Meet the salon owners: Lee Marsh and Mark Stanley-Moyers at Amici

Amici is no exception.

Our Meet The Salon Owner feature gives business owners and managers the chance to shine a spotlight on their salon and showcase some of their best work.

Here Lee Marsh, who co-owns Amici, tells us about the business.

If you would like to appear in one of our Meet The Salon Owner, Meet The Stylist, Meet The Makeup Artist or Meet The Beauty Therapist features email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Co-owner Lee Marsh

What’s your name?

Lee Marsh

What’s the name of the business?

Amici

What’s the address?

80 Cambridge Road,

St Helens,

Merseyside,

WA10 4HA

Are you the owner/manager?

Yes, I’m the co-owner with Mark Stanley-Moyers

When did you open the business?

We opened in May 2023

Amici is on Cambridge Road in St Helens

Has it always been in the same location?

Yes

Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

Yes. Mark and I were born and raised in Parr and currently reside in Haydock.

Tell me a bit about your business. What do you do? What services do you provide?

We are an inclusive salon providing services to everyone. Services include cuts, the latest colours, hair extensions, special occasions, perms and relaxers.

Why did you decide to open your business? What’s your business background?

Mark and I trained together more than 25 years ago at St Helens College. We were then employed by a very popular, busy salon in St Helens town centre, where we learnt our craft. I then went on to move and further my career and enhance my skillset in education and training in this field of work. Mark went on to manage a salon in Widnes. Each time Mark and I got together, we would always discuss and envision opening our own salon. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, I was employed and working on the inaugural Virgin Voyagers Cruise Ship as a hairstylist on board. Due to the nature of the pandemic, we all got grounded and had to disembark the ship which led me to coming back to St Helens. During the height of the pandemic, I was unemployed, and Mark had been furloughed. Once the industry slowly started to reopen, I was approached by a salon that was opening who were requiring a hairstylist to rent a chair, it was this opportunity that introduced me to self-employment. After being there a year and the salon expanding, Mark also took the leap and decided to rent a chair in the salon. Due to Mark and I working very closely together once again, it was then that we decided it was time to fulfil our vision and open our own salon, solely focussing on hair. It was if it was meant to be, because the salon we were renting chairs in were relocating; a unit/shop on Cambridge Road became available. We instantly jumped at the opportunity and went to view the property.

Lee and Mark have more than 50 years' expereince in the industry between them

What makes your business different to others in the same area/field? What sets your business apart from competitors?

Between us we have more than 50 years’ experience. We both have a masters in colour. We have both competed and been winners of competitions. We are trained at the highest level by well recognised brands including Wella, Redken, Loreal to name a few. I have been an educator for worldwide brand Redken and have won Regional Wella Trend Vision. We have built working relationships with celebrities and have been fortunate enough to be the hairstylist of the Soap Awards. We have done stage work for places like salon international. My competition work is still recognised on the other side of the panel and I am asked to adjudicate up and down the country.

We are still involved with the National Hairdressers Federation, so we constantly remain updated with the latest trends, future fashion trends, products and future predictions of where hair will be the following year. We continue to develop and enhance our knowledge, vision and skillset by keeping up to date with hairdresser journals.

Why do loyal customers return to your business?

We have managed to maintain clientele from when we first started out on hairdressing journey way back when. Due to having time away from St Helens, these clients have voiced what they have experienced other salons, but no-one understands their hair the same way we do, and it is just not the same. We always strive to give a thorough consultation and ask specific questions to facilitate their requirements and always take them on a journey with their hair. We are very thankful and privileged to have such loyal customers because we currently have a waiting list of up to three months. This is the reason why Amici was born, because we believe everyone who passes through our door is a friend, but still receives the highest, professional experience. Amici means friends in Italian - run by friends.

Co-owners Lee Marsh and Mark Stanley-Moyers

What next's next? What do the next few months hold for you and the business?

To continue and maintain our work ethic in providing a five-star experience, ensuring everyone has excellent hair and leaves the salon looking and feeling fantastic.