Good news to celebrate in a pandemic, Just Cuts’ first franchisee, Leigh-Anne Brosens, is celebrating 30 years as a salon owner.
Brosens opened the Just Cuts Engadine salon after working as an apprentice with Just Cuts founder and managing director Denis McFadden.
“I started working with Denis as an apprentice when I was 17 – I worked with him for eight years and helped run three of his stores,” says Brosens.
“I fell pregnant at 23 years old, and I remember talking to my husband about opening up my own salon so I wouldn’t have to be at work every day. I asked Denis and I’m so grateful he gave me a go.”
“On opening day I was seven months pregnant, and we were so busy that Denis helped me cut hair on the floor for a week. There were subsequently all these clients requesting “the boy” to cut their hair.”
Brosens shares her mega milestone with long serving stylist Lynette Grose, a big fan of the no-appointment haircutting service.
“In other salons you might be split between four or five different clients at once, but at Just Cuts you concentrate on one client’s hair until you’re done. I think that personal touch will never go out of style.”
It hasn’t all been easy, of course. Back in March Denis McFadden took the drastic step of closing stores to combat the spread of Covid-19 .
However Brosens says the business has bounced back, with minimal impact on her business.
“Clients have really appreciated the strong stance Just Cuts have taken on keeping both themselves and my team safe.
“While we took the decision to close for six weeks, it was like Christmas the day we reopened. There was an hour and a half wait every day for two weeks,” she says.
Since reopening the salon has added clients to the database, and with social distancing rules enforced, business is back to a new normal.
“The head office team have been vital in ensuring we have the marketing and support required to educate our clients on health and hygiene policies, and maintain the confidence that we’re Covid-safe. Whether it’s providing masks, client information videos, exclusive Justice Professional products or PR support, everything is always taken care of.
“That’s never changed in 30 years.”
