From perms to balayage: Uptown’s 23 years growing business, building community

23 years young: The Uptown team, from left, Jessie Kirwan, Rhonda Billett, Salon manager Peta Linssen (who has been by Rhonda’s side for 18 years) and Ebony Kozlovic. 

BUSINESS WRITEUP: Uptown Hair Studio

Rhonda’s first day on the job in 1999.

Rhonda Billett admits to having some business naivety when she started Uptown Hair Studio in Nambour 23 years ago.

“When I started, I was fresh out of training and had no idea how to run a business and now it has been an incredible 23 years, it’s hard to believe,” Rhonda said.

But the opportunity she jumped at as a 21-year-old Stefan graduate has served her well. And the challenges overcome have seen the business go from strength to strength.  From perms to balayage, Rhonda’s seen it all since those early days in 1999. But it’s community support that keeps the business going strong. 

“We’re beyond grateful for all the support we have received over the years,” she said. “The pandemic made things challenging for a lot of businesses, including ours. But with all that has gone on over the last couple years we feel like we survived. We’re so pleased to have made it through and we’re going to be continuing bigger and better with what we’ve always done and with our online business.”

Uptown launched HairdressersOnline.com.au last year to sell hair and beauty products, and it evolved into a virtual hair consultation service.

In the salon, Rhonda said her team valued the special personal connection hairdressers enjoyed with clients. 

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

“It is such a powerful thing and it was only emphasised during the lockdowns. Most of our returning customers have become family over the years.” 

Day to day, Uptown staff place great emphasis on hairdressing that suits their clients’ lifestyles.

“We use the best colours and solutions available,” said Rhonda. “We attend training frequently to keep up to date with the latest skills and methods. 

“And beyond that we’re always aware that without our customers and this community we wouldn’t have made it so far. 

“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.” 

Rhonda started hairdressing in Nambour in 1995 and launched Uptown Hair Studio in 1999 taking over from Rosemarie Vivian who operated Rosemarie’s His & Hers salon.

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