Meath Style Awards: It's all about the Customer Experience, here's the shortlisted finalists
‘They come in as clients and leave as friends’
Art of Hair by Carolyn Clinton
Tell us about your business
Art of Hair is a one-to-one business giving a VIP service to customers in the intimacy of a private salon for all their hairdressing needs. Proprietor Carolyn Clinton specialises in wedding and occasional hair on callout nationwide. Art of Hair spans a long career of over three decades and Carolyn prides herself on always going above and beyond the call of duty for her customers. The Navan salon, which was a specialist bridal shop opened up to regular hair services after Covid has become a big success with clients loving the undivided attention and chats for the time they are there. “My aim is always to make them feel pampered and relaxed with a quality service and value for money. They come in as clients and leave as friends,“ says Carolyn with quality and professionalism at the core of everything she does.
Describe the best thing about your service
It is an honour to say I work in one of the few trades that lets me do my craft on the human body and I feel truly blessed to be entrusted by my clients. For a bride, her wedding day is one of the most important days of her life and hair styles are something that are in a photo album forever. So I love when I get to advise and create their dream look. That is so satisfying for both me and the bride. It’s just the best feeling to get a massive smile or tears of joy and thanks for the time and effort I put in.
Sometimes, it’s just a simple colour and cut to cheer someone up or to cut a child’s hair who has grown it for a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer. All these things, make me feel very humble and thankful and this is why I love what I do. The best thing by far is a satisfied customer.
What's the best business advice you've ever been given?
The best advice I was given from industry peers and mentors, is to never stop learning because nobody knows it all and things change and update, so to give your best then learn from the best and upskilling is key to success. Also as a sole trader, to network with like-minded people who lift you up. Also to be kind to myself and take time out – it is allowed!
What does the future hold for your business?
I am definitely at the peak of my career. I couldn't be happier after giving a lifetime to my clients and I will stay doing what I'm doing as long as my customers need me. I love the education end of hairdressing and I'm a big believer in giving back, so will be working in more teaching and education roles hopefully.
‘I love the personal touch and connections I have made since starting my business’
Kandle Queen, Aisling Sullivan
Tell us about your business
Aisling Cullen started the online enterprise Kandle Queen when she was looking for a creative outlet after her children had grown up. Aisling realised that she always loved candles and discovered one of her happy places was making candles in her office, box room or corner of the old playroom.
“I also wanted my kids to know you’re never too old to follow your dreams,” says Aisling who has connected with many amazing people since starting Kandle Queen including a network of wonderful mums in business called The Mumboss network, which offers invaluable support and friendship daily.
Aisling’s daughter Eve is the social media manager of the business while the whole family which comprises husband PJ and children Holly, Eve, Katie, Noah and Charlie are her most loyal supporters. “I love my new life as a small business owner and I hope everyone who has a dream to start doing something follows theirs too. I was in my late 40s starting mine and it’s given me a new lease of life.”
Describe the best thing about your service
I believe that there is a scent in everyone and when you ask someone to describe their favourite scent, it always comes back to a memory or experience that they want to recreate. My favourite part of my business is creating custom scents for other small businesses to offer a unique candle to their customers. My motto is that “There is a Queen in everyone” and I truly believe this!
Most of my customers have turned into friends and I love the personal touch and connections I have made since starting my business. Everyone is a King or Queen and I try to bring the fun element to my orders and give them the royal treatment!
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
The first piece of advice I was ever given was ‘Just Start’ when I was talking to a friend about looking to do something for myself and talking about my love for candles. Now, two years on I can honestly say I am so happy I listened! Also I was told to “be yourself” which I follow through on and what you see is what you get! No filter with me!
What does the future hold for your business?
The future is very exciting for Kandle Queen. Recently I have started candle classes which I love! I enjoy meeting new people and sharing my love of candles with them. I also advertised my first candles and cocktails night in Navan at the end of May which brings together two of my favourite things - candles and cocktails! There’s loads of more ideas from Kandle Queen, so watch this space..
