Studio Sixty Two owner Steven Rucci was named best hairdresser in the Central Highlands

We asked, and you delivered. It’s time to announce the winner of the best hairdresser across the Central Highlands and Coalfields, voted by you.

An Emerald hairdresser has been named the best hairdresser in the Central Highlands and Coalfields after Central Queensland News readers took to the polls.

An Emerald hairdresser “burst into tears” when he found out he had been named the best hairdresser in the Central Highlands and Coalfields.

Owner of Studio Sixty Two, Steven Rucci, was one of many hairdressers nominated across the region, but took out the title after Central Queensland News readers took to the polls.

Mr Rucci said he always wanted to be a hairdresser and had the chance to chase the dream when drought caused business to dry up as a horse trainer and contract mustering.

He started his apprenticeship in Emerald and hasn’t looked back, taking over Studio Sixty Two in July, 2020.

“I get to change people’s lives just by making them feel good,” Mr Rucci said.

“You never know what someone is going through, so if I can make them feel good for just one minute and educate them to have good hair.

“It’s what makes you feel good.”

He says it has been incredible to see his own skills grow, and is now helping two apprentices to develop their own skills and careers.

“Watching my apprentices is the most heart warming part, because I was an apprentice once,” Mr Rucci said.

“I love watching them grow and learn. They’re amazing.

“We all have bad days but having an amazing team, we all encourage each other.”

As Studio Sixty Two continues to grow, Mr Rucci says its his goal to make sure it always feels like home.

Steven Rucci is passionate about helping people feel confident through incredible hair.

“I think the biggest thing with Studio, and what I create, is to make it feel like home,” he said.

“You want to walk in and feel warm. You’re not just a number.

“You have this team who is happy to have you here.”

Mr Rucci said he was thrilled to hear that he took out the title of best hairdresser, which came on an emotionally tough day.

“It was just what I needed. Everyone has so much going on in their own lives and sometimes you just have your doubts,” he said.

“I burst into tears when I heard.

“I just had some really bad news about a family friend passing.

“I got the message [I had won] and it was just the news I needed at that right time.”

Although he said it wouldn’t have been possible without his team, clients and community support.

“If anyone owns their own business, they know you need a lot of help to get to where they are,” he said.

“Thank you to the community for believing in me, without them it wouldn’t have happened.

“Thank you for trusting me with your hair.

“And my staff – there’s always a team behind the company, and it’s the team that holds me up.”

The Emerald business has also been nominated for the People’s Choice Award as part of the 2021 Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards.

Mr Rucci said he was excited to see what the future would hold for the business and the team, with plenty of exciting ventures in the pipeline.