Life in the 21st century can be a bit of a rush. By the time our day has been split between the boss's demands and family commitments, there are precious few minutes left for ourselves.

While this time-is-money lifestyle may have spawned a culture of business breakfasts and stress-induced ulcers, it has also provided golden opportunities for forward-thinking entrepreneurs.

Where would we be without fast food to fill our fast lunch breaks? Shoppers will soon wonder how they ever coped before the birth of hassle-free Internet shopping. And what about the host of while-u-wait service offering everything from a repaired shoe to a new key?

Pudsey hairstylist Gary Brightbart spotted his own niche in the market seven years ago.

Having worked at and run his own successful salons for 20 years, Gary felt the time was right for a change.

He said: "At the time I wanted to raise the standards of freelance hairdressing and began preparations to set up a mobile service."

He recalled: "I assumed there would be piece of equipment which you could set up as a kind of portable studio."

After trawling through lists of suppliers without success, Gary realised his "mobile studio" did not exist.

"I thought it was something which could really improve the freelance service and decided to design my own."

And so Gary put his ideas down on paper and, after asking his uncle to create a prototype, the G-Cuts Freestyler was born.

Gary said: "The structure is based on an A-frame and has everything a hairstylist needs in a small space."

Complete with lights, plug sockets and mirror, Gary began to tweek the design and commissioned a Pudsey firm to create a "mark II".

After G-Cuts Freestyler received an enthusiastic response at a national hairdressing conference, Gary began selling the units through mail order.

"There was a lot of work involved. I was having to do the whole job myself as well as doing my normal customers."

It was while he was carrying out his house-to-house hairdressing service that Gary developed the idea to boost his business.

"People kept telling me how convenient it was and I realised this could work on a higher level.

"The whole work culture means that time is sparse for most people and they don't want to spend their free time at weekends doing essential things like getting their hair cut," he said.

So in 1996, Gary began contacting businesses around West Yorkshire, offering his services as an on-site hairstylist. As organisations including Asda's UK headquarters in Leeds took him up, G-Cuts Corporate Hairdressing was born.

Today, the one-man business has grown to its full potential and Gary is preparing to take it to its next level.

"I'm working five days a week at it now, including one at Yorkshire Building Society's headquarters in Bradford," he explained.

"I need to expand the business and the best way to do this would be to create a franchise.

"As far as I am aware this is a completely unique service which has been proven to be successful," said Gary.

"It's a win, win situation. It is so convenient for the customers and a pleasant experience for them during their working day. I make the experience as relaxing as possible and even encourage them to bring their own music.

"They go back to work feeling relaxed, looking good and therefore feeling good."

And he said: "All the employers have to do is find a small room for me to set up in. In return they have employees who feel good and, research shows this can increase their motivation and performance levels."

Gary's customers range from secretaries to managing directors and he said: "Some people have been doing paperwork while I'm working and one even conducted an informal meeting with colleagues during a cut."

During a "day at the office" Gary can expect to deal with around a dozen customers from around 7.30am through to 4.30pm.

The relaxing influence of G-Cuts is something Gary is keen to expand upon.

"As well as taking on other hairstylists, I envisage having a G-Cuts masseur who would bring that extra element to the workplace."

And having come this far, Gary is equally confident about the company's future.

"I can see G-Cuts stylists operating throughout the country. It has received such a good response and it is a unique service.

"I want people to be able to go to a G-Cuts stylist and know that they will get a high-quality, consistent service."

Gary has already drawn up a franchise users' manual and aims to set up training programmes for experienced stylists. The franchise deals will focus around his unique invention, the G-Cuts Freestyler.

"There is no limit to how far this can go," he said. "Forward-thinking companies across the country are trying to bring in services like this for their employees. The time is right for this kind of service.

"While I was working at Asda, one of the American Wal-Mart staff came to me and after their haircut, said: 'You should take this to the States, it would go down a storm'."

For more information contact Gary on 07973 344998 or e-mail at gary@brightbart.greatxscape.net