SAVE THE DATE Introducing @Bar Beauty Boutique Launch Event 2nd July 2015

                                                                                                

Press Release

June 2015

Women Of Colour (WOC) have been short changed for a long time when trying to locate cosmetics, hair and beauty products that are formulated for our colouring, hair and skin type.   While the position has improved in recent years and the large cosmetic houses are finally waking up to the fact that WOC are BIG spenders in the hair and beauty industry, we still cannot find everything under one roof. Mintel and Nielsen studies have documented that African American women spend 9 times more on beauty products  than any other ethnic group. In the UK  Afro-Caribbean women spend 6 times more on beauty products than any other ethnic group. Globally, buying power in 2015 is projected to be S1.1trillion!

Although some Boots and Superdrug stores stock a very limited range of cosmetics for the WOC e.g. Sleek Cosmetics or Olive Oil Relaxer, this is an intermittent feature which is appreciated but more effort needs to be made. Our Caucasian counterparts on the other hand can pretty much walk into any Boots or Superdrug for their budget cosmetic needs and EVERY department store for their premium beauty lines.

The current trend for all things natural shows no sign of waning and WOC are embracing their culture and heritage in the knowledge that their natural hair is far from ugly and unruly and dark skinned women can be beautiful.

However, skincare, bath/body and hair products specifically formulated for WOC with natural curly and kinky hair are so rare on the high street that entrepreneurial WOC have taken to their kitchens and made their own. Many were also suffering from illnesses, ailments, hair and skin conditions caused by using products containing harsh chemicals, additives and preservatives and made the conscious decision to make their own products using natural ingredients.

Many of these women have gone on to form businesses initially selling to family and friends, but it has been noted that the general consumer often has difficulty locating the  products as many are only available online (and can get lost in cyberspace) or at natural hair/beauty events. It has also been observed that WOC need to know that brands are not just selling to them but are genuinely interested in WHO they are. Accordingly, brands are selling to WOC but the dots are not joined.

“We want a store that caters for all our beauty needs”

WOC declare

·         We can’t find cosmetics particularly foundations easily on the High Street

·         We can’t find hair products specifically for our natural hair easily on the High Street

·         The products exist online not in a physical tangible location

·         We can’t find professional upmarket locations as easily as our Caucasian counterparts

·         Most events for natural hair and beauty products are not for us and make us feel uncomfortable

·         Why don’t we have a beauty- retail establishment  where you can try, test and chat in a friendly environment

Well this is all set to change if Lorraine James and her @Bar business partners have their way. They have created a one stop beauty shop for the WOC and form a platform for the entrepreneur by providing a retail location and marketing for their brands.

@Bar Beauty Boutique is a store that you can walk into and test the products before buying. We are aware that buying a product that you are not familiar with online can be a very expensive purchase if you cannot return the product for example if the colour match is wrong or you just don’t like the smell of a beauty product.

Join Us for an evening of beauty shopping and cocktails!

@Bar Beauty Boutique
Launch Event at Primo Bar London Westminster

Join us at our launch event @Primo Bar London in the luxurious Westminster Park Plaza on Thursday 2nd July 2015, where we will be introducing the brands which include Isa Marie Skincare, Pooka Pure and Simple, Cake Cosmetics UK and Berry Butter.

Primo Bar will be exclusively for women from 6-9pm and there is NO ADMISSION FEE.

·         Meet the Brands

·         Try the products. You can buy on the night

·         Enjoy a great cocktail selection for only £4!

·         Delectable delights from the Bar Food Menu

·         An amazing DJ and live music will start from 8pm

Venue

Primo Bar
PARK PLAZA WESTMINSTER BRIDGE LONDON
200 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7UT

Telephone   +44 (0)20 7620 7282
Tube:     Westminster or Waterloo

Entrance is free (subject to availability) RSVP is strongly advised, as seating space is limited.

@Bar are pleased to announce that we will be opening the doors of their retail arm @Bar Beauty Boutique on Saturday 4th July 2015. Beauty shoppers will discover a unique beauty buying experience. Visitors will be able to purchase natural handmade and sourced items free from harmful chemical and parabens from some of the UK’s most talented entrepreneurs in an intimate boutique setting.

@Bar Beauty Boutique
Next Stop Arcade
203 Lewisham High Street
London SE13 6LG

@Bar Beauty Boutique aim to support and promote entrepreneurs entering the hair/beauty industry. We will do this by giving them the opportunity by way of a platform to showcase their products and services in a retail environment at an affordable price. If you are an entrepreneur or small business producing a natural hair/beauty range and want to showcase what you do or produce in the beauty boutique we want to hear from you!

