Braids for Days

Written By Madeline Daly

Bashment Braids, located right in the heart of Bristol, is a local business with one woman at the heart.

Bashment Braids, located right in the heart of Montpellier, is a local business with one woman at the helm. Bathsheba, owner and founder, has twenty years plus experience with all hair types and textures; she invites clients to her home on Ashley Road for top-quality patterns. Much like the rest of the world, Covid had a profound effect on mental health and small business owners. Bash hadn’t had it easy, being diagnosed as bipolar at nineteen, she has worked on perfecting her art form and running a successful homebusiness, whilst dealing with the challenges of a mental health disorder.

Here is an interview with Bash-

Is there a message you’d like to put forward to the community?

I want people to know that anyone can do it. With art, because it’s an art, over time things get better, and you never stop learning. There’s always something new to learn and you learn different things.

Would you say there still a massive stigma around mental health and working?

I’d like to think not, you know, it’s more out there and open. People talk more about mental health. But not everyone is on the same page you know, some people will be pretty judgemental and others won’t. I feel you’ve got more rights these days so there's more bucking you up.

How long have you been running the business?

So, off and on about 18 years. So I did for years, then I stopped, got ill. Then I had children. It’s just been so long now. But when I got to hospital, if I get sectioned or something I have to have time out from the work. But luckily, I’ve got really good clients. I’ve got some clients that I’ve done their hair sixteen years or so, and other clients that’ll come back and its really nice. Or they’ll know I’m not well for a bit so they’ll wait and then when they know I’m working again they come back to me for their hair.

How does it affect your mental health? Does it leaving you feeling positive after a good session with a customer?

Yeah its really nice, especially when a new person comes in and you just have a great day with them. You're just like, I needed to meet this person in my life. And, from then on you get on really well and you just start new adventures in your life.

And do you feel that growing up and coming from Montpelier helped you create your business?

Oh yeah I mean if I never lived round here and didn’t grow up round here then I wouldn’t be where I am now. The area has made me in that sense, definitely.

Opportunity!

The Diverse Artists Network (DAN) is looking to fund a series of arts and creative programmes in the St Pauls/ Montpelier area. Are you an upcom- ing artist looking to share your ideas and encourage others to be creative in your communi- ty? We can assist paying for a venue, provide marketing and evaluation assistance, or even a small fee for your time. For an application form, please contact diverseartistsnetwork@ gmail.com.