Laura’s Journey - From Behind the Chair to Leading the Team

On Saturday 19th December 2020, just as the salon team was wrapping up for the day and preparing for what’s usually the busiest week of the year, news of another lockdown broke. This time, it came with a new tier system that left Portsmouth completely isolated from the rest of Hampshire. Within hours, the team closed the doors, again, for what would become another four months of uncertainty.

This period marked a significant turning point for both the salon and a fellow stylist that you may all recognise - Laura.

Laura had been with the salon since 2018, working her way up from a lower level stylist to Artistic Director. Along the way, she picked up a few industry awards, including ‘Best Colourist in Hampshire’ and Colour World’s People’s Choice Award. But more importantly, she’d become a key part of the team, someone people naturally turned to for guidance and support.

The extended closure gave Liam time to reflect. It became clear that leading the business alone was no longer sustainable. When the doors reopened in April 2021, he offered Laura the role of salon manager, a new challenge and a significant step forward in her career.

 “I came into this role with no business background, I was just focused on being a great stylist. There’s no manual for how to manage a team through a pandemic, so the learning curve was steep. But that experience shaped me. It’s taught me a lot about leadership, communication, and what it really means to support a team.” - Laura.

Since stepping into management, Laura has played a central role in the growth and stability of the salon. Her leadership has allowed the team to thrive and given the business the structure it needed post-lockdown.

Liam reflects, “Promoting Laura was the best decision I’ve made in my 24 years in the industry. She’s made a real impact, and I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead with her and the team.”