Please contact us using the email details below leaving your business details and we will send you an enquiry form along with costs and general information.

contactbar.cp@gmail.com

Listings Information

Email contactbar.cp@gmail.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BarLDN

Twitter https://twitter.com/BarLDN

Web    https://www.atbar.co.uk

  

Note to editors

For press enquiries – interviews with Lorraine James or the @Bar Team please email contactbar.cp@gmail.com or call 07938 086 075.

-ENDS-

@Bar Beauty Boutique – For your brown beauty needs 

Guest Blog: 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Social Media For Your Business!

Written by +Ronke Lawal

It still surprises me that some small business owners are still not using social media to its maximum potential as part of their business marketing mix. It has actually become quite tiresome to hear some dismiss social media as a "waste of time".

Here are just a few reasons why you should be using social media to market your business and your brand.

Reason 1: Most social media platforms are FREE. Even though I'm not an advocate of just signing up tosomething because it's free the very fact that social media is pretty much given to us for FREE is reason enough for any small business owner to sign up to twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest etc. There are costs associated for advertising of course but it's worth paying for marketing...just in case I haven't mentioned this enough before. 

Reason 2: Social Media is a great way to reach a global audience. Most social media platforms can be accessed pretty much anywhere across the world, this means that you potentially have access to the entire UNIVERSE to sell to...well maybe not the universe but you catch my drift. You can network with people in countries that you have never even been to and start making international sales. 

Reason 3: You can make friends with benefits! The benefits of social media influence have not been valued enough in my opinion. Just one retweet or share from the right person can make a message go viral/trend within a matter of seconds. Imagine what that can do to your business brand. Get networking, don't be shy, you don't even need to print business cards or wear clothes to get networking on social media (although I recommend that you do both)! 

Reason 4: It is a great source of market research, if you are savvy, smart and swift you can jump on a trending topic and get some coverage for your own business brand. Also by monitoring what is trending or being talked about on social media you can be more flexible and imaginative with how you operate in your own business.

Reason 5: It is a great way to get feedback from your client base, your followers and fans will not only let you know about what they think about your business but they will let the world know. This can be great if you're excellent at what you do...so make sure you are excellent but even if you aren't quite excellent you can learn from feedback and people respond well to great customer service via social media.

Well that's my Top 5 for now - Join my and The 2Inspire Network on June 27th 2015 to learn more. Book Tickets Here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-use-social-media-to-grow-your-business-have-fun-doing-so-tickets-16518702885

Please do share and tweet me @ronkelawal @ariatupr if you have any thoughts.

Originally written on http://ronke-lawal.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/5-reasons-why-you-should-be-using.html

 

2Inspire Inspirational Woman Profile: Chloé Nelkin

In this inspirational Woman Profile we interview Chloé Nelkin, The CEO and Founder of Chloé Nelkin Consulting, a firm which specialises in PR, events and consultancy with a dedicated focus on visual arts, theatre and opera.

Chloé Nelkin

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

My days are very varied and I don’t tend to be at my desk for long.  Instead, I’m often out and about – meeting current and potential clients, attending rehearsals for our theatre shows, popping into a client’s gallery to check on installation, and running events.  Because I’m always on the move my BlackBerry is my lifeline making me available to my team, clients and press.  In the evenings, I can be found entertaining business associates, at the theatre or at art openings. When I am in the office I’ll be answering emails, taking phone calls, pitching stories to the press or sometimes reading a script for a new play that we’re considering working on.  I wouldn’t describe my days as typical and I often don’t turn my computer off until the early hours.  But that’s because I love my job.

What made you start the business and how did you get started?

During my time studying at The Courtauld Institute of Art I became involved with (and then chaired) a student run contemporary art exhibition.  Through the East Wing Collection, my PR skills rapidly developed and I began to get a taste for the industry.  I’d always known I wanted to work in art but I realised that PR was where I wanted to be.   My experience of working at other PR firms confirmed to me that I wanted to spearhead projects in my own way and feel truly invested in what I was doing.  In March 2010, a gallery asked me to handle their PR.  Chloé Nelkin Consulting was born. 

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

Taking the business from the kitchen table and building it into a successful company with offices in Soho.  The business has expanded, we’re now a team of six and we celebrated our 5^th birthday earlier this year.  As well as working with independent artists and smaller theatre companies, we also look after the likes of National Trust London, Theatre503 and Opera Holland Park. 

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

Because it’s my company, I’m emotionally involved in my work and wear my heart on my sleeve.  I believe in openness and honesty (which is a key ethos of CNC) and it’s difficult for me to accept that not everybody is the same.  I find rude or untrustworthy behaviour very draining, whether it’s directed at me or my staff. 

