As the founder of Nit Happens, Ewelina Szulc-Barnsley is on a mission to take the panic (and shame) out of head lice with gentle treatments, practical guidance and a good dose of humour. She has built a unique and much-needed service for families across the Cotswolds area, offering safe, effective and stigma-free head lice treatment. Known for her calm approach and commitment to chemical-free products, she has become a go-to expert for parents seeking both support and education. Here, Ewelina talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind what she does, her biggest breakthrough, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I was always the person family and friends brought their kids to when they needed help with head lice. One day, my sister-in-law Katherine said, “You should turn this into a business”. So I did.
From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to do things differently. I’d seen first-hand what well-known shop-bought lice treatments can do to children’s scalps, and it honestly frightened me: the chemicals, the irritation and the fact that they often don’t work. I started looking for a gentler, safer way, and that’s how I discovered NitNOT, created by fellow mum Eileen Hutchinson.
Eileen’s daughter was continuously catching lice from school. She is autistic and also has psoriasis on her scalp (she’s happy for me to share this), so typical over-the-counter products were painful and often unsuitable. Eileen’s determination to help her daughter led to the creation of NitNOT Treatment, a completely non-toxic, hypoallergenic formula made from medical-grade dimethicone.
Her story really resonated with me. It reflected the same frustrations I’d seen in families I worked with – children with sensitive skin, sensory challenges, or parents at their wits’ end. That’s why Nit Happens was built on the same values: care, transparency and compassion. Every product I use is gentle, chemical-free and suitable for even the most sensitive scalps.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I started Nit Happens in 2024 as a mobile service, visiting families across the Cotswolds with my lamp, combs and “lice hoover” in the boot. I wanted to make it as stress-free as possible for parents. I’d come to their home, do the treatment and leave them with the tools and confidence to stay lice-free. It grew quickly through word-of-mouth, and soon I opened a small in-house clinic in Kingham for families who prefer to come to me. As the business grew, I began receiving calls from families further afield too.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
My biggest breakthrough has been showing parents that chemical-free doesn’t mean ineffective. So many families come to me after trying multiple over-the-counter products that claim to “kill lice fast”, but those treatments often fail because lice have built resistance to the ingredients. What I offer is the complete opposite: a gentle, thorough process that works.
Every treatment is a mix of expert tools, patience and education. I don’t just remove lice; I teach families how to prevent them, identify early signs and protect their children naturally. That’s where the real transformation happens. Parents leave not only lice-free, but also empowered and informed.
Nit Happens has become as much about education and awareness as it is about treatment. By breaking the stigma and the myths around lice, I’m helping families replace panic with calm, and shame with confidence.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
It’s definitely a juggle! I’m a mum of two teenagers, so life can be loud, funny and chaotic all at once. Running Nit Happens means I work flexibly – I can be there for school events or late-night homework dramas, and still help other families during the day. I’ve learned to embrace the messiness of balance. Some days it’s work-heavy; others it’s family-first – but it always evens out when you love what you do.
