Standing Out From the Crowd

BLOG SPOT - By Sheridan Rose Shaw

In the fast-paced world of the Australian hair industry, standing out from the crowd and excelling is no small feat! The transformation from a newcomer to a top salon in such a short time is a rollercoaster of emotions, and this blog post will delve into what it truly feels like to achieve this!

It was all a dream…

Born in the midst of a global pandemic. I had a strong desire to change the landscape of hairdressing through collaboration, connection, and community building. And, to bridge the gap of premium salon experience in the inner WEST of Melbourne.

So many new salons opening up in an already saturated market in Fitzroy, with the same black chair, boho or art deco feel. I knew I wanted to be authentic. Be true to my aesthetic.

MAMAWEST is an explosion of my insides and there really isn’t anything quite like it. I knew to look outside of the hairdressing industry for inspiration. Being recognised as the AHIA Best Newcomer Salon in Australia was a promising start, but it was only the beginning of the accolades & story!

The Grind and Growth

Starting a brand to becoming a multiple award-winning business with over 158 5-star reviews, does come with countless hours of hard work! I know there’s a cancel hustle culture these days though I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge the many sacrifices, late nights, early mornings, and continuous effort to push the boundaries, elevate skills, services, and overall client experience.

But the one thing that has ultimately led us to where we are today is this journey has all been heart & gut led.

The Learning Curve

Achieving such success comes with its own set of challenges. It’s not all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. Learning how to manage a rapidly growing business, dealing with increased client expectations, and keeping the team aligned with the salon’s vision has ebbed and flowed.

We started with a team of 3, who grew to 6, to 12, then down to 7. We grew too quickly without the right set of helping hands. My biggest lesson has been if I want to grow the business, I need to let go, and hire people with experience. I need to let go of my perfectionism and hand things over to other people who can do the job.

I am only 1 women! We have recently rebuilt, slowly, to a team of 10! However, the learning curve is all part of the journey.

The Support System

Behind every successful salon, there’s a team that works tirelessly to bring the dream to life. I think the industry has had it backwards for quite some time about clients coming first.

Without a great team, you cannot service the community. The achievement of VIC Salon of the Year is a testament to the unity, support, and resilience of the salon’s team and culture. Their passion and dedication to creating a premium salon experience has been the driving force behind it all.

Client Relationships

The heart of any salon is its community. We were booked out, 8 weeks in advance before we had even opened! The community bought into our mission and vision, and we have had tremendous feedback.

Going from Best Newcomer to Salon of the Year signifies that the salon has not only attracted new clients but also retained them. Building lasting relationships, earning trust, and exceeding client expectations have been at the core of this business.

Recognition and Validation

If you think they don’t mean anything, I think… You’re wrong! The award-winning process has been an inventory process for my life and business. I forget, how much we have achieved and bypass the years success because it is my personality type to want to be “BETTER!” I honestly, did not expect to win this particular milestone.

My goal was just to finalise. But that moment, when they read out MAMAWEST, took my breath away! Every hard day, sometimes weeks *and yes there are many*, I remember…. It is all worth it!

The Future

While achieving the title of Victorian Salon of the Year is an incredible accomplishment, it’s important to remember that this journey has really just begun! The road ahead is filled with new challenges, opportunities, and goals as we recently signed an 8-year lease for a spacious 336 square meter area in the heart of Centre Footscray which marks an exciting new chapter in our journey.

With the expansion from a 12-chair salon to an 18-chair salon, we’re not only growing in size but also evolving our identity. Our vision has always gone beyond being just a hair salon; it’s about creating a holistic wellness space that’s unlike anything else in Australia.

This new space will be a safe space for rejuvenation and self-care. It will combine the art of hair with the principles of wellness, combining yoga, Pilates, and meditation. We believe in the power of well-being, and this integrated approach will offer our clients & team a truly unique experience. @whispawellness

But the magic doesn’t stop there. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with other incredible women in business who share our vision. This will allow us to expand our community offerings even further.

From cosmetic tattoo services to laser hair removal, eyebrows, and eyelash treatments, we’re bringing together a diverse range of services under one roof! @summerlashandbrow

Our space will also be a hub of education and events, creating its own community for learning and self-improvement.

So, watch this space! The journey from being Australia’s Best Newcomer Salon to Victorian Salon of the Year was just the beginning. This new chapter in Centre Footscray is where our dreams, passion, and dedication will continue to flourish, and we’re excited to share this incredible experience with you all. Stay tuned!

Sheridan Rose Shaw @mamawest @sheridanroseshaw_mamawest