By Ryan Burton
Ambition is not a new concept to Lox of Love and its founder, Victoria Cartwright.
The company was launched in December 2012, originally as a mobile hair extension specialist in the Aycliffe area.
Over two years has passed and Victoria has seen her company expand into something that bit more special.
Looking back to when she first started out on her own, Victoria’s aims were simple when she first started up her business.
She says: “People who have had hair extensions in the past also have a horror story to go with it. I thought I could do a better job than the majority of what I’d seen.
“We focus on quality and are highly recognised for that. It is something we are proud of.”
Newtonian Victoria, who is a fully qualified hairdresser, compiled a business plan for Lox of Love whilst she studied for a business degree at Teesside University.
Her business has grown rapidly and is something that she is immensely proud of.
“There is no other business like ours in the area. We offer a unique service and exclusive brands that aren’t available anywhere else.”
The word spread quickly and Victoria built up a client base from all over the North-East.
After winning a deal to become an official stockist of the award-winning, Halo Hair, in May 2014, Victoria opened a studio on Aycliffe Business Park and since then there has been no looking back.
As well as a new studio, Victoria has had to hire other members of staff to help keep up with demand.
Stylist Emma Stevens joined the firm in September – enabling Lox of Love to extend their client list to non-extension wearers – while Victoria has now appointed a new beauty therapist.
Toni McLeod, originally from Bishop Auckland, is highly experienced in this field. She has previously worked at Jesmond Beauty Clinic as well as being an assistant manager at the Le Petit Spa Malmaison in Newcastle.
Victoria also confirmed she has secured a deal to be an official stockist for HD brows, including their newly launched make up range.
“We have had so many enquiries for beauty services,” she says.
“It was an obvious progression for us to offer express beauty treatments and exclusive beauty brands such as HD Brows.”
With Lox of Love now being based solely at the Evans Business Centre on the business park, Victoria has moved on from the mobile service.
With the firm exploring new horizons and ditching the old mobile model, it could be understood to distinguish the firm’s unique selling point. Victoria is quick to point this out.
“Our regular clients travel from Durham, Darlington and as far as Stanley to the salon. They recognise our ethos,” she says.
“Our brands are not easily available anywhere else locally. We’ll always pride ourselves on our hair extensions but the exclusive brands we offer is now a major part of our business.”
A feature in Vogue and the recent award of five stars in the Good Salon Guide would indicate the sky is the limit for Lox of Love – with Victoria holding lofty ambitions.
“We’re happy with where we are now but are looking to expand in a number of areas,” she reveals enthusiastically.
“We will soon be launching our own brand of hair extensions. We want to be a recognised brand.
“Our goal is to open up additional salons in other areas to replicate the success of our existing business model.”
Victoria’s passion and determination to succeed is infectious. The name, Lox of Love, stands for more than just a playful pun but a spirit embedded by Victoria and her team towards this business and clientele.
• To book or make an enquiry, call them on 01325 327362, or for more details go to www.loxoflove.co.uk
Pictured (abobe): Victoria Cartwright with Emma Stevens, Toni McLeod and Amber Cartwright.