When Kuljeet Kaur moved to South Tyneside, she faced a challenge many locals will recognise: finding a beauty salon that could fit her in.
“Most salons weren’t taking new clients, and the ones that were available were too far away,” she explains.
That experience sparked an idea – why not create the kind of friendly, accessible salon she had been searching for?
In September 2025, Kuljeet opened Bawve Beauty Salon at Boldon Colliery, offering a full range of treatments: facials, Hydrofacial (pictured), nails, waxing, brows and more. Her promise? Friendly service, quality treatments and a relaxing atmosphere.
For Kuljeet, the most rewarding part of running her business is simple:
“Seeing my clients leave happy and confident. Knowing that I’ve made someone feel pampered, relaxed, and cared for makes all the hard work worth it.”
But Kuljeet’s journey to opening her own salon had a deeper meaning too. Coming from an abusive marriage where she was constantly controlled and unable to make her own decisions, she made a brave choice to rebuild her life.
Moving to South Tyneside gave her a fresh start, and meeting a supportive partner who believed in her completely changed her path. “For the first time, someone said to me, ‘Yes, you can do anything you want,” she shares.
With his encouragement and her own determination, Kuljeet found the strength to prove to herself that she could stand on her own, be independent, and build something truly hers. Bawve Beauty Salon became not just a business, but a symbol of her confidence, resilience and freedom.
Starting up the business wasn’t without its challenges, but Kuljeet received help from TEDCO Business Support, who took her through the Start Up South Tyneside programme. Looking back, we asked Kuljeet to reflect on some key issues:
What was your biggest worry?
“Not knowing if people would find me or trust me as a new salon. But seeing happy clients return gave me the confidence that I’d made the right decision.
Tell us about the most useful support you got?
“TEDCO’s help in securing the £15,000 start-up loan through Be Enterprise Fund, which allowed me to invest in essential equipment and supplies. Alongside practical guidance on business planning and marketing, TEDCO’s support made starting my own salon much more achievable and gave me confidence in running a successful business.”
Bill Hartshorne, Kuljeet’s TEDCO advisor, adds:
“The team at Business Enterprise Fund took care of Kuljeet through the whole process, and once again made vital funding available to an early-stage business that needed investment in order to accelerate growth. Kuljeet’s journey is remarkable – she saw an opportunity and, through resilience and focus, transformed it into a successful business. It’s proof that with the right support and belief in yourself, you can create something that truly benefits others.”
Why South Tyneside?
Kuljeet believes it’s a great place to live and run a business – and her growing client base agrees. Bawve Beauty Salon is already making its mark as a go-to destination for those who want to feel their best.
Find out more on the Bawve Beauty Salon Facebook page: Bawve Beauty Salon.
Start Up South Tyneside is a programme delivered by TEDCO Business Support on behalf of South Tyneside Council which aims to support local residents with their aspirations to start up a business. For more information visit: Start Up South Tyneside | Tedco Business Support
