Summer Newsletter
- Samantha
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
Wow - what a summer we've had!
The Air-con has truly been a godsend in the salon this season. We hope it's helped make your time with us even more comfortable. Do you remember those pre–air con days? They were... less than ideal, to say the least! We feel very lucky to have had it installed four years ago—it’s honestly one of the best decisions we’ve made.
It’s been a while since my last newsletter—October, I believe! I’ve been a bit terrible at keeping you updated, and for that, I’m sorry. But buckle up, because I have lots to share. Please read to the end. First, some very exciting news…
Back in November, we won Best Salon in Sussex 2024! 🏆
Myself, Ella, Louise, Travis, Cydney, and my dad all travelled to London for the awards evening, and it was such a fantastic night. We laughed, we ate, we drank, and we celebrated a huge milestone together.
Thank you all for your continued support—you’re the reason we do what we do.
Celebrating Louise – Our Wella Colour Expert
We are incredibly proud to share that Louise is now officially the salon’s Wella Colour Expert! 🎓
Earlier this year, Louise completed one of the most prestigious and intensive colour courses in the industry, held at the Wella Academy in London. It was a significant investment—both for her future and the future of the salon—and she absolutely rose to the occasion.We are looking forward to her graduation in October at the Wella Academy in London.
And get this… she achieved the highest mark ever recorded at the academy: an incredible 97%! 🎉
This was no small feat. Louise sat four challenging exams, and her overall average reflected not just her talent, but her dedication, passion, and relentless work ethic.
She poured her heart and soul into the course—spending countless hours studying, taking meticulous revision notes, and committing fully to every detail. Her success is a testament to her commitment to the craft and to delivering the highest level of service to our clients.
Louise has been with me for seven years, and this achievement is just one more reason we’re so lucky to have her as part of the team.
If you’re looking for world-class colour, Louise is your expert.
Travis has spent five days this July at the prestigious Sassoon Academy in London, completing an intensive barbering cutting course.
He’s had a strong interest in men’s cutting for some time now, and we felt this would be the perfect opportunity for him to refine and elevate his skills.
Cutting has always been Travis’s passion—he has a natural flair for working with short hair, and this experience has further sharpened his talent and confidence behind the chair.
Travis is nearly at the end of his Level 3 qualification—and we couldn’t be prouder!
We’re excited to be heading to his college soon to attend a catwalk event showcasing his work.
His theme? Barbie Dreamhouse! 💕✨
We can’t wait to see his creative vision come to life on the runway.
Check our socials on Thursday 24th July to see the final looks—it's going to be fabulous!
Can you believe it’s been five years since he joined us back in June?
A New Chapter for Ella
After 10 amazing years, Ella has decided to spread her wings and go self-employed. She’ll be starting a new chapter at a salon called The Box in Burgess Hill.
Ella has been with me since she was just 15 years old. Watching her grow from an apprentice into the advanced stylist she is today has been one of my proudest joys. So, as you can imagine, it’s with a heavy heart that I write this - but I truly believe this is the right move for her at this point in her journey. She’ll always have my full support, and she knows exactly where to find me. Ella is currently working her 10 weeks’ notice, and her last day with us will be Friday 29th August.
I’ve always promised to be open and honest with you all, especially because, in my earlier days working for other salon owners, I disliked the way clients were kept in the dark when a stylist left. You’ve all been such an important part of both my business and Ella’s journey. Many of you have watched her grow into the talented stylist she is today. And watch the salon evolve. In light of that, I want to say this with complete transparency:There are absolutely no hard feelings if you choose to follow Ella. You’ve been loyal clients of the salon for many years, and I completely understand that the bond with your stylist is special. And if you ever decide to return, our door is always open.
A few of you have asked if I would do your hair going forward—and the answer is yes. I’d be more than happy to look after you, just as we always have. You are, and always have been, part of our salon family.
That being said, we are so lucky to have an incredible team here. Louise, Travis, and Cydney are all exceptionally talented stylists in their own right.
✨ Cydney is your go-to girl for all things colour—it’s truly her strength and passion.
✂️ Travis has an exceptional eye for cutting and shape, and his attention to detail is second to none.
🌟 Louise - Louise, our Wella MCE, has a serious love for balayage – especially soft blondes and brondes. Her highlighting game is next level!
😃 Samantha - Highlighting is my passion – but if you're after balayage, I'm not your girl (trust me!).
Whether you choose to stay with us, explore another stylist on the team, or follow Ella to her new adventure—please know there’s zero pressure and only love and support.
Either way, a huge heartfelt thank you for supporting my business over the years.
Finally, I would ask that, as Ella is still employed with us during her notice period, any conversations about her move happen outside the salon please. If you wish to follow her, please contact The Box salon directly.
Cydney is heading back to college!
From September, she’ll be attending college one Monday a month to work towards her VTCT Level 3 qualification—a fantastic next step in her career.
To support her studies, Cydney’s regular working days will change:
Her new day off will be Monday, except for college weeks, when her day off will be Tuesday instead.
We’re so proud of her continued commitment to learning and growing as a stylist!
Cydney is quickly growing into a confident and talented stylist in her own right, and we couldn’t be prouder of her progress.
Wow—can you believe Mia has been with us for one year this September?
Her apprenticeship journey is going incredibly well, and she’s an absolute joy to train.
Mia’s highlighting skills are already impressive—honestly, we can hardly tell the difference between her work and ours! Her progress has been fantastic, and we’re so proud of how far she’s come.
We’re always looking for models to support her training journey. If you’d love to help Mia while being trained by Samantha or Louise, please get in touch to book in!
Another string to my bow!
I’ve officially completed my Assessor’s Course!
I’m absolutely thrilled to have gained this qualification.
My next goal? To become a fully in-house educator and train our apprentices right here in the salon, rather than sending them to college.
Wish me luck—there’s a lot of red tape to get through, but I’m determined to try my hardest to make it happen!
Talented Stylist Wanted
We're on the lookout for an experienced stylist to join our team!Ideally, we're looking for someone with 15+ years of salon experience who’s ready for a hassle-free, employed role in a supportive and creative environment. If you know someone who fits the bill, please send them my way!
While I absolutely love growing my own team from the ground up, this year my focus is on supporting Travis, Cydney, and Mia as they work toward completing their NVQ/VTCT qualifications. And trying to become an independent educator
That wraps up this newsletter and all our fabulous news since I last wrote - I'll not to leave it so long next time.
We look forward to seeing you soon,
with love Samantha
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @samanthaelizabethhairsalon
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