What are your future plans for the business?

Who knows?  The business is exactly where I want it to be for now.  It’s expanding in a really exciting way so watch this space.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I truly wouldn’t change anything.  I handpick all our clients to ensure that we’re only working with projects we feel really passionate about.  I truly believe the reason CNC has grown is because everyone in the team loves it and that is one of the things that has made the business the success it is today.  Our attention to detail and the fact we get to know all our clients personally means that we understand what they want.  Of course, there are bumps along the road in any business and sometimes there are steep learning curves but all of those things have contributed to our growth.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

I get so frustrated when I hear people saying that they can’t make it in an industry because it’s dominated by one gender.  That is nonsense.  If you have the skills and determination you can achieve success in whatever industry you choose.  Women can lead just as well as men and it comes down to confidence.  I went to a school that nurtured strong independent women – previous alumni included the likes of Frances Mary Buss, Esther Rantzen, Stevie Smith and Marie Stopes.  We were taught to follow our dreams and to be the next generation of women who would make a difference.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

My key piece of advice is that you have to believe in what you are doing and work hard.  A business doesn’t form overnight – it needs time, patience and love.

What or who inspires you in business and why? 

It may sound corny but my clients and my team inspire me.  Knowing we’re working on such great projects and then seeing how pleased my team are when projects go well is a huge incentive to continue as we are.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

My grandma used to say, There’s no such thing as you can’t because you can if you try hard enough.

Chloé Nelkin

www.chloenelkinconsulting.com

Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/chloenelkinconsulting

Twitter, http://twitter.com/chloenelkin

Sponsored Post: Health & well being Workshop by Hope & Voice on Saturday 27th June 2015

On Saturday 7th June, Hope & Voice Present a health and well being workshop in Croydon: 

11am-5pm at Croydon Park Hotel

Subject: Are You Getting The Most From Life? Get The Help You Need To Better Yourself!

How about taking a few minutes of your time in order to learn simple steps on improving the rest of your life? Come and listen to what the line-up of speakers we have for you have to say, that is what this workshop can do for you. The tips and tricks that we will provide you with, will help you reach your true potential.

http://bit.ly/1Bl5yuQ

A Balanced Diet Leads To A Balanced Life!

In addition to the self-help tips you will also learn about how to improve your overall health and well-being nutritionally and much more!

http://bit.ly/1Bl5yuQ

Respectfully yours,

Evelyn Pindura

(Founder of Hope and Voice)

www.hopeandvoice.com

www.twitter.com/evelynpin

www.facebook.com/evelynpindura

Special Announcement: New Shop Launch date for @Bar Beauty Boutique

@Bar Beauty Boutique

Lewisham High Street

London SE13 6LG

@Bar Beauty Boutique regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstance the doors of @Bar Beauty Boutique will not be opening on Saturday 20^th June 2015.

We will now be opening on Saturday 4^th July 2015, for beauty shoppers to discover a unique beauty buying experience. Visitors will be able to purchase natural handmade and sourced items free from harmful chemical and parabens from some of the UK’s most talented entrepreneurs.

In the meantime Join us at our prelaunch event @Primo Bar London in the luxurious Westminster Park Plaza on Thursday 2^nd July 2015, where we will be introducing the brands which include Isa Marie Skincare and Berry Butter.

Take a look at the promotional video for the Primo Bar here:

http://bit.ly/1CWI0pQ

Primo Bar will be exclusively for women from 6-9pm and there is no admission fee.

Enjoy a great cocktail selection for only £4!

An amazing DJ and live music will start from 8pm

All this at PRIMO BAR #ladiesatprimo

PARK PLAZA WESTMINSTER BRIDGE LONDON

Thursday 2^nd July 2015 6-9pm

200 Westminster Bridge Road

London SE1 7UT

+44 (0)20 7620 7282

Tube: Westminster or Waterloo

Entrance is free (subject to availability) RSVP is strongly advised, as seating space is limited.

We still aim to support and promote entrepreneurs entering the hair/beauty industry. We will do this by giving them the opportunity by way of a platform to showcase their products and services in a retail environment at an affordable price. If you are an entrepreneur or small business producing a natural hair/beauty range and want to showcase what you do or produce in the beauty boutique we want to hear from you!

        @Bar Beauty Boutique will stock unique hair and    

                  cosmetics brands for women of colour

Please contact us using the email details below leaving your business details and we will send you an enquiry form along with costs and general information.

If you have any questions please get in contact:

contactbar.cp@gmail.com

@ Bar Beauty Boutique – For your brown beauty needs

Enter our competition for a chance to win a Sáfójò Umbrella

One lucky winner will be chosen at random to win one of these stylish umbrellas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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