25 Years of Honeys: People, Progress and Plenty of Good Hair Days

When I opened Honeys in Taunton 25 years ago, I wasn’t a hairdresser or a beautician, and I didn’t have a business plan. I simply loved people and wanted a welcoming salon on Galmington Road, where people felt confident, cared for, and never rushed. We’ve had highs, lows, and a lot of laughter, and I wouldn’t change it.

Clients Who Became Friends

The heart of Honeys is our clients. I’ve met wonderful people here in Taunton, many who feel like family now. Some have shared life’s big moments with us, first jobs, new babies, weddings, and the odd brave new fringe! One client and one past team member have become very close personal friends.

“I always leave Honeys feeling put together and relaxed, it’s my little reset,” — Margaret, client for 14 years

A little memory: in our first winter, a client popped in drenched from the rain. We towel-dried her coat over the radiators, made tea, and reshaped her bob. She left smiling, and sent her sister in to see us the week after. Small kindnesses, are built in our salon.

Our Team: A Family at Work

We’re a collaborative team, and everyone’s voice matters. Decisions for growth are discussed and planned together. Hannah and Zoe both started with us, moved on, then returned and they’ve been amazing support ever since. Each self-employed professional in our space needs to succeed, so we can all grow.

Behind the scenes: we have a running joke that the real salon magic happens in the staff room. That’s where ideas are born, nerves are settled, and new stylists find their rhythm. It’s also one of the places where I’ve heard the best belly laugh, unless your name is Hannah then It usually happens everywhere

Empowering Women, Nurturing Talent

Mentoring has been a joy. I’ve watched team members build confidence, face new challenges, and become more self-reliant with their choices and learn to manage their own businesses. One stylist used to whisper during consultations, now she leads full transformation appointments with a calm, clear voice. Helping others step into their best selves never gets old.

Learning on the Job (and Keeping Going)

I came into this with good intentions and no rule book. So I trained, qualified, asked questions, made mistakes, and tried again. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried. In our early days, my Bank Manager Paul Bradshaw backed me and helped me grow as a businesswoman.
I could never talk about Honeys without mentioning Aaron. From the very beginning, he’s been by my side — not just as my son, but as my biggest supporter. There were times when the business had to come first, and he had to come second, which no child should ever have to do. But Aaron never complained. He understood, he stood by me, and he carried more than most people ever saw. His quiet strength, his belief in me, and his constant presence have been the backbone of this journey. Honeys may have my name on it, but Aaron’s heart is in it too.
And I’ll never forget my dad popping in, still in his farming clothes, giving clients a quick shoulder massage and making everyone smile. Only at Honeys.

The tough bits: There were years when the diary didn’t fill as quickly as I hoped, and times when boilers, basins, and budgets all seemed to go at once. I learned to breathe, look at the facts in front of me, and make the next best decision. If the facts changed tomorrow, I made another one. I hear my Dad saying this to me every day, and often pass this wonderful bit of advice onto the next generation

Moving with the Times

Change excites me now. We’ve adopted a precision colour system called Vish, which lets us mix bespoke shades more accurately for consistent, flattering results, with less waste. We’ve stepped up on social media to stay connected with our local community, sharing colour work, aftercare tips, and the odd behind-the-scenes bloopers. And we’re planning our next chapter — a thoughtful salon refurb for 2026/27, to make your visits even more relaxing (and keep those comfy chairs everyone loves).

Keeping the Business Alive, Together

We’ve stayed curious, kept learning, and made decisions, with the facts in front of us. That isn’t failure, it’s progress. I’ve also learned to ask for help sooner, and to celebrate small wins, a rebooked fringe trim on a quiet Tuesday can feel like sunshine.

Causes Close to My Heart

Care doesn’t end at our door. We support St Margaret’s Hospice, Taunton, who looked after my mum and us, especially as I was quite young, so kindly. I also plan to support a local The Talk Club who help suicide prevention in men. This is personal, my dad died by suicide and I know many families are touched by this. We’ll share details of the charity we choose soon.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please speak to someone you trust or contact a professional helpline.

What 25 Years Have Taught Me

• Make the best decision you can with today’s facts. If they change tomorrow, make another decision.
• Patience (still learning it).
• Do your best, every day.
• Hard work builds success. It’s funny, the harder I work, the more successful that we become.
• Adapt your management style to the person in front of you. Different people need different things to thrive.
• Tea solves more than you think.
• If all the above fails… pour yourself a mega pint of red wine!

Visit Us in Taunton

You’ll find Honeys Hair & Beauty at 93 Galmington Rd, Taunton, TA1 5NP, with free parking outside the door nearby. If you’re looking for a friendly, skilled hairdresser in Taunton for precision cuts, glossy colouring, or a relaxing beauty treatment, we’d love to look after you.

If you just want to pop in for a cup of tea, we are always here.