Marking a decade of business growth, staff development and a continued commitment to the employed salon model.
Published:Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Kelly Pryke alongside close friend Stephanie Dare, Pare Hair Co’s story began more than 20 years ago when the three founders first met as hairdressing apprentices.
After developing their careers within a successful local salon group, the trio decided to establish their own business. What began as a team of three has since grown into a 13-strong salon, with the business expanding into neighbouring commercial premises in 2020.
Alongside growing the salon, the founders have raised five children between their families, helping to shape the strong family feel that remains central to Pare Hair Co’s culture.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Pare Hair Co introduced a flexible shift pattern designed to give its team greater work-life balance while maintaining their previous earning potential.
Rather than adopting a traditional four-day working week, stylists work three 12-hour days, from 8am to 8pm, with every other Saturday off. The arrangement gives team members regular four-day weekends while allowing the salon to maintain its trading hours.
The model has proved successful, with the salon consistently booking clients throughout its extended opening hours.
“I still can’t get over how fully booked we are with this shift pattern, and just how busy the salon is for 12 hours a day,” says Daniel Pryke. “Seeing the salon fully booked from 8am to 8pm, even on a standard Tuesday in June, is incredible.”
With demand remaining high, clients are offered the opportunity to re-book before paying, helping to maintain client loyalty and secure future appointments.
At a time when the industry is increasingly moving towards self-employment and chair rental, Pryke remains committed to the employed salon model and believes apprentices are fundamental to building a successful salon team.
“We see apprentices as an investment rather than a cost,” – Daniel.
Pare Hair Co currently employs three apprentices, including one who has recently qualified and another due to start in September. The salon has also developed a four-year partnership with training provider Mike Taylor Education, supporting apprentices in developing commercial-ready skills.
Senior stylists are incentivised to share their knowledge, receiving their standard commission for the four hours of training they provide each week. The approach has also created a clear career pathway within the salon, with current manager Jess having originally joined Pare Hair Co as an apprentice.
Staff wellbeing and flexibility remain key elements of the business. Pare Hair Co recently granted its highest-earning stylist a three-month sabbatical to travel around Australia, while regular team activities help strengthen relationships outside the salon.
The salon’s annual traditions include summer paddleboarding and yoga sessions, as well as winter weekend getaways to destinations including Silverlake in Dorset.
This people-first approach has helped the business navigate challenges including Covid closures and the practical realities of operating from a Grade II listed building.
When a major roof repair resulted in a significant bill and the landlord requested that the salon cover 50% of the cost, Pryke commissioned a surveyor to establish the precise proportion of the building occupied by the salon. The survey showed that Pare Hair Co occupied 37% of the building, ultimately saving the business thousands of pounds.
The salon has also adopted a proactive approach to managing rising operating costs. Rather than making occasional significant price increases, Pare Hair Co implements a transparent 5% increase every September. This year, the increase was brought forward to June to help offset rising high-street overheads, without resulting in client pushback.
Since partnering with Alfaparf Milano Professional in 2024, the salon has continued to invest in education. Team members have progressed through the brand’s Colour Masters training, while Daniel was recently selected for its Architects of Design (AOD) programme.
Community and charitable work have also formed an important part of Pare Hair Co’s decade-long journey. The salon has hosted charity events supporting causes close to the founders, including Cancer Research UK following the loss of Daniel’s mother, as well as healthcare charities connected to his daughter’s difficult start in life.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Pryke says the salon’s success ultimately comes back to its culture.
“Everything we do at Pare Hair Co comes back to our culture. We are nice people who run a salon with a genuine family feel and a great reputation built on word of mouth.”
Ten years after opening, Pare Hair Co has seen the number of salons in its town increase from what Pryke describes as the business being “practically the first salon in the town” to six salons today. Rather than viewing increased competition negatively, he says it has made the business sharper and stronger, while increasing its appreciation for its team and clients.
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