’t like the word competitors. I believe that in this time, more than ever, local businesses should be supporting each other. There are enough clients for everyone!

I’m very supportive of other businesses, even other salon owners, and have a great relationship with the other hair salon owners in Stockton Heath.

The salon’s image and vibe is very different from other places and I feel strongly that we attract a particular clientele with our brand.

Why do loyal clients return to your business?

Our five-star reviews and awards say it all The relaxing vibe, positivity, friendliness and calming environment in our salon are all worth coming back for. Our massage chairs have a big part to play in our clients returning too. You really can’t beat a back and head massage at the backwash!

The salon is a warm and welcoming place for customers

What’s next? What do the next few months hold for you and your salon?

I’ve recently created a team of hairdressers with some new faces as some hairdressers have left us, but that’s important for moving forward. The brand is strong and my team is growing each day. Ideally, I’d like to open another BRHAIVE or two in the future!

If you would like to appear in our Meet The Salon Owner feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

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