It's a Giggle!

Welcome to the world of Giggles, where hairstyling artistry intertwines with a heartfelt commitment to making a difference.

With two thriving locations, Giggles Hair Booval and Giggles HQ at Brassall Ipswich, Queensland, Giggles are more than just your ordinary hair salon.

As a family-run business, their journey has spanned over 15 years, and throughout this time, their dedication to providing an unmatched customer experience remains unwavering.

At Giggles, they are passionate about crafting stunning Blondes, expertly executing Colour corrections, and creating picture-perfect Wedding and Formal Hair & Makeup. But their story doesn’t end there. They believe in giving back to their community, using their skills and platform to bring smiles to faces far beyond the salon mirrors.

In their pursuit of making a positive impact, they have actively participated in the World’s Greatest Shave, standing in solidarity with those battling cancer. Beyond that, they have hosted in-salon VIP nights, raising awareness for Diabetes, Breast Cancer, and Mental Health, showing that hair care can go hand-in-hand with heartfelt advocacy.

Their dedication extends globally as well. They have volunteered their craft, sharing their expertise with young women in Myramar, a war-stricken country in Asia, hoping to inspire and uplift amidst challenging circumstances. At Giggles, it’s not just about looking fabulous, but also about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around them.

Hair Biz Editor Louise May chats with Giggles owner Kristy Midgley.

Can you tell us about your experience and background in the hair salon industry, and what led you to open Giggles Hair Studio in Ipswich?

I have been hairdressing 27 years. I wanted to be a journalist or an accountant at school. The salon that was beside where my mum worked was looking for someone to help out on a Saturday because I loved money I applied for the job.

After 3 months of working as many hours as I could in the salon the owner asked if I wanted an apprenticeship. I loved the social side and watching women walk out of the salon feeling amazing, so I said yes, and the rest is history.

I won Indigenous And Torres Strait Islander Apprentice of the year in 1999. I worked with my first employer for 10 years. I had become a mum and after the birth of second son I decided I wanted to have the flexibility to not miss out of mum stuff so that’s how opening Giggles became a reality in 2007.

How has Giggles Hair Studio grown and evolved over the past 16 years, and what do you attribute its strong growth to?

I started with a 4-seater salon in an industrial part of Ipswich and after being there for 4 years I had grown my clientele where one Christmas I had people sitting on the floor! So, I moved into the complex where I had completed my apprenticeship. It felt a little weird going back to where I started but was also a good feeling.

I fitted out a 12-seater salon there then after 5 years has now grown into a 24-seater salon. then 6 years later have now opened a 2nd salon on the other side of town. I feel like the growth has come from my passion wanting to help young girls love this industry just as much as I do!

I love training and sharing my knowledge and ALL the mistakes I have made over the years. I am also known for my contagious laugh hence the name Giggles.

What inspired the decision to join the Revlon Professional family, and how do you believe this partnership will benefit Giggles Hair Studio and its clientele?

Revlon appealed to me in the right time of my growth. I am a big believer of things happening for a reason. I wanted to be a part of a colour company that I could see myself growing with. Revlon has given so many opportunities I would have only dreamed of within a short amount of time together and that shows me that they believe in my visions and goals as a salon owner. I also am a big believer in surrounding yourself with amazing people and I have absolutely nailed that with my Revlon Family.

Could you share the vision and goals behind this expansion, as well as how it will enhance your education and salon services?

Opening up our 2nd salon in Brassell has definitely been the scariest decision I have ever made. I have the best husband and boys ever they are absolutely my biggest fans and keep me growing!

I want to employ as many apprentices as I can to grow our Industry so my vision with Giggles HQ was to have more space to conduct private education for any apprentice or hairstylist out there.

As the owner of Giggles Hair Studio, how do you foster a positive and collaborative work environment for your staff?

As I mentioned I am a big believer of surrounding yourself with amazing people and I seem to have attracted over the years staff that has either inspired me or helped me grow to be a better manager and business owner.

We conduct yearly Giggles Summits which is for goal setting personally and professionally and I visit that with them over the course of the year. I also organise quarterly Giggles Bonding days or nights. I feel it’s important to get the team together for fun times out of the salon walls as it helps build trust and supportive bonds for each other.

With the addition of more staff members in the future, how do you ensure a seamless integration and maintain the salon’s culture and quality standards?

I am very passionate about my salon culture I’m not sure if being a mum to boys has given me this protective side, but I make sure to anyone who joins my team must be in alignment with our Giggles values and one of them is to be a part of our salon family.

So, I make sure all my staff embrace the newbie with open arms as I remind them, they were there once.

What sets Giggles Hair Studio apart from other salons in the area?

Giggles specializes in Blondes. We also set a very friendly, warm vibe in the salon free from judgement as that’s one of the most talked about in our reviews that clients felt safe and not judged.

What future goals and aspirations do you have for yourself and the salon?

I would love to be known to be the most trusted Blonde salon in Ipswich and known for my attention to detail to training future hairstylists and apprentices in Ipswich.