Luxury Melbourne salon brand Harpo Hair is a stalwart of Brighton. With two locations spearheaded by founder Posey Broomhall, this high-end salon line effortlessly blends inclusivity and exclusivity, making everyone feel both welcome and special at the same time.
Posey began in the hair industry at the age of 13, briefly sojourning to event management before returning to the hair industry, where she felt most at home. Through her training and a role as Kérastase ambassador for Victoria, Posey elevated her career to finally open her own salon in 2014, situated on Hampton Street, Brighton, after a two-week renovation achieved by Posey and her husband. That strong work ethic and her growing reputation as a renowned blow dry destination catapulted Harpo Hair to the two-space salon brand it is today. The salon grew tremendously and built a bona fide hair community in the first six months, buoyed by its reputation for exceptional service, and opened the second space on Were Street three years later.
“Harpo Hair has two salons in the same suburb, which gives us the capacity and team numbers of a large salon, but the feel of a boutique hair destination as both locations are intimate in size,” Posey explained. “We are known for our welcoming atmosphere with everyone knowing each other’s clients. We know some people like to come in and chat, and others prefer peace and quiet. We take attention to detail very seriously and all aspects of Harpo are carefully considered for the client experience, from the bright stylish interiors and in-depth client consultations to the homemade cake and glass of filtered water ready for clients as they sit down in the styling chair.”
“We are a salon that invites everyone from the family, offering appointments for women, men and children. We cover everything from the first haircut and styling for formals to adult colours, cuts and men’s cuts. We have clients who come in every three months or every three weeks for colour maintenance and we always take the time to tailor a routine that works best for them at that moment.”
This approach to client care and salon service is echoed in the salons’ design, which is warm, bright and inviting. Anna Spiro wallpaper lines each location, in one pink design and one blue, and Posey’s affinity for clashing patterns and different textures graces both spaces. Fresh flowers and greenery add to the homely atmosphere in salon.
Another key element of the salon community is education, which spans from Posey’s renowned blow dries, which each staff member has perfect in full as a hero service for the salons, to expert foils, another feature service that Posey has passed on from her own training, and much more. Additionally, the staff continually refines their skills with courses and competitions.
“Harpo Hair is a dedicated training salon and we believe in finding talent at the start of their careers and giving them the training and opportunities to reach their full potential with us. As a result, Harpo Hair team members stay with the company for the long run and my team is the most important asset of my business,” Posey said.
The team also work with L’Oréal Professional Products Division in product partnerships and training, speaking to Posey’s 15-plus year relationship with the company. The team have benefitted from the L’Oréal Education Academy in this capacity, while ELEVEN Australia is another important product partnership, especially for retailing to younger clients.
Teamwork is paramount to Harpo Hair, and Posey leads this cohesive team in a hands-on role across clients, management and day-to-day salon logistics. Beyond the salon, Posey is raising a family and started her own business, titled Bompies, around the time of her second salon launch, acting as the founder and designer of a line of elegant bathroom accessories and timeless nightwear.
“When I opened the salon, I was doing so many blow dries and wanted to offer a shower cap to help them last longer,” she explained. “I did a lot of research and couldn’t find any of the standard and sophistication that I could sell in the salon. So, I set out to create my own, something that was built to last and prolong a blow wave, while still looking beautiful. Our shower caps are Australian made and the manufacturing is so good, I still have the original sample in the salon that works perfectly and it’s five years old!”
With these significant achievements under her belt, Posey has worked through the adversity of severe dyslexia to thrive as a multi-business owner and team leader, with Harpo Hair nearing its 10th birthday and her endeavours going from strength to strength.
For more information visit www.harpohair.com.au
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