Bullying remains a heartbreaking reality for many young people today. Recent research from the Anti-Bullying Alliance reveals that over 23% of schoolchildren are frequently bullied, with a survey of almost 45,000 pupils in England showing that one in five students face regular, face-to-face bullying.
Laura Bull understands these statistics all too well. Having been bullied during her school years, she knows how hurtful it can be. But she also believes that bullying doesn’t have to define your future. “When I was at school, I was the ‘overweight girl,'” Laura recalls. “There wasn’t the body positivity movement we have now, and I often felt like I didn’t belong. Being bullied and not feeling good enough was very personal, but I’m passionate about shining a light on it.”
Laura reflects on how terrible her bullying experience was, saying, “When I think about it now, the thought of something like that happening to my son is horrifying—I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But I want young people to know that, even after being bullied, you can go on to do great things. It can affect your confidence, but it doesn’t have to hold you back.”
Building a Business from the Ground Up
Fast forward to today, Laura, 40, is the Director and Owner of CODE Hair Consultants in Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, a thriving salon celebrating 15 years in business. She’s also a property developer, entrepreneur, and mother to her 11-year-old son, Reggie.
Laura started her career as a hairdressing apprentice straight from school, and after seven years of working for others, she decided to take the leap and open her own salon. “At the time, I didn’t have massive ambition to become as big as I have, but I knew I wanted to work for myself and had some unique ideas about what I wanted to do,” said Laura.
In 2010, she leased a run-down gaming shop in Oulton Broad, borrowed £20,000 from her parents, and turned it into a salon. “There was a lot of building work and renovation involved, and I was only 25 at the time, so it was a big deal really, but I just did it,” she explained.
Fifteen years later, Laura has to pinch herself at how well she has done. “I can’t believe how successful it is really, there have been lots of ups and downs, but I feel I have always stayed true to what I believe as a hairdresser and employer. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot. I find if you stay true to yourself and your ethos, that’s what will make you successful,” said Laura.
A Drive to be the Best
Laura’s ethos is to offer a personal yet professional experience in a five-star salon, with a strong focus on attention to detail. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in the many awards she’s received.
“I’ve always been driven to be the best, entering national awards to gain recognition. I stood out quickly at the British Hairdressing Business Awards, reaching the finals in just four months, which raised our profile. Since then, I’ve continued to stay on top of trends and new technologies.”
“We’ve won the Excellence in Customer Service award three times at the East Suffolk Business Awards, I won Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015, and we’ve been named Best Hair Salon in the East twice. In 2018, we were honoured as the Best Independent Hair Salon in the UK by the NHBF. Most recently, we won the Workplace Culture Award in 2023 and a Fresher Award for the Best in Class on the booking platform.”
Empowering Others Through Training
What sets Laura apart is her passion for mentorship. She trains her apprentices not only in hairdressing but in becoming the best version of themselves. “I teach them to grow in their personal lives as well as their careers,” she said.
Laura’s ethos of creating a supportive environment has paid off. Over the years, she’s seen at least five of her former staff members go on to run their own business. “I’m proud to have been able to offer others the confidence to start their own businesses,” she said. “It’s a testament to the training and support we offer.”
At one time Laura ran a team of ten, but she prefers a smaller team and today has a team of four very talented women working with her. “I’m incredibly proud of the team I’ve built. I mentor and support them not just in hairdressing, but in becoming the best version of themselves. Their success is my success.”
Adapting to an Ever-Changing Industry
Since opening her salon, the hairdressing industry has transformed. Laura was one of the first salon owners in her area to embrace social media, launching a Facebook page and website before many others. “At the time, it was groundbreaking,” Laura reflected. “Now, platforms like Instagram and Pinterest dominate how people experience hairdressing.
But with these advancements come challenges. “Social media has created unrealistic beauty standards,” she noted. “Clients often bring in photos that are heavily filtered or photoshopped, which often are photos of wigs. I train my team to manage expectations while delivering the best results possible. While these images help with vision, honesty is key.”
Mental Health Awareness
Laura is committed to making her salon a welcoming space for all, including those with mental health challenges or physical disabilities. “We strive to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of their personal struggles,” she explains.
The salon has adapted its services to accommodate clients with various needs. For instance, they work with individuals who have neurological disorders like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and those with severe anxiety. “We tailor our approach to each client’s unique situation,” Laura says.
By training her staff to be sensitive to mental health issues, Laura ensures that clients who might otherwise avoid salons feel confident in visiting CODE Hair Consultants. “Our goal is to make everyone feel valued and cared for,” she adds.
Juggling Motherhood and Ambition
Being a businesswoman hasn’t stopped Laura from being a hands-on mum. She returned to work just three months after Reggie was born, relying on a strong family support network. “I’ve never let being a mum hold me back,” she said. “It’s so important to have a passion and a focus of your own. It’s also inspiring for my son to see a strong, independent woman.”
Laura’s advice to other mums balancing work and family? “Use the downtime you have to focus on your goals. Don’t get lost in societal pressure. Your child will grow up, and it’s important to have something for yourself.”
Branching Out into Property
In 2015, Laura purchased the building housing CODE Hair Consultants, marking a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial journey. “I had invested so much money into the property, and this felt like the start of my real entrepreneurial spirit,” she recalls.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced her salon’s closure, but Laura transformed this challenge into an opportunity. “During covid, I couldn’t do anything. I had to furlough the staff, still had the mortgage and bills to pay, and as a self-employed person, I wasn’t getting any income,” she explains. “But I thought, let’s turn this into a positive.”
Recognising the emerging staycation trend, Laura saw potential in property investment. “I realised staycations would be massive, so I decided to buy and open a short-stay accommodation,” she says. “I listed it on Airbnb before even renovating, with just a description and some accessory photos. I put it up for July, listed it cheaply, and within a day, it was fully booked for an entire month in 2021 when staycations were incredibly popular.”
This property became CODE Terrace, situated in a lovely part of Oulton Broad, just down from her work. “It’s perfectly located so I can check on it whenever I need to,” Laura adds with pride.
Looking to the Future
With her salon thriving, her property portfolio growing, and numerous awards to her name, Laura shows no signs of slowing down. “My ultimate goal?” she pondered. “I’d love to be as well-known as a businesswoman like Jacqueline Gold or Karren Brady. My buzz is what’s next. I want to add more strings to my bow.” Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Don’t let anyone hold you back. And never listen to the word no.”
Laura Bull’s story is proof that resilience, determination, and commitment can lead to extraordinary success. From being bullied at school to becoming a multi-business owner and entrepreneur, Laura’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. As she puts it, “Trust the process. Stay consistent. Anyone can achieve it.”
A Heartfelt Message from Laura:
“Being bullied doesn’t define who you are or what you can become. It can hurt, but with time and the right support, you can turn it into strength. Don’t let anyone’s words hold you back from becoming the person you’re meant to be.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, there are resources available to help:
• Childline – 0800 1111 (available 24/7)
• The Anti-Bullying Alliance www.antibullyingalliance.org.uk
• Mind (Mental Health Support) 0300 123 3393
• The Samaritans – 116 123 (available 24/7)
Connect with Laura:
Visit CODE Hair Consultants at 25 Bridge Rd, Lowestoft NR32 3LN or explore their website at codehair.co.uk
Follow their creative transformations on Instagram @codehairsalon or call them directly at 01502 569590
For holiday stays by the coast, check out CODE Terrace on Instagram @codeterrace or visit codeterracesuffolk.com
Follow Laura’s personal journey on Instagram @lauracodehair or explore her property development ventures via @laurabulldevelopments