A hair and beauty salon in Seaview, Serendipity, has recently been shortlisted for the Small Business Awards UK (SBA) and is celebrating the community it has built over the years.
This week Island Echo spoke with co-owners Emily Blow and Alice Hilton, as well as salon manager Rikki Lea Moody, about their successes and how they have built a flourishing community in an otherwise quiet town.
The hair and beauty salon, which opened in February 2024, has built a reputation on the quiet North-Eastern corner of the Island for its unique services, including pamper parties for children’s birthday parties.
Co-owner of Serendipity, Emily Blow, said:
“It was a bit of a random thing really; we had a business idea to come together, and then the space came up and we kind of just took a chance, didn’t we?
“Alice and I had kind of known each other for a few years and built a friendship around that, and then thought, let’s go for it. I’ve known Ricky for a few years, she’d started to really create with her nails, she’s been in a lot of magazines in London, achieving the highest standard.
“She has also just made finalist, gaining nationwide recognition so yeah, we are doing really well.
“Even we don’t make it any further, I think is huge. It is a fantastic thing to be recognized for not just our work but our standards.”
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On achieving finalist recognition at the UK Hair and Beauty awards, Rikki said:
“I did it for the girls for the salon as a whole and to be recognized for our standards and qualifications, I did shed a little tear when I got my email. I rang my mom. I was like, that’s amazing.
“And for myself as well really. I’ve put a lot of work into nails. I don’t even know how I ended up getting into it, but you know, it’s pretty much my life.
“I’ve worked really hard, I’ve overcome a lot of obstacles. It means more to me than just pretty nails, this is my focus with my mental health, physical health.
“This is where I come.”
Speaking about their goals for the salon and what environment the 5 women have tried to create, Emily and Rikki agreed that their work is built on community spirit and creating a safe, calm environment for people to come, relax and just have a chat.
They said:
“We are real people with real lives.
“Yeah, that’s it, it’s relatable when you come in here, isn’t it? You have a chat with somebody, it’s just lovely, It’s like a community.
“It’s not chaotic it’s just nice and chill, It’s personal time.
Emily and Alice want the public to know that they are always keen to host work experience students, as they believe in teaching and providing the younger generations with experience and skills needed for their future.
They are also looking to expand their team and have a chair that is available to rent for hair or in the beauty room.
