THE RIXON HAIR JOURNEY

By Louise May

Rixon Hair is a Brisbane-based haircare brand founded in 2000 by Brad & Sharon Rixon. Through the brand, Sharon and Brad have created an approach to hairdressing that reinforces an understated aesthetic, dedicated to creating the highest level of craftsmanship.

With a strong vision of minimalist luxury and an elevation of standard, they have helped change the landscape of Brisbane hairdressing.

The unique identity of Rixon Hair comes through its dedication to creating a vibrant creative community with a strong commitment to individual beauty.

Bringing some of Brisbane’s best talent under one roof, Brad and Sharon have nurtured a high-calibre team of stylists and colour technicians and value nothing higher than their uniquely talented team.

Through a culture that believes in constant change and the evolution in education, the team have a craving for knowledge, that keeps Rixon Hair at the forefront of the industry.

Editor of Hair Biz Louise May, chats with Brad and Sharon about how they first met, and the journey of Rixon Hair.

Can you tell us a little bit about each of you and where your industry journey began, and how you met?

BR: Coming from a long line of hairdressing it was almost inevitable to follow suit and I’m so glad I did because that’s where I met my future wife, rinsing her perm at the basin back in the 90’s. Gee, my head massage must have been good, but that’s a whole other story.

SR: Little bit embarrassed to say but yes, I did meet Brad getting a perm- mind you it was the 90’s! We had an instant connection on that day, and he was a little cheeky and stole my number from the salon and asked me out.

That was the beginning of our next 31 years.

Can you share with us the story behind the founding of Rixon Hair? What inspired you both to establish the brand in 2000?

SR: We always dreamed of opening our own salon- it was just a matter of when and where. Brad had a bursting clientele, and I was working for a radio station. In 1999 we decided the time was right- then everything fell into place, and we found our first beautiful space, so we went for it. We had always envisioned creating a beautiful collaborative space that allowed for self-expression for both our clients and ourselves while we began to build the team we have today.

What are your individual roles within the business, what do you each focus on?

SR: Brad and I have very distinctive roles in the salon, he is the creative director and is everything creative while mentoring and elevating our team to be the best. While I am the operations director- focusing on brand development, business management and everything in between. We are both really good at trusting and knowing each other’s strengths- and allowing each other to really lean into what we are best at.

How do you juggle work and personal life balance?

BR: Having very different roles in the salon is really key in our success. Sometimes we go through a day without seeing each other and other days we are working side by side. We have the freedom to decide when work stops and starts and once, we are home we really try to switch off.

SR: Owning a small business means there will be times you need to take work home with you; however, our kids are great reminders to be present and coming back to home mode. They aren’t afraid to tell us to stop talking about the salon.

What ways do you like to unwind and get out of “work mode”?

SR: For us as a family the beach is always where we go when we need to come back to a state of calm. Our kids have always been water babies and love swimming and soaking up the sun. We are a very active family so kicking the footy, playing tennis or swimming is normally what we are doing on our time away from the salon.

Can you describe the design and atmosphere of Rixon Hair’s salon space?

BR: The salon spans the first floor of a heritage building on Edward street, it is the hidden oasis above the bustling city streets. With exposed brickwork, a pastel pink floor, and an abundance of natural light- the space evokes a feeling of warmth, tranquillity, and comfort.

Environmental factors were considered in the salon’s design, with features like brickwork and plants contributing to energy efficiency. Could you elaborate on how these elements align with Rixon Hair’s commitment to quality and sustainability?

SR: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do- our team wouldn’t have it any other way! Our design concepts stemmed from trying to maximise energy efficiency and increase light reflectivity through the space. Features like our open brickwork, pink epoxy flooring, and plants allowed us to create a harmonious environment.

What sets your brand apart from others in the area?

We think our attention to detail and our elevated client experience are part of what sets us apart. We have created a calming energy for our clients which is important as we are in the city, the salon is inviting and offers a moment of peace even in the busiest of times. Our team are amazing at creating individual experiences for all of our clients and building really strong client relationships. Celebrating being open for 23 years this year we know we have created a brand that is synonymous with luxury and quality. Over time we have created a team that is our biggest & brightest asset.

What are your secrets for building a happy and high-performing team?

SR: Our team is amazing, and we are quite meticulous with who we allow into our team. The dynamic for us in the salon is really important- creating a safe, welcoming, and ego-free environment is key to our continuous learning mentality. We lead by example and set the tone for the team by having clear expectations and open communication always. We also trust our team to take ownership of their roles within the salon and empower them to make decisions for themselves. We have clear pathways set to allow our team to succeed creatively and financially, to ensure their personal growth and life goals are reached. Their success is our success.

Rixon Hair places a strong emphasis on education and constant change. Could you share how this commitment to evolving knowledge keeps your salon and team at the forefront of the hairdressing industry?

BR: Continuous learning is at the heart of our identity and is ingrained into everything we do in and out of the salon. Constant progression is one of our core values and has been a commitment of ours since before we opened the salon. We have always had a strong passion for bettering the industry and ensuring those who come after us are entering a more progressive and supportive industry. Possibilities are limitless and helping open those doors for our team is an absolute personal focus for us. Just this year we launched RXN.EDU to be able to provide cutting & styling workshopping to the industry, we want to share our space with the like-minded hair community to bring salons together in a learning environment.

As the founders of Rixon Hair, what are your future aspirations for the brand and your team? Are there any exciting developments or expansions on the horizon?

We aspire to continue to grow our brand by sharing our successes with our team to ensure a strong future for the Rixon Hair brand. We are also constantly striving to encourage more young people into the industry. There are a few exciting developments coming in 2024 which could see the Rixon Hair brand being seen more over QLD. There are some big changes coming but for now, our lips are sealed. Best you keep an eye out!

@rixonhair