In this edition of ‘Salon Design Of The Month, we step inside Bespoke Health and Beauty based in Trowbridge and owned by lash & brow specialist Beth Thompson. Here, Beth shares her journey from full-time employment to running her own business as well as her favourite beauty tools and products and much more.
How did your salon begin?
My salon journey began just before the first lockdown in 2020 when I left employment at a lash & brow salon to go self-employed, which I was terrified to do. However, I always knew that I wanted my salon eventually. Still, it felt like such a distant goal, so my first step to making sure I could achieve this was to go self-employed, rent a room at a salon offering my services, and build a good client base.
Unfortunately, we went into lockdown three months in, which put everything on hold slightly. Eventually, in November 2020, I saw a small shop up for let, which was perfect for what I needed, and I decided to go off completely and set up on my own.
A year later, with a lot of planning and hard work, the business was doing well, and I was so busy, which led me to open my dream salon in June this year. I always wanted to have bigger premises where I could offer a variety of treatments under one roof and also give other self-employed therapists in the industry a place to work from. This works well as we are all specialists in different sectors complimenting each other.
How did you decide upon the design of your salon?
I’m very indecisive if anyone knows me, so I had to ensure I got this right. I had so many ideas but couldn’t put them down on paper, so I reached out to my best friend, who, luckily, is doing an interior design degree. She agreed to help me and created a 3D plan to bring my ideas to life, which was unique and super exciting! I wanted to create a calming and inviting salon whilst also giving a high-end luxury feel as soon as you walk in, making the client feel at complete ease.
I thought neutral colours were the best option. Still, I also loved the Scandinavian aesthetic look as it is very minimalistic and unisex, so I spent hours a day getting ideas and trying to figure out how to make it different to other salons nearby and with the help of my friend and us going back and forth changing ideas it slowly took shape and could visualise the final design. I also love my cladding feature throughout the salon, which my stepdad spent a lot of time helping me to achieve, as did my whole family when renovating the shop.
What are some of your favourite products and tools to use in your salon?
It goes without saying the Lotus Monroe Beauty Chair is a favourite of mine, and I knew I had to have it in a neutral colour when I saw it. My brow bar has to be the main feature in the salon, and the chair fits perfectly and really does make that area feel complete. In terms of products, I swear by all the HD Brow products as I use these religiously, along with Saint & Serenity, Lash bomb, Navy tools and Sienna x. My most used tools have to be my lash tweezers from MLab (I can’t use anything else) and my brow tweezers from HD brows which are a lifesaver.
What do you think makes a successful salon?
I believe having a unique selling point or making sure you are providing a service that stands out to clients to maintain a high reputation is what makes a salon successful. Word of mouth is truly the best compliment you can get as a business, as this builds trust with your clients. I believe that having a good relationship with your clients is very important. If they aren’t made to feel comfortable, they won’t return, no matter how good the treatment might be. Treating clients as friends while remaining professional is the priority.
How do you think social media has influenced the industry?
I think social media has massively impacted our industry to our advantage. It has given us a platform to showcase our work and share our passion. It can be a supportive platform which allows different therapists who share the same interests to network and help one another. It also allows you to tag big brands and get recognition or advice. Most of all, social media is an amazing way to advertise and welcome new clients.
How do you keep up to date with the latest industry trends?
It can definitely be challenging and overwhelming at times but also refreshing. I think as long as you are passionate about what you do, then you can never stop learning. I am forever researching new products or trends and going on courses, trying to see the next big thing that can make us stand out from our competitors. Keeping up to date with trends is important if you want a successful business.
What advice can you give to others wanting to open a salon?
The best advice I can give is to take risks! No matter when you decide to start your own business, it will always feel scary and daunting; there’s never a ‘right time’. Feeling scared and worried only shows how much you care, which is perfectly normal.
Make sure you accept help from family and friends if it’s offered because it can get overwhelming, but most importantly, enjoy the journey and process of it all! There are many costs when starting up. Some I wasn’t aware of, but hard work, passion and keeping your goal in mind make it possible. Believing in yourself and the business is key.
What can we expect from your salon business in 2023 and beyond?
You can expect to see further development within the business, including treatments and products. At Bespoke, we continue to invest in ourselves to further our knowledge in order to provide the best possible service for our clients. I have a few ideas in the pipeline, and with the ongoing hard work, I look forward to seeing what 2023 brings!
Get The Look!
Feeling inspired by Beth’s stunning salon? We’ve got you covered with our exclusive range of Lotus Furniture.
Lotus Monroe Beauty Chair – Taupe
sHOP NOW
The Lotus Monroe Beauty Chair comes in cream faux leather upholstery with extra thick padding for optimum comfort. Available in white, black and taupe you’ll be sure to find a match for your salon aesthetic.
Key Features
- Height-adjustable.
- Provides comfort and relaxation for the client.
- Adjustable headrest, reclining back, fixed chrome footrest with chrome base and hydraulic pump.
Good to know
- 12 months warranty on this item.
- Dimensions: H: 55-75cm Back Height: 95-115cm W: 55cm D: 47cm.
Follow Bespoke Health and Beauty on Instagram
Design your own salon with the help of Salons Direct
Shop professional salon supplies at Salons Direct today!
Follow Salons Direct on Instagram
Discover the Salons Direct blog, your trusted source for industry news, product releases, how-to guides and more!
You may also enjoy more Salon Design Of The Month content…
Kayleigh Jane Extensions Salon & Academy | The Style Gallery | The Brow Edit salon
