One look at Katie Jack’s spiky, elf-like blonde locks and you know that hair is her passion.
..."I’m known for my wild hair", says the willowy 26-year-old Jacksons Landing resident, who has just opened the "Styling Station" at 80 Harris Street. "I have had brown hair, red hair, pink hair... but learnt that I’m a blonde. I am a believer in the saying 'that blondes have more fun', and I think it’s because we stand out in a crowd."
Katie has been in the hair business for nine years - the last three as a trainer for Redken-Loreal, servicing salons from western Sydney to as far north as the Queensland border.
"I taught correct colouring techniques, the latest cuts and how to confidently use our products. Believe me, when it comes to hairdressing salons I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly."
Katie also helped stage Hair and Fashion Shows, and launch men and women’s products for Redken-Loreal. "I loved the job but I missed the interaction with customers – chatting, laughing, physically getting my hands on their hair and the satisfaction which comes from their nods of appreciation and smiles as they witness their transformation."
So, with the encouragement of her family, Katie began looking for premises to start her own business. "I was keen on a place at Rhodes which was opposite the railway station so I registered the name ‘Styling Station’. While that site fell through I still kept the name as it was fitting for any location.”
With Redken-Loreal’s headquarters being in Pyrmont, and her auntie Lesley Bentley living in ‘The Elizabeth’ at Jacksons Landing, Katie was familiar with the charms of the local area, so she jumped at the chance to convert an historic Harris Street terrace (Circa 1895) from an office into her salon. "I love older buildings and this has a fantastic fireplace, timber floors, a courtyard and great character.
I have installed eight treatment stations and modern equipment but I’ve kept the fit-out simple and uncluttered, making a feature of the fireplace.”
Unlike some blonde bombshells who are ‘hair today, gone tomorrow’, Katie stresses she is ‘hair to stay’. Her salon is “boutique” and caters equally for men and women. “Colour is certainly one of my specialities, and we have a colour bar where customers can select exactly the shade they want. I also try to help educate customers about good hair care techniques, how to use brushes and hairdryers, and how to style their hair at home."
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