Ten Years of Time Hair & Beauty
Time Hair & Beauty is a luxurious hair and beauty salon filled with a highly skilled team of beauticians and artists, and it’s been a treasured staple of Croydon Road for just over ten years. In celebration of this milestone, we caught up with the founder, Katherine, to learn all about how Time started, what’s changed over the course of ten years in Caterham Valley, and some very exciting new plans for the future. Check out our interview below for the big announcement!
Tell us a bit about Time Hair & Beauty
K: Time Hair & Beauty was founded by me in 2015. I had been in the hairdressing industry for nearly two decades at that point and wanted to carve out a career for myself.
I felt like there was a huge lack of customer care in the industry, so I wanted to create a really welcoming environment where people can come and feel like they are in a home from home. I think me and my amazing team have achieved that and so much more over the last 10 years. We cover all aspects of hairdressing to an incredibly high standard in a fully inclusive environment.
What made you decide to set up in Caterham Valley?
Firstly, it was the shop itself. It’s an incredible building that’s like a Tardis! It’s so quirky, with its steps up and down into different parts of the building, and it was a great size to be able to grow with the business. The style of lots of the shops in Caterham is also so gorgeous, and my shop has gorgeous original windows that I just couldn’t resist!
The onsite parking was also a fantastic opportunity. I’ve always thought Caterham Valley was such a hive of activity, and I knew that there were going to be lots of changes happening that would only benefit businesses. That made perfect sense to start up here. I’m so glad I did!
Tell us about how things have changed from your first year to your tenth
Me as a person for sure – I think you learn to toughen up, and fast! I think I’ve realised just how much strength it takes to be a business owner. Even when the chips are down, you have to get up each day and battle on. No sick days here, that’s for sure!
As far as the business is concerned, the biggest change is people recognising the brand! In the early days, there were days at a time when you’d barely see a single client in the salon, and I’d stand out the front on those quiet days just waving at people walking by and have a chat. I’d be relentlessly posting on social media and sending out hundreds of thousands of leaflets, just so we were seen. It was tough, but it’s all been so worth it. Now people recognise the brand and know where we are. I’m really proud of that.
You recently celebrated ten years of Time! How was the birthday party?
The birthday party was brilliant! We celebrated in style! All our fabulous clients got gorgeous goodie bags full of amazing treats. We had such a ball. Thank you so much to everyone who came and wished us well. Without our amazing clients, we’d be nowhere today. Ten years is honestly such a massive milestone, and thanks to their unwavering loyalty and support. We are incredibly lucky to have them.
Do you have any advice for other business owners in the area?
The birthday party was brilliant! We celebrated in style! All our fabulous clients got gorgeous goodie bags full of amazing treats. We had such a ball. Thank you so much to everyone who came and wished us well. Without our amazing clients, we’d be nowhere today. Ten years is honestly such a massive milestone, and thanks to their unwavering loyalty and support. We are incredibly lucky to have them.
Describe your typical lunch break
Ha, what lunch break?! Haven’t you heard that hairdressers rarely take lunch breaks?! But when we do get a chance, we’re often found in Pop Inn Cafe or Caffe Bambino. For something super quick, we’ll run down to Waitrose to grab a meal deal, or if we’re feeling indulgent, then a little Pizza Express is a real treat! We have also been known to get something delivered when our backs are really up against the wall time-wise (no pun intended).
What’s your favourite thing about Caterham Valley?
I love how friendly all the businesses are with each other. I’ve worked in salons on lots of high streets over the years, and honestly nothing compares to Caterham. We’re like a little family, all looking out for each other. I feel like I could go into any shop or office in Caterham and ask anything, and they’d all do what they could to help. It’s the best.
Do you have any plans for the future?
Well yes, actually – you heard it here first!
Over the coming months, we’ll be having a little rebrand. Ten years felt like the perfect time to do it. Things in business are ever evolving, and in the early part of the year I decided the beauty side of the business had run its course. It was a treasured part of Time Hair & Beauty for nearly ten years, but times have changed, particularly over the last few years since Covid, and it was important to move with the times.
We have a plethora of new businesses that we now work alongside in the salon, so I decided that the name of the business needed to reflect this.
From December, we will be recognised as Time Hair and Associates. This is something I’m incredibly excited about! Watch this space…
Time Hair & Beauty are currently running a number of Christmas promotions:
Festive Blow Dry club! Unlimited blow dries throughout December for £150 (Worth up to £855).
Extra 20% added to any gift voucher purchases over £50, between Black Friday and 6th December.
15% off all products from 28th November until 13th December.
You can find Time Hair & Beauty – soon to be Time Hair and Associates – at 78-80 Croydon Road, or visit their website here: https://www.timehairandbeauty.com/
