Fresh from an appearance on Dragons’ Den, Ola Goldsmith, founder of ‘Naked Weave’, a hair extension business, chats to Melan Magazine about her time on the show and her thriving six figure enterprise.

‘Naked Weave’ is a hair extension technique that you probably haven’t heard about yet. Developed through the founder’s many years within the industry, the technique offers a new take on weft hair extensions – using no heat, no glue, no braids and no visible connections. The unique hair system allows you to wear high ponytails with no attachments, unlike many other techniques.

Warwickshire-based CEO and founder of Naked Weave Ola Goldsmith recently appeared on Dragons’ Den. Although she didn’t manage to secure funding, she received sound advice and support from Deborah Meaden who reassured her about the viability of her brand.

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Goldsmith’s time on the Den was part of wider plans to secure finances to be able to market her product on a larger scale as well as to develop her own range of human Remy hair. While she feels that the Dragons’ panel might not have been the right fit for her, she says she left feeling encouraged to continue her search for investors.

From small beginnings in 2012 and with very little experience, Goldsmith has built her business ‘Naked Weave Ltd’ from the ground up, to what is now a six-figure thriving business. Part of a very lucrative industry.  Today, in the UK, the women’s hairpiece, wig and extension market has grown in value from $612.9 million in 2019 and is estimated to be worth a whopping $1,185.1 million by 2027 (source).

Just after her appearance on Dragons’ Den, we caught up with Ola Goldsmith to learn more about her exciting new brand.

So, what inspired you to start your business? 

I wanted to bring something new and valuable to the industry. I also wanted more of my salon customers to choose weave extensions without fear of them being visible.

What’s been the biggest challenges of running your business so far? 

Getting a good return on ad spend.

And the biggest rewards? 

Seeing my technicians produce amazing work using a technique that I taught them.

Why did you want to go on Dragons’ Den? 

It was an amazing opportunity to potentially grow my business and get the opinions of successful entrepreneurs on what I’d already done. However, featuring on the show was the single most scary thing I’ve ever done in my life – the lead up to it was long and gruelling and there was so much I had to learn about my business that I didn’t know before!

Which ‘Dragon’ inspired you the most and why? 

I’m inspired by what Steven (Bartlett) has done at such a young age. I also love what he represents and stands for. I was also really eager to hear what he had to say about my product.

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What’s the ‘Unique Selling Point’ of Naked Weave? 

We teach people not just how to discreetly apply hair extensions, but we also offer the full package such as styling, social media marketing and much more to give our students the best chance at success.

Tell us about the Naked Weave technique

Naked Weave is the most discreet weave technique on the market, today. It offers a way of applying weft hair extensions that uses no heat, no glue, no braids. What makes it so innovative is that there are no visible connections.

Who are your most popular customers? 

Hair professionals.

Speak it into existence, where will your business be in five years’ time? 

One of the world’s biggest hair educators and luxury hair extension suppliers.

Where can our readers find Naked Weave? 

Visit: www.thehairextensiongroup.co.uk

The Dragons’ Den show aired on BBC One on 6 January 2022 at 8pm. Visit BBC iPlayer to watch the episode.