My light bulb moment…
When I first realised that I wanted to be a salon owner. After working at three male-led salons in Dublin, I decided it was time we females took something back! Don’t get me wrong, I felt inspired by all three of them and took extremely valuable lessons from my experiences, but I was equally inspired by the successful women in my industry such as Sally Brooks for her astounding creative side, and Nergish Wadia-Austin for her ingenuity in the business and customer side of the industry. I’ve met both these ladies a number of times by participating in their creative and management courses, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them both.
My scariest decision…
I have two! Moving to London was the first. Having worked tirelessly for nearly 10 years to build my career, profile and client base in Ireland, I decided to give it all up when I fell in love with a Londoner! In June 2006 I made the extremely difficult decision to take three months’ unpaid leave from my job at Zeba Hairdressing to see what my destiny held. Luckily for me, it all went well and five years on I am still here and living the dream!
Opening my own salon was definitely another scary moment, for various reasons. Firstly, when myself and my partner Andy decided to invest our savings – originally earmarked for a deposit on our first home – and open up a salon in a recession, it was clearly a huge a risk, but having Andy supporting me has helped me through those lonely and tough times you experience as a first-time business owner. However, from the first day we opened our doors, I felt an overwhelming sensation of pressure – I knew that the focus was essentially on me to make the business work.
I knew I made it when…
This is quite challenging to answer, as I feel I am still on a journey to fulfilling my ambitions. However, I will know I have made it when my I hear my name being mentioned as an inspiration to other female entrepreneurs!
If I could go back 10 years…
I am a believer of having no regrets, as we learn from everything in life. I am where I am today because of the last 10 years of what I have learnt! But if I could go back a decade, I wouldn’t have had any of the dodgy hairstyles that I sported in my early twenties! In regards to my training, I would have done my L’Oréal specialist degree back then instead of this September!
I’ll never take for granted…
My staff, and the support, loyalty and commitment that they have shown me. They play an integral role in making The Velvet Room a personable, professional experience. Also my clients; without their loyalty and support, the growth of my business wouldn’t have been as easy. And of course, without them we’d have no business!
The most important lesson I’ve learnt…
In hairdressing, it is imperative to have a thorough consultation… to help deliver what a client needs and wants. In business; always go with your gut instincts.
My favourite piece of advice…
“Turn your can’ts into cans and your dreams into plans.” That’s what my mother said to me when I told her I wanted to own my own hair salon and become an inspiration!
I owe it all to…
My family and friends whom have supported me through my career! But especially Andy, who had the faith in me to invest our savings in an industry he didn’t know a lot about.
