DEBATE
''Does salon success depend on location?''
Three successful hairstylists discuss whether location determines the direction of your career
CRAIG CHAPMAN, HUB SALON
1 “Honestly? I’m writing this from Cornwall. I’ve been doing this for 40 years, I’ve worked on Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice UK, Netflix – and my postcode has never once been the problem. Here’s what I’ve learned: if you love what you do, people find you. Geography doesn’t make the difference; passion does. I’ve always made a deal with myself – if I stop enjoying something, I step back. That sounds simple, but it’s actually been my greatest business strategy. Because when you’re genuinely lit up by your work, it shows. Clients feel it, brides feel it, TV producers feel it, and none of them are checking your postcode before they pick up the phone.
I run Hub Salon in Launceston and I’ve built The Green Pony – a luxury circular hair piece brand – from the same little corner of the world. Both are doing brilliantly. Not in spite of where I am, but probably because I’m somewhere I actually want to be. The stylists I see struggling with location are usually struggling with something else. They’ve lost a bit of the spark, or they haven’t quite backed themselves yet. I’ve been in this place. Trust me, sort that, and honestly, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Mayfair or in the middle of Dartmoor. Success always follows joy.”
MICHELLE SUMMERS DAVIES, MICHELLE DAVIES HAIR
2 “I’m based in Wales in a small sleepy coastal village with around 3,000 people, and the little town a mile away only increases that to about 5,000 – it’s not exactly Manchester or London! But it’s never stopped me building a busy salon, travelling the UK and Ireland to educate, doing shoots, winning awards, and putting myself out there. I think being based somewhere smaller makes you work harder and appreciate opportunities more. You can’t just pop into London for an event or a brand meeting; there’s more travelling, more hotel stays, more trains, more time away from home, and definitely more personal investment, both financially and emotionally. With that said, I don’t think success is determined by where you live, it comes from passion, consistency, people skills, and a willingness to put yourself out there.
For me, the harder I work, the more opportunities open up, allowing me to push myself to the next level. Over the years, success has become about growth, longevity, and still loving what I do after all this time. I’ve been a finalist for Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, and appeared at shows in the UK and overseas. Living and working in Wales hasn’t stopped me doing anything I wanted to do, it just takes a bit more planning.”
SUZIE MCGILL, RAINBOW ROOM INTERNATIONAL
3 “For me, salon success does not depend solely on location, although a prime location can have its benefits; for example, high foot traffic, typically found in busy city centres, can be a luxury. However, I know from experience that you can absolutely build a destination salon and that location is not the only route to salon success.
When my sister Sam and I decided to open Rainbow Room International in Uddingston 20 years ago, our goal was to bring our valuable business learnings and skills and apply the city-centre salon experience to the smaller local area. Although location was an important aspect, we knew the area would be receptive to the luxury experience and was experiencing significant growth. However, our focus was to create a space where creativity, technical excellence and client care go together. We also decided to focus on clients travelling to the city centre for their hairdressing appointments, rather than clients going to nearby salons. As a result, we experienced massive growth in our first year, and 20 years on, our approach has never wavered.
Seeing the business grow and thrive has been one of my proudest career achievements. With the right strategy, team and passion, you can build a destination salon that people will travel to visit and experience the care and luxury you offer.”