It’s a trip of a lifetime that Elle Bache owner Gillian Tandy never saw coming.
Mrs Tandy recently won a national gong and a state title for the little Springwood salon which she has worked in since 2004 and owned since 2014.
She’s been rewarded with travel vouchers making that trip to Paris with her husband a real possibility.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “I’m very proud. We’ve never won state salon, and then to win national salon, our little Springwood store!.
“I’m not sure where we’re [husband Mark and I] going yet, it's money towards a trip of our choice so not sure where, but maybe we'll go to Paris – so many options.”
The salon won State Salon of the Year, NSW, as well as the Gold Ella-National Salon of the Year, beating 150 other salons nation-wide. The bronze perpetual trophy is now on display in the Macquarie Rd beauty salon.
Judges said very positive client feedback, good works in the community and strong sales had ensured the Springwood salon took home the awards.
Mrs Tandy said her staff were amazing.
“I would really like to acknowledge our fantastic team Nicky, Joanne, Shannon, Rachel, Chloe and Amelia for their care and professionalism and also our clients and community for supporting us.”
Mrs Tandy said she ensured her team always knew about new products and information in the industry.
She had supported the community with donations of gift vouchers/products to local schools and sporting groups and was a sponsor of the Springwood United Under 16s girls soccer team.
Initiated in 1990, the annual Ella Awards is the focal point of Ella Baché’s annual calendar and recognises and rewards excellence in all aspects of beauty therapy and small business across the company. The event was held at The Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, with a record attendance of more than 300 individual salon owners and David Jones counter managers.
“The Gold Ella Award is awarded to a salon that represents the brand, is proud Ella Baché ambassadors, have outstanding achievement in salon growth over the last two years and apply constant innovation to their business, Ella Baché Springwood represented all aspects of the award,” CEO Pippa Hallas said.