Meet Nicole
Salon owner, hair stylist, and the heart behind The Hair Gallery, here’s my story and what matters most to me and the salon.
Allow me to introduce myself
Hello, I’m Nicole, salon owner, hair stylist, and proud mum to my little girl, Freda. She is my whole reason, and I’m lucky to have a supportive husband by my side.
Hairdressing has been part of my life for 20 years, and I still genuinely love what I do. I’m a social butterfly, I’m big on interiors, and I’m a total dog person, we have three of our own.
My motto is simple. Give 100 percent to everything you do, and never give up.
My story, from stylist to salon owner
When I bought my commercial property in 2017, I’ll be honest, I did not have a clue about running a business. I threw myself into work, full time on the salon floor, focusing on hair and clients, because that’s what I knew.
Over time, with business coaching, experience, and the right guidance, I’ve built a strong base and I’ve watched it grow. Covid was one of the toughest chapters, but it also gave me the time to slow down, learn more, and put proper foundations in place.
The salon has opened doors I never expected, and along the way it’s brought incredible memories, opportunities, and friendships I genuinely value.
Always learning, always improving
I’m big on keeping my skills current. I’m always forthcoming about training, and I usually attend at least one course each year to stay up to date with techniques, trends, and the highest standards of hairdressing.
Supporting new talent
One of the most rewarding parts of owning a salon is being able to give back to young people starting out. Offering apprenticeships and helping students take their first steps into the industry matters to me. It’s not always easy for young people to find secure full time work, so being able to create opportunities and jobs feels important.
The Hair Gallery, the heart behind the name
The salon has never been about a polished, clinical look. The Hair Gallery is warm, bold, a little quirky, and full of personality. Think deep colours, a cosy atmosphere, and walls lined with imagery that feels personal, because it is.
The name The Hair Gallery was born long before the salon opened. For years I worked closely with photographer Gwen Mortimore, styling hair for shoots that were often submitted to magazines. That creative partnership shaped my vision for what a salon could feel like, not just how it could look.
Gwen sadly passed away, and I made a promise. The day I opened my own salon, Gwen’s work would hang proudly on the walls. When The Hair Gallery opened its doors, Gwen’s parents came to the launch to see her art living on in the space. That moment has stayed with me, and it is a big part of what makes this salon what it is.
“Nicole and her team did an excellent job on a bride & bridal party I had the pleasure of photographing at Marleybrook House. They were super relaxed, lovely, and the right amount of chatty. Definitely worth considering for bridal hair if you're getting married in the Deal, Kent area.”
If you’ve been with me for years or you’re just finding The Hair Gallery, thank you for being here. This salon is built on warmth, creativity, and doing things properly, with great hair, genuine care, and a space that feels like you can be yourself. I’d love to welcome you in, get to know your hair goals, and help you leave feeling confident, looked after, and truly happy with your hair.