Glasgow Success Story: SAINT Hairdressing
HOME / / Glasgow Success Story: SAINT Hairdressing
Saint Glasgow is a hair studio created by Thomas Temperley and Louise Chrystal, after meeting on the L’Oréal ID artist programme. Both regulars at London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks and agency represented, they decided to create a place where they could combine their editorial work alongside a working space for clients that represents their ethos. We caught up with Louise to see how the first couple of years in business has shaped up for them so far...
What is the nature of your business and what did you use your Start Up Loan for?
SAINT is a hairdressing salon and training centre in the west end of Glasgow. We chose a start up loan to help us finance the salon shop fit and help us with other business costs.
What has your business achieved so far? What is your favourite success story to date?
Over the past year we have been approved by SQA as a training centre offering SQA level 2 Hairdressing qualifications. We have 2 apprentices working and training with us. Thomas has continued to grow his name in the session styling circuit and Louise has completed the L'Oréal Professionnel Colour Specialist programme and the Fellowship of Hairdressers Project X mentoring scheme.
A real high point for Thomas was the opportunity to assist on a British VOGUE editorial shoot working with the renowned photographer, Tim Walker.
Louise passed her colour specialist course with a distinction, the only distinction in the class group.
As a salon the biggest success was achieving recognition from SQA to offer accredited training. It involved a huge amount of work to put together the policies and standards required by SQA. We are so proud to be able to train the next generation of Hairdressers. Education is paramount to the SAINT ethos.
What have you learnt from your time in business? Is there anything you would do differently?
The biggest lesson learned is to research the contractors/suppliers you associate with before entering into a contract. Find a company that is willing to help you grow your business. Take advice and regularly reflect and evaluate. If something isn't working, change it! Something we would do differently is not to enter into a contract with a big name supplier who did not support our business. This cost us a lot of money over the course of the years.
Would you recommend a Start Up Loan from Transmit Start-Ups to other businesses? How beneficial was the free business support?
We would absolutely recommend a Start up business loan to any small start up business. The process was transparent, easy and quick. The free business advice was invaluable in our decision making processes.
If you could give one tip to a new entrepreneur, what would it be?
Walk before you run! It's easy to get swept up in future plans but it's important to get the foundations of your business solid first. Consider the consequences of your actions and take advice!
If Louise and Thomas’ story is inspiring you to turn your own dream into a reality, why not register with us now to get started!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Suzy Jackson
Suzy is a small business supporter and strategiser, and a self-employed qualified ADHD Works coach. A former business journalist, Suzy is passionate about independent businesses, and the people who own and operate them. She's built teams, created and developed new products, and helped hundreds of entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to reality.
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