Head Shed, a Wimborne-based hair salon, is earning recognition for its commitment to sustainable practices and its dedication to curly hair care. Founded by entrepreneur Shimayne Smith in 2019, the salon has carved out a unique niche in the industry by championing curls, waves, and coils—while making waves for its eco-conscious approach.
This year, Shimayne and Head Shed are being celebrated in the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Annual Report, which showcases small business success stories across the UK. Head Shed’s innovative methods and passion for sustainability place it firmly in the spotlight among grassroots enterprises.
Environmental Leadership at the Core
With a team of three staff members and one apprentice, Head Shed prioritizes the environment in every aspect of its operations. The salon uses organic, cruelty-free products, as well as reusable tools like silicone cutting collars and color bowls made from wheat-based bioplastics.
Through its partnership with the Green Salon Collective, Shimayne has helped prevent over 175 tonnes of waste from UK salons—such as hair and metals—from ending up in landfill. Notably, the recycled hair is repurposed into hair booms, an ingenious solution for cleaning oil spills and polluted rivers across the UK and Ireland.
Shimayne reflects on her salon’s ethos: “The hair and beauty industry has been such a fast-moving place to be. Being able to stop and think about how we’re impacting the environment with the products we’re using can only be a positive, particularly in an industry as big as this—we are taking heed and making better choices.”
A Haven for Curly Hair Care
Shimayne’s journey began with a simple but powerful observation: a gap in the market for salons that truly celebrate curly hair. With Head Shed, she sought to change this, providing expert care for clients who often struggle to find stylists knowledgeable in curls, waves, and coils.
She explains, “Too many people with curls, waves, and coils struggle to find stylists who genuinely know how to care for their hair, and I wanted to change that.”
Recognized for Innovation and Passion
Martin McTague, National Chair at the FSB, praised Shimayne’s achievements: “Head Shed was launched through passion for curly hair and making clients feel good, something Shimayne has clearly excelled at. Like many small business owners, she is putting the environment first and it’s heartening to see sustainability and ethical practices at the heart of the business. Small business owners like Shimayne play such a huge part in our economy and should be celebrated.”
Looking to the future, Shimayne is working toward gaining B-Corp certification, a prestigious verification that recognizes businesses for meeting high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
With its dual focus on sustainable innovation and expert curly hair care, Head Shed exemplifies how small businesses can drive positive change—creating beauty while protecting the planet.
