Kerry Buckell is the brainchild behind KB Hair extensions, a brand that she launched after an embarrassingly public hair mishap that she didn’t want anyone else to go through.
The brand has boomed far beyond her expectations and she makes people feel more confident than ever. Inspiring, creative and a serious badass, Kerry is one to watch.
We spent some time with her to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching KB Hair Extensions…
In 2013 I was lucky enough to work for a worldwide celebrity, this was great however I was once photographed in a UK Newspaper with my clip-in hair extensions on show. (Embarrassing I know!) Just this one photo gave me the idea to make sure that nobody else had this problem on a day-to-day basis, hair extensions weren’t popular in our area and growing up I was always asked where I got my hair, from who did it etc so I wanted to change that. I wanted to help others with their hair. I set up my business in 2014 and here we are!
I started KB Hair Extensions not knowing where it would go or how much it would change people’s lives. Having had experience with hair extensions for over 15 years now I truly believe that changing your hair can change your life. I see clients who have no confidence and by simply providing them with hair extensions they regain that confidence and happiness too. Thats the biggest reward for me. I have created my own brand, content and products and ensure I put my all into my business, I only wish I had started it sooner.
What has been the biggest learning curve since launching the business?
Believe in yourself and Invest in yourself.
It sounds cliché but if you don’t believe in yourself how will anyone believe in you and what you are selling?
Creating and running a business is a journey in itself and you learn as you grow. One thing I always remind myself is that not everyone will like you or your brand and that’s okay. Why? Because as long as you love what you do and believe in yourself then why should it matter to one person who feels differently. Do it for YOU!
Who’s currently wearing KB Hair Extensions?
As a brand we’ve been extremely lucky to work with some of the most beautiful women we have ever come across. Our hair extensions have been worn by models, tv reality stars, influencers and best of all real women every day.
Currently our clip-in hair extensions are loved and worn by Love Island Star and model Jade Affleck, who has been wearing our deluxe clip-ins since early 2020 and they’re still going strong.
As a brand owner I love to see our hair tagged on anyone who wears it and thanks to social media we get to see that and share it with the world. The women who wear our hair really shine in their photos and I like to think we play a tiny part in that by adding confidence with hair.
What sets you apart from other hair extension brands?
I like to feel that I am different to most hair extension specialists not because I do it all on my own but because I have gone through what my clients go through. I have tried all methods, had ups and downs with my hair and the experience, knowledge and love I have for hair extensions is shown and shared with people who cross my path.
For 6 years now I have produced all my own content, run all my social platforms, built my own website, created my own products, directed and shot my own brand photoshoots and that’s all because I love what I do. It would be easy to have help from other companies but why do that when you love a challenge and have the vision?
How do you want women to feel when wearing your extensions?
Women should feel beautiful before they wear our hair extensions, not just after.
In the last 2 years I have taken on new challenges in helping women and men with extremely short and complicated hair by applying hair extensions to change their look. I’ve helped women of all ages, including women in their late 60’s to women as young as 18 feel better about their hair and themselves and it’s the best feeling knowing that you are making one person feel fabulous.
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to launch a brand in the beauty industry?
Go for it, if you’ve thought about it long enough then it’s time to take the leap. The beauty industry is always evolving. That idea you have might just change the game.
What’s holding you back from living your dream?
Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
Hair extensions are all around us now in 2021, everyone has them and they’re no longer used as just an accessory.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
Not many people know this however my business is only part time. I currently work a full time job, raise a toddler and run my business most evenings and weekends (when we’re not in a national lockdown!) It’s hard having time for anything else but I’m not complaining. If I have any spare time it’s usually used to take content for my business or I might secretly binge a new netflix series in one day!
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Without social media KB Hair Extensions wouldn’t exist.
Social media is powerful in so many ways, for me it helped create my business and get to where it is today. Would I have had the confidence to do it without it? Probably not.
Social media is the key to keeping up to date with absolutely anything! I follow hairdressers, salons, celebs, companies and real people. You can see what everyone loves at the moment, whats new etc and often try and put your own spin on new trends.
My social media channels reflect what I love about hair extensions and hair and I love to show what can be achieved and often feature my clients so that people can see “real people” loving and using hair extensions.
In the last two years you’ve won numerous awards, what will 2021 bring?
In oct 2019 I won Hair Extensions specialist of the year for the London Hair and Beauty Awards. This is my biggest achievement to date and an absolute shock to be up against top salon owners in London and so many talented artists. Over the past two years it’s been an honor to win multiple awards however earlier this year it was announced that I am a finalist in not 1 but 5 categories for the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.
The awards are taking place virtually in March and I am beyond excited. Fingers crossed.
What’s next for the business?
In November 2019 I trained as one of the first people to learn a new hair extension method in the UK, ‘Naked weave’. This method was an added bonus for me when I already knew how to apply wefts however this method has sky rocketed and to be one of the first is a great feeling. With the added experience of learning a new method I finally took the leap and created my sister company ‘KB Hair Academy’ during 2020’s lockdown.
Since then I have been training and taking those students under my wing. Providing support, help and advice to these new hair extensionists is a reward in itself. Passing on my knowledge of what I love to someone just starting out is life changing and I am thankful for companies like ‘Naked weave’ that helped teach me all I know, because look where I am now!
However, can you keep a secret?
At the end of 2020 I created KB Cosmetics which is separate from KB Hair Extensions but still carries on the KB name. Watch this space …
What does self care mean to you?
You look after others so make sure you look after you too! It’s harder said than done and do I need a spa day every now and then… YES.
During the past year just going for a country walk with my family is the perfect self care. There’s just something so refreshing about turning off your phone and enjoying being outside, walking and exploring.
But if anyone see’s this and wants to treat me to that spa day, I won’t say no!
Where can people find out more?
Head to kbhairextensions.com to find all our products including the new KB Cosmetics range.
We’re on social too, find us at:
www.instagram.com/kbhairextensions
www.facebook.com/kbhair
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