Designed to officially celebrate success in business and empower profitability and growth among our industry at a national level, the Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIAs, Business) were held at The Star, Gold Coast, on Sunday September 24, where over 30 awards were delivered in a room among some of our industry’s best, writes Cameron Pine.

Awarding a full breadth of leaders in the industry from hairdressers, to business specialists, educators and professional brands – recognising business in hairdressing has become a key element among Mocha Group’s awards calendar. An increase in entries each year is sign of a healthy industry that continues to strive to be better.

Providing an exciting snapshot of the impressive quality of businesses in the industry, the powerful impact of the awards continues to grow year on year with 2023 setting a new record of over 300 entries and 200 finalists across the extensive categories.

Each submission was judged by an independent panel of 32 judges consisting of media, PR and business specialists. Proud sponsors included Timely, Redken, Kitomba, Sustainable Salons, Excellent Edges, Matrix, Schwarzkopf Professional, Goldwell, L’Oréal Professionnel, Revlon Professional, HairBiz, Shortcuts, DNA, KMS, EVY Professional, Comfortel, Wella Professionals, Hi Lift Professional, Haircare Group, Parlux by Dateline Imports, Alfaparf Milano and De Lorenzo.

It wouldn’t be a night of celebration on the Gold Coast without some bold performances, with an opening show featuring risqué dancers pushing the limits of the stage – as choreographed by the talented Adam Williams who is renowned for putting on some of the nation’s biggest and brightest events and celebrations.

Mocha Group Owner and Founder Linda Woodhead was proud to acknowledged this year’s deserving winners while thanking the entire industry for their support and helping to make sharing the success of business a reality. She especially mentioned the collective abundance of love in the room for those who are grinding and hustling for our industry on the daily.

“There is no better litmus test of the Australian hair industry’s capabilities than the AHIAs. The fact that we continue to break records with submission numbers is testament to the emphasis the hair community places on not just meeting quality benchmarks but exceeding them,” Linda said.

“Hairdressing is a crucial part of the service industry and these businesses play an integral role within all of our communities, bringing us together, supporting the next-generation of talent and making us feel amazing. For that they deserve to be championed by all of us!”

A special shoutout goes to the big winner of the night, Sharlene Lee from Circles for Hair, taking out not just one, but three awards for Best Business Director/Owner of the Year, WA/NT Salon of the Year and the ultimate accolade of Australian Salon of the Year.

As Sharlene said, to win an award and put a submission together is one thing but being able to grow your business year on year is the biggest challenge of all. “To my entire team of 48 staff, you’re amazing and to be able to keep smashing our goals year on year is absolutely awesome. I just love business,” Sharlene said.

Amongst other special congratulations included the 2023 Special Recognition award handed to Jenny Burns and the Vidal Sassoon Humanitarian Award to Helen Owens from Tigerlamb for her incredible commitment to the community. On behalf of Helen, as an added surprise, Comfortel donated $10,000 to one of her chosen charities, RizeUp Australia, with a giant cheque being presented to founder Nicolle Edwards.

Following the awards, all guests invited to head to the Star’s level 19 bar to celebrate into the early hours – the perfect venue to continue the celebration and importance of recognising business growth in a creative industry.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Salon Team Member of the Year
Sponsored by Excellent Edges
Leanne Kay, Stevie English Hair

Salon Manager/Co-Ordinator of the Year
Sponsored by Wella Professionals
Brooke Blinco, RocaVerde

Business Director/Owner of the Year
Sponsored by Kitomba
Sharlene Lee, Circles of Hair

Salon Team of the Year
Sponsored by Goldwell
TONI&GUY Cronulla

Sole Operator of the Year
Sponsored by Matrix
Katy Reeve

Best Eco Salon
Sponsored by DNA Organics
George & Ivy

Best Business Newcomer of the Year
Sponsored by KMS
Salon Her

Best Salon Design
Sponsored by Comfortel
Ms Monaco Hair Society

Best Marketing
Sponsored by Shortcuts
Elysium Hair Brisbane

Best Customer Care
Sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional
Ms Monaco Hair Society

Best Salon Group of the Year
Sponsored by M&U Imports
TONI&GUY Australia

Best In-Salon Training
Sponsored by Haircare Group
Co and Pace Salons

Educator of the Year – Individual
Sponsored by Redken
Sharon Blain

Educator of the Year – Organisation
Sponsored by EVY PROFESSIONAL
Taylorweir

Educator of the Year – Product or Equipment Company
Sponsored by Sustainable Salons
L’Oréal Professionnel

NATIONAL WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored By Parlux by Dateline Imports
Salon Direct Hair and Beauty Supplies

State Salon Business of the Year NSW/ACT
Sponsored By Alfaparf Milano Professional
Sloans

State Salon Business of the Year QLD
Sponsored By Wella Professionals
Rokstar

State Salon Business of the Year SA/TAS
Sponsored By Timely
SJ Establishment

State Salon Business of the Year VIC
Sponsored By Revlon Professional
Mama West

State Salon Business of the Year WA/NT
Sponsored By De Lorenzo
Circles of Hair

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Sponsored By L’Oréal Professionnel
Jenny Burns

VIDAL SASSOON HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored By Mocha Group
Helen Owens

AUSTRALIAN SALON BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored By Mocha Group
Circles of Hair

BEST IN CARE
Qiqi Makes You Feel Like You Just Left The Salon Shampoo & Qiqi Goodbye Dry Hello Gorgeous Conditioner by Dateline Imports

BEST IN TREAT
BC Clean Frizz Away Treatment by Henkel Beauty Care Professional

BEST IN STYLE
Joico Youthlock Blowout Crème by Sabre Haircare

BEST ELECTRICAL TOOL
EVY PROFESSIONAL E-CURL PRO

Catch up with INSTYLE and Styleicons!

• Subscribe to our bi-monthly magazine
• Check out www.styleicons.com.au
• Subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter
• View our digital magazine
• Follow us on social media on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn