POST Covid-19 lockdown, Saltcoats salon owner Vicky Bryce only had one employee on board.
But in a remarkable turnaround, her Abundance Hair and Beauty salon on Hamilton Street now employs a team of eight talented girls.
And Vicky managed to top off her amazing comeback story with an award win, as Abundance was named the Best Hair Salon in the county at the Ayrshire business awards last week.
Up against stiff competition at the awards ceremony at the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock, the team managed to claim the crown and their shot of being named the best in Scotland as they and other regional winners head to the national awards in Glasgow at the end of October.
"We had a lovely day and evening and are delighted to say that we have brought back ‘Best Ayrshire Hair Salon’ 2023 award to the salon at the regional finals," ecstatic owner Vicky told the Herald.
She continued: "After the lockdown I had one team member and now, proudly, I have build it up to a team of eight talented girls who are all employed.
"I’d like to thank the whole team for their hard work and dedication to Abundance and of course to all of our lovely clients who have supported us over our 12 years in business.
"To all the secret clients who come in and test out our skills, I cannot be prouder of how much we have grown as a business and a team especially with businesses closing down all around us with the current living crisis.
"I believe hard work and implementing a mindset culture into the team has been the reason for our success.
"We are always blown away with our comments from customers about the atmosphere and professionalism in the salon and we will continue to be a part of Saltcoats high street serving the community with a bit of class."
The salon is now looking for support as it prepares for the national finals.
You can cast your vote online at nominees.info/vote or by texting 'Abundance Hair and Beauty, Ayrshire' to 07520 634133.
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