Caitlin Owen

Lush Locks By Cait began with a simple dream: to build a beauty business rooted in confidence, creativity and community. Today, from her home‑based salon in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Cait offers a wide range of professional services - from hair extensions to nails, lashes, brows and waxing - to a growing and loyal client base who trust her not just for her skills, but for the experience she creates.

Her entrepreneurial spark started early. Even as a young girl, Cait loved the idea of being her own boss - setting her own hours, shaping her own path and making every business decision with full creative freedom. That independence excited her. The possibility of building something that truly reflected her inspired her to dream bigger.

Her journey into business began in college, when she reached out to the Futures Team at Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw. With the guidance of her mentor, Matthew Watts, she started turning her idea into something more than a daydream. Through him, she was introduced to Big Ideas Wales and discovered the Young Person’s Start‑Up Grant. After creating her business plan, she applied - and secured the full £2,000 that helped bring Lush Locks By Cait to life.

Driven by her love for the hair and beauty industry, she wanted to offer something special to her local community. She loved talking to her clients, getting to know them, and helping them feel confident and beautiful. For Cait, it was never just about the services she offered - it was about the connection, the conversation, the confidence boost, and the smile at the end of every appointment.

But the journey wasn’t without challenges. At first, she planned to focus solely on hair extensions. Soon, she realised that her community needed something more. Clients wanted lashes, brows, nails - and instead of seeing that as a setback, she saw an opportunity. She invested in further training, expanded her qualifications and widened her services. It wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. The business grew, her client base expanded, and she discovered a valuable truth: changing direction isn’t failure - it’s growth. Adapting to meet her clients’ needs didn’t just strengthen her business; it strengthened her confidence as a business owner.

For Cait, the best thing about being her own boss is the freedom to build a brand that reflects who she is. Designing her logo, shaping her style, choosing how her salon looks and feels - every decision was hers, and every decision brought joy. Building Lush Locks By Cait has allowed her to express her creativity, her passion and her standards in a way only she can. It’s a journey she’s embraced completely - and one she would never go back from.

Today, Cait continues to grow her business with passion, dedication and a deep love for what she does. Through her work and her story, she hopes to inspire other young people to trust their ideas, follow their instincts and build something they believe in - one small step, one brave decision, one beautiful transformation at a time.