I started Vixen & Blush as a one seat small boutique salon in Wandsworth and grew it without any investment or borrowing. I am now sole director of 2 limited companies and employ 15 people.
When I found the hair source in 2011 I knew I had a special and unique product to offer the market, but at the time I did not have the resources to stock the 500 items we now sell. I had to grow the service side of the business first, before being able to self-fund the wholesale/product side and set up The London Hair Lab which now supplies hair to salons across the UK and USA. But other than the loose idea, I never planned my career or business, I just took opportunities when they arose.
Yes, absolutely. The largest challenges I have faced are a hyper-competitive and unregulated marketplace and the unique challenge of running a service based business in Central London. Staff members face a very high cost of living especially in terms of housing costs and travel costs. We invest a lot in training and upskilling staff and have excellent staff retention despite this challenge.
I feel that choosing to be brave and expand into a large new premises during the pandemic is my biggest achievement. I was also pregnant with my second child and my husband was working through the pandemic as a frontline Intensive care worker so it was a stretch of my mental and physical resilience.
I feel I have trusted the people around me, no matter what bumps occur on the journey. The past is the past and I am able to move on quickly and leave any negative experiences behind me and remain positive and motivated. I suppose this is a learned behaviour and would be a form of resilience that is necessary to achieving success as a small business owner.
I feel I would like to become a mentor in the future and help a young person who is starting out in the business world. In both my business we employ school leavers and and apprentices and I find it very rewarding to watch their growth and development. However I have never formally been someone’s direct mentor.
As a business owner, who has 2 children, I have not been able to take long maternity leaves. However, my husband was able to take shared parental leave instead and stay at home for the first vital months for both of our children. For our first child however my husband was not paid the same as his female colleagues. Three years later and for our second child, he was paid the same and this made a huge difference. To be truly equal I feel both genders need to be paid the same for shared parental leave and I also feel that there should be government enforced leave for new fathers. If the government mandated that new fathers took 12 weeks leave to share the care of their children it would go a long way to companies treating both genders on an equal footing. In our modern society there are the resources to achieve this and its longtail impact would be huge.
Believe in yourself more. Fear is a huge motivational tool. But it is toxic too. Finding another emotion that also garners energy but has less fallout is a more mature person’s existence.
My next challenge is to stop bootstrapping across both businesses and move to a more mature phase and to value my time more. Where to spend my time now is my biggest challenge for the next few years.
June
18jun10:0016:00Legal Essentials: Supporting Women at Work
18/06/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+00:00)
Did you know that tribunal claims related to menopause, menstruation, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss are rising fast? Many employers don’t realise that these issues can
Many employers don’t realise that these issues can legally qualify as a disability under the Equality Act.
Yet most of these claims are avoidable with the right training, policies and action.
That’s why I’ve partnered with employment lawyer Hannah Strawbridge to deliver a full-day, live online course designed specifically for HR, DEI, and managers.
You will be able to:
Understand your legal obligations around women’s health issues
Recognise when they may be classed as a disability under the Equality Act
Take practical steps to reduce legal and reputational risk
Learn how to avoid tribunal claims
Handle health-related conversations and workplace adjustments with confidence
Create a legally compliant Women’s Health Action Plan
Whether you’re reviewing your current policies or building a strategy from scratch, this course will give you the legal clarity and practical support you need.
DATE: Wednesday 18th June
TIME: 10.00am – 4.00pm
PLACE: Zoom
19jun18:0021:00Discover How You Can Make a Difference at our eCubed Volunteer Social
19/06/2025 18:00 - 21:00(GMT+00:00)
Arch One
83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Whatever your interests or skills, there’s a place for you on our passionate volunteer team. Together, we run inspiring
Join us for a relaxed evening of drinks, nibbles, and conversation with the eCubed team. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do, how we do it, and the charities we champion.
Curious about getting involved? This is the perfect chance to throw yourself into the eCubed experience and see if it’s the right fit for you. All you need is a can-do attitude and a passion for creating positive change—everything else is a bonus.
Day : Thursday 19th June, 2025
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location : Arch One, 83 Rivington St, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY (the old Cargo)
Simply register below, let us know any guests you’d like us to bring. We can’t wait to meet you. You’re guaranteed to meet some awesome people and hopefully be inspired to get involved or even share some new ideas – no pressure, no obligation.
26junAll DayThe Brilliance Summit 2025
26/06/2025 All Day(GMT+01:00)
De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms
The Edinburgh Suite, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5DA
We’re proud to announce our partnership with The Brilliance Summit, an electrifying one-day event for women in leadership
This isn’t just a summit—it’s a movement.
“At The Brilliance Summit, women show up, speak up, and level up. They shake off limitations, own their presence, and lean into their next level.”
Taking place in London on Thursday, 26th June this transformative event is curated for ambitious women who lead, whether that’s in the boardroom, the business world, or within themselves.
Here’s why this matters:
We’ve seen the power of what happens when women are given space to show up fully—and this is that space.
As partners, we’re excited to offer our community a discounted ticket.
Use code WeAreTheCity2025 at checkout to access your exclusive rate.
Grab your ticket now at www.thebrilliancesummit.com
Let this be the moment you stop waiting and start owning your brilliance.
26jun08:0017:00WeAreTech Festival | Hybrid Conference
26/06/2025 08:00 - 17:00(GMT+01:00)
etc.venues, St Paul's,
200 Aldersgate St, Barbican, London, EC1A 4HD
As a hybrid event dedicated to empowering women in technology, our festival continues to break barriers and redefine industry norms. This year promises an even more exhilarating experience as we bring together women from diverse backgrounds and experiences to share knowledge, inspire one another, and create new opportunities for growth and advancement in the tech industry.
The WeAreTech Festival is a beacon of inspiration for women in the tech industry, urging them to confidently stride forward in their careers. Our goal is simple yet profound: to inspire and motivate every attendee to take bold steps towards their professional aspirations.
Throughout the day, you’ll have unparalleled access to the wisdom and insights of senior leaders in the tech field. Engage with thought-provoking discussions through our panels, where you can contribute your perspectives and glean invaluable knowledge from industry experts.
But that’s not all. The afternoon sessions are designed to put you in the driver’s seat of your learning journey. Tailor your experience to your needs and interests, shaping your path towards growth and success in the tech world.
And let’s not forget the added perks of speed networking and mentoring. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge meaningful relationships, and gain invaluable guidance from seasoned professionals who are eager to support your journey.
At the WeAreTech Festival, we believe in empowering women to embrace their potential and seize every opportunity that comes their way. Join us, and let’s embark on this transformative journey together.