A search to find a hair extension specialist inspired Katrina Scott to set up her own business offering hair extensions and hair loss solutions to women. Six-years on, the 29-year-old has now moved Boni Hair & Beauty into a larger salon in 56 Crossgate, Cupar to cope with growing demand. What does your business do? We specialise in hair extension and hair loss solutions for ladies. We provide bespoke hair integration systems for clients with trichotillomania (hair pulling), alopecia, female pattern hair loss such as hair thinning around parting and crown and other forms of hair loss. In the salon, we also offer make-up and range of beauty treatments. How and why did you start in business? I started my business from my living room in 2012 while studying HND 3D Design at Fife College. The idea popped into my head when I tried to find someone locally to fit my own hair extensions and ended up having to travel for over an hour to have them fitted. I then realised it was something I’d enjoy doing so I went back home to Latvia for a week to complete an intensive 1:1 hair extension course. I then came back to Scotland and practised on friends and family until I was confident to fit hair extensions on a real client. The business grew very quickly and within a year I opened my first salon in Cupar, Boni Hair Extensions. How did you get to where you are today? With a lot of hard work, determination, passion and love for my job. It’s very rewarding as I have the opportunity to give clients their hair back, restoring ladies confidence and self-esteem. Who has helped you along the way? Having never ran a business before I attended several Business Gateway Fife workshops which helped me understand what I needed to do to set up correctly. When it was time to open my first salon they helped me secure a start-up loan. I also worked closely with Marissa Yassen. I cannot thank her enough. Even when times were tough, she always encouraged me not to give up. And, of course, my wonderful family who to this day support me with any crazy idea that may pop into my head. What was your biggest mistake? Not trusting my intuition and jumping too high too quickly without thinking it through. But any mistake is a learning curve, without mistakes I wouldn’t have learned and certainly wouldn’t be where I am today. What is your greatest achievement to date? I was short-listed in the Hair Extension Specialist category of a Scottish hair and beauty show and style live on stage at the show. To my surprise, I was awarded runner-up! I am also one of 10 ten hair loss specialists in the UK who can perform Invisi-Lace integrated hair enhancer and micro parting system for ladies with hair loss. What do you hope to achieve in the future? To open a hair extension training school to provide in-depth training to those with a passion for hair. I would like to pass my knowledge to people who will carry on with the same quality and standard of work that I do. Do you want to recruit in the future? I have recently moved to new salon premises where I have a private room specifically for hair loss clients. The salon has been extremely busy since we moved and I have taken on someone to give me a hand and am currently looking for a colour specialist to join the team. What is the hardest thing about running your own business? Your mind never switches off, you wake up in the middle of the night and planning your next steps. Any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs? Do it, but don’t go in half-hearted. Put all your heart and soul in to it. With hard work, and with determination you can achieve anything you want. Also get in touch with Business Gateway Fife for help. How would your friends describe you? Ambitious, determined, thoughtful. Favourite film and book? Film: ‘The Secret’; book: T. Harv Eker ‘Secrets of the millionaire mind’. How do you relax? I love reading books and treat myself with a relaxing massage.
