6 minute read
CELEBRATING PARTNERSHIP AND RENOVATION: THE SLOANS SALON SUCCESS STORY
By Louise May
In the ever-evolving world of salon ownership, few stories are as inspiring as that of Scott Sloan and Jordan Hone.
What began as an employer/employee relationship at Sloans Salon in Lane Cove, Sydney, has blossomed into a dynamic collaboration that has seen them embark on a journey of growth, transformation, and shared success.
Today, we dive into their remarkable story as they reflect on their partnership, unveil the secrets behind their salon’s thriving brand, and take us through the recent renovations that have taken their North Sydney salon to new heights.
Scott and Jordan’s partnership was forged through years of dedication and mutual trust. Scott, the visionary behind Sloans, recognised Jordan’s readiness for the challenge of a second salon, making their decision to join forces a natural evolution. Together, they bring a unique blend of skills to the table, with Scott’s boundless positivity and knack for making things happen complementing Jordan’s meticulous attention to detail and creative finesse. This harmonious partnership has been the cornerstone of success at Sloans North Sydney.
Editor Louise May chats with Scott and Jordan about their partnership journey and recent salon renovation.
Could you share how your partnership was formed and what motivated you both to join forces?
Scott: Jordan had been working with me at Sloans Lane Cove for 6 years when we started seriously discussing a second salon, which had been a long-held dream of mine. I knew that he was ready for the challenge and that he was the ideal person to see Sloans through the next evolution, so it was a really natural next step. Having someone I trust implicitly has made it an amazing partnership.
What strengths do each of you bring to the partnership, and how do these strengths contribute to the success of Sloan’s North Sydney?
Jordan: I think we complement each other perfectly. Scott lights up the room with his positive attitude and immediately makes everyone feel at ease, whilst also making the big things happen. I’d say I’m more the quiet cheerleader, very focused on the finer details and the creative process. Together we work hard to balance the commercial and the creative and foster an environment that really prizes mentorship and growth.
How have you set the Sloans brand apart within the industry?
Scott: We are constantly looking to push ourselves to greater heights, whether it’s a Total Sales increase or an industry accolade. Sloans have actually taken home 85 awards and accolades in the past 10 years, and 15 in the last 12 months alone! We are so excited about the 2023 ABIA Business awards as we are Finalists for both Salon Design for Lane Cove as well as NSW/ACT Salon of the Year.
These wins are amazing for the business as they not only excite clients, existing and new but also assist with recruitment and staff retention as we encourage the whole team to be involved and enjoy the success.
Renovation Journey
Renovating a salon is quite an undertaking. Can you walk us through the decision-making process behind closing for several weeks and renovating Sloan’s North Sydney to align it with Sloan’s Lane Cove’s look and feel?
Scott: It certainly is quite an undertaking! Having been through two major renovations in under a year, we certainly earned a celebratory drink, or 11. Having said that, it was something that we had been excited about and planning for, for quite some time so we felt very ready.
North Sydney has been incredibly successful, and demand continues to grow so we knew we needed to look at expanding with new chairs and another basin. The level of renovation meant that the whole salon needed to be shut down so we set about working out how to best accommodate the team and clients at Lane Cove so we could focus on getting it completed as quickly and efficiently as possible, whilst still maintaining a revenue stream for North Sydney and accommodating client demand.
What were some of the most exciting and challenging aspects of managing salon operations while the renovation was underway?
Jordan: It was amazing having the two salons as it meant we could have the North Sydney team operate out of Lane Cove for the duration of the renovations. Both teams are very close as we do so much education and extra-curricular activity together, so it was a lot of fun having us all in the one space. Our clients loved the mini-break as well, plus it gave them a sneak peek at what to expect when North Sydney was ready. Big shout out here to our Salon Managers and Co-ordinators - they went above and beyond to keep everything running seamlessly by juggling client, team, and supplier logistics.
Consistency And Branding
Maintaining a consistent brand image across multiple salon locations is crucial. How did you ensure that the revamped Sloan’s North Sydney still reflects your unique brand identity while harmonizing with Sloan’s Lane Cove?
Scott: Sloans was established in 2000 so it has been 23 years now! We are proud to have created, and now revamped, beautiful and aspirational spaces, but it is always important first and foremost that both salons be welcoming and inclusive. Luxury and functionality were top of mind for the design and that has carried through both salons, with our beautiful new colourway, considered textures and finishes, innovative storage, and lots of special touches for the team seen in both spaces. One thing that was important to us is that we have still retained our trademark branding aspects for familiarity.
What strategies did you implement to communicate these changes to your clients and the local community?
Jordan: We have a really strong connection with our clients, and most have been with us since we opened, so lines of communication are really important to us. We were able to let them know through a structured plan of eDMs, social media and in-person information drops, and we talked very openly about the exciting changes. Our main goal was to reassure them that the Sloans they know, and love was here to stay, just a more refined and luxurious version.
@sloanssalons
Images by Jarred Stedman. ©mocha group
