Steph Brown’s hair studio was a finalist in the two categories of the 2018 Geelong Business Excellence Awards.
Finishing among the Emerging Business and Retail Business finalists was a significant achievement for Brown & Co Hair Studio after opening just two and a half years ago.
“Brown & Co’s mission is to deliver a tailored, luxurious experience to each and every client,” writes Steph in her awards entry.
“My business is the only hair salon in Geelong that uses luxury Aveda products, a natural, cruelty-free, organic haircare range.”
With 17 years’ experience in hairdressing, Steph describes herself passionate about helping clients achieve “great hair” in a “relaxed and welcoming environment”.
“As a result, my customers remain intensely loyal, travelling as far as from interstate and overseas to have their hair done at Brown & Co,” she says.
Steph was thrust into the world of small business when a day spa where she worked as a hairdresser closed suddenly six weeks before Christmas in 2015.
Within 48 hours she had a plan to take care of the spa’s 200 hairdressing clients.
“Within a week and with no prior business experience I had signed a lease, reinstated all of the clients, transformed the salon and opened the doors as Brown & Co,” she says.