Almost 12 years ago V Hair Design pioneered a new style district within the Clogheen Neighbourhood. Staffed with only the most experienced stylist and colourists, V Hair Design continues to define style with experience, and high levels of customer service in a relaxed, classic, and creative environment. We chatted to Ciara the owner about the last 18 months and the future of her homely salon in Tipperary.
Tell us about your business ?
V hair design will be 12 years open in October this year. We are a multi award winning salon with a big heart. It wasn’t always plan sailing but with a little hard work and determination we got there. In recent years we have been the top destination for those seeking an upscale, full-service hair salon in Tipperary . We are based in Clogheen County, Tipperary at the foot of the Knockmealdowns. We are only 20 mins from Mitchelstown ,20 mins from Clonmel. We are 50 mins from Cork City so we are ideally situated for people to travel to visit. We have had a lot of clients from other counties travel, and with staycations we are busier than ever. We have in recent years become a destination salon. I would accredit this to putting myself out there on social media and participating in awards.
What products and services do you have?
We stock all the Alfaparf Milano from colour to backwash. We also use their treatments and your take home care. We offer all your hairdressing services from blow-dries to extensions and everything in between. Some of the most popular services are of course blondes and funky colours. We also offer gel nails, extensions, manicures and Shellac in our newly opened nail bar. We found that our clients wanted the nail service too , so naturally we added it. Keeping our customers happy is important.
How did COVID affect your business ?
I’m sure like everyone it didn’t have a positive impact as the black market was in full swing. But that aside i kept myself busy updating the salons decor etc. I needed to keep busy and I was confident we would be reopening and the new look would commence a new era of V hair Design . My salon is everything to me so I needed to keep people interested and aware that we were coming back. I was sad to see some businesses not reopening. All my customers are very loyal to me and my team so they were great to wait for us. They were all so supportive, sending messages and keeping in touch virtually when we couldn’t have the all important “ behind the chair” chats.
What changes did you make to make things easier for you and your team?
Apart from making changes to the salon . I’ve also got new staff members. I also thought it important to add new services. It was extremely hard to recruit staff after COVID but thankfully I found some of the best girls yet. We work so well together and they really make my job a lot easier. Because we are a small business it is imperative that everyone gels as a team. We obviously changed a lot of protocol in the salon, in order to keep us all safe. Salons though by their nature are clean and safe, and we are all dedicated to staying safe and open.
Tell me about your great accomplishment ?
My biggest accomplishment to date career wise would be doing my colour masters. It was the most stressful course I’ve done to date but so worth it. From a career perspective I want to continue to evolve, my team and clients deserve the best, most professional version of me. My motto is YOU GET OUT OF LIFE WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT, I put my everything into my work and I think my clients and colleagues appreciate it.
Who do you admire most?
I honestly admire every child in the country covid has flipped their world upside down and they’re still full of fun. The resilience kids have is just amazing. The front line workers have shown us what is important too. Each nurse , supermarket worker or lorry driver have risked everything to keep the country going and that must be recognised.
Tell us about an
y awards you have won and the impact this had on your business?
We have won two awards with the Irish hair and Beauty Awards and two awards with Histyle.ie. What can I say? They have put our name on the map. It’s crazy when I’m away and I get chatting to people about the salon and they say oh I have heard of your salon . It’s great to be recognised too. It makes customers feel great too. I nearly felt like some of them were there with me accepting the awards with all the well wishes. It is a great feel good factor too with the lead up to the awards. I’m so grateful for everything the awards have done for me and the salon, especially Mary-Jane and Michael from HiStyle, they always offer great advice and engage with us.
What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
To enjoy every waking minute of it if covid taught me anything that life is for living. So once we can get out of bed and produce beautiful hair I’ll be happy. I am so grateful to be able to do my job and help people get the feel good factor! It is contagious. Watch this space!
To contact the salon you can call (052) 746 5760
by Mary-Jane