In the heart of Leeds city centre, Saks Hair and Beauty stands as a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and business evolution. The owner, Natalie, shared her remarkable journey from managing health food shops to transforming a family venture into an award-winning salon.
Armed with a business degree, Natalie initially joined her parents’ health food business in York. The family’s foray into Leeds began with Millie’s, a shop on Vicar Lane with a farmer’s market ambiance, featuring a cafe, kitchen, and a modest beauty salon upstairs.
Millie’s Beauty experienced rapid growth, expanding to eight treatment rooms on the first floor. Despite the desire to introduce hair services, the family’s busy schedule delayed the plans. The turning point came with the onset of the Covid pandemic, providing Natalie and her family the opportunity to reevaluate their business direction.
Taking charge of the Millie’s site independently, Natalie decided to restructure, focusing on hair services and eliminating the health food shop. Saks Hair and Beauty was born, offering an extensive range of hair services, including cuts, coloring, and styling, alongside a comprehensive beauty menu featuring face, body, and glam treatments.
Natalie emphasizes the importance of customer experience, viewing salon visits as more than just a beauty session. She aims to create a space where customers can genuinely enjoy their time, offering a break from the busyness of daily life.
The salon’s dedication to excellence was recognized when it was awarded Saks’ Beauty Salon of the Year 2023. Additionally, two of Natalie’s stylists were grand finalists at the prestigious L’Oréal Colour Trophy.
Reflecting on the accolades, Natalie expressed her pride and joy in the team’s achievements. She values the opportunity to welcome new customers and nurture the development of her team, particularly supporting apprentices entering the industry.
Navigating the dynamic hair and beauty landscape, Natalie appreciates the constant evolution and diversity within the business. For her, the industry’s ever-changing nature, with new services, treatments, and brands, adds excitement to the journey of running a salon.
Saks Hair and Beauty Leeds stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and a commitment to providing exceptional service in the realm of hair and beauty.
