Salon Design Of The Month: Hair By Rebeca Davies

My salon began by taking the biggest leap of my life! I previously rented a chair at a salon where I’d worked for almost five years. The salon owner was leaving, and I was left with a sink-or-swim decision: I either take on the salon as my own or find someplace else to work from. I decided to swim, and it’s been the best decision I’ve made.

Seeing my name above the door is still so surreal, and I can’t believe I finally have my dream salon!

Like most people, Pinterest is my best friend. I have had a folder saved “future salon” for as long as I can remember. I wanted the salon to reflect me as a person and my tastes, but most importantly, I wanted it to feel like a calm and inviting space with a high-end luxury feel. I wanted a Salon that was like nothing else in the area.

I have so many favourite tools and products, but if I had to name my top three, it would be the GHD classic curl tong for obvious reasons- those curls are just perfect every time! Dream Coat by Color Wow, and Schwarzkopf BlondMe bleach, which is just *chefs kiss*.

How do you stand out from your competitors?

I try to stay in my own lane as competition isn’t something I enjoy. I try not to compare myself to others. But I feel like what makes my salon stand out from our competitors mostly is that I try to create a good relationship with my clients.

The salon is in a small village where everyone kind of knows everyone. You get to know people on a personal level, so conversations tend to be more meaningful, especially with a regular client.

Running a salon isn’t for the faint-hearted. You have to be patient, understanding, and determined. You must be consistent and always show up, even on your bad days. You have to think quickly on your feet and not second-guess yourself – be confident in your decisions. Finding your work/life balance is key. A happy mind is a healthy mind, which I think is important when running a business.

It’s surprising how much you can learn from social media. Instagram and TikTok are always presenting us with the hottest trends. I’m always looking for inspiration so that I am well-educated and prepared for anything that my clients may ask for.

My advice would be to make plans. Set your dreams big, but make your short-term goals realistic. Having a strong clientele base can be a good start, although it’s not the end of the world as long as you’re willing to work hard and put in the hours.

Try not to overwhelm yourself. Some days will be quiet, and some days you’ll be rushed off your feet, so just remember to enjoy it. Step outside your comfort zone, and you’ll go from strength to strength.