Breaking Free: Our Journey to The Hair House

As we wrapped up 2025 — our very first full calendar year at The Hair House — we can’t help but look back with pride. December was everything we hoped it would be and more. Clients had started booking their Christmas appointments as early as August, and by the time the festive season arrived, the salon was buzzing with energy, laughter, and celebration.

It was the perfect way to end the year, and a reminder of just how far we’ve come. The trials and tribulations that once weighed so heavily on us are finally becoming distant memories — replaced instead with excitement, gratitude, and the joy of building something truly our own.

For over a decade, I lived and breathed the salon world under a name brand. At the start, it felt like an exciting opportunity — a chance to put my stamp on the industry. But as the years went by, the cracks began to show.

Behind the polished image of a franchise model, I found myself battling with systems that didn’t work, debts that never made sense, and a constant lack of support from the very people who were supposed to guide me. Meetings often left me feeling dismissed, unheard, and alone. What should have been a thriving partnership instead became a weight on my shoulders — one that affected not only my business, but also my wellbeing.

There were moments I questioned whether I could carry on. The pressure was relentless, and at times it felt like I was fighting battles on every front. But through it all, four things kept me going: my clients — whose loyalty reminded me why I do this job — Tom, my husband, whose unwavering support gave me strength when I had none left, the incredible love of friends and family who picked me up on the bad days, and the legal support whose guidance gave me clarity and the confidence to keep pushing forward.

Together, Tom and I realised something powerful: the brand name above the door didn’t make the salon special. We did. Our team, our clients, our creativity, and our values were what made people come back — not a logo.

And so, with a mix of fear and excitement, in 2024 we chose to break free.

The Hair House was born out of that decision — a fresh start, built on lessons learned the hard way. Here, we’re not bound by corporate rulebooks or pressured into decisions that don’t suit our clients. Instead, we’ve created a space that’s genuine, welcoming, and rooted in community.

It’s a salon where laughter fills the room.

Where clients feel like friends, not numbers on a sheet.

Where creativity isn’t restricted by “brand guidelines.”

And where every detail, from the services we offer to the products we’ve created, reflects our own vision — not someone else’s.

Leaving the franchise world wasn’t easy — it came with its fair share of trials and tribulations. But opening The Hair House with Tom has been the most liberating and rewarding step we’ve ever taken.

And the best part? This is just the beginning.

Now, as we work our way through January 2026 and the start of our second full calendar year at The Hair House, it feels like a rebirth. What began as a leap of faith has become something bigger than we ever imagined — a salon that represents resilience, independence, and everything we fought so hard to achieve.

Over the past year, we’ve also had the privilege of becoming more deeply embedded in our local community. From being able to support Newcastle Town Football Club as a local sponsor, to hosting incredible events within the salon alongside some truly wonderful local businesses, these moments have reinforced everything we believe in — that community, collaboration, and connection matter.

We’ve built a team that truly shares our values, launched our very own professional product line, and created a space where clients feel cared for from the moment they walk through the door. And as we move into our second year, we’re excited to grow, to keep pushing forward, and to continue proving that sometimes the hardest battles lead to the most incredible new beginnings.

That growth is reflected in our team. Amelia has joined us with a clear focus on developing and running her own technical column. Ellie has already begun building her client base, regularly welcoming returning clients and consistently hitting her personal goals month after month. Tyler has been able to embrace more flexible working hours, giving her the freedom to invest in her future both professionally and personally. And Jess has achieved a remarkable increase in her client base.

With new team members finding their footing and existing members continuing to flourish, the future truly feels full of possibility.

And finally, a special thank you to my mum. Her unwavering support, belief, and encouragement — especially during the moments when things felt overwhelming — have been the quiet foundation behind so much of this journey. Without her, none of this would have been possible.

To everyone who has supported us through the ups and downs: thank you. You’ve helped turn a difficult journey into something beautiful.

Here’s to freedom, creativity, community, and the next chapters of The Hair House.