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Sunday Spotlight: Roisin Hickey & Alana McLeod

May 24, 2023

Each month at What’s The Craic DubEye, we interview business owners in Dubai about their careers, experiences, and what’s next. This week, we speak to Roisin Hickey, co-owner of Soul to Soul salon, a fresh new salon concept in a serene setting by hair and beauty professionals with soul.

Tell us about yourself pre-Soul to Soul and what led you to launching earlier this year.

I moved to Dubai in 2016 and managed salons in Dubai for the past number of years. I met Alana (co-founder) in 2017, and we became very good friends. We worked really well together, and as our clientele in Dubai grew, we decided we wanted to start our own business. Alana is Scottish, and I’m Irish, so we gelled very quickly, and we had a very clear vision as to what we wanted to do. We knew what we liked ourselves and the brand we wanted to create.

Many people come up with business ideas, but taking that plunge is another thing. What was that experience like for you?

I suppose we knew the market in Dubai quite well before we launched, and we’d also built up a great client base. This was also important for us when choosing a location for the salon because we wanted to be in an area that was convenient for our existing clients while also giving us the space to grow.

Tell us about actually launching and how it’s gone since then.

It’s been quite a stressful process, but we’ve learnt so much throughout the process, so I don’t think we’d change anything. We managed all of the process ourselves, along with our extremely supportive husbands(!), and didn’t use any agencies, etc. This took a huge amount of research and time, and we also met some great people along the way that were really helpful and supportive. For anyone going into business in Dubai, it’s quite a long process here, but there is so much opportunity in Dubai, and that brings its own benefits. We’ve met so many fellow entrepreneurs along the way who have been really helpful and inspiring.

What is the concept behind the salon?

We really wanted to create a place that was very luxurious while also relaxing. The Mediterranean vibe of the salon showcases this and makes our clients feel comfortable from the second they walk through the door. Many of the salons in Dubai are in hotels or spas and can be a bit less friendly as a result. We wanted to create that 5-star experience on a smaller, more intimate scale.

Tell us about the team you’ve put together in the salon.

As we began to recruit staff for the salon, we chose people we really trusted in the industry and who have been here for a few years. They are all so talented, and we’ve worked with them closely over the years, so we’ve put together the perfect team in our eyes. As hairdressers ourselves, we also know the demands that come with the job, so making sure we foster a culture of work-life balance is really important for us. We want them to enjoy their work and be happy in this environment. Training is also a huge part of this, and we ensure there are opportunities for our staff to develop their skills, be creative and promote themselves.

What services do you offer?

We offer all hair services and specialise in colour and extensions. We also have a beauty side in our space to offer beauty treatments like nails, brows and lashes. We want to make it as convenient as possible for our clients so that when they come to us, they are able to get all their beauty needs in one place. After our years working in the industry in Dubai, this was something our clients consistently mentioned, so we’re delighted to be able to offer everything they need in one convenient location.