Yahoo News Former business studies teacher takes the leap and opens niche business of her own in Grimsby
A former teacher who taught business studies for 13 years has used her wealth of entrepreneurial knowledge to launch a new niche business of her own in Grimsby.
Charlotte Wright, 39, has opened Braid Station, in Freeman Street, to turn her passion for braiding hair into a career. After having her youngest son and debating whether or not to go back into teaching, Charlotte decided to take the leap and open a business doing what she loves.
Offering quirky and colourful styles like box braids and dreadlocks, festival and party styles and French and Dutch braids, the shop is welcoming loyal customers from as far as Middlesbrough.
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Speaking to Grimsby Live, mum-of-three Charlotte said: "I was a teacher for 13 years and I had my youngest son, who is now nearly two, and I decided I didn't want to go back into teaching. I'd been trained in nails for years and had just been doing it on the side, so I came back about a year ago doing nails, and quickly found the market was saturated and found it quite hard.
"But I've always wanted to open my own business, so I had a think about what else I could do so I started doing Dutch braids and went from there, I just found I really enjoyed it. I did a few online courses and kept advertising for models to practice different styles on, and it literally just flew from there, and I was braiding more than doing nails.
"I rented a chair in a salon for a year but I needed a bit more room, and saw this property advertised and thought, 'If I don't go for it, I'll never know'. Seeing it all come to fruition feels really good."
Charlotte said her main customer base has been women aged over 40 - and has even had a "surprising" number of men come in to have their hair braided.
She continued: "When I tell people what I do they assume it's just for kids, but it's not. I've been really surprised because my main customer base is women over 40, who have always wanted box braids or dreadlocks.
"My furthest customer comes from Middlesbrough and I have ladies coming from Hull, Barton and Scunthorpe. I think because it is quite niche, people are willing to travel for it. I've been so surprised at how many men have come in, I've had a lot of enquiries from young lads.
"I've always been a hair dyer, so for me, it's about being able to come and get wild and funky hair without ruining or damaging it. Because I've been dyeing and bleaching my hair ever since being a teenager, I realised you can get these styles without subjecting your hair to damage.
"Braids as a whole are classed as a protective style, especially box braids. I have so many women who, when they first came to me, they had really thin hair, and now their hair is loads thicker because they're not straightening or dying it."
Braid Station is open for appointments on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You can like the Braid Station Facebook page by clicking here.
