Social enterprise salon launches to support young people interested in a future in beauty industry

Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh has welcomed its second hair and beauty salon operating as a social enterprise – named Brave, Strong, Beautiful (BSB).

BSB has been operating as a community interest company (CIC) since 2019 and is designed to support vulnerable young adults from Edinburgh interested in the hair and beauty industry.

The organisation offers bespoke employability, training and leadership programmes for 16-18 year-olds looking to explore a career in the hair and beauty industry. In addition, it provides apprenticeship training to SVQ2 in hairdressing and on to SVQ3.

While enrolled, students also have free and full access to counselling, advocacy, mindfulness, life coaching and hypnotherapy services.

The not-for-profit relies on funding and money raised through the salons to fund training and services.

The organisation was originally founded by Kerry Anderson – who has experience in hair and beauty and social care and counselling – with a social mission to invest in the future of young people in Scotland.

Since she set up the organisation, Anderson was determined to put mental health at the heart of any theoretical, practical and vocational support offered to young people studying towards an SVQ in hairdressing.

Anderson explains: “I know from first-hand experience that young people who have faced disadvantages growing up need more than just educational and vocational training to keep them on track when studying.

“They need to feel supported, encouraged and safe, to take steps towards creating a positive future.

“We’re committed to encouraging young people with training and career progression, but we also remain very focussed on offering best in class service. We work with leading hair and beauty brands, offer exceptional training standards and the highest level of customer service.”

The original BSB flagship salon in Edinburgh has built a reputation for supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive, while offering a first-class range of hair and beauty treatments.

The new Edinburgh salon offers a range of hair treatments for women, men and children, alongside beauty treatments including tanning, waxing and eye treatments, with prices ranging from £10-75 (€12-87, US$14-106).

The CIC was recognised by LaunchMe, Scotland’s social enterprise accelerator, in 2020, for its potential to scale, secure investment and generate social impact in the community.

More recently, the business won the Scottish Edge Award Community Interest Company in October 2020 and was awarded £50,000 (€58,000, US$70,600) of funding to support the business growth and ambitions.

The funding has allowed Anderson and her team to open the new salon, and she has big ambitions for the business and its continued growth and expansion.