From the Salon Floor to the Dance Floor: Our Strictly Adventure for a Brilliant Cause
Can people with two left feet really learn the Samba in under three hours?
That’s exactly what Sarah Austin and I set out to find out — with a little help from Strictly Come Dancing’s Rachel Rileyand Pasha Kovalev.
When we were invited to take part in a challenge to learn salsa (and a bit of samba flair) in just a few hours, we couldn’t say no. It sounded fun, but the real reason behind it was far bigger than just a few dance steps.
Dancing for a Purpose
The event supported the YESS Foundation (Young Entrepreneur Smart Start) — a brilliant organisation offering a free, 13-week business programme that helps young people aged 12–22 gain the mindset, skills, and confidence to start their own business.
YESS exists to show young people that entrepreneurship isn’t just about money; it’s about purpose, identity, and mental wellbeing. Research shows that when young people channel creativity into meaningful work, they’re far less likely to experience mental-health struggles or fall through the cracks.
That’s what this event was all about — using movement, connection, and creativity to raise awareness for something that can literally change lives.
Three Hours. Two Left Feet. One Unforgettable Day.
Learning to dance the Samba in three hours was… ambitious. There were missteps, laughter, and plenty of moments that won’t make the Strictly cut. But by the end of it, we’d learned more than a routine — we’d rediscovered the joy of doing something just for the experience.
Sarah absolutely smashed it and won the challenge, earning high tea with Pasha himself! (And yes, she’s still reminding me about it.)
Community That Keeps Moving
The best part? The positive ripple effect didn’t stop there.
Since the event, we’ve seen an uplift in community engagement — people genuinely connecting with the story and the cause. It’s opened up conversations about how business can be a force for good, and sparked new collaborations, including an exciting upcoming partnership with Puddle Ducks, helping families and young people in Bristol grow in confidence — both in and out of the water.
Why It Matters
At NOCO Hair, we’ve always believed that confidence starts from within — sometimes through a great haircut, sometimes through stepping onto a dance floor and trying something new.
We’re proud to support initiatives like YESS that give young people the tools to build a brighter future for themselves.
Here’s to more rhythm, more laughter, and more moments that remind us why we do what we do. 💃
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