Salon Hair Care – Taking Care of Business

By Louise May.

Salon Hair Care is a South Australian “3 generations” family-owned and operated hair and beauty wholesaler that’s been serving salons for 44 years since it first opened in 1978.

The business extends across metropolitan Adelaide with 5 stores located in Edwardstown, Holden Hill, Reynella, Salisbury Plain and Welland.

At Salon Hair Care headquarters, in the Edwardstown warehouse, they also house studios for extensive education programs and training and in our fast-paced hairdressing world where evolution is constant, they offer an innovative education program designed for you to be ahead of the trends. They stand firm that education is the primary key to business success.

Salon Hair Care have formulated a progressive curriculum to give you the competitive edge and to be a leader in the industry. With tailored education programs for beginners through to advanced industry professionals, and courses designed to integrate new skills with new technology, new techniques, and new products.

Hair Biz Editor Louise May recently chatted with owner Michael Harris about the wholesale business.

Was business ownership always a priority for you?

It was something that evolved naturally for us, it felt like the right move. We started first as a manufacturer and took over an existing wholesaler, and here we are all these years later, continuing to evolve.

What inspired you to build a Salon Hair Care wholesale business?

My father, Paul Harris was a hairdresser, trade school teacher and owned a chain of salons in the 60’s and 70’s, so I think I grew up with a role model that really showed me to push the limits and create something new so to speak. So, when the opportunity came up, I realised there seemed to be a gap in the market, there weren’t many of us [wholesalers] around at the time, so I was excited about what we could create.

What do you feel is so unique about the Salon Hair Care concept?

I’d say our extensive range of products. With over 15,000 products, we really do believe we have the right product for every single salon’s needs.

What is your preferred product range and why?

We stock a fantastic range and have built great relationships with our suppliers over all these years. We can’t look past M&U for their extensive range of products.

Out of all the brands you have seen come and go, which brand has stood the test of time and why?

When selecting brands to stock, we look for products that provide longevity, therefore allowing us to provide a product to salons consistently. HI Lift would be a standout in that regard, offering consistency in the products they stock at a great price. From bleach and colour to retail and sundries, Hi Lift really covers all bases. The new release shampoo, conditioner and styling ranges are an exciting addition.

What has been your greatest lesson or piece of advice along your business journey?

Don’t give anyone a reason to shop anywhere else!

What’s on the agenda for the future?

To continue to provide exceptional customer service is always at the forefront of our minds. We believe that education is the key to success, and our education program is going from strength to strength. Our 2023 program is going to be bigger and better than ever. Our Cash & Carry store located at Reynella will be making an exciting move to a bigger location, so stay tuned for that one!