TGt Meets…Christchurch Business Awards - Muir Chapman Hairdressing

Meet our latest TGT Meets feature: Muir Chapman Hairdressing, proud finalists in the Family Business category at the Christchurch Business Awards.

1. Congratulations on your Christchurch Business Awards win. Which category were you recognised in?

Family Business Award

2. What is the history and background of your business?

We are a family run business, Nicola (wife of Luke) Luke and Terry (brothers) we have been In Highcliffe for 12 years this December. We have worked all over the country, qualifying from an apprentaship and then to managing salons for other people. In December 2013 we was all made redundant and thought let’s do it for ourselves, and here we are. We have an amazing salon guest list that continues to grow due to recommendations and we have a fantastic team working behind us.

3. Who is your target market? How do you reach and engage with them?

Everyone, we have a huge range of different salon guests, be it age etc. We advertise, or keep upto date with them all through social media, sending out emails every now and again and we are open 6 days a week.

4. What are the biggest challenges you've faced in building your business, and how have you overcome them?

Covid was probably the hardest part. We have been in the industry collectively for over 50 years, so knowing how to market ourselves was always something we knew how to do, when covid hit we had to move salons due to a lease increase and not enough room to social distance, so once we know when we could re-open we had 1 week to completely turn an empty shell into our salon now, challenging but very rewarding.

5. What’s your favourite part about working in Christchurch?

I love the community feel and it’s a lovley seaside town, very loyal salon guests.

6. Can you share any lessons learned or advice for aspiring professionals in your industry?

I’d say never give up and once you have made a decision to stick with it, but change anything unless needed (if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it)

7. What role do you believe local recognition, such as the Christchurch Business Awards, plays for businesses in Dorset?

This was such a surprise to be shortlisted, not only did it give us confidence that we are doing something right, it’s such a great sense of achievement and we are very proud. I think it will boost the morale of business owners as it has been a huge struggle for the last 5 years.

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