This week, we are shining the spotlight on Posey Broomhall, the entrepreneur behind the salon business Harpo Hair and the shower cap brand Bompies. Despite having dyslexia Posey has overcome the odds and has successfully built two businesses that are enjoying considerable growth,
ISB: What inspired you to take an interest in hairdressing?
PH: As a kid in class I would always play with my hair and get told off by the teachers. My grandmother was a hairdresser and I loved watching her set, tease and style her hair every day. When I was in my teens, my mum went to have her hair done and mentioned to her stylist that I wanted to be a hairdresser and the next day I started as their Saturday girl. I loved the creative side of hairdressing, the hustle and bustle of the busy floor and being able to help someone feel their best self as they walked out the door. Having always struggled at school and never felt good at anything, all of a sudden the salon was my happy place.
ISB: How did you overcome dyslexia and muster the confidence to found Harpo Hair?
PH: I was very lucky as a child to be told every day by my mum that lots of successful people had dyslexia, and all it means is that your brain works a bit differently (and sometimes more creatively) to other people. My mum always encouraged me to focus on my strengths and ask for help and support when needed. Being dyslexic herself, she was amazing at fostering my creative side – we would spend weekends and school holidays sewing, colouring, doing tapestry, knitting and anything creative. This nurtured my confidence and showed me that I could learn any new skill if I put the time in, whether it was running a business or the technical skills to become a great hairdresser.
ISB: How were you able to set your salon apart from the competition?
PH: Harpo Hair was built around the feeling of a family environment, where everyone says hello as you walk in the door and the space has the comfortable feeling of unassuming luxury. We value every person who comes to us not just as a client, we want people to be returning year on year. My staff turnover is very low so you will see the same people often. The family-style atmosphere comes from our team that treat each other with respect and work together in one big setting.
ISB: What motivated you to branch out and come up with your shower cap product line?
PH: I’m a great blow waver. I knew how to make sure my own blow wave lasted and I used to hate being told by clients that theirs had dropped out the next day. My first question would always be, “Do you use a shower cap?” Most would say no and I could understand that as I hadn’t had any luck finding a good shower cap to use myself and stock in the salon. My husband Marc suggested I create my own, and that was the first product in the Bompies collection – a pretty and functional shower cap made from quick dry fabric. From then on I started to add to the line with bathroom products and hair accessories, along with a sleepwear range of robes, nighties and pyjamas that are feminine and elegant to wear to bed or for lounging.
ISB: What is your vision for Harpo Hair and Bompies in the next couple of years?
PH: I’m feeling super excited! My long-time stylist Amanda Skews has come on board as my business partner at Harpo Hair, and I have been able to take on more staff including apprentices for our training program. It’s also given me time to focus on different sides of the business like marketing and building the brand name. We would love to open a third salon and I’m always looking at potential sites. On the Bompies side, we are launching another Liberty of London nightie in small runs as well as our first flannelette pyjama set and I’ll be working to add new products into our bathroom range.
ISB: What would be the most important piece of advice you would impart to someone who dreams of running their own business?
PH: Write a business plan! This was the hardest thing for me to do when starting my own business (being dyslexic), but also the most important. It really helped me understand my vision for Harpo, what would make it different to other salons, how I wanted my culture to be and how to understand money and books before I had even rented a shop. I hadn’t done anything like that since school and struggled with every moment of it, but it is by far the most important thing to do before you set up your business.
