People’s Champion finalist 2017: London Grace

Start-up name: London Grace
Founder: Kirsten White
Started in: 2015
Based in: London
Business description: Social nail bars combining beauty treatments with coffee and cocktails

Shortlisted category:

Women in Business Award

The London Grace story:

You wouldn’t normally go to a nail bar for a party, but London Grace isn’t your average nail bar.

With statement light features, exposed brickwork and soft furnishings, entrepreneur Kirsten White’s social beauty concept offers unique ‘Grace Spaces’ and pamper parties for hen-dos, birthdays and baby showers across the capital.

White spent several months perfecting her cruelty-free and “no nasties” nail polish collection and was so confident in her creation, she decided not to offer them anywhere else but her own London Grace stores.

A “completely new” concept, it took her some time to convince others that London was crying out for a nail bar/ coffee shop/ cocktail bar fusion, but it seems she was right: London Grace now operates five sites across the Capital (in Putney, Clapham, Leicester Square, Canary Wharf and Angel) and has more than 55 employees.

The nail bar features five different treatment options which are designed to promote healthy, happy nails; that means no acrylics, extensions or excessive cuticle cutting. The brand’s treatments are also performed dry to make them as hygienic (bacteria thrives in warm and wet environments) and environmentally friendly as possible, which saves hundreds of litres of water every week.

White started her first business at the age of 16 after spotting a gap for waiting and bar staff at local parties. In one year she had more than 60 employees who were collectively staffing up to 16 events a week. Though she decided to take a break from the world of enterprise to get a degree, it’s not hard to see how those early experiences have translated into future success!

Why London Grace made our shortlist:

This rapidly growing operation has become one of the Capital’s go-to destination for pamper parties and is looking to open two new locations in the next six months before expansion outside the capital next year. Despite having an unusual concept and an untested product, White had the confidence to put her plan into action and has proved that there’s a big appetite for social beauty experiences in the process. Now, London Grace is in prime position to capitalise.

Where to find out more about London Grace:

Website: www.londongrace.co.uk
Twitter: @LDN_Grace