Goji Hair is an exclusive, organic hair salon in the Pontcanna suburb of Cardiff, started by Victoria Griffin.
Victoria had previously owned an educational toyshop and during her time there set up a children’s hairdressers in order to encourage customers to come into the business rather than shopping with larger competitors online. She had also worked in publishing and events, including staging bridal shows, and had developed a working relationship with stylist Greg James who was working for an Aveda salon when they went into administration, leaving him without a job.
Victoria decided to link up with Greg again and with the support of a £3,700 Start Up Loan she was able to buy equipment and outfit the premises that became Goji Hair.
Victoria Griffin, managing director at Goji Hair, said:
“After spotting a lack of organic treatments within the hairdressing industry in the Cardiff area, we wanted to create a business that focused solely on the benefits of using all-natural ingredients. To us, it was counterproductive to visit a hairdresser that uses chemical products that can often damage hair.
The Start Up Loans Company was instrumental in kick-starting Goji Hair, and the mentoring support provided us with fantastic financial insight to ensure our accounts were in order from day one.
I’d encourage aspiring Welsh business owners to explore all funding options, and to make the most of the financial and mentoring support available when it comes to getting a budding business idea off the ground.”
Situated in a diverse residential area close to the city centre Goji has gone from strength to strength since opening and now caters for a wide range of clientele.
The salon offers a wide range of haircare services including expert colouring, extensions, cut and finishing for men and women, balayage and various different nourishing treatments.
Only two years after opening, they moved to much larger premises over two floors in order to extend their services to include beauty and barbering services.
Goji uses products that are both organic and vegan, meaning they’re good for the customer and hair stylists alike. Currently Goji has a team of 14 but without any aims to turn the business into a chain.
