NHS Wales contract win allows cancer survivor to support those battling hair loss

A breast cancer survivor, who once felt too ashamed to leave her home, has launched a hair replacement service that can be accessed via NHS Wales prescription, by adults and children undergoing cancer treatment and battling hair loss conditions.

Anastasia (38), a multi-award winning stylist from Rhoose, founded Scarlett Jack Hairitage salon in the Vale of Glamorgan to provide modern hair loss solutions for those living with conditions such as alopecia, or the side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Having previously worked as a hair stylist and hair loss consultant for 15 years, Anastasia was aware that access to quality hair replacement services was extremely limited in South Wales. Then, after becoming a mother and spending the next ten years working at a local college, she received a diagnosis that would impact her life and career forever.

In 2021, Anastasia was diagnosed with breast cancer and promptly began treatment, one of the side effects being hair loss. It was at this point she discovered that access to hair replacement therapy was still just as poor as it had been a decade prior. Worse still, what was available was often not fit-for-purpose and sold at an unreasonable price point for many already vulnerable people.

When Anastasia entered remission in 2023, she made the decision to change careers to help others. With support from Business Wales, she made it her personal mission to ensure those enduring the challenge she’d experienced, could affordably access quality hair replacement solutions that offer real benefits for quality of life.

Speaking of what motivated her to help those who shared similar experiences, Anastasia, said: “Losing my hair was very challenging, I felt a lot of shame and didn’t want to leave my house. Even though I dealt with hair loss when I was a stylist, I still wasn’t prepared. I certainly didn’t think that there would still be such a lack of modern hair solutions.

“It wasn’t until I lost my own hair that I could truly understand and empathize with the challenges people endure. The isolation you feel is hard to describe, but the reality is so many people experience it. I wanted to do something that made a difference, something that could give people their confidence back, and the chance to feel equal.”

Anastasia contacted Business Wales in 2022 to help her build the foundation for her business that would provide a desperately needed empathetic and affordable service for those challenged by hair loss.

Nicola Thomas, an Adviser with Business Wales, then supported Anastasia by helping her draft a business plan, access information to help with the start up process, and unlock the funding to build and launch services needed by patients across South Wales.

Anastasia, explained: “Nicola became my lifeline during the start up process. She helped me build Scarlett Jack Hairitage from the ground up to become an inclusive and safe space that people living with these conditions need.

“Starting a business like this takes resources and investment. As I was unemployed at the time I was able to access the Barriers to Start-up Grant which allowed me to join specialist wig making courses and purchase the equipment I needed at the salon.”

While Anastasia’s goal has always been to ensure clients can access affordable hair loss solutions, as finances are often a real concern for many people battling conditions like cancer.

Thankfully, Business Wales’ experts were on hand to help the stylist navigate procurement processes to ensure NHS patients could affordably access her services. One-to-one support provided by Business Wales Advisor, Elgan Richards, enabled Anastasia to prepare and submit successful tenders via Sell2Wales and etenderWales to become a NHS Wales supplier. As a result, patients can now be prescribed vouchers to help cover the costs of wigs.

Business Wales Advisor, Elgan Richards, said: “It’s a common misconception that public sector contracts are out of reach to small businesses, but Scarlett Jack Hairitage proves that this just isn’t the case. We are proud to have helped ensure that people can access the services they need. I hope Anastasia’s success will inspire other businesses to explore how they can follow her example.”

Scarlett Jack Hairitage, whose name was inspired by Anastasia’s two children, offers clients a completely personalized experience. After an initial consultation, customers are able to choose the colour, cut, and style of their wig, or select a ready-made stock wig available at the salon. Both options allow clients to come back for regular maintenance, or cuts. The wigs that are a part of the company’s custom service are made by Anastasia using ethically sourced 100% human hair.

Business Wales is funded by Welsh Government. For more information and support to help your business discover opportunities, and to speak to a specialist advisor, contact Business Wales. Call 03000 6 03000 or visit www.businesswales.gov.wales/