Managing Director at Eden Hair Energy, Canberra Hair Extensions, and Hare & Fawn Queanbeyan

Starting her illustrious hairdressing career as a 16-year-old apprentice, Emmalene Mahar opened her first salon 10 years ago and now owns three successful hairdressing businesses in Dickson and Queanbeyan.

Tell us about your journey in business.

I originally opened Eden Hair Energy as Eden Hair and Beauty in Dickson in 2014. I was 24 with a dream and had no idea what I was in for. My motivation to open the salon was to create the space I had always wanted to work in, an environment I felt was a positive and rewarding workplace for other hairdressers and a salon with a focus on sustainability.

It has been an amazing journey that I have shared with some wonderful people. In 2017, I could see we were rapidly outgrowing our original location on Badham Street and secured a lease in a new building around the corner. Delays in the build meant it took until 2020 to get in, but amazingly through the pandemic we made it.

We then reopened our original salon as Canberra Hair Extensions and created a space where we could focus specifically on hair extensions which have always been a big part of what we do. Due to lockdown 2021, we made the tough decision to close that location and merge the two salons into our one newer and bigger salon at DKSN. However, the brand Canberra Hair Extensions is still very much alive and happening and we now run both vibrant businesses from the same location.

This year has seen us open Hare & Fawn in Queanbeyan, a new full-service luxury salon space that focuses on colour and extensions. We are absolutely loving the gorgeous fit-out designed by Capezio Copeland and built by McGlone Homes. We are so happy to be expanding into the wonderful community that is Queanbeyan and see where this journey leads.

Early next year we celebrate our 10-year anniversary and I am so excited to see what the future holds.

What tactics have you found most effective for networking and building professional relationships?

I have always found the Canberra community to be super supportive of those going out on a limb and entering the world of small business.

I am a member of the Canberra Business Chamber and have attended various events over the years that are either industry specific or for the business community more broadly. I have found huge value in getting out there and meeting people in other local businesses. Over time, I think if you put in the effort you find your tribe of professional mentors and friends who share in your wins and can support you through the inevitable challenging times. I have met many of them in the chair in the salon, through sport or professional networking events.

I find being genuinely interested in others’ journeys to be a great way to get to know other professionals and it is absolutely amazing the people you come across in the ACT – people have amazing stories and you can learn so much.

Can you share some of your favourite influences that have had a significant impact on your career?

I have always drawn inspiration from those trailblazers in our industry who have had amazing careers and created the type of salons I would like to aspire to. Sandy Chong, CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council is a huge inspiration, Mia De Vries of The Fox and the Hair and The Secret Fox in Wollongong.

I have the privilege of knowing some wonderful women in business here in the ACT as well as supportive family and friends who have all shaped my leadership style and influenced me over the years.

I find great value in staying up to date with business news and leadership styles from around the world whether that be in the form of books or podcasts. I would say I am passionate about professional and continual development and am rarely not consuming something that helps me grow and reflect.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in your industry?

Starting the business as a young woman who had no business partner or prior experience certainly had its challenges. Being taken seriously was an issue I faced at times and sadly there were many meetings I took either with my partner or father simply to have a male presence in the room.

It’s disappointing that this is still the case but in hindsight I now realise how unusual and potentially risky I may have presented to a bank or a real estate company as a 24-year-old with no prior experience.

I do feel that these days I have a lot more confidence but there are certainly still moments where I feel I doubt myself or am concerned about how I may come across and I think some of that has to do with the way I feel people in a professional context may perceive me as a woman in business.

I think I also grossly understate some of the things I have achieved for fear of appearing to be a ‘tall poppy’ but I do feel that 10 years in business is something to celebrate, which is why I wanted to participate in this feature.

What advice do you have for aspiring business women?

For those wanting to begin the journey of starting or owning their own business, I would say learn as much as you can, plan as much as possible and do some research. Be obsessed with your idea. Look at what you think your costs will realistically be and if need be, start small and grow. I was always embarrassed that our first salon was so small and literally decorated with pot plants from my mum’s house because we were on a shoestring budget but I now know that people love watching you grow and coming along for the ride. Everyone has to start somewhere. If you want it, write it down and put some steps in place and get working on your dreams.

How important is continuous learning in your field?

Hairdressing is ever evolving, and education and staying up to date with current trends and developments is something that I think is extremely important for both myself and my team.

We participate in at least six major training events across the year, often more, which is exciting for the team and me. It not only keeps us fresh but helps create a culture of growth and learning.

From a business perspective, the landscape there is ever changing too and that is something I spend a lot of time staying up to date with, as well in strategy, marketing, accounting and tax requirements.

What are some important skills or qualities women require to excel in their careers?

I would say to women in business, business requires a level of resilience I never even knew I possessed before I began. On the journey that is business I have experienced some of the highest highs and biggest challenges, but I think having the faith to back yourself and a supportive network around you make all the difference. Plan for big things and then take it one day at a time. Patience and the knowledge that Rome wasn’t built in a day but that you have to start somewhere. And kindness to yourself. Do your best, learn from your mistakes, and seek help where you can. It is a very rewarding journey and I am so grateful I began.

What are your thoughts on mentorship and its role in career development?

I think mentorship is hugely valuable in anyone’s journey and career growth. These days we have access to some amazing content online where you can have mentors you have never even met but can learn so much from. In saying that, I feel that finding a mentor you can speak or meet with is really worthwhile in holding yourself accountable and learning from their experience. If you don’t have access to someone who is prepared to do this for you, I have found huge value in working with coaches in relevant areas. There is a financial investment but in my experience, it pays off. I have worked with many wonderful mentors and coaches over the years and continue to whenever I find myself facing a new challenge or with a new goal.

Are there any challenges you are currently addressing in your industry?

The biggest challenge we face in hairdressing is the extreme skills shortage our industry has had for over 20 years in every state and territory. This has only become worse over time and sadly the pandemic saw a mass exodus from our profession for obvious reasons. As a result, we spend a lot of time training new team members and doing everything we can to promote a positive culture in our businesses and offer the best conditions we can to try and retain our wonderful team.

I had the opportunity to start an apprenticeship at the age of 16 I am so grateful I did – hairdressing has been a wonderful career that has been fulfilling and allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined at the beginning of my career.

I feel there is a lot of negative perception about young people entering our profession and I find that terribly sad – most hairdressers I know are on a good income and are able to do work that is meaningful and enjoyable. I hope that our industry is experiencing a time of change for the good and that we are an option parents consider encouraging their children to look at and that schools also help in promoting careers in trades.

Contact

To book an appointment at Eden Hair Energy or Canberra Hair Extensions in Dickson, call 6262 8948 or visit edenhairenergy.com.auTo book an appointment at Hare and Fawn in Queanbeyan, call 6210 8990 or visit hareandfawn.com.au