Ellie was a delight growing up; she was good as gold and amazing at whatever she did at school. I didn’t necessarily think she’d follow me into hairdressing, even though deep down I suppose I thought it would be nice. It was never really discussed and definitely never forced.
Ellie was always very creative, and it was art she loved the most – it was only after she’d done an Art Foundation course at college that she decided to get into hairdressing. Once she’d started training, Ellie had to present her own collection at her beginner’s course at the TONI&GUY Academy. Me and Phil came up and watched it, and at that point, I just knew she had what it takes to make it. I’m very, very blessed with my relationship with Ellie. A lot of people do comment on that and say how special it is. I was a young mum, and it’s lovely that Ellie’s had her kids young too. I think having grandkids has bonded us even more. I’m all over them; Ellie couldn’t get rid of me if she tried!
Ellie likes to get things done pronto, and she’s very organised. She’s a perfectionist as well. I think if she wasn’t a hairdresser, she could be someone’s PA. But Ellie also has a lovely calmness about her, which makes her very approachable for the team. We’re on the same page with style and what we like creatively – I’d happily let Ellie go and buy a whole new wardrobe for me! Outside of the salon, we do often chat work, but I think with the grandkids now, we have a good balance where all our time isn’t focused on work.
There are so many positives about having a family business, but my one downside is that me and Ellie can’t always take a day off at the same time anymore. I miss that. On the massive plus side, I get to see Ellie all the time, even if it is at work. We do try to get a night out together as much as we can. Whether it’s just midweek for dinner with the girls or a night out in town for a few drinks. We also do a lot as a family of four – me, Ellie, Phil and George – so it’s not like the boys don’t get a look-in!
My early memories of mum were that she was always at work – to the point where she would be running late and a staff member would have to come up and collect me from school! – but I never minded. I was always in and around the salon, so hair was just a part of life. I think there’s something about the hair world that sucks you in. You see it and it’s exciting; it’s fun and you want to get involved, even if you’ve never done it before.
Me and mum get on really well. I always know what she needs doing before she even asks me. We’re on the same page – we know how each other work and how the salon works too. Mum is fun and easy-going, but she’s hardworking. Work wise, she just cracks on and gets on with it. I’m a bit more organised and like to plan, but I think that’s what makes us work so well. Mum works harder than anyone. She is fully booked every day and does double the number of clients than any of us, but she still gets everything else done too. I mean, she’ll be cutting someone’s hair and she’ll go to get a hairbrush to start blow-drying, but start cleaning on the way back. She can’t put a cloth down! She’s an excellent multitasker. Her haircuts are always amazing and her blow-dries are the best in the salon.
We’re very close and we do everything together. There’s never a day where we don’t see each other. Our tastes are the same and I even look after mum’s clients sometimes if she’s on holiday. They’ll happily have me because they know we are so similar. We do chat about work outside of the salon, but I think that’s good. You get a different perspective when you’re away from it.
When we brought the two shops together in 2023 as one family business with the Smith England brand above the door, it was definitely a huge thing. A big plus of a family business is that we’re both passionate about this place, so we both want to work hard and make it successful and grow. A goal of ours at the minute is the shop fit for the salon. We’re working together on that – along with Dad and George – to make our space look even more like Smith England.
Who’s the bigger perfectionist?
Both: Ellie.
Who’s the chattiest?
Both: Louise.
Who takes longer to get ready for a night out?
Ellie: Definitely mum! I can be in and out in half an hour because I’ll have already planned and organised my outfit.
Are there any other mum/daughter partnerships you admire?
Ellie: Beverly and Jordanna Cobella, for sure. After everything Beverly has done over the years, being able to see Jordanna creating her own success now is incredible. We also love Teresa Weller and her daughter, Stef. We met them on a Revlon trip and they’re so fun, creative and super passionate about what they do.
If you two weren’t in the hair industry, what’s another job you could imagine doing together?
Louise: We’d be running a beach club in Ibiza. Ellie could do front of house, and I’d be out there partying with everyone.
If you had to describe your partnership in three words, what would they be?
Fun, close, (lots and lots of) LOVE.
