As of April this year, Urban Chic salon, a renowned space led by owner and director Amy Gaudie in Brisbane, is celebrating 20 years. The salon team honoured the milestone with a disco-inspired party with clients, family, friends, and past and present team members. Think cocktails, a DJ, glow in the dark furniture, a 360-video booth and a smash cake.
The festivities suited the salon’s whole vibe. Aesthetically, the salon greets you with pink doors, pink lights, pink decor, wall artwork and window decals. Importantly, the salon’s familial values, where it strives to feel like a home for clients and staff alike, replete with the salon’s three sausage dogs, are essential to the Urban Chic ethos. A creative and client first approach is also defining.
“Constantly changing up the salon aesthetic aligns with keeping up with clients’ needs and hair goals – something that this industry does really well and keeps us on our toes guessing the new trends for the seasons. If we utilise social media and education to our advantage, we can learn new techniques and improve our skills,” Amy shared.
Over 20 years, Urban Chic has become an institution, with award wins, success and major experiences under its belt, which Amy has built since starting the business at 23 years old.
“The obvious greatest achievement is that we have made it to 20 years! I remember the day I opened the salon wondering whether we would be here in 20 years and thinking that would be iconic. This is amazing and something I am so proud of,” Amy said.
Alongside the salon, Amy has participated in professional hair styling competitions, runway shows, judging and education days, developing both her own career and the salon with aplomb.
“Winning the AHIA QLD Hairdresser and Salon Business/Owner of the Year titles were two of my greatest personal professional achievements, along with travelling to New York and Paris Fashion Weeks to assist the most renowned hairstylists in the world backstage; these have been those ‘pinch me’ moments.”
Education is paramount to the salon, which always encourages its stylists to grow and develop with relevant programs.
“There are a number of talented stylists in the industry who demonstrate they are not confident in particular styles or colours and we need to encourage them to keep challenging themselves to up-skill,” Amy shared. “Urban Chic does this, with constant and ongoing training through Wella, external education courses, one-on-one meetings, monthly reviews and more to support and guide each stylist’s goals and aspirations for personal growth, professional success, and long-term career development.”
“As salon owners, we need to constantly adapt and evolve in our approach to business, growing alongside talented stylists to keep the dream and love for hair alive. Let’s not forget the real reason most of us started doing hair in the first place – the joy of creating, connecting with people, and making them feel their absolute best.”
Urban Chic has traversed the two decades through global financial crises, COVID, renovations and Amy’s growing family. Through it all, she credits hard work, passion and dedication as her secret weapons. Her purpose to deliver exceptional hair and make each client happy guides her career and the salon at large.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have a team behind the scenes who supports me, believes in my vision, and helps bring my ideas and goals for the business to life. I feel so lucky and honoured to have won many awards, been invited to represent the hair industry, and built a name for myself along the way. It’s been a journey, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come,” Amy shared.
For more information visit www.urbanchic.com.au
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