Words by Smiley Team
Haircuts, spa treatments, manicures, self-care – they all make people feel good.
But for those who are less fortunate, who can't afford or access even basic needs, these luxuries often get left behind.
Salon and spa company Zenoti is on a mission to change that. Through its charitable arm – the Zenoti Foundation – it partners with local salon and spa customers, connecting with community shelters to provide haircuts, manicures and other self-care treatments.
The aim is to bring these luxury treatments to the homeless and the terminally ill, so everyone has the opportunity to find their greatness.
Sudheer Koneru, founder and CEO of Zenoti, tells Smiley News: “Giving back is inherent in the Zenoti brand, and so in 2020 we established the Zenoti Foundation to further commit to giving back to the communities we serve in the US, UK and across the globe.”
Its charitable work is broad-ranging. More than 40,000 haircuts have been provided for the homeless across the UK and the US, as well as 15 shelter day events across the US in support of the homeless and terminally ill in 2021.
(Read more about inspirational projects to support and care for the homeless)
Zenoti employees also created a Covid-19 relief fund by donating a portion of their salaries to help those in need. In total, Zenoti employees contributed more than $100,000.
They distributed aid to more than 500 beauty and wellness professionals in the United States, Australia, India, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Zenoti has supported Haircuts4Homeless, which was set up by veteran hairdresser Stewart Roberts. A community of skilled hairdressers volunteer their time free of charge to provide haircuts for people experiencing homelessness – and Zenoti supports them with software and materials.
Another example is Zenoti's partnership with American Haircuts, which hosts head-shaving events for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to show their solidarity with children who have cancer and raise money for childhood cancer research.
Last year, the Zenoti Foundation supported the annual head-shaving event for National Childhood Cancer Awareness month with a Buy One, Donate One haircut for the cause.
(Read more about these UK employers who have begun their homeless recruitment drive)
The Birds Barbershop worked with local shelters to provide haircuts and grooming services to people experiencing homelessness. In partnership with Lighter Loads ATX, they bring mobile hygiene services directly to their local shelters, extending their impact as far as possible.
Once again, the Zenoti Foundation sponsored the providers with a Buy One, Donate One, to ensure that everyone could look and feel their best.
“Zenoti is looking to achieve a movement that creates a sense of health, mindfulness and personal confidence that comes from feeling good inside and out," says Sudheer. "The beauty industry is greatly overlooked for its power to do so.”
Zenoti also has a Foundation Scholarship, in collaboration with the Gene Juarez Academy – and plans to introduce more scholarships for the next generation of beauty, wellness and fitness practitioners in 2022.
You can find out more about Zenoti’s ethos of doing good and feeling good on its website.
