Community-owned hair salon celebrates five years of success and changing lives
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In a small rural town in Victoria lies a shining example of community spirit and entrepreneurial resilience.
What started as a gap in the beauty services industry became a passion project that has survived multiple challenges and thrived.
Rejoov, a community-owned hair salon, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary amidst the challenges brought upon by the pandemic.
This is a tale of how a town banded together to bring a much-needed service to its residents, creating a business model that has become the talk of the town.
Six years ago, cancer survivor and Wedderburn local Robyn Vella recognised her town's lack of hairdressing and beauty services.
The nearest salon was an hour's drive away—a significant inconvenience for those without transport or with disabilities.
'My daughter was also doing her debutante ball, and we had to have her transported to another town to have her hair done,' Vella shared.
She took to social media to gauge interest, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
'I was writing business plans while I was having chemo. My community was brilliant,' she added.
'That's the spirit of a country community. That's why I love it here.'
Funds were raised through local contributions, a council grant, and a loan secured by the Wedderburn Community House.
Tradespeople and residents gave time and skills to fit out a building on the main street, transforming it into the salon that would become Rejoov.
This collective effort is a testament to the spirit of country communities, where neighbours support each other through thick and thin.
Rejoov's success became a beacon of hope for small businesses everywhere.
It has navigated the tumultuous waters of pandemic lockdowns, rising living costs, and the usual teething problems new businesses face.
Yet, through it all, Rejoov remained afloat while giving back to the community through sponsorships of local entities like the netball club and Wedderburn College.
The salon is run by a volunteer committee of passionate individuals dedicated to seeing Wedderburn prosper.
'I truly believe that it's survived because it is community-owned—people have ownership of it, but the other thing is our operators who rent this space make their prices affordable," Ms Vella shared.
'They understand Wedderburn's and the district's economies, so we've formed a partnership that works closely together to ensure it stays affordable.'
Jackie Stahl, one of the salon's hairdressers, has become a local fixture, serving nearly the entire town.
'There's not a lot of people that I don't see, it's great. You get to catch up on most of the gossip,' she said.
Along with the business comes its share of challenges, such as finding new providers when other staff are on leave or seeing long-time customers come and go.
'Since we have quite a lot of older ladies and men as well, we lose people you get to know personally. So, you must take the good with the bad,' Stahl added.
Customers like Rosemary Isaac, who used to travel far for a haircut, now enjoy the convenience and camaraderie that Rejoov offers.
It's a place for a trim and a chat, a hub of social interaction that enriches the community.
The salon's impact extends beyond haircuts and beauty treatments.
It's a model of community enterprise, offering traineeships for local students and supporting various community initiatives.
Louise Cook, manager of the Wedderburn Community House, oversees the salon's management and is proud of its support and sponsorship of the community.
Kylie Turnbull, a massage therapist at Rejoov, appreciates the ready-made professional space that the salon provided when she moved back to the region.
She, like many others, became an advocate for keeping services local.
She understood that when residents spend their money within the community, it fosters local growth and attracts others to do the same.
Rejoov's story is one of inspiration, a blueprint for other small towns seeking to revitalise their communities.
With a shared vision, a dash of determination, and a lot of heart, even the smallest towns can create something extraordinary.
As Rejoov looks to the future, it is a shining example of what communities can achieve when they come together for the common good.
Have you seen similar initiatives in your area? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's celebrate community spirit together!
What started as a gap in the beauty services industry became a passion project that has survived multiple challenges and thrived.
Rejoov, a community-owned hair salon, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary amidst the challenges brought upon by the pandemic.
This is a tale of how a town banded together to bring a much-needed service to its residents, creating a business model that has become the talk of the town.
Six years ago, cancer survivor and Wedderburn local Robyn Vella recognised her town's lack of hairdressing and beauty services.
The nearest salon was an hour's drive away—a significant inconvenience for those without transport or with disabilities.
Rejoov celebrated their fifth year in service last May 15, and expressed their thanks to their supportive community. Image Credit: Facebook/Rejoov Salon Wedderburn
'My daughter was also doing her debutante ball, and we had to have her transported to another town to have her hair done,' Vella shared.
She took to social media to gauge interest, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
'I was writing business plans while I was having chemo. My community was brilliant,' she added.
'That's the spirit of a country community. That's why I love it here.'
Funds were raised through local contributions, a council grant, and a loan secured by the Wedderburn Community House.
Tradespeople and residents gave time and skills to fit out a building on the main street, transforming it into the salon that would become Rejoov.
This collective effort is a testament to the spirit of country communities, where neighbours support each other through thick and thin.
Rejoov's success became a beacon of hope for small businesses everywhere.
It has navigated the tumultuous waters of pandemic lockdowns, rising living costs, and the usual teething problems new businesses face.
Yet, through it all, Rejoov remained afloat while giving back to the community through sponsorships of local entities like the netball club and Wedderburn College.
The salon is run by a volunteer committee of passionate individuals dedicated to seeing Wedderburn prosper.
'I truly believe that it's survived because it is community-owned—people have ownership of it, but the other thing is our operators who rent this space make their prices affordable," Ms Vella shared.
'They understand Wedderburn's and the district's economies, so we've formed a partnership that works closely together to ensure it stays affordable.'
Jackie Stahl, one of the salon's hairdressers, has become a local fixture, serving nearly the entire town.
'There's not a lot of people that I don't see, it's great. You get to catch up on most of the gossip,' she said.
Along with the business comes its share of challenges, such as finding new providers when other staff are on leave or seeing long-time customers come and go.
'Since we have quite a lot of older ladies and men as well, we lose people you get to know personally. So, you must take the good with the bad,' Stahl added.
Customers like Rosemary Isaac, who used to travel far for a haircut, now enjoy the convenience and camaraderie that Rejoov offers.
It's a place for a trim and a chat, a hub of social interaction that enriches the community.
The salon's impact extends beyond haircuts and beauty treatments.
It's a model of community enterprise, offering traineeships for local students and supporting various community initiatives.
Louise Cook, manager of the Wedderburn Community House, oversees the salon's management and is proud of its support and sponsorship of the community.
Kylie Turnbull, a massage therapist at Rejoov, appreciates the ready-made professional space that the salon provided when she moved back to the region.
She, like many others, became an advocate for keeping services local.
She understood that when residents spend their money within the community, it fosters local growth and attracts others to do the same.
Rejoov's story is one of inspiration, a blueprint for other small towns seeking to revitalise their communities.
With a shared vision, a dash of determination, and a lot of heart, even the smallest towns can create something extraordinary.
As Rejoov looks to the future, it is a shining example of what communities can achieve when they come together for the common good.
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