Slick

Slick, legally known as Belle Newco Ltd, operates as a specialized software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider for the hair and beauty industry. Founded in 2016 by Steph Madgett, Matt Millar, and Rob Smith, the company was established to address the operational inefficiencies prevalent in salons, a majority of which were still relying on traditional pen-and-paper methods for appointment management. The initial idea stemmed from co-founder Steph Madgett's hairdresser, who expressed frustration with the cumbersome nature of existing salon software.

Co-founder Rob Smith brought significant industry experience to the venture, having held marketing and product management positions at L'Oréal and Philips. This background provided crucial insight into the daily challenges faced by salon owners, such as administrative overload and managing client appointments. This direct industry experience is a core part of the company's value proposition, positioning the platform as being built "by salon owners, for salon owners." The company's headquarters are in London, United Kingdom.

Slick's primary offering is an all-in-one platform designed for salon and barbershop management. The software provides a suite of tools that includes online booking, calendar management, payment processing, and automated marketing. A key feature is its ability to handle complex scheduling, a significant pain point for salons, by allowing customers to book multiple services with different stylists in a single transaction. The platform integrates with a salon's social media for 24/7 booking capabilities and includes features to reduce client no-shows through unlimited, free SMS reminders. Revenue is generated via a monthly rolling subscription model, which is priced based on the number of chargeable staff members at a salon. This model allows the company to scale its revenue in line with the growth of the businesses it serves.

The company has secured backing from notable investors, including an early investment from L'Oréal and participation from Founders Factory. This strategic partnership with L'Oréal has been instrumental, lending credibility and industry-specific expertise to the platform's development. The service package emphasizes comprehensive customer support, offering 7-day-a-week assistance via live chat and phone, along with personal account managers to help clients maximize the software's utility.

Keywords: salon management, barbershop software, appointment scheduling, SaaS, beauty industry, payment processing, automated marketing, online booking, client management, L'Oréal