Founder of Beauty Club London, Louise Bailey began her career in the beauty industry at just 14, working as a Saturday girl in a salon washing hair and sweeping floors. Leaving school with no formal qualifications, she moved through a variety of roles before finding her true calling in hair extensions and helping women like herself feel more confident.
Working relentlessly as a single mother, Louise has built Beauty Club London into a laid-back luxury beauty destination rooted in expertise, energy, and genuine connection. Her journey is defined by resilience, self-belief and a commitment to helping women feel powerful in themselves – values that sit at the heart of both her business and leadership style.
Louise sits down with The Women’s Journal to to talk candidly about her career, the growth of Beauty Club London and what it takes to build a business on your own terms.
The Female-Founded Business Plan
What is your business, and what led you to start it?
I’m the founder of Beauty Club London. I started the business because I realised that beauty isn’t just about the service, it’s about the energy behind it. I wanted to create a laid-back salon experience where luxury meets genuine connection and where women feel supported, confident, and valued.
What do you love about your business?
The instant transformation is what I love most. Watching a woman walk into the salon feeling unhappy with her hair and walk out feeling confident and empowered never gets old.
But it goes deeper than that – it’s about using real expertise to support the health of the hair, not damage it. There’s still a lot of misunderstanding around hair extensions because of poor application and low-quality products. When extensions are done badly, they can cause real harm. But when they’re applied by a properly trained specialist using the right techniques and hair, extensions can actually support natural hair growth. Changing that conversation and showing women what good hair extensions really look like is a huge part of what I love about my work.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My son has been my biggest inspiration. As a single mum, he motivated me to work harder, earn more and build a better life for us both.
Skills, Experience and Mindset for Female Founders
What are three skills that you think every woman should develop when starting out?
Financial literacy is essential – knowing your numbers is just as important as mastering your craft. Boundaries are also key – learning when to say no protects your peace and your focus. And finally, adaptability matters, because being able to pivot when the market changes can make or break a business.
What has been a mistake in your career that you’ve learned from?
I’ve invested time and energy into partnerships – both personal and professional – that weren’t equal. That taught me a huge lesson. In business, loyalty has to be a two-way street, and if the return on investment isn’t there, you have to be brave enough to walk away.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
Seeing women step into their confidence is a huge motivation for me, especially knowing that my work has a real impact on how they feel about themselves. Beyond the salon, I’m motivated by taking care of myself by going to the gym and keeping my body and mind healthy.
Having a routine that includes movement, meditation, and self-care helps me stay focused and grounded, especially when running a business can feel intense. I’m also motivated by the people I work with. Being surrounded by amazing people who share the same values makes a huge difference and keeps me inspired every day.
Women in Business
How have you had to adapt as a woman in business?
I’ve had to learn not to get emotional about work, to be firm in my decisions and to be unapologetic about my vision. As a woman in business, you’re often expected to explain yourself or soften your stance but I’ve learned to separate emotion from decision-making, trust my instincts and stand my ground, even when it feels uncomfortable.
What struggles have you had to overcome as a woman in business?
Letting go of the need to be liked. In business, it’s far better to be respected than liked. I’ve had to learn how to block out emotional noise and stay focused on what I’m building.
How do you manage your work-life balance?
For me, it’s less about balance and more about integration. I make sure my ‘off’ time is as high quality as my ‘on’ time. Sometimes that means working while I’m on holiday, or using bursts of energy to get difficult tasks done in between going to the gym and living my life.
Advice for Aspiring Female Founders
What advice would you give to other women in business?
Don’t wait until you feel ready or perfect. If I had waited for perfection, I would never have started. Launch now and refine later.
What do you think still needs to be changed or done to help more women get into business?
We need more transparent mentorship. Women need to see more of the messy middle of business, not just the filtered success stories.
What are your three tips for aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Do it now. Surround yourself with a strong power team of true professionals. And trust your intuition – it’s often the most reliable guide when making decisions and building a business.
Pay, Confidence and Negotiation for Women in Business
How can a woman ask for a pay rise? What is your advice for negotiating your salary as a woman?
Don’t ask based on what you need, ask based on the value you bring. Be clear about the problems you’ve helped solve, the results you’ve delivered, and the difference your work has made. Bringing the data, the outcomes and a clear before-and-after of your impact shows not just what you do, but why it matters.
Any tips or advice on how a woman negotiates better?
Silence is your best tool. State your price or your terms clearly, then stop talking and let the other person fill the space.
What do you say to negotiate a higher salary?
I’d keep it simple and confident. I’d say something along the lines of ‘based on the value I’ve consistently delivered and the growth I’ve generated, the market rate for my expertise is x amount. I’m looking for a figure that reflects that level of partnership’.
What is your favourite motivational quote?
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it”.
About Beauty Club London
Founded by Louise Bailey, Beauty Club London is a laid-back luxury beauty salon redefining the high-street salon experience. The brand has its flagship salon in London’s Oxford Circus and has recently expanded to Dubai. Built on expertise, confidence and genuine connection, Beauty Club London is rooted in the belief that beauty is not just about results, but about how women feel when they leave the salon.
