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In January 2020, Nià Pettitt opened the doors to The Curl Bar, a curly hair salon, in London. Nià’s vision for the salon wasn't only about making people feel beautiful, but offering a space for every client to feel embraced and celebrated.
Despite the challenges of running a brick-and-mortar salon—during a pandemic—Nià’s adaptability and commitment to her supporters has attracted a dedicated community to her and The Curl Bar. Learn how Nià used Acuity Scheduling to build inclusivity into the salon’s operations and how she brings authenticity to every aspect of the business and her own content.
Bringing a brick-and-mortar business to life
Opening a curly hair salon was a longtime dream of Nià’s. “I used to travel to America to get my hair done, as it was always a challenge to find a salon in London, let alone the UK,” she says. “I wanted to create something that felt safe, calming, and also reflected visually what I would’ve wanted as a young girl.” Customers responded to that vision: When the books opened at The Curl Bar, appointments quickly filled up.
"Your life changes when you decide to open a business. Ask yourself if you are ready for that change," Nià advises aspiring business owners. Nobody could've predicted just how much change would soon arrive for Nià and The Curl Bar: Only a few months after its opening, the salon was forced to close temporarily due to COVID-19 shutdowns in the UK. But even an indefinite pause in operations didn’t slow Nià down.
“I didn’t have a formula for growing the business, let alone in the pandemic,” she says. “I just take each moment as something to learn from.” While The Curl Bar was closed, Nià shifted her focus online, connecting with her stylists and her followers digitally until the salon was able to safely reopen.
Building an inclusive brand on and off the internet
Part of what’s made The Curl Bar so successful is the salon’s commitment to making every customer feel welcomed exactly as they are. That principle guides its presence both online and in real life. “On our online space, we use real images that have not been photoshopped or altered. You see everyone for who they are in their beauty,” Nià says. “We also have a mural that represents our different clients, who wear a hijab or who have coily curls or long wavy curls. It’s our sign to show that everyone is welcome.”
That celebration of every client’s authentic self is key to The Curl Bar and Nià’s engaged community both on and offline. “Having a great social media presence is amazing for building a business,” Nià says. “It’s a portfolio where people can find you and see themselves in your clients.” The Curl Bar’s Instagram grid, for example, is filled with photos of clients posing with their freshly styled curls.
Respect for each client’s needs begins with the online booking form at The Curl Bar. Nià customized the appointment process using Acuity Scheduling so that clients can receive a service that’s tailored to the type of curls they have and any other needs. The Curl Bar’s intake form allows for even more personalization, asking about hair length, scalp sensitivity, and whether clients wear a hijab and require privacy during their appointment.
“The intake form has been key to ensuring that we cater to every client,” Nià says. “We’re always adding different questions as we learn more.”
Developing an online presence for yourself and your business
Nià doesn’t just run The Curl Bar, she also runs her own business as a content creator. Her passion for encouraging self-love in others informs both the salon and Nià’s own online presence, but she keeps the two separate by clearly defining what content fits each brand.
“I am an abundance of things and I want a page that reflects that,” she says. “I invest a lot of time in creating content that feels like whatever I am experiencing at the time, so it’s always true and authentic to me. I try not to post too much on my personal page about the salon, as I want the salon to stand on its own.”
Still, welcoming more clients into The Curl Bar community is part of Nià’s focus for the future. “I want to see a Curl Bar all over the world,” she says.
Inspired by Nià’s story? Start building your own brand on Squarespace.