Dream of a disability friendly barbers

Hi there, My name is Emma and I am hoping to fundraise for my new business venture of opening my own sensory based barber shop in Dublin. I am a carer to my son who has aspergers syndrome and I know all to well the challenges that can arise for children and adults with additional needs when it comes to receiving a hair cut. Personal grooming is an important part of our everyday lives, it makes us feel good, boosts our self confidence and mental health, and a day out to get your hair done can be an all round treat too. But for some, the experience of getting a hair cut is completely different. For a person with additional needs, like autism, SPD, who can struggle with the environment of a regular barbers, the nosies, small spaces, bright lighting, and fast pace can just be so overwhelming and to much to take. For a wheelchair user in Dublin to find a barber shop that they can access freely can be difficult. I have been told stories of people getting there hair cut outside the shop door or just at home because barber shops just do not have the independent access for a wheelchair user. My idea of ERENA barbers we aim to change all of this! Offering a fully equipped sensory sensitive and wheelchair accessible barbers in Dublin . I plan to make our barbers a calming space with adjustments that can make the process of a hair cut a totally different experience for our clients. Offering wheelchair access, portable shampoo bowls, disability friendly signage, dimmed lighting, sensory corner, with sensory objects to play with in our store, PECS boards, ear defenders available, reduced sound in store ie, no or light music, silent clippers to cut hair etc. The difference these small changes will make to someone's hair appointment is unbelievable. And I really want to make this happen.

I have finished up my business plan and I am eager to start the process of opening up my own shop . I have successfully completed a 2 year accounting technicians course so I have an idea of the running of Business, I have also completed courses in special educational needs, sensory processing disorder course, autism awareness,  adhd awareness,  dementia awareness and basic sign language course  while also putting myself through a level 2 barbering course and gained the experience to be able to take this venture. I am a single mother of 5 children ages ranging from 17 to 1, and I have one child with additional needs, so i personally understand what a shop like this would mean to people and thier lives, and i fully understand the care and patience that will be needed for this venture, and I can not wait to start! I just need some help to get me off the ground with my plans with the costs of starting up the business. I really want to provide the best service that I can possible to my future clients. If any of you could help me in any way, big or small it would be more than appreciated! I would be forever grateful, thank you for taking the time to read