Big Deal Hair owner Katie Martin voted best hairdresser on Sunshine Coast for 2021
From first operating out of a garage to a popular salon in a busy Buderim spot, a Sunshine Coast hairdresser has shared how she earnt her crown as region’s best.
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The Sunshine Coast has had its say and chosen a hairdressing veteran as the best in the region.
The Daily put a call out on its Facebook page to find the Coast’s greatest hairdresser and was inundated with nominations.
Big Deal Hair’s Katie Martin received an impressive 27.14 per cent of votes out of 41 hairdressers in the running to receive the crown.
The Buderim salon owner has worked the past decade to build a loyal following and she said it was “humbling” to see it all pay off.
“It’s always really nice, the little bit of recognition because I do put in a lot of hours and I love what I do,” she said.
Ms Martin took her hairdressing career into her own hands when she started Big Deal Hair in 2010, operating out of a small home garage space before moving into the Buderim salon.
“I’ve just moved in the last 12 months to a shop two doors down and have gone up to 12 chairs now,” she said.
Ms Martin also took out the vote for the Coast’s best hair colourist last year.
Building positive relationships with clients is what she said allowed her to successfully make her mark in the industry.
“I like to get to know people and go through life with everybody over the years as well,” she said.
“I think when you’re passionate and love what you do, you want to keep going and getting better and better.
“I think you can tell if somebody doesn’t want to do the job and you don’t feel like you get that 100 per cent service and care.”
Offering advice to budding hairdressers, Ms Martin said picking up on non-verbal cues was just as important as having great social skills.
“Picking up all the little things they don’t say can make all the difference as well, when they’re wanting something different but they’re not sure what it is,” she said.
“If you can see they’re pulling their hair across their face and saying ‘I think I’d like to get a fringe’ and then you push it there and they’re pushing it away, you can tell by their body language they’re not going to cope with it.
“Try to be in tune with how they’re feeling, what they’re wanting.”
Ms Martin has wanted to work as a hairdresser “ever since (she) can remember” and was thankful she could fulfil her dream each day.
“I don’t think there’s anything I don’t enjoy about doing hair,” she said.
“Going into work everyday and wanting to do the best that you can to make people feel really good about themselves.
“Getting your hair done helps improve your self esteem, not just how you look in the mirror but how you feel as well.
“I think it’s that aspect of knowing you’ve made somebody feel good.”
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