Building Hair by SJS the right way 

When establishing her home-based salon, Samantha ensured the foundations were solid from the start.
She confirmed approvals, compliance requirements and insurance coverage by speaking directly with council, ensuring the business could operate securely and professionally.

Doing that groundwork early gave her clarity and confidence.

"Not being afraid to ask for help and making sure I met all the requirements gave me peace of mind moving forward.”

A salon built around personalised service

Hair by SJS is centred on dedicated one-on-one time.

Each appointment is tailored to the individual client. There is no rushing or overlapping bookings. The experience is calm, private and focused entirely on delivering high-quality results.

Consistency has become the foundation of the salon’s growth. By maintaining strong standards at every appointment, Samantha has built lasting trust with her clients. As a result, referrals remain a key driver of the business.

“I stand out by simply doing fantastic hair and delivering consistent results.”

Drawing on her years in the industry, Samantha says building a sustainable small business often comes down to a few simple principles.

Sam’s Tips for other small business owners

• Prioritise consistency over volume
• Invest in compliance and structure from the start
• Build strong relationships - referrals matter
• Add small touches that elevate the experience
• Design your business around the lifestyle you want

One proud milestone came when Comfortel, Australia’s leading salon supplier, featured her 15m² boutique home salon in their 2025-2026 lookbook collection.

For a small home-based business, the recognition was significant.

Growing through service and systems

Most new clients discover Hair by SJS through word of mouth and recommendations, reflecting the strength of the reputation she has built over two decades.

An efficient booking system supports the business, allowing clients to secure appointments at times that suit them. Samantha uses Shortcuts Software to manage appointments and streamline operations, reducing administrative pressure. She also recommends Smartpay to ensure credit card surcharges are transparently passed on to customers rather than absorbed by the business. 

Client loyalty is strengthened through the experience itself. Samantha ensures appointments always run on time and adds thoughtful touches such as conditioning treatments, relaxing scalp massages and a hot coffee - small details that elevate the service. 

Challenges and lessons learned

Like many business owners, Samantha’s journey included significant change during COVID-19.  The disruption made her rethink her business model and transition to a home-based salon.  Bringing the salon home reduced overheads, increased flexibility and created a secure working environment while maintaining professional standards.

For anyone considering a home-based business, Samantha says it’s important to understand your local environment, ensure compliance early and carefully consider visibility, signage and opportunities to collaborate with other local businesses.

Life on the Northern Beaches

Being part of the Northern Beaches community has played an important role in Samantha’s business journey.

Local support and strong connections have helped her grow steadily while maintaining quality over volume.

Operating from home has allowed her to create a space that reflects her personality and creativity, all while supporting family life and flexibility.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys running along the shores of Bayview, a place she goes to reset and recharge.  She strongly believes in supporting small businesses, which form the backbone of local communities.

“When you support local, you’re supporting families and helping the community thrive.”

Looking ahead

Samantha’s focus moving forward is on maintaining balance while continuing to grow her boutique home salon.

She’s also exploring a passion project in interior design and styling homes for sale - combining creativity and attention to detail.

It reflects the same values that define her salon: purposeful work, professional standards and building a business designed around the life she wants to live – proof that success doesn’t always mean growing bigger but growing in the right direction.