Marie Nahas salon has hit Malvern, Melbourne as an all-new luxury destination. With a grand opening this week – you couldn’t miss the sky-high balloons out the front – Marie Ricupito is unleashing over three decades of hair styling, education and salon owning experience onto what she describes as her “new chapter”.
In her successful and storied career, where she has worked and conducted education in both business and creative hair, Marie has learnt some important tips to bring to the new venture. Chief among them is her need from a specialised salon coordinator – someone who can fill in for a service if necessary, but whose main role is in making sure the drinks are filled, the snacks (cakes, fruit, cheese, etc.) stocked and the clients are happy. This person answers the phone in lieu of an inexperienced apprentice, manages retail sales and is the clients’ first and last point of contact to ensure a true luxury experience. In fact, it follows suit from Marie’s entire philosophy to go the extra mile in the pursuit of true luxe salon service.
“Everything we do on our business is guided by the client, their wants and needs and how we can better our service experience to their benefit,” Marie said. “Our service experience really starts with the consultation; deeply listening to the clients concerns and challenges so that we can provide them with the most optimal service solution that will meet their needs. We are incredibly mindful to allocate enough time to our client appointments so that they are not rushed or hurried when in the salon.”
“We want them to feel pampered, relaxed and be able to step away from their daily routine and take time out just for themselves. So it is really important that the ambience of the salon is one of calm and relaxation,” she continued. “We are aligned with professional and luxury product brands Matrix, Kérastase, EVY Professional and ELEVEN Australia, offering a comprehensive range of retail solutions that complements our salon services are support our salon guests with optimal home care regimes. Additionally, we offer both in-salon food and beverage for our salon guests through our custom-built client coffee zone, as well as hand-delivered café catering from Neon Tiger café which is next door to the salon.”
In terms of design, the savvy space allows plenty of natural light, with pieces from Comfortel and Marie’s own interior design selections. The light installation in the middle of the salon stands out as a hero piece and social media favourite, anchoring a space that’s ultimately minimalist, chic and elegant.
“The high New-York-Loft style ceilings were a standout feature for me when I first saw the salon space. I loved the openness and airy ambience they create,” Marie said. “I have kept the salon design very minimalist with an emphasis on clean open spaces that allow for our salon guests to feel calm and at ease. Our centre retail island is definitely a feature of the salon and an excellent starting point for conversation when education our salon guests on professional home care.”
Marie’s client care is second to none, and its no wonder so many of her clients are following her to her new space. She prides herself in making the space somewhere you simply want to hang out, with a sunny colour table and complimentary Wi-Fi that allows you to park yourself there all day.
“Our customer service experience is most definitely our point of difference. I believe that a client should be treated with the same superior service, care and attention to detail each and every time they visit the salon or call for an appointment,” Marie said. “Whether a client has been with me for one visit or ten years, I always ensure they are treated with the same, consistent superior level of care. It is this dedication to my clients’ salon experience that has allowed be to have clients remain with me for over 20 years.”
Marie and her excellent team are a well-oiled machine of old and new relationships, making the space in Malvern a must-attend. It’s the next step in an already well-worn career for Marie, who hopes to take the space as an opportunity to expand her own personal brand and education. As a Matrix ambassador, EVY Professional ambassador, educator, hairdresser, salon owner and mother, Marie has done it all over many decades in the industry. This salon looks to be the next tick on the bucket list of her success.
For more information visit www.marienahassalon.com.au
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