Kid-friendly salons a boon
IN JUST eight short months, a Buderim couple has fashioned one of the fastest growing franchises on the Coast.
Sam and Rebecca Penny opened their first Universal Hair Salon in Mooloolaba last year.
Since then the business has flourished, with six salons operating from Gympie to Caloundra.
The latest salon in Buderim opened last week and marks lucky number seven for the couple.
"To be opening number seven in our own community of Buderim is a great feeling," Mr Penny said.
"It marks our success at the three-quarter stage and it is the most innovative of salons with all the exclusive Universal features and some new additions to really make the salon a part of the family-styled community that is Buderim."
Situated at the top of the hill in Buderim, the new salon features breathtaking views from an open-plan styling room.
It has a separate therapy room and a kids' playroom, which Mr Penny said set the salon apart from other beauty brands.
"Like many Buderim residents we have a young family and one of the hardest things for Rebecca is to get some time out and indulge because we have such busy schedules," he said.
"We wanted to utilise the space of the new salon to offer mothers a true luxury experience, which also ensures the kids are entertained and cared for.
"The kids' room is overseen by qualified staff with arts and crafts, dress-ups, music activities and a blackboard wall ensures that regardless of the family schedule, the kids will be looked after and entertained and the mums can take the time to indulge."
The salons were the first in Australia to acquire a partnership with Moet Chandon, which they offer exclusively to clients.
"Buderim is our largest salon and it will be a benchmark of the ultimate Universal Hair Salon," he said. "We believe that Buderim is on the verge of another growth period and we want to ensure we are apart of it."
He said Universal's stylists were focused on providing the best in customer service and were encouraged to spend one-on-one time with clients.
"The biggest feedback that our stylists get is that they actually listen to our clients because we make sure that we go through a proper consultation process and understand their individual style," he said.
"It is important to us that we sit down with each and every client and learn about their lifestyle, activities and how their hairstyle will affect their work, home and whatever activities they may be involved in."
Mr Penny said their business goal was to open 10 salons by June. Universal Hair Buderim has taken residence on the top of the hill at the previous home of Pure, next to Snap Fitness.
