25 Years of Sloans: Creativity, Dedication & Love of Hair

By Scott Sloan

I can hardly believe that Sloans is celebrating 25 years in business in 2025. It’s a cliché but in many ways, it feels like just yesterday that I was standing on Longueville Road, opening the doors for the very first time to what has since become my life’s passion. Hitting the 25 year mark has forced me to take stock and reflect on what an incredible journey it’s been, and to say it’s been an adventure would be an understatement!

I was talking to one of my original clients about the upcoming milestone recently and she asked me “how could you possibly stay motivated for that long?”. As she pointed out, it’s pretty rare to commit to one business or brand or workplace, or anything really, for that long. She had had numerous roles and relationships in that timeframe, but she noted that Sloans had always been her constant. Firstly, I realised what a privilege that was. Then I started to think about what had actually kept me motivated. I realised that these elements might also help other salon owners and hairdressers on their own journeys and that they might be of value.

When I first decided to open Sloans in 2000, the world was a different place. The new millennium had landed, and everyone had realised the Y2K bug wouldn’t be the end of us. Britney and the Backstreet Boys were topping the charts, “The Matrix” was changing cinema forever, and “Sex and the City” was redefining TV and our lives. Hair trends were bold, layered, and experimental. The infamous “Rachel” cut was still in high demand, and crimping, chunky highlights, and butterfly clips were everywhere.

Against this cultural backdrop, I set out with a goal: to create a salon that was dedicated to delivering a little modest glamour in a relaxed and sociable space. How have I kept it just as rewarding today as it was back then?

Recapturing The Excitement

One of the most important lessons in staying motivated is knowing when to mix things up. After years of leading teams at various local fashion weeks and events, being named ‘Best Hair’ at RAFW in 2011 for Miss Unkon, and then having Hair Director gigs with Chanel, Fashion Palette and Perth Fashion Festival, I found myself missing that magical feeling I had when I started out.

The nerves that I would get, the energy before the show started, and the absolute rush from seeing one of my looks walk down the runway. So, I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. I reached out to industry legends like Sam McKnight and Guido Paolo, put myself out there, and soon found myself backstage at global fashion weeks in London, Milan, and Paris, working on my dream shows for Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Dior, Valentino, Gucci, Chanel, Versace, Vivianne Westwood and more. I reignited my passion, proving that even after decades, you can still surprise yourself and experience something new.

The Power of Brand and Culture

Brands should evolve and adapt, and they should always feel authentic, yet fresh. Guiding the Sloans brand throughout the years has been a privilege and it has encompassed everything from our branding and messaging to the culture of our team and defining what we stand for.

I really discovered the value of this in the last few years when we chose to highlight our unique culture from beyond the staff room and really bring it to the forefront with an engaging recruitment campaign. We have becoming increasingly proud to embrace the diversity of not only our team but also our clientele and demonstrate that Sloans is a place which embraces and celebrates everyone!

When I first started there were shades of style over substance. I thought that Sloans would be about beautiful hair, and it certainly is, but when you spend 25 years on the same street with the same people you realise it is actually more about community. In fact, we have recently evolved our brand essence to reflect that we are a cornerstone of the local lower north shore community, at the same time as being a national flagship for hair fashion.

The Thrill of Competition

Competitions have been a game-changer, pushing me to innovate and keep striving for excellence. My first big competition I took part in was the IHJ Vidal Sassoon Snapshot Competition back in 2011 and it was judged by Vidal Sassoon himself. When I was named Runner Up and received the most amazing recognition from Vidal you could say I was hooked! It showed me the power of stepping up, not just once or twice with a few wins, but consistently every year.

I’ve followed that up with winning Hair Expo Emerging Hairdresser of the Year 2013, Hair Expo NSW Hairdresser of the Year 2017 and I was also Finalist for AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year in 2019 and 2021. Although I haven’t yet taken that one home, I will still keep striving to win and fulfill my personal need for creative expression. But it isn’t just about me, it’s about my team.

Their wins are my wins, and I have been honoured to mentor so many of them to industry success. Together we have also taken out some of the biggest major industry awards, including AHIA Business - NSW/ACT State Salon of the Year 2024 and 2023, AHIA Creative - Creative Team of the Year 2023 and AHFA - Salon of the Year 2023 to name just a few.

Partnering with the Best in the Industry

Our collaborations with product partners have kept us at the forefront of trend and inspired us endlessly. As a National and International Ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel, I get to work with some of the most creative and forward-thinking minds in hair, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether it’s testing new innovations before they hit the market, collaborating on major national campaign shoots, or shaping the trends that define our industry, these experiences fuel my passion.

They remind me that there’s always something new to learn, fresh ideas to explore, and exciting challenges to take on. Bringing that energy back into the salon, sharing it with my team, and seeing how it inspires them is what keeps work exciting every single day.

Sharing Knowledge as an Educator

Education has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my career because it constantly challenges me to stay ahead of the game. Teaching others, whether in my own salon or on stages around the world, forces me to refine my techniques, push my creativity, and never settle into a comfort zone. Seeing that spark in someone’s eyes when they master a new skill or find their confidence behind the chair is incredibly motivating. It reminds me why I fell in love with hairdressing in the first place.

The added bonus? Travel has always been a passion of mine and being able to combine it with my work - meeting talented stylists from all corners of the globe, exchanging ideas, and immersing myself in different creative cultures - keeps everything feeling fresh and exciting. Every class, every seminar, and every oneon-one mentoring session reinvigorates my love for this industry.

Creating the Salon of My Dreams

They say change is as good as a holiday, and while relocating and expanding Sloans at the end of 2022 didn’t always feel like a relaxing getaway, the result has been nothing short of incredible. For years, I had envisioned a space that blended luxury, comfort, and creativity - a salon that not only elevated the client experience but also inspired my team every day. As we had outgrown our old space and we were nearing 25 years, it felt like the perfect time to bring that vision to life.

Walking into our new flagship establishment, I feel reinvigorated. It’s more than just a salon; it’s a reflection of our journey, our evolution, and the next chapter of Sloans. Seeing our team and clients thrive in this environment reminds me why I started this journey in the first place. I must say though that I do have one regret, and that is that my mum and dad never got to see this dream salon, the salon I always wanted to share with them. That will always remain bittersweet for me, so I look at this as a special tribute to them, and a thank you for all they did for me.

These past 25 years have been filled with incredible highs, challenges, and unforgettable moments. It’s been truly incredible, although I know that I am very lucky to be as passionate about hairdressing today as I was when I first started, and I can’t wait to see where the next quarter century take us.

Over the next few months, I’ll be talking about some of the game changing approaches I have incorporated to keep myself, and my team, motivated when the days feel like they are getting a little long and the weeks feel like they are a lifetime!

To my team, my clients, my industry peers, and everyone who has supported Sloans —thank you. Here’s to all of us staying motivated for many more years of creativity, success, and incredible hair! SS xx