Bespoke, Irish-landscape inspired gifts
Sadhbh Smith, Memory Lane Frames
Tell us about your business
Memory Lane Frames began as a small business idea in 2018 by Dunshaughlin-based . Most of the inspiration for the designs is taken from the beauty and colourful landscapes in nature around the island of Ireland with the materials used also taken from the landscape. Sadhbh has a huge love of colour, textures, interiors and retail fashion trends in general with her creative side and love of art beginng from a young age. This combined with her 20+ years’ experience in business, human resources and retail sector in Ireland, have all brought her to where she is today.
Memory Lane Frame collections consists of handmade and bespoke gifts with all work is done in Sadhbh’s studio combining clasps, beads, metal studs, leathers, which are all hand-cut and can include handwritten and positive messages. There is a special offering to suit everyone from plain and simple to colourful and bold with the pieces created with a variety of colours, colour clashes, textures, mixes of unique and unusual designs. The key elements in the brand’s story are about evoking thoughts, conversations, and memorable moments to treasure for all occasions and milestones. The Memory Lane Frame brand, business and stockists are building and evolving every day.
Describe the best thing about your service
We offer a unique, personalised and bespoke service to each customer, priding ourselves on our speed of follow-up to each request. Customer care is at the heart of everything we do and in our eyes there is no better way to build and move forward. We understand the importance of excellent word of mouth, which is free and very important to get it absolutely spot on. Word travels and good customers return time and time again. This speaks for itself with our customers when you read our five-star reviews on Trust-pilot, social media platforms and Google.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
If you’re passionate about your work you will never work a day. I’ve often been told you can see it when you talk business on your face how much you love what you do and that makes me smile. Love what you do and do it each day to the best of your ability. Stick at it, keep going and hard work pays off.
What does the future hold for your business?
We will continue to do our best at Memory Lane Frames with the simple things - keeping repeat customers and getting strong reviews from excellent customer care. We will continue to build our stockists and brand to bigger and Irish brands outside of Meath also. No dream is too big as the saying goes and it’s the absolute satisfaction I feel every day doing something I love so much that gives me the positivity and nudge to remind myself how far I’ve come and how much more is possible to achieve.
Sky’s the limit for travel business making every trip special
Mandy Walsh, Travel Counsellors
Tell us about your business
Mandy Walsh has spent over 30 years working in the travel trade and still pinches herself that she gets to do what she loves every single day. “Travel is a passion in itself, and it truly is mine,” she says. “I eat, sleep, and breathe travel” as she tailor-makes special holidays, honeymoons and multi-city adventures for couples, singles, families, and groups. Mandy makes each and every trip personal to each client, which is of utmost importance to her and her ever-growing team of colleagues who work alongside her in the online travel business.
Describe the best thing about your service
With us its personal - our tag line never proved stronger than during lockdown when travel was put on hold. From March 2020 right through until July 2021 we spent hours every day working through the minefield that was cancellations and refunds, whilst receiving no pay. For me it was the fact that I had been building my business since 2007 so giving up was not an option. I made it my mission to keep the dream of travel alive and at one point I was recovering over €100,000 in refunds - not one cent was left unrecovered. The best part of this is the outstanding support from my clients during that process and now my business has never been stronger. From the enquiry stage right through to returning home, I am there for my fabulous clients - no exceptions!
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
So one thing I have learned over the years is to treat others with kindness, respect and empathy - basically treat everyone like you would like to be treated yourself. And always aim to be the best version of yourself, whilst striving for continuous improvement. There is always room to learn and to be even better.
What does the future hold for your business?
The sky’s the limit - no pun intended. I started my business as a solo businesswoman and now even after 16 years, my business is still growing and the future still excites me as much as it did in the early days, despite the setbacks of recent years. To give you an idea of growth - on 24th of April 2024 since the 1st of January my business has exceeded what I was doing in a 12-month period pre 2020. I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2024 holds. I was most recently awarded Overall Business Excellence and New Business Champion for Travel Counsellors Ireland and I am so proud of that, after all these years.
- The 2024 Meath Style Awards in association with Specsavers take place in the Headfort Arms Hotel this Friday (June 7th)