Suzie Gillespie owns The Players Lounge, the men’s grooming salon in Rose Street.
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM
My name is Suzie Gillespie, owner of The Players Lounge, Edinburgh’s only one-stop-shop for male grooming. I’m originally from Lancashire, but moved to Edinburgh fifteen years ago, as my husband is from the area.
WHAT IS THE BUSINESS BOOK YOU RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma is a favourite of mine. I found it very helpful for setting goals and targets, prioritising what’s really important and for creating a good work/life balance.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOUR BUSINESS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
I enjoy creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the salon, along with my team and ensuring we deliver the highest levels of customer service.
As for weaknesses, I’m not quite as good at delegating as I would like to be, but am improving. I have a great team and they are an asset to the business.
WHAT WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT ON YOUR CAREER PATH THAT HAS GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE NOW
I was previously a wedding planner and although I enjoyed it, I knew it wasn’t quite what I wanted to do with my working life. The defining moment arrived when I was in New York on holiday. I saw grooming salons for men and realised I had never seen anything like this at home. When I came home, I re-trained as a hairdresser, then set up The Players Lounge and have never looked back.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR SPARE TIME
My husband and I have a vintage camper van and whenever we can, he and I and the children set off for the beaches of East Lothian, the North of Scotland or Northumberland, with our body boards.
DO YOU THINK YOU ACHIEVE A GOOD WORK/LIFE BALANCE
I have to work at it, as I think most small business owners do, but I would say I do achieve it most of the time.
WHAT MAKES EDINBURGH THE BEST LOCATION FOR YOU TO LIVE AND/OR WORK IN
It’s the perfect size for a city and has a great mix of people and nationalities. I also love the Festival, the New Year celebrations and the restaurants, bars and shops.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL AREA OF EDINBURGH OR SPECIAL PLACE IN EDINBURGH AND WHY
I really like Rose St, where the Players Lounge is based. The street has a great community feel to it and all the businesses are very supportive of each other.
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE PINNACLE OF YOUR CAREER
I hope that I haven’t reached it yet, but I am very excited that the Players Lounge has been selected as one of the 20 finalists out of around 500 entrants in the forthcoming American Crew awards. American Crew, as a leading manufacturer of male grooming products, runs the award to find to best men’s hair stylists in the UK. We’re very much looking forward to the final, which takes place in February.
IF YOU HAVE A MENTOR, TELL US WHO THAT IS AND ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP
My mentor is my brother, who also runs his own business, in London. He gives me good, honest advice and an objective view of things, which I value highly.
WHICH NETWORKING GROUPS IN EDINBURGH HAVE YOU FOUND PARTICULARLY USEFUL
Business networking is a great way to meet other businesses and I have been along to a few events, but not as many as I would like. I have been so busy growing The Players Lounge, that time has been stretched, but I am hoping to attend more in 2012.
WHO ARE YOUR BUSINESS HEROES
I have three business heroes, who are heroes for their innovation and success in building highly successful businesses – hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, Tamara Mellon, co-founder of Jimmy Choo shoes and Natalie Massanet, who created online fashion store, Net-A-Porter.
WHAT ARE YOUR BUSINESS GOALS FOR THE NEXT YEAR
My main business goal is for The Players Lounge to continue to grow. More and more men, of all ages are coming to us for ‘cutting edge’, stylish haircuts, as well as for hairstyling and colouring; hot towel shaves, facials and manicures. Men deserve to be pampered too! They also tell us that being as well groomed as possible can provide an added ‘edge’ and confidence that can be very helpful for them in today’s competitive jobs market and business environment.
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY FOR US
First thing, I have a team meeting, to review the day and week ahead. Then, the rest of the day is spent in appointments – mainly cutting and colouring clients’ hair and hot towel shaves. The salon is busy and the day always flies by.
BEST JOB ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED
Find what you love doing and throw all your energies at it – it has worked for me.
The Players Lounge 161A Rose Street Edinburgh EH2 4LS (0131) 225 3188
