STORIES FROM SAKS LINCOLN
Rachel Banks, owner of Saks Hair & Beauty Lincoln has been with Saks for two decades and is still going strong. As the salon approaches its 20th birthday, when the team will celebrate in style, Rachel is looking forward to her next decade as a Saks salon owner. Read on as we ask where it all began and find out how she balances running a successful hair and beauty salon with a busy family life.
Why did you choose hair and beauty as a career?
I wanted to be a hairdresser from a young age, I did well in my GCSE’s and had a few careers advisers try to put me off. Which is a real shame, as it’s turned out to be an amazing career-choice.
Where/when did your Saks journey start?
I joined a salon as an apprentice and then Saks Nottingham a few years later as a senior stylist. I loved working in the city centre and being a small cog in a much bigger wheel, as part of an established brand with a network of salons. My ambition was to open my own salon, so it was the obvious choice for me to progress to owning a Saks salon.
Who in the industry inspires you?
My fellow Saks salon owners inspire me – I love being able to pick up the phone and ask the simplest of questions.
Who is your hair icon?
My biggest icon within the industry would have to be Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck. However, I’m inspired every day by my team at Saks Lincoln. I spend as much time as I can on the salon floor with them and couldn’t possibly imagine working alone.
TEAM NIGHT OUT: Rachel and the Saks Lincoln team
Career highlight so far?
The highlight of my career so far was winning ‘Newcomer Salon of the Year’ at the Saks awards. I can’t imagine doing anything other than hairdressing. It’s not a just a job but a way of life for me. 20 years and two children on, I have a better work/life balance than in the early days of opening the salon.
Celeb style… who’s your fave?
My favourite celeb for hair style would have to be someone like Frankie Bridge or Emma Watson; someone who isn’t afraid of having shorter hair.
FAMILY TIME: Rachel and her family
Spare time…how do you spend it?
In my spare time I love to be at home. To walk my dog, cook for friends and family and snuggle in front of a film with my boys.
Fave place in the world?
I’m thankful to have had some amazing holidays and I’m struggling to pick a favourite place in the world. Maybe I’m still looking for it!
Advice for future salon owners?
My advice to anyone starting would be to ‘keep calm and carry on’ and be prepared to work harder than you expect. There’s no question that a team likes having the salon owner around, so the more you’re in the salon the better.
Future plans for the salon?
I guess the best way to put it is that after 20 years of owning the salon I still love what I do. I still love being on the salon floor with my team and my clients and I’m very grateful for what we’ve built. I am very content and hope to keep doing what I do.
As well as running her own busy, thriving salon, Rachel has inspired the next generation of salon owners too, training and mentoring Zoe Chamberlain who started her journey at Saks Lincoln and has then also gone on to fulfill her dream of owning her own Saks salon, Saks Newark.
READY TO START YOUR SAKS STORY?
Ever thought of being the boss and owning a hair and/or beauty salon? Start your Saks Story today. Browse current jobs and salon ownership opportunities online, call 0845 678 0290 for an informal chat or email customerservices@saks.co.uk for info.