Most salon bookings still start as a message someone answers by hand.

I build small systems that handle that first exchange, so an enquiry gets a proper reply while you're with a client — and you still decide every appointment.

Jenny Robertsto you 9:42pm

Balayage and a cut? Hi, how much is a balayage with a cut, and have you got anything Saturday afternoon?

Drafted for you

Waiting for your approval

Hi Jenny — a balayage with a cut is £120 and takes about two and a half hours, so it needs an afternoon slot. Saturday I've got:

Sat 1:30pm Sat 3:00pm

The slot is held, not booked. Nothing goes out until you press approve.

An example — invented customer, invented prices. Not a real enquiry.

Based in: Waltham Abbey, Essex. Working across Essex, Hertfordshire and north-east London.

Runs on: Your own Gmail and Google Calendar. No new app, no separate login.

What it costs: £95 to set up, then £25–35 a month. No contract, cancel any time.

How it works

1

An enquiry arrives

Someone emails asking what a treatment costs, or whether you've got anything Thursday.

2

A reply is drafted

From your own price list and opening hours. It knows a full head of foils needs longer than a trim, because it works from the treatment times you give it.

3

You approve it

Nothing is sent and nothing is booked until you press approve. Slots are held, never confirmed on your behalf.

What it runs on

Your own Gmail and Google Calendar. There's no new app to learn, no separate login, and no customer details moved anywhere else. If you stop using it, your inbox and your diary are exactly as they were.

Who it's for

Independent hair, beauty and nail businesses — single salons and sole traders, mostly across Essex, Hertfordshire and north-east London.

It isn't for everyone. If you already run Fresha, Booksy or something similar and it's working, this won't be worth your money and I'd rather say so.

What it costs

Setting it upConfigured to your treatments, prices and hours £95
Running itPer month, depending on how much it handles £25–35

All prices in pounds sterling (GBP), and they're the full amount — I'm not VAT registered, so there's nothing to add. A one-off setup fee, then monthly. No contract and no notice period.

Terms & policies

What you're buying

A booking assistant set up inside your own Gmail and Google Calendar, configured to your treatments, prices and opening hours, plus ongoing support to keep it working. It is a service, not a product that gets shipped — there is nothing to deliver and nothing to return.

Cancelling

You can cancel the monthly fee at any time by emailing me. There is no contract, no minimum term and no notice period. Your final payment is the month you're already in; nothing is taken after that.

When you cancel I remove my access to your account. Your inbox, your diary and your customers' details stay with you, untouched.

Refunds

If I can't get the assistant working properly for you, I'll refund the £95 setup fee in full within the first 14 days — just email me and say so. Refunds go back to the card you paid with, usually within five working days.

Monthly fees already taken aren't refunded, but cancelling stops any further payment immediately.

Your data and your customers' data

Setting the assistant up means I need access to the Google account it runs in. I use that access only to configure and maintain the assistant, and I don't copy, export or store your customer details anywhere else. Everything stays inside your own Google account, under your control, and you can withdraw my access yourself at any time from your Google security settings.

I keep your business name, email address and billing records for as long as I'm working with you and for six years afterwards, because HMRC requires it. I don't sell or share anything with anyone. To ask what I hold, or to have it deleted, email me.

Payments

Card payments are handled by Stripe. Your card details go straight to them over an encrypted connection — I never see them and they're never stored on this site.

Tell me how people book with you at the moment.

I'll tell you honestly whether this would help. If it wouldn't, I'll say so — I'd rather that than sell you something you don't need.

ashley@ashleylodge.uk

Email is the quickest way to reach me, and usually gets an answer the same day.