This weeks edition of ‘Salon Spotlight‘ is brought to you from The Gym salon, based in Aberdeen. The Gym is a truly unique salon concept which offers their client’s hair services, makeup and fitness classes all under one roof! Kinda brilliant eh?
So if you’re a salon owner thinking of expanding your business into other lifestyle areas, our interview with The Gym’s founder, Amy Christie is most definitely one for you! We chatted candidly to Amy about where the idea for ‘The Gym’ came from, how she plans to expand the business and what motivates her to shake up the traditional salon concept.
Spotlight On: The Gym Aberdeen – Hair, Makeup & Fitness Salon
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Salon business beginnings… How it all started for The Gym
After running my own salon for 12 years, I wanted to celebrate in style, so I completely overhauled, re-branded and rethought my business, changing it not only to suit the evolving market but to ignite my passion for my job again. Early in my career, I was doing competitions and shows, travelling to see my hairdressing icons and had the perfect balance with everyday clients and the more creative and expressive outlets that our industry has to offer.
I love my loyal clientele, they keep me grounded and provide a wonderful constant, but I had allowed that side of the job (the bread and butter) to rule and to eat into the fun and artistic side. Without this balance, I wasn’t excited anymore. The idea for The Gym was born from three main drivers – getting creative again, getting that “work/life” balance back and creating a space without boundaries, where women can feel empowered!
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How did you decide on the aesthetic of the salon?
Interior design, fashion and architecture are a few of my many passions and this came out in the design of the salon. My husband is a carpenter and to this day I still can’t believe I married someone who loves wallpaper almost as much I do, I’m very lucky to have him on hand to help bring my ideas to life. The inspiration behind the interior was to create a space that was energetic and conversational, somewhere that people could feel comfortable!
What makes The Gym different from other salons in the area?
We’re more of a lifestyle than a salon. With different services being offered on different days, including Pilates and fitness classes, hair and make-up services, events and an amazing urban garden our clients can relax in, we’d liken ourselves to being more like a modern-day women’s institute! There’s really nothing else like it in Aberdeen! We recently received our alcohol licence as well, making us the only fully licensed salon in Aberdeen now.
How has social media impacted the salon industry?
Social media has completely changed the way that our industry operates! Gone are the days of carrying around a heavy portfolio filled with magazine cutouts and photos, now Instagram allows us to do all that online. We can inject ourselves into our online persona and build brands that truly reflect us! It’s also a fantastic way of communicating with peers, clients and garner new business! Everything in moderation though! As much as I like social media for keeping up to date with trends there is nothing like the buzz of a hair show or the feeling of being up close and personal with an industry icon. I still love real magazines though and my favourite day is the day Creative Headlands on the doorstep.
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What makes a successful salon in your opinion?
Smiles, communication and willingness to change! I’m a firm believer in change, if you sit still for too long the world will overtake you. Even your longstanding clients love a bit of change – even if they don’t know it. A happy team is so important, service with a smile and always listening to your clients is so important. Communication is key, your clients are here to relax and to trust you, so it’s important to make sure you communicate with them well and have them walking out the door happier than when they arrived!
What advice can you give to people wanting to open a salon business?
If I could give someone any advice, it would be to continue educating yourself, your team and your clients. Knowledge is power in this industry. It isn’t always easy, but it should always be rewarding, you have the power to really have an impact on your clients and to make a difference, so remember that! Remember to take breaks, take time off and have a bit of me time. If you’re unsure… just DO IT! Make mistakes, you’ll learn more that way!
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What advice can you give to people wanting to open a salon business?
Generally, I use one or two products from nearly every range available. I’m such a fussy stylist and I don’t believe that any, one range out there has it all. That being said, I have a few firm favourites, including L’Oreal Techni Pli, Wella Performance Hairspray, Colour WOW Dream Coat, my Kent backcombing brush and GHD Mark 4 styler! I love Davines because of their values, they’re my go-to for cleansing and conditioning.
What can we expect from The Gym salon moving forward?
You can expect more events, both social and educational, to be held at The Gym. We’ve already got several pop-ups, masterclasses, wedding and even flower events booked in for this year. Each event has sold out so far, so our expansion plans are coming closer into view. The plan is to grow and allow other creative people to come under The Gym umbrella, joining out movement and continuing to build this lifestyle space. I’m also determined to see the weekly blow-dry come back this year!
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