Brisbane's award-winning hair salon Urban Chic, celebrates 20 years of being an icon in the hair industry, led by Owner and Director, Amy Gaudie.
The salon team celebrated the milestone in late April, with Amy transforming the salon into a disco-inspired celebration, with clients, family, friends, and past and present team members invited to join in the fun of cocktails, a DJ, glow in the dark furniture, 360 video booth and a smash cake to remember.
Celebrating 20 years in business means a treasure trove of unforgettable moments and achievements to reflect on – all thanks a whole lotta hard work, dedication, and just the right sprinkle of fearlessness! Amy’s UC journey has been nothing, short of a spirited, sometimes bold, adventure, filled with brave moves, big dreams, and endless passion. The result? The creation of an iconic brand in Ashgrove that evolves and adapts to the ever-changing world that we live in.
Reflecting on the business she began as a 23 yr old, Amy states, “The obvious greatest achievement is that we have made it to 20 years! I remember the day I opened the salon wondering whether we would be here in 20 years and thinking that would be iconic. I am not sure if this is iconic, but it is amazing and something I am so proud of.”
“Winning AHIAs QLD Hairdresser and Salon Business/Owner of the Year two of my greatest personal professional achievements, along with travelling to NYC and Paris Fashion Weeks to assist the most renowned hairstylists in the world backstage; these have been those ‘pinch me’ moments in my UC life.”
Does UC look 20 years old? Urban Chic’s vibe hits you before you even walk through the pink doors, with window decals and a huge “URBAN CHIC” sign. Three sausage dogs also greet you, and at night it lights up like Christmas with pink lights. You can’t miss it! Amy keeps it fresh with her creativity, late-night scrolling Tik Tok reels, Pinterest and interior design skills every few months, while always reinvigorating the brand to keep the vibe new and exciting.
“Constantly changing up the salon aesthetic, aligns with keeping up with clients’ needs and hair goals – something that this industry does really well and keeps us on our toes guessing the new trends for the seasons. If we utilise social media and education to our advantage, we can learn new techniques and improve our skills,” says Amy.
“The ever changing work/life balance can be a bit trickier with managing my teams’ ideas and fitting clients into a schedule that suits everyone. UC is always adapting and changing to suit what’s best at the time. What I have learned over the years is that flexibility and adaptability is key.”
As well as keeping her fire burning participating in professional hair styling competitions, runway shows, judging and education days to inspire new talent coming into the industry, Amy’s approach is ‘how can we make this happen’ instead of ‘we can’t do that’ which is a bright, trailblazing approach.
Creating a hair home for everybody is Amy’s consistent goal, along with creating a salon culture that is a UC family, and encourages master stylists to grow, improve, and feel confident in what they do.
Says Amy, “There are a number of talented stylists in the industry that demonstrate they are not confident in particular styles or colours and we need to encourage them to keep challenging themselves to up-skill. UC does this, with constant and ongoing training through Wella, external education courses, one-on-one meetings, monthly reviews, etc. to support and guide each stylist’s goals and aspirations for personal growth, professional success, and long-term career development.”
“As salon owners, we need to constantly adapt and evolve in our approach to business, growing alongside talented stylists to keep the dream and love for hair alive. Let’s not forget the real reason most of us started doing hair in the first place – the joy of creating, connecting with people, and making them feel their absolute best.”
For Amy, hairdressing was never just a job. Her drive and purpose has always been about delivering remarkable hair and bringing happiness to every client who sits in her chair.
After such an incredible amount of time in business, everyone is always keen to know the secret to success.
According to Amy it is simple – there is no secret other than bloody hard work, motivation, passion and dedication.
Through it all – surviving GFCS, COVID, renovations, pregnancies, and life’s many personal challenges – Amy has managed to make the elusive work/life balance work.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have a team behind the scenes who supports me, believes in my vision, and helps bring my ideas and goals for the business to life, says Amy. I feel so lucky and honoured to have won many awards, been invited to represent the hair industry, and built a name for myself along the way. It’s been a journey, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come”.
So where does UC go from here? Maybe another 20 years? For now, Amy could not see being anywhere other than behind her favourite blush chair, creating hair and will definitely not be retiring anytime soon.
Says Amy, “The beauty of this industry is that it is always evolving, and I am excited to keep growing with it. Here’s to another 20 years of ‘UC’! The future holds more longevity, more stability and contentment, and continuing our status as an institution in Ashgrove where UC is an experience and a moment in time for clients to take time for themselves, and where we can be a part of it.”
“We’ll definitely continue to strive to be adaptable, to be better and not rest on what we’ve achieved over the last 20 years, but wonder what we can achieve moving forward.
To remain grounded and humble and not take anything for granted but still embrace change and grow with it. So in one word, growth is what the future holds.”
Here’s to Amy continuing to be a totally fearless leader — leading with heart, hustle, and creating great hair, every step of the way!
