A Gemini by nature, curious, communicative and social, and an entrepreneur by instinct, Zimbabwean and British Nia Pettitt started her salon journey long before she ever held the keys to her own business. Because what began in her mother’s living room in 2013 – where she discovered her love for styling and shaping natural hair – has since grown into one of London’s most in-demand destinations for waves, curls and coils.
“I decided to start The Curl Bar because I didn’t have a salon growing up,” Nia explains. “I felt like it was important to have something for the younger generation and also the older generation.”
That sense of inclusivity is reflected in the salon’s North London home on Myddleton Road, a revitalised Victorian shopping street known for its independent businesses and community-run market, making it the perfect location for a brand that’s built on belonging and connection.
Today, The Curl Bar employs five stylists and boasts an impressive following, with a global community eagerly waiting for an appointment. Bookings fill up weeks in advance, new availability is announced via social media and clients travel from across the UK and beyond to take a seat in The Curl Bar.
This level of customer loyalty, Nia explains, has been built slowly and intentionally. “My community is very sacred,” Nia says. “I have loyal customers who’ve been coming for five years now. We have great conversations, and they’re always down to be a part of the journey.”
Nia’s salon is powered by a clear vision, a loyal community and Square’s smart POS system, which keeps everything running behind the scenes. As Nia says, “My proudest achievement at The Curl Bar would be keeping strong, no matter what obstacles have come my way.”
Achieving a signature style
The Curl Bar doesn’t just offer cuts, colour, styling and treatments, it offers a welcoming space where people can realise their true hair potential. “When people visit The Curl Bar, I want them to feel safe, warm, loved, heard, seen, felt,” Nia says. “I just want them to feel like this is their hair safe space to flourish and grow.”
Step inside The Curl Bar and Nia’s vision is unmistakable, with blush-pink, Instagram-worthy interiors mirroring the joy and confidence the salon aims to bring to its clients. “My business is girly, chic, fun, colourful and vibrant. It’s a safe space,” Nia says. “We specialise in all things waves, curls, coils. We define curls and do gorgeous cuts to give volume or shape enhancements.”
That attention to detail extends beyond aesthetics because, for Nia, the experience matters just as much as the result. Thorough consultations, allocating enough time for each appointment, playing great music and ensuring a friendly atmosphere are all non-negotiables. Happily, in Square, she’s found hair salon software that fits seamlessly into the flow of the salon without disrupting it, and it’s been by her side since the start.
“I love using it,” Nia says. “Whether it’s taking payments or sending links for clients to pay deposits, I can use it to take payments on the go. It’s sleek and it goes perfectly with the salon.”
Taming everyday business challenges
Managing cancellations, deposits, staff training and peak booking times could easily become overwhelming, especially for a founder who wears many hats. “My job title is everything from Boss Lady to Toilet Cleaner,” Nia laughs. “I do every single job in this place, and I’m proud to say I do.”
Square helps simplify those moving parts. In addition to processing in-salon payments, she uses her salon POS system to take deposits via phone and social media, which has helped to reduce last-minute cancellations and maximise revenue by avoiding downtime.
Her team of stylists are on board too, which is so important in a busy hairdressing environment. “The Square ecosystem was very easy to teach all of my staff – they instantly get it,” Nia says. “My team find it so easy to use that they can step in to take payments when it’s busy, even if the manager isn’t there.”
Beyond payments, Square’s insights help inform business decisions. By understanding when clients are most likely to book – often late in the evening – Nia can align marketing and booking launches to match customer behaviour. “Through Square I’ve learnt the days and times that clients book appointments, and it’s usually at night time,” she says. “So we try to integrate that into our marketing.”
After five and a half years using the Square Reader, Nia is now preparing to upgrade to Square Handheld, and she’s excited by the prospect of making the salon’s customer service even more streamlined thanks to its new features, like barcode scanning to keep track of inventory and the ability to take and upload client photos.
For a founder like Nia, Square Handheld fits seamlessly into the salon’s aesthetic while keeping everything running efficiently. Its sleek and modern design complements The Curl Bar’s polished interiors and allows staff to take payments and keep track of inventory while freely moving around the space. Put simply, it’s tech that not only looks the part, but works hard, too.
Taking the salon to social media
“My typical customer is a girl who wants so much volume, loads of layers, and she wants to walk out feeling like a million bucks,” Nia says. “I’m best known for very big transformations – big chops – just inspiring someone to embark on their natural hair journey in a very sentimental and fun way.”
That transformation-first mindset extends into The Curl Bar’s socials. As a content creator, author and confidence advocate, Nia has propelled The Curl Bar to a cultural touchpoint within the natural hair community. With nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, and more than 86,000 subscribers on YouTube, her platforms are driven by content that feels personal, celebratory and authentic.
Part of her social media strategy is before-and-after storytelling, with videos showcasing transformations regularly going viral. Equally impactful is Nia’s use of behind-the-scenes footage. By inviting followers to ‘spend a day at the salon’, The Curl Bar opens a window into its world – capturing the music, laughter and rhythm of a working day. It’s an atmosphere that Nia is dedicated to nurturing, and when asked about the best part of her day, she says: “Definitely jamming to all the great music with clients. We literally have a party – it turns into an actual curl bar.”
Looking ahead, Nia is focused on sustainability, community and creative freedom. She’s building a team where stylists can express their individuality and preparing for The Curl Bar’s next chapter, thanks to Square tools that can help the salon scale.
Asked what advice she’d give other founders, Nia doesn’t hesitate: “It’s easy to gain a customer, but hard to keep one. Don’t spread yourself thin and always pour into your own cup first.”
