The Story of the Unicorn
& how/why I’m still here
The Unicorn focuses on quality not quantity to make every hair experience wonderful for both of us! All appointments now have an hourly price instead of a service price because every head is different and keeping it simple is better for me.
I am essentially restarting and this spring feels like a re-opening. The Unicorn I opened in 2019 was so different from where I’ve ended up after a closed business, pandemic, breakups, moves etc. I know that I’ve heard from so many of you that you’re also feeling the impact of the last few years. I’ve changed, the business has changed, the world has changed and so I’m starting from the ground up to create the salon of my dreams.
I want to be a part of a vibrant community with connected relationships; I want to spend time getting to know you and your lifestyle so we can create a routine that works for your hair - and so we can get to know each other as people. I have a research focused mind that’s spent years learning about hair, I want to use that knowledge to learn about your hair with you!
It’s hard to create something special without enough time, and I’m picky about my work. I want to give myself enough time during our appointments to enjoy the creative process without feeling rushed. I’ve learned that there is a limit to my emotional and mental capacity each day and when I try to connect with too many people I feel burnt out. I want be creative, excited, and focused on you during our appointments.
To make this happen, I’ve changed my service menu. I’ve created an hourly price for my time for colouring or cutting; my haircuts are now $75/hour and my colours start at $100/hour.
My goal is to build a community of guests who want to enhance or adjust their hair colour a couple times a year (with a few rainbow unicorns or real life cosplayers to keep it whimsical) and also people who want easy to wear haircuts that grow out well. I want your hair to last so well it’s months before I see you to do some maintenance. I want to help you set up your home care routine so you’re consistently getting the results you want.
This kind of routine won’t work for everyone or every haircut, and I’m really sorry if that means you. There are a number of folks I have been seeing regularly for quick clipper cuts who I’m happy to refer to other shops as I change over to longer appointments. If you’d like to stick with me for your clipper cuts, I’m still happy to see you as my schedule permits but I will be prioritizing my other services.
All colour services include an in-depth consultation, luxurious wash & scalp massage, Olaplex bonding treatment, and glossing treatment. If your desired result requires more product than what’s included, an additional product charge may be added. Any additional charges will be discussed during the appointment, I won’t add anything without talking it through with you!
The Unicorn Salon opened on George St in September of 2020. The salon opened due to my untempered optimism and big dreams and remains open thanks to the unexpected and overwhelming support of my guests, family, and community. 2020/2021 was a time of upheaval; I renovated the salon, opened, then I closed my first business, experienced the first lockdowns, separated from my spouse, experienced so much conflict and tension with friends and family, started doing monthly haircut giveaways, and got busier with each reopening. In 2021 the year started with another lockdown and another heartbreak. I did some growing, fell in love, my apprentice quit, I moved, I started changing how I ran appointments, I started taking lunch breaks. In 2022 I joined a new community group to combine efforts & services with a monthly event, got diagnosed with ADHD, started new meds, had a multi-step breakdown, took lots of time off, got asked to leave the community group, got COVID, broke up, moved home. For 2023 I’m taking a different approach. The last few years were hard and reactive, I made plans that I didn’t follow and I had ideas that I didn’t get to try.
From now on I’m going to slow down and do things that feel good for me. When things move too fast it feels like there's not enough time to get meticulous before I need to move on. I want to perfect my craft and focus on relationships without urgency. I prioritise craftsmanship because art and excellence take time; my joy and fulfilment comes from the process, not just the timely completion. I enjoy personalising and building care routines which factor your needs desired results.
I just re-signed my lease for another 12 months and I’m going to make the most of them! I haven’t had as much energy to pour into planning and running the business as I’d originally hoped, and my original plans don’t work for me anymore. I’m making new plans that suit me much better. I’m excited for the changes to come!
I’m still here because I want to be; because I love doing hair and getting to know people. I’m here because I can offer a special experience that elevates expectations for comfort and excellence in a salon.