Penrith salon owner on 'rollercoaster' journey as business turns 14

Tanya Tinkler, the owner of Salon Rouge in Sandgate, Penrith, has reflected on her hairdressing history as her business hit the milestone last week. 

To begin, she detailed how her passion for hair developed into a dream of owning a salon.

"I always wanted to be a hairdresser from being a tiny girl," she said.

"As a teenager at school, rather than go for lunch on a Friday, I would stay in my form room and style girls’ hair to earn some spending money to go to the local teenage nightclub.

"At the age of 24 with the support of my then fiancé, family, and friends I decided it was time to open my own hair and beauty salon."

Tanya Tinkler (Image: Salon Rouge)

A number of core principles underline Tanya's work at Salon Rouge and she provided some insight into how this hair philosophy has contributed to the prolonged success of her business.

"I am a perfectionist and the finer details really matter to me," she said.

"I wanted to open a professional space where our client's hair health and their happiness were the priority.

"I wanted people to feel welcome, relaxed, and look forward to coming to visit the salon. I wanted them to feel part of the salon family."

Despite the celebrations attached to the salon's anniversary, Tanya also reflected on the hardships that have faced her business, focusing particularly on the challenges posed in recent times by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Salon Rouge (Image: Salon Rouge)

She said: "This year sees the salon's 14th birthday. As any business owner will tell you it is most definitely a rollercoaster.

"We have had floods, fires, and a global pandemic. But there is one thing that never changes; me and my love for what I do. My passion for hair continues to grow.

 "I have am dedicated to learning and keep offering the best service I possibly can."