Lucero Hair & Wellness - Salt Lake City's Inclusive Hair HavenJoshua Lucero, the visionary behind Lucero Hair and Wellness, has created a salon that focuses on inclusivity and overall well-being for the community. By offering gender-neutral haircuts and billing based on time rather than traditional men’s or women’s cuts, Joshua ensures that all clients feel welcome and respected. Combining his passion for hairstyling with a commitment to health, he provides a holistic beauty experience that nurtures both body and mind, allowing clients to leave feeling rejuvenated and confident. Keep reading to learn why Lucero Hair & Wellness was awarded an Opportunity Boost Grant from the Utah Microloan Fund!
Trimmed by the Pandemic, Growing Back StrongerJosh experienced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. His business was forced to close for seven weeks, and even after reopening, he and his team could only work minimally due to restrictions. The impact on the hair industry was profound, with many clients unable or unwilling to come in, leading to a sharp decline in business. As the pandemic wore on, Josh faced additional hurdles. He fell ill multiple times, which required him to take extended periods off work. This further delayed his ability to rebuild the business. When he was able to resume, he had to focus on marketing to new clients, as many of his regulars had either moved away or shifted to other services. The pandemic required him to adapt quickly, working harder to regain the trust and confidence of his clientele while navigating the health risks and uncertainty that affected the entire hair industry.  1095 S State St
A Little Help Along the WayJosh originally came to the Utah Microloan Fund to apply for funding for his now beloved downtown location. Josh credits the funding he received with helping them open their doors and providing ongoing support along the way. Josh has attended several virtual classes of the UMLF and found the inspiring stories and deep insights shared to be incredibly impactful. The organization’s continued support of a mission close to Josh’s heart, along with their belief in the success of marginalized communities, has been invaluable to the growth of Lucero Hair and Wellness. How Could an Opportunity Boost Grant Help Lucero Post COVID?Josh plans to use funds from the Opportunity Boost Grant to launch community classes tailored for marginalized communities, with a specific focus on LGBTQIA+ individuals who faced financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant will enable him to expand his offerings by providing not only the courses but also the necessary supplies for participants to continue practicing their new skills at home. The classes will center around issues such as hair loss, a common struggle resulting from both COVID-19 itself and the associated stress. With the grant's support, Josh will be able to teach participants how to wear wigs and other hair-related items, offering them new ways to feel beautiful and confident.  Josh teaching a class In addition to funding the courses, the grant will allow Josh to market these programs through partnerships with organizations like The Utah Pride Center, Flourish Therapy, and other local groups with aligned missions. His aim is to reach trans and non-binary people of color, a community that often lacks access to specialized services in Utah. Through this initiative, Josh hopes to foster a sense of hope and empowerment among those most in need. Way to go Josh! Made Possible by ARPA & SLC Econ Development Powered by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and orchestrated by the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development, the Salt Lake City Community Grant Program was created to help small businesses, artists, artisans, and nonprofits grappling with the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Utah Microloan Fund applied for this grant to enable us to create the Opportunity Boost Program benefitting our existing clients who needed a little boost to help them grow and stabilize. This is the first grant program of its kind for the UMLF as normally we only provide microloans to the small business community. To be able to just give money vs lend it was a big treat for our team! Eligibility of Small Business Owners invited to apply for the Opportunity Boost Grant:
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