Holly and Reece at Saks Cheadle
A BIG Saks salute for salon teammates Holly Edwards and Reece Longson who’ve partnered up to become co-owners of our salon in Cheadle.
To celebrate Saksession success (sorry), we caught up with our stylist-and-therapist-to-salon-owning-duo for insider info.
Both ten years in at Cheadle. How does it feel to now be co-owners?
Holly: Amazing. I feel so lucky to have Reece as my business partner!
Reece: It’s like a natural progression. I gradually built upon my responsibilities and skillset needed to run the salon with Holly.
HOW IT STARTED
How did you get into hair and beauty?
Reece: My mum was a hairdresser. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the salon where she worked for 30 years. At 15 I was a Saturday assistant, then I got my Level 2, started at Saks Cheadle, and became a stylist under the mentorship of salon owner Danny and the rest of the team.
Pass him the scissors
Holly: For as long as I can remember I was always painting my nails and then got interested in skincare. I just knew it was the right path to follow.
Holly knew nothing else would do
HOW IT’S GOING
Best Saks moments so far?
Holly: Winning the Lash Technician Award in 2021.
Reece: Yes, the Saks Awards! Always a highlight, celebrating with the team and catching up with the Saks network. My first Awards was in London in 2017 will always standout.
2018-style
What’s The Plan?
Reece: No big changes – if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. We want to expand on what we offer in hair and beauty, keeping customers at the heart of what we do.
Holly: And hopefully win a Saks award soon!
Summer of love 2023
Why’d you to want to become a Saks salon owner?
Reece: Whenever I was asked if I wanted my own salon, my answer was always no. I couldn’t see myself anywhere but Saks Cheadle. So, when the chance came up to have both, the answer became YES.
Holly: Danny always said it’s something that could be possible. And here we are!
Life at Saks Cheadle is…
Reece: It sounds cliche, but it’s a second family. I’m lucky to have colleagues, past and present, who’re close friends. Present for personal and professional milestones in my life.
Holly: Working with the best team and having wonderful clients is what it’s all about. Work isn’t work when you love what you do.
Reece: Their support has been amazing! Excited for what a fresh perspective may offer the salon and keen to get involved with ideas for how we can grow. Thank you Jayde, Sian, Saskia and Izzy!
Cheadle vibe
You’re in a business partnership… what qualities do you each bring?
Holly: We’re hard working and love a challenge. Loyal, team players and approachable.
Reece: Holly’s beauty, I’m hair. So we combine our strengths. Holly is better with admin and financials and I’m at home with creative aspects.
In the bob-zone
A hair hack for customers?
Reece: Sleep on a silk pillowcase to help prevent breakage and frizz caused by friction and help your blow dry last longer.
Holly: Good one. And it also helps reduce fine lines and hydrates and soothes the skin.
A beauty treatment you love, Holly?
Holly: A deep tissue massage. I can instantly relax and destress my clients and they leave feeling so much better.
Holly is here for the bliss out
Half an hour of me-time, what do *you* do?
Holly: An express facial. Cleanse, exfoliation and mask to hydrate my skin… and relax!
Reece: Nap.
Iconic and why…
Reece: “Rihanna – never scared of change and hair is a big part of her image. Look at a picture and recognise the era of her career from her hair at that time.
Holly: Charlotte Tilbury. A British entrepreneur who looks amazing and I swear by her skincare and makeup!
Reece: And Saks’ creative director Luke Pluckrose does Charlotte’s hair.
Hair by Luke for Charlotte’s Elle China cover with Kate Moss
What’s big in Cheadle right now?
Reece: Healthy hair. We’re seeing more people interested in keeping their hair in prime condition, with treatments in-salon, reducing heat usage and looking to other aspects of their health and seeing this reflected in their hair.
Here for the hair-nurture
Exercise is…
Holly: Monday morning in the gym to set me up for the week.
Reece: Something other people do.
Night in or night out?
Holly: Night in or occasional Sunday daytime venture out.
Reece: Night out. Then several nights in to recover.
Home life is…
Holly: Relaxing with my boyfriend, making dinner, and relaxing watching our favourite tv series.
Reece: Arguing with my boyfriend about what we’re having for tea.
A big recommend?
Reece: Boxset ‘Schitt’s Creek’, film ‘Bridesmaids’, book ‘No Worries If Not’ by Soph Galustian and album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’.
Holly: ‘One Day’ on Netflix. Hooked from the start, lovely but emotional – thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cheadle-chat
Guilty pleasure?
Holly: Married at First Sight Australia.
Reece: Greggs on a Saturday.
SAKS4EVE FUNDRAISING
Shortly after taking over Holly and Reece organised their first fundraising event for our national charity partner, The Eve Appeal, with a Make Time For Tea party in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
With a big raffle, cakes, cuppas, fizz and catchups with customers… £1,060 raised for gynaecological cancers. A major contribution as we head towards £250k to raise funds for Eve’s essential research.
Raffle of dreams
I love our team because…
Reece: They care about the salon as much as we do.
I love Saks because..
Holly: The opportunities are amazing and we do the best beauty and hair!
Saks Cheadle’s a scene
Describe each other in three words…
Reece: Holly is conscientious, dedicated and talented.
Holly: Reece is talented, knowledgeable and confident.
IN CHEADLE AND NOT BEEN IN YET?
If not, why not? You can have your first hair or beauty appointment for half price*. Find our team at 61 High Street in town. Browse, locate, book online and read reviews online or call 0161 491 6769.
*Ask for T&Cs.