PROFILE
Susan Hall is owner at Reds Hair and Beauty , one of Sunderland ’ s oldest and most prestigious hair salons . Reds first opened its doors in 1986 , on Susan ’ s 21st birthday . Since then the salon has grown into a much loved and respected business , with Susan winning numerous awards on the way .
When I was at school I wanted to be … I was a bit of a dreamer at school and always wanted be a dancer . I got a job as a Saturday girl in a salon in Sunderland and loved it so much , they offered me a job and I ’ ve never looked back .
The best career decision … was to open my own business way back in 1986 . Our first salon was in Grangetown and we moved into our East Herrington site in 1988 because the business had taken off and we needed more space .
What effect has Covid had on your business ? Apart from all the frustrations of running a business during this challenging time , it gave me an opportunity to recognise that we had an amazing amount of space at our East Herrington site and I decided to use it as best we could . This new approach has seen us hosting yoga in the garden and welcoming Santa Claus at Christmas in a purpose-built grotto in our landscaped garden .
How have tastes / styles changed over the 30 plus years you ’ ve been in business ? Massively , hugely - when I first started in the 80s everyone had perms and big back-combed hair . It wasn ’ t just the girls , the guys were even having perms too ( think Kevin Keegan and Bryan Robson ). Now it ’ s all colours with mostly long hair .
When I ’ m not working … I love being out on my bike . I ’ ve been into cycling now for about 17 years and am at a level where I lead cycling groups on rides across
Europe and beyond . For several years I ’ ve been one of the leaders of the annual Foundation of Light Cycle Challenge . Most recently , I love looking after my two young grandchildren – a role I absolutely love .
Why I love Sunderland … I ’ m from East Herrington , I went to school round the corner and my family all live in Sunderland . It ’ s also about how friendly Wearsiders are – I wouldn ’ t want to live anywhere else .
The biggest down side of my working life ? VAT – I hate it ! It ’ s very complicated in hairdressing and very few people seem to understand it in my world . I get very frustrated every quarter when it ’ s due . Also , I have to work with very pretty young trendy girls who make me feel old !
My guilty pleasures … chocolate and cakes – but mainly chocolate . wear . business – the voice of business for the Wear region | 25