14 COMMUNITY NEWS
thursday 20 may 2021
burdekinlocal.com.au
Where are they now?
Holly Hunter-Calligaro Marina Trajkovich At just 23 years old, Holly Hunter-Calligaro is turning perfectly blow-dried heads in the world of hairdressing and is soon opening her very own salon with co-owner and fellow Burdekin girl Faith Williams. The young hairdresser and colour specialist decided to move from Ayr to Brisbane after a solo trip to Europe inspired a change in scenery, getting a job at Faith’s popular salon Blondee. It’s from there the duo decided to expand the business, opening a second salon in the popular suburb of Morningside a year later.
Holly with co-owner of their new salon Blondee, Faith Williams
Burdekin Local News chats with Holly about the move to Brisbane and smashing business goals as she prepares to open her new salon in June. Can you tell me a bit about growing up in Ayr? How did you decide to pursue hairdressing? I come from a pretty big, tight-knit family. When I was doing grade eleven work experience, I worked in my aunties beauty salon, and I just loved it. When I finished school, I had a lady open up a hair salon, and she said to me, ‘would you like to work with me and eventually start an apprenticeship?’ And I just thought, ‘why not.’ When I started, I just loved doing hair, so I never looked back. What inspired your move to Brisbane? I suppose before I travelled in 2019, I thought I would be settling down in Ayr, which obviously a lot of people do, but I think when I travelled Europe for six weeks by myself in 2019, I kind of realised that there was more out there for me. I really wanted to grow and build my career.
How does it feel to be in the midst of running your own business at 23? I have always wanted to have my own salon, but I never thought it would be this soon! Just having a really nice relationship with Faith; she did come up to me around Christmas last year and said ‘Hey, how would you feel about running your own salon in maybe three months?’ I just said, ‘Ah, ok, sure, let’s do this!’ It’s nice that she could see that I was worthy of it. I am excited; When we finally announced the new salon, we got so much support. I’m excited to get the store open and get to show all our clients the new space. I’m excited to have my own staff as well because I’ve never had that. I’m looking forward to training them up, so they feel how I felt when I first started. What are you up to when you’re not working?
Even though I’m so grateful for everything I’ve been able to do in that town, I just needed to venture out, so basically, when I came back from Europe, I applied to work at Blondee and got accepted straight away. I just packed my bag and left.
Honestly, I think I’m always working! Other than that, I met a new partner eight months ago, and I’m super, super happy. I’m spending time with family and friends and just enjoying having a social life and connecting with everyone.
What was that move like and how did you settle into your new job?
How do you think growing up in the Burdekin has shaped you personally and professionally?
I was actually really nervous when I first started to be honest! I thought, well, I’m from a small town; people won’t even know where that is. But my boss is actually from the Burdekin as well. It was just really nice that she could see the potential in me but also the staff that started with me. It’s a matter of training and getting your confidence up. I knew that if I moved to Brisbane, I only wanted to work in this salon. I’m so lucky to work in a salon where we do specialise in blondes, and it’s just furthered my skills and my career, and now I’m starting up my own! I used to holiday in Brisbane all the time so living here hasn’t felt too different.
I definitely think it has shaped me. My family has always owned a lot of businesses, and I think working at such a young age has taught me that if you work hard, you’ll always be rewarded. When I came to work with Faith, I just worked so hard, I’m always wanting to help out, and I definitely think that coming from a country town makes you appreciate that. It’s nice to be recognised, and I definitely thank all my family and previous employers for shaping me. Holly Hunter-Calligaro
