Uptown Hair Studio takes client consultations to the web

Rhonda Billet of Uptown Hair Studio is taking hairdressing advice to the world, virtually.

Undeterred by the challenges of recent lockdowns Uptown Hair Studio’s Rhonda Billett has found a way to take her skills online and reach a wider audience.

In what is probably an Australian-first initiative, Rhonda and her team are delivering hair consultation services on the internet. 

“We launched our sister business HairdressersOnline.com.au initially to sell our hair and beauty products during the pandemic, but it has evolved into a little more now with our nation-wide Virtual Hair Consultation Services,” said Rhonda

“Right now, we have clients as far afield as Sydney and Melbourne and we are covering topics like how to best use the products you already have in your cupboard, embracing your natural hair and the fundamentals of curling and straightening. It is early days, but it has been very well received. We seem to have tapped into a real need.”

Rhonda said that she believed the online aspect of the business allowed for greater availability to people, all done out of the Nambour Hair Studio. 

“We are educating people, answering their questions and developing a deeper connection with them despite the distance and as far as I am aware, it is an Australian first,” Rhonda said.

“In terms of where this goes, I guess we have to see how it unfolds. Certainly at the moment, it is ticking the first box. There is most definitely a need and as always, it is our very great pleasure to help the best way we can both in our Nambour studio and online.

“I feel grateful that I found my passion and purpose early in my life,” Rhonda said. “When my dad talked to me about running a business he always told me to question whether there was a need, and whether it was viable. There will always be a need for what we do at Uptown Hair Studio and I think as long as you are providing a personalised service, experience and adapting to our changing world, viability will always follow.”

Rhonda was raised in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, went to school in Maleny, and started her business in Nambour.

“The hair salon I bought was about to be closed down,” she said. “I saw the opportunity in Nambour to thrive and I have never looked back.  

“There has been so much growth and movement in the area, for such a long time. It’s been a great journey.”

Rhonda started hairdressing in Nambour in 1995 and opened Uptown Hair Studio in 1999.

“We have an extremely loyal base of regular clients who are our Uptown Family and new people to Nambour and surrounds are finding us all the time,” she said. 

“People’s lives are so busy and I consider a trip to the hairdresser as a moment of ‘forced relaxation’. 

“We find it so gratifying that people who are having a bad day can leave here, with great hair vibes, feeling revitalised and walking just a little bit taller. 

“The personal connection is such a powerful thing and it was only emphasised during the lockdowns of the past couple of years.”

Uptown Hair Studio is at 1/147 Currie Street Nambour. Phone 5441 2420.