Founded by Jess Richardson, Healthy Hair is a mobile, in-home hairdressing service built around the realities of family life. Based in Tauranga, New Zealand, Healthy Hair offers a calm, flexible alternative to traditional salon visits, bringing professional haircare directly into the home using gentler, more considered products wherever possible. As a mum of three, and designed with mothers, children and elderly clients in mind, Jess’ business is grounded in the belief that self-care should feel accessible, unrushed and supportive, not stressful or out of reach. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind her business, how she balances work and family life, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The Passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Time was my biggest inspiration: time for family, time for wellbeing and time to slow the whole experience down. As a busy mum of three young children, I needed a way to work that fitted around family life, while still offering a meaningful service to others.
I also noticed how challenging salon visits can be for mums, elderly clients or anyone with mobility, health or time constraints. Bringing hairdressing into the home removes a huge amount of stress. There is no rushing, no travel, no sitting in a noisy environment. Clients can relax in their own space while still feeling cared for and confident.
From the beginning, Healthy Hair was built around using gentler, more natural colour options wherever possible, and offering a service that supports people at different stages of life, particularly mothers and elderly clients, without compromising on quality or affordability.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Healthy Hair began very simply, with a Facebook post to see whether there was interest in a mobile, in-home hairdressing service. The response was immediate and reassuring, especially from families and older clients who were relieved at the idea of not needing to leave home for their appointments.
From there, I created www.healthyhair.co.nz, allowing clients to book online at times that suited their routines. Social media helped spread the word, but the real growth came through word of mouth – mums telling other mums, and families recommending the service to their parents and grandparents.
Keeping pricing fair and transparent was important from the start. I wanted professional haircare to feel accessible, not like a luxury reserved for special occasions.
The Innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for your business?
Innovation for me has been an ongoing process of listening to clients and adjusting the service to better meet their needs. One significant breakthrough was investing in a portable basin, which allows clients to enjoy a proper salon-style wash and rinse at home.
This was especially important for elderly clients or those with limited mobility, as it removed the physical strain of traditional sink washing. It also meant clients could enjoy a calm, familiar environment without compromising on the quality of their experience.
More recently, we’ve added in-salon services for those who prefer that option, but mobile, in-home hairdressing remains at the heart of what we do. Meeting people where they are, both physically and emotionally, continues to guide every decision.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balance is always evolving, but flexibility makes it possible. Being a mobile service allows me to schedule appointments around school hours, after-school activities and weekends, while also accommodating clients who need daytime or early evening appointments.
Online booking helps everyone plan ahead, which reduces stress and supports family routines, for both my own family and my clients. Many mums appreciate being able to stay home with their children during appointments, and elderly clients value not needing transport or assistance to get to a salon.
As the business grows, I’m also looking to bring more hairdressers on board, particularly those seeking flexible, family-friendly work.
