2024 AHIA VIC Salon Business of the Year TELLEISH HAIR STUDIO

By Louise May

There are salons—and then there are destinations. Telleish Hair Studio is proudly the latter. This South Melbourne standout, crowned 2024 AHIA VIC Salon of the Year, has built something beyond beautiful hair. It’s a space where passion, purpose, and people intersect—a sanctuary for self-expression, transformation, and excellence.

Founded sixteen years ago by Chantelle Cowcher in a modest 90m2 miners’ cottage in Port Melbourne, Telleish has evolved into a 240m2 architectural masterpiece. Awarded AHIA Salon Design of the Year in 2020, the new Telleish space is inspired by New York loft aesthetics, wrapped in 7-metre-high floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the studio with natural light. It houses 19 stations, a 10-seater colour table, a dedicated Business Hub, and lounge-style seating designed for comfort, calm, and connection.

But behind the stylish interiors and awardwinning design lies a deeper story—a story of leadership, community, and unwavering commitment to raising the bar. “We’re in the people industry,” Chantelle says. “Hair is what we do, but who we are is all about growth, care, and purpose.”

That philosophy is evident in every layer of the business. With a team of 24, Telleish welcomed five new apprentices during the award period and supported four experienced team members in opening their own salons. In an industry marked by constant turnover, Telleish has seen three of its original apprentices reach long service leave—a powerful testament to its culture of retention, growth, and genuine care.

Telleish’s operational model is grounded in flexibility and wellbeing. The team works on rotating 5 and 4-day rosters, allowing everyone regular Saturdays off to spend with family. They are paid for 38 hours despite working 37, and enjoy additional “Telleish Siestas”—bonus rest days built into the calendar. Education is nonnegotiable and seamlessly built into the week. One-third of all training at Telleish focuses on personal development.

The belief is simple but profound: to deliver exceptional service, stylists must feel empowered, self-aware, and supported. The team participates in private coaching, monthly leadership workshops, and sessions focused on emotional intelligence, behavioural dynamics, and effective communication. A custom-designed Education Planner maps each individual’s growth, tracks progress, and reflects on key achievements throughout the year.

Then come the Jam Days. Four times a year, the salon shuts its doors for full-day training intensives. These aren’t your average workshops. Each Jam Day is curated to include a blend of technical education, creative inspiration, and mindset development. From advanced colouring techniques to leadership and communication skills, these sessions are designed to stretch, uplift, and empower every member of the team—ensuring holistic professional and personal growth.

One-on-one education is also deeply embedded. Master Cutter finalist Teagan Cousins delivers cutting training two days a week, while Chantelle works closely with the team on colour. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are structured education days, with ongoing mentorship designed to address real-time challenges, elevate skills, and build confidence.

But the learning doesn’t stop in Melbourne. Two stylists travelled to Italy to train one-on-one with Gianni Scumaci, while others participated in hands-on workshops across Perth, Sydney, and Adelaide. These included cutting intensives, lived-in colour sessions, shadow programs, and international educator events with names like Sophia Hilton, Nicole Kay, Peter Becket, Braggin Beauty, and Circles of Hair.

That investment in education extends to management too. Leadership workshops with figures like Gary Vee and Ethan Donati, help build resilient, visionary leadership across all levels of the business.

Client care at Telleish is an artform. From the first moment of contact, whether it’s a DM, email, phone call, or text—clients receive a real, human response. Every new guest is offered a complimentary 30-minute consultation that includes strand testing, stylist matching, and a customised plan. This ensures they feel understood, confident, and in expert hands before even sitting in the chair.

The salon caters to a wide demographic of guests, from professionals aged 25–70 to long-time loyal clients now bringing their adult children. To ensure comfort for all, the space offers five levels of stylist experience and three station types, including the popular mirrorless bench area for guests who prefer not to look in the mirror during their service.

Telleish also understands the value of space and presence. The Business Hub features highspeed internet and USB ports so clients can work during their appointments. A “Mums and Bubs” area downstairs offers quiet, private space for parents and their children. Clients are welcome to stay, linger, and connect—a reflection of the salon’s core value of community.

After appointments, guests are contacted for reviews or direct feedback. This extra layer of communication reflects the salon’s dedication to continuous improvement and trust-building. Despite being fully booked six weeks in advance, Telleish welcomed 1,330 new clients during the awards period—an average of 25 per week. Growth has come not from heavy marketing, but from Google reviews, social media visibility, and most of all, word of mouth.

On the floor, Telleish buzzes with collaboration. Stylists bounce ideas off each other, leadership is visibly present, and creativity flows freely between colleagues. Team members know they are supported, and clients feel that energy in the service they receive.

Equally impressive is Telleish’s leadership in sustainability. Since 2016, they’ve partnered with Sustainable Salons, diverting 95% of their waste. During the awards period, they recycled 269kg of plastic, 537kg of paper, 389kg of metal, and 81kg of hair. These efforts have helped fund meals for vulnerable communities through OzHarvest and KiwiHarvest.

They’ve implemented Vish, a salon-specific colour wastage system, and proudly hold AHC Green accreditation. Clients actively seek out their sustainable ethos, often asking about vegan and cruelty-free products, or how to donate their hair to a worthy cause. Events like Tim from Gogglebox’s charity shave have only further cemented their community-minded approach.

For Chantelle, sustainability isn’t just about recycling. It’s about people. It’s about building a business model that can sustain its team, its clients, and its purpose long into the future. “We’re creating careers, not jobs. That means looking after every aspect of the person— technical, emotional, and human,” she says.

One of the greatest achievements over the past year was watching a Telleish team member become an Australian cutting educator, travelling the country to sold-out workshops. For the team, it was more than a proud moment—it was proof that their internal education system works. It creates leaders, role models, and experts.

The salon’s ongoing commitment to education, team support, client excellence, and environmental responsibility is why Telleish doesn’t just thrive—it leads.

Winning the 2024 AHIA VIC Salon of the Year is not simply about recognition. It’s the result of sixteen years of showing up, refining the craft, nurturing people, and building a brand that people believe in.