The owner of a popular hair salon in Carlisle city centre has shared her delight after marking her first year since opening.
Catharine Bone opened Unique Hair at 3 St Albans Row in September 6 2023 and has enjoyed a successful first year of being open.
The Cumbrian actually qualified as an electrical engineer when she was 20 but struggled with working a job she didn't enjoy, so made the switch to the hairdressing industry.
Unique Hair was set up in 2018 and she was eventually able to move into her own shop in September last year, as a safe space for the people of Carlisle to enjoy one-on-one hair appointments.
Speaking to the News & Star, Catharine said:
"I'd always wanted my own shop, but I never thought it would happen. I wanted to create a space where everyone felt welcome and everyone had the freedom within a safe space to be who they are. I wanted people to feel comfortable in a place where they can become even more beautiful than they usually are but also tell me anything they need."
"Hairdressing is everything to me. I was an engineer before but I fell in love with everything to do with hairdressing. I love the fact that even a simple cut or a big transformation, can change someone's mood and make someone feel beautiful. It's so empowering for the client, but also empowering for me to make them look and feel amazing. It's such a proud feeling.
"Everything I do in the salon brings me joy. It's a happy place, and that's what hairdressing is for me - it's blissful."
The stylist thanked the Carlisle community for their support in her first year of business, and is looking forward to her future in the border city.
"It's down to the support I've had from my family, friends and clients. Without every single one of them, I wouldn't be able to keep the doors open. I wouldn't be a salon. It's the clients that have built me up to this point. Without them, there is no Unique Hair."
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