Specializing in alternative cuts and colours, extensions, and special event styling, Bee’s Knees Hair Co. encourages clients to explore their dream hair goals in a space where they feel safe, welcomed, and truly seen.

The Inspiration Behind the Business

After years of working in traditional salon environments, Hannah began noticing how challenging those spaces could be for many clients. Through ongoing conversations with guests, it became clear that people were struggling to find salons where they felt comfortable expressing their needs, identities, and preferences.

Hannah recognized an opportunity to create something different. By designing a space that could be intentionally customized to support guests—sensory needs included—she set out to fill a gap in the local market and create a salon that genuinely welcomed everyone.

The Impact of BACD Support

While Hannah brought strong experience and skill as a hairstylist, she knew that starting a business required a different kind of knowledge. After learning about the Business Advisory Centre Durham through her partner’s work at YMCA Employment, she reached out for guidance. Hannah wanted support validating her business idea, understanding the planning process, and mapping out clear next steps toward opening her own salon.

Through her work with BACD and advisor Patrice Esper, Hannah joined the Starter Company Plus program and gained practical skills that helped keep her business on track during its crucial first year.

The program provided both structure and encouragement, breaking business planning into manageable, easy‑to‑understand steps. The grant funding also played a key role, helping Hannah purchase essential equipment and invest in education needed to launch with confidence.

As a type B, neurodivergent entrepreneur, Hannah found that having a clear framework and external guidance made all the difference. BACD also helped her develop a strong brand identity—one that continues to guide her decisions every day.

Business Growth

Bee’s Knees Hair Co. has now been open for three years and continues to grow its client base steadily. While Hannah is not looking to expand by hiring additional staff, the salon itself has grown into a successful and recognized business.

More than that, Bee’s Knees has become known as a trusted, inclusive space where clients can feel comfortable, respected, and understood.

Social media—particularly Instagram—has been a key marketing tool, allowing Hannah to connect with her community and share her work authentically. In addition, partnerships with local health and outreach organizations, such as being listed as a provider with Rainbow Health, have helped extend the salon’s reach to clients actively seeking inclusive services.

Hannah is most proud of the feedback she receives from clients who say they’ve been searching for a salon that truly fits their needs—and finally found it at Bee’s Knees Hair Co.

Those reviews affirm that the space she set out to create is doing exactly what it was meant to do: building a community where guests feel seen, supported, and comfortable being themselves.

Advice for Other Entrepreneurs

“Find the ‘why’ behind what makes your business special. What makes you different from anyone else in your field? Figure out what sets you apart and make that the centrepiece of your business.”