Irby mum opens ‘dream’ hairdressing salon in Newton

In between being a full-time mum and working multiple different jobs, Clare Elizabeth, 30, is now running her own salon, Clare Elizabeth in Newton.

From beginning her journey as a hair and beauty student in Wirral Met during her teenage years to being offered funding to complete her level two hairdressing qualification at Voodoo Training Academy, Clare has been faced with many challenges throughout her career journey.

She told the Globe: “I managed to get my first job at a local salon in Irby which then turned into an apprenticeship.

“However, once I was qualified, they said they didn’t need me to work full time anymore, but I had just got a flat and desperately needed the money.”

Clare made a deal with the salon that she would offer a junior hairstylist price list to customers on the days she wasn’t scheduled to work in a bid to allow the salon to let her stay.

She said: “I told them that if I didn’t make the amount from the discounted price list then they didn’t have to pay me.

“They luckily agreed so I stuck my price list up in the window and when the first week came about I was jam-packed with clients.”

Clare said not a single week went by where she didn’t get her wages from the salon after that.

After her apprenticeship, Clare went on to work in a variety of salons across Wirral as well as balancing pub jobs in the evenings.

She said: “I had around four jobs on the go at the time, still all the while hairdressing.

“Eventually I got offered an assistant manager job at a pub I was working at and I took it because I needed the money.”

Despite working in hospitality, Clare said hairdressing still remained her true passion and when she turned 28, she decided to give it her all.

“So I did nothing but put my mind to opening my own salon,” she added.

Clare began the hunt for her dream salon and came across a location on Grange Cross Lane in Newton.

She said: “I knew straight away that it was what I wanted and I knew I could make it perfect.

“Luckily I had money saved up and with the help from business loans I managed to get it.”

Clare opened Clare Elizabeth to clients on February 1 and said the experience so far has been a “dream come true”.

Clare and her daughter

She said: “It’s been amazing. My first month has been so busy and not just with my existing clientele but with new clients as well.

“I created exactly what I had always dreamt of having. It’s gone even better than expected.”

She added: “I’ve had such a lovely response from everyone who has come into the salon as well.

“I said from the beginning I want my salon to be a happy place and I want everyone to feel the same way and I definitely think I’ve achieved that.

“It’s a dream come true.”