Our new feature - Meet the Salon/Barbershop Owner - gives business owners and managers the chance to shine a spotlight on their salon and showcase some of their best work.

If you would like to appear in our Meet the Owner feature, you can fill in our Q&A here or email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk

Here in our first feature, 39-year-old Vicky Williams, from Wrexham, tells us what it's been like running a salon for the last nine years, how they survived the Covid-19 pandemic and what keeps clients coming back...

Vicky Williams, salon owner, with Best Salon Award

Name and address of the business

Head Office Creative Hair Studios

The Stables, Regent Street, Wrexham, LL11 1RE

How many staff do you have, and in what roles?

Six senior stylists

One manager

Two assistants

One digital marketer

When did you open?

January 2014

Our front-of-house team, Leah (left) and Tori (right)

Why did you decide to open your own business?

It was always my ambition since starting out as a young apprentice working for Umberto Giannini in his first salon that he opened in Kidderminster.

After moving back home to Wrexham and building a loyal clientele, I decided the time was right to pack up my mobile kit and create the salon I'd always dreamed I'd own.

Have you always been at this location?

Yes. Initially we rented and then when the opportunity arose to buy it, there was no way I could risk losing such a beautiful building in the town centre, so I knew I had to buy it!

Are you local to the area, did you grow up here?

Yes. I've always lived close to the town centre and I'm so proud to own a business in my hometown.

Award-winning Head Office Creative Hair Studios.

Tell us a bit about your salon

Our mission is for our clients to be spoiled when they come for their hair appointment; they will always receive a warm, friendly welcome from our front-of-house team and leave full of confidence when one of our talented stylists has achieved their dream hair.

Our team has grown in numbers since I first opened the salon and I'm so fortunate to work with an amazing team of inspiring and supportive women; we really do care for each other and our clients.

Of course, we are all passionate about hair and all the girls receive ongoing training and development in order to deliver exceptional services to our clients. I could not be prouder of the work that they produce and the way they look after our clients.

We are a multi award-winning salon, our most recent being Best Salon Team and Best Salon in Wales at the prestigious Salon Awards, which I think speaks volumes about us as a salon and a team.

What services do you provide?

We provide ladies' colouring, cutting, styling and Great Lengths Hair Extensions. We are probably best known for our blonding and balayaging services, which are really bespoke services, tailored to each individual client.

We also launched our Blowdry Membership towards the end of last year, where our clients pay a monthly fee and can come into the salon as often as they like to have their hair washed and styled professionally.

Blunt brunette balayage and long blonde hair done at the salon.

What is your hair/beauty background?

I started as a hairdressing apprentice with Umberto Giannini in 2001 when my husband was transferred to Kidderminster FC.

I completed my level 2 NVQ in hairdressing whilst there and as much as I loved working in such a vibrant, cutting-edge salon, I was secretly pleased when he got a second stint with Wrexham AFC and were able to come home.

Shortly after, we had our first daughter, so I decided to become a freelance stylist and built my reputation for bridal hair, whilst working around our family and studying at Coleg Cambria for my level 3 qualification.

Since opening the salon, I have trained as a hair extensionist, as well as undertaking every possible professional training opportunity that I could. Having trained my own team, I recognised my love and ability to elevate the skills of others and so a couple of years ago I also completed my teacher training qualification and we're currently in the process of launching our new venture, Head Office Academy, on Rhosnesni Lane, which I'm so excited about.

Upstairs interior of salon

Did the pandemic affect your business?

Absolutely! It obviously affected us financially but also the social aspect of not working with each other, and missing our lovely clients was really difficult to deal with. Luckily, we've been fortunate to get through it and have continued to grow but I hope we never experience another lockdown again.

What could set you apart from your competitors?

Our exceptional five-star customer service, which is second to none. Our Best Salon Team and Best Salon for the whole of Wales awards also reflect the standard of work we produce.

Why do loyal customers return?

We're very fortunate to have a lot of loyal customers. Our front-of-house team, Leah and Tori, really are the friendliest faces you could wish to see when you walk into a salon.

Unfortunately I think some ladies can find it intimidating to walk into a salon but they will both instantly put anyone at ease; they even remember people's drink choices when they come back. I don't know how they do it!

All our stylists are super-friendly too, so it really is a lovely environment to be in. They're also quick to pick up on what the clients want too. Some ladies love to come in for a good chat and a catch-up, others like to get on with work or sit quietly with a book; either is absolutely fine.

Obviously the main factor is the hair. Our stylists are all so experienced and talented that nobody wants to leave, so I think amazing hair and a professional, friendly environment is why our clients keep coming back.

Blunt blonde bob and long brunette balayage at the salon.

What's next for you and the salon?

I'm opening the doors to Head Office Academy very soon and I'm really excited to share all my skills and knowledge with the many talented stylists and salon owners we have in Wrexham and the surrounding areas.

I could never abandon my salon though and I will continue working hard to grow the salon and continually keep it fresh and modern.

We'll be taking on one of our assistants in May as our new apprentice when she leaves school and can't wait to watch her flourish in her hairdressing career and become an even bigger part of the team.

We've recently introduced online bookings, which makes booking in with us really convenient (especially for those night owls like me who decide they need an appointment when scrolling their phones at midnight). We've also recently moved over to O&M products, as it ticks all the boxes for us in terms of having an incredible range of beautiful, clean colours; vegan-friendly and PETA-approved cruelty-free, as well as being incredibly gentle to hair.

What are your opening hours?

Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm Wednesday: 9.30am-5.30pm Thursday: 9.30am- 8pm Friday: 9.30am- 5.30pm Saturday: 9am-4pm Sunday: Closed