There was a great turn out of local businesses including Ladies Only Gym Ltd, Rochdale Online, The Best of Rochdale, Blue Rose Gifts of Heywood, Dublcheck Cleaning, Travel Counsellors Ltd, Pride North West, Utility Warehouse, Waterside Dental Care and Springhill Hospice to name but a few.
Organised by Christine Mahney of Blue Orchid, the presentation of the evening was delivered by Greg Couzens who gave a fascinating talk on his experiences of opening his hair salon at the tender age of just 21 on The Walk in Rochdale town centre and has this weekend celebrated his 30th anniversary of trading in the town!
Greg started his business by borrowing £10,000 from the bank (which 30 years ago was probably the equivilent to £80,000 in today's money). It was a terifying thought, especially for a young, inexperienced 21 year old, but within 8 years of hard graft, Greg had fully paid back the loan and was beginning to expand, taking on the 3rd floor of the building and recruiting additional staff.
Greg took his inspiration for the decor of his salon from the Victorian / Gothic features within Rochdale Town Hall and took the decision to invest heavily on the salon interior in his early days to create a timeless and elegant envrionment which still reamins classical today. Infact the cost to recently give the salon a face lift was just £17! With a simple lick of paint and oiling of the wood work, the salon looks as good as it did 30 years ago.
Trading over the years, Greg expanded his business through word of mouth, delivering an expectional service to his customers and establishing a loyal list of regular and satisifed clients. Some of Greg's tips included don't be tempted to take more bookings and rush the client experience - be prepared to say no, don't cheapen your brand by offering discounts - instead look to offer add ons so that your customer feels they are getting more for their money and give something back to your clients - they have been loyal to you for years, be loyal to them in return.
Investing in his own hair care range in the 1990's, Greg has a unique product line of shampoo's, conditioners and treatment oils. Greg's products avoid today's unnatural ingredients such as silicone, (which often leave hair lank and greasy) and are specifically designed to give hair more volume and feel fuller, are 100% made in Britain and sold exclusively in Gregory Couzens Hair Salon only. (A few ladies in the audience also swore by his shampoo leaving myself wanting to rush to his salon and stock up on a few bottles myself!).
In the past few years Greg stood as a Liberal Democrat Coucnillor and was elected as the Council's Porfolio Holder for Finance. Greg oversaw multi-million pound budgets within Rochdale Council and thoroughly enjoyed his time working as a Councillor but took the decision to step down 2 years ago and put his focus and energies back into his buisness.
Asked what his thoughts are for the future of the town and what impact Metrolink would have, Greg remained positive and optimistic and has already took the opportunity to promote his salon doing leaflet drops in neighbouring towns such as Shore where the Metrolink line runs via Rochdale. Instead of worrying about Metrolink taking customers out of the town, Greg is looking at how he can capitalise on Metrolink to bring customers into his salon! Ask somebody in Oldham what they think of Metrolink - they will say the same thing - that it is going to take people out of the town - so let's try and get them here to Rochdale please!
Following on from Greg, with a tough act to follow, Alison Copple Team Leader for Libaries at Rochdale Council took to the floor and gave a very interesting talk on the business services on offer from the borough's libraries. Inlcuding online access to newspapers from across the world, access to trade directories such as Compass and Kelly's, Business Information Factsheets from COBRA along with how to register to become a library member online and reserve books and collect from your chosen library. http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/library_services.aspx
Before the presentations eneded and the networking commenced, there was finally time for the customary business card draws with hair care products donated by Greg Couzens up for grabs and a meal for 2 at The Norton Grange Hotel.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable event and great to meet so many local businesses from across the Borough.
The next event is being held at O2 in Middleton Shopping Centre on Thursday 23 May from 6.30pm - 8.00pm. The event is celebrating the opening of the new O2 store in Middleton and is open to any business within the borough to network and find out more about the services O2 can offer your business.
For more information on any of the above, please contact Christine Mahney at Blue Orchid on Tel: 07595 284 386 or email: c.mahney@theblueorchid.co.uk
Christine Mahney of Blue Orchid and event organiser with Greg Couzens.
A young Greg Couzens aged just 22 owner of Gregory Couzens Hair Salon on The Walk, Rochdale.
The Victorian / Gothic interior of Gregory Couzens Hair Salon.
The exterior of Gregory Couzens Hair Salon - displaying his exclusive own branded stock.
First, I would like to congratulate Blue Orchid for their first event. By the looks of things, it seemed like a great success! Thanks for sharing what happened in your blog. I especially liked Greg’s story. It’s a great motivation for entrepreneurs who are just starting out. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteElla Williams @ BNI London