'We don't like to be idle' two Laois teaching friends take over hair salon
Pair of enterprising Portlaoise primary school teachers take on a hair salon as second job
It may be school summer holidays but two Laois teachers who “don’t like to be idle’, will stay busy, after taking over a hair salon.
Maggie Lennon and Hazel O’Dwyer both work in Portlaoise Educate Together National School, Maggie as a Special Needs Assistant and Hazel as a teacher. They are now also the owners of a busy salon in Portlaoise, despite having no hairdressing experience themselves.
Hynds Square, off Portlaoise Main Street, has been reborn as Hairlo, under their new ownership following the retirement of its long time previous proprietor, Ian Phelan of Society Salon last January.
The pair are thrilled with their side line, they told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
They have business experience but none in hairstyling.
“It is unusual but we both have experience in business from back in the day.
“We have kept on the same stylists and have hired more,” Maggie said.
They are currently recruiting for an experienced senior hair stylist and an experienced trainee hair stylist.
“So far it’s going well. There is good potential and demand. I love it. Hynds Square is a lovely little spot, especially in the last few years, it’s being looked after again,” Maggie added.
Hazel agrees that what they have done is unusual.
“Absolutely it’s unusual. People’s expressions say it all. But we are both friends and we always felt we could do something extra.
“We both love our jobs but we have that extra time and we are capable of being more productive. We are driven. We don’t like to be idle. We saw this opportunity, it was so rushed but we encouraged each other. We said what’s the harm, we’d take a chance.
“It’s all going so well, we absolutely love it. We’ve kept so many clients and have so many new ones. Apparently word is spreading,” Hazel said.
While Maggie said that “parking is an issue” for their customers spending hours getting their hair done, they are full of praise for the pedestrian Hynds Square, which recently saw a new boutique opened, and has canopied public seating.
“It looks lovely, I love the new little lights. It would be great to see all the business units filled,” she said.
“It’s a really good feel in here, for me that was a driving factor. You walk down from Main Street, and it has its own vibe. Everyone in the square is so nice. I don’t think a lot of people are aware of the seating,” Hazel added.