Established: It will be 2 years on 1st November
Location: Lower Hutt
Contact Name: Chinney Yeap or Sarah Duckworth
Website: www.salute.co.nz
Our business is driven by a clear mission and vision. Our mission is to provide our valued customers in Lower Hutt/Wellington with the ultimate in luxury and indulgence, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience from beginning to end.
We aspire to establish ourselves as a vibrant destination where clients can enjoy a delightful and memorable time.
Simultaneously, we aim to foster a workplace culture that attracts and retains talented individuals, contributing positively to the local economy in the process.
“Salute Hair and Day Spa is a multifaceted oasis of beauty and wellness specialising in exceptional hairdressing services and a wide array of luxurious spa treatments designed to rejuvenate the mind and body.”
Our talented team has garnered multiple awards, setting the standard for excellence in both the Salon and Spa industries. We offer our clients the opportunity to indulge in a wide range of luxurious treatments and services, carefully curated to pander to their every desire. From cutting-edge hair transformations to indulgent spa experiences, our offerings are designed to enhance their well-being and provide an escape from the demands of daily life.
We invite them to step into our sanctuary of elegance and tranquillity, where our dedicated staff will cater to their every need. At Salute, they can experience the finest salon and spa in Wellington and let us redefine their notion of luxury. They can discover why discerning clients choose Wellington’s finest, and elevate their personal style to new heights.
We also take pride in our choice of premium, eco-conscious products, reflecting our commitment to both exceptional results and environmental responsibility. At Salute Hair and Day Spa, we create an atmosphere where beauty, relaxation, and sustainability converge to help our clients look and feel their best.
Chinney Yeap and Michael Beel are multi-award winning hair stylists. Chinney’s awards include:
Wella Trend Vision NZ silver
Wella Trend Vision NZ – Bronze
Wella Trend Vision Global – Bronze
Wella Trend Vision NZ – Gold
Industry NZ Colourist of the Year
Hair Expo People’s Choice Award
Michael’s awards include:
4 x Industry NZ Hairdresser of the Year
Industry Editorial Stylist of the Year
Hair Expo NZ Hairdresser of the Year
Industry NZ Men’s Hairdresser of the Year
And only this week, both Chinney and Michael were announced finalists in the Australian Hair Fashion Awards in the category New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year for 2023. Michael was also announced finalist in the categories Editorial Stylist of the Year, and Hair Shot of the Year, so we eagerly await the award results in November.
Additionally, we recognised that owning our own business would provide the stability and security necessary for both our own livelihoods and the well-being of our families.
Our entrepreneurial journey has been guided by a commitment to excellence, mentorship, and the pursuit of lasting impact in our chosen industries.
We bought Salute in 2021, in the middle of Covid, taking a huge risk, and Chinney’s children were not yet 1 and not yet 3 years old. Neither of us had owned a business before, so we needed to get some really good advice, which we were able to do. We had a fabulous mentor who took us through the whole process of due diligence and negotiations at the start, and who continues to help us on a regular basis, helping us to implement new systems and structure, and monitor our progress.
After we had bought the business and spent some time settling in, we discovered that the water pipe system was not fit for purpose. We had floods and water spraying on the floor in the spa, and at one time on the therapist! We had to work out the best way to deal with it, and get the best quote from the best local firm.
Of course, as with all repairs or renovations, it went over time, so we had to close for another week and then come back from that lost revenue.
Our staff were still being paid holiday pay, and our outgoings continued, but there was no income during the closed period.
We take immense pride in our adaptability and commitment to creating an environment where our team thrives while the business flourishes.
Our business mentor has been terrific, and has dedicated hours to help us work on the business rather than in it. We use a local window cleaner, a local cleaner, we have our meetings in local cafes, and we purchase many of our goods locally.
We use Web Genius as our website host, and have last month finalised completion of our total website revamp with the exceptionally helpful and friendly Web Genius staff.
We provide one-on-one training with an external coaching specialist to upskill both our managers and our staff. Sales and leadership training is crucial, as it can significantly impact sales performance and, by extension, the overall success of our business.
We currently have 2 apprentices who attend Premier Hairdressing Academy here in Lower Hutt, and we are about to take on another one. We do in-house apprentice training every week on the salon side. By being apprenticed, our staff are earning as they learn, and don’t end up with a huge student loan. They can prosper from Day 1.
We incorporate regular supplier training for senior stylists so they can stay updated on the latest techniques and products in the industry . This is essential for maintaining high standards and customer satisfaction.
On the spa side, we facilitate regular Ultraceuticals training sessions. We and our therapists have won awards because of our investment in our therapists’ growth and development. This not only benefits our spa but also leads to higher job satisfaction and retention rates among our staff.
We prioritise the physical and mental well-being of our employees. Happy and healthy employees are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and productive, which ultimately benefits both the staff and the business.
We enjoy wellness days with our staff. We regularly take them out for meals and other team events, including Christmas functions. This year we will be spending a weekend on the Kapiti Coast with them. We celebrate our employees’ achievements at the end of the year with a prize-giving function as a way to show our appreciation of our staff, which is a great morale booster.
We try to foster a sense of camaraderie and unity among our employees, thus creating a positive workplace culture and cultivating the ‘Salute Sisters’ ethos.
Here is a sample of reviews and testimonials we have received since opening in November 2021:
“I would like to share my experience over the last few months but especially today… Thank you ‘Angel’ who is in training & does the best hair/ head massages. Every time I go it’s so relaxing having her shampoo, condition & massage nourishing products into my hair. Make sure you book and have the experience I have had. Keep up the great work Angel. See you again soon.” – Christine
“This is by far the best place in town! Hair, nails, treatments – anything your pretty little heart desires. Such a great and capable team and what a wonderfully indulgent ambience. Best thing of all – the vibe is very welcoming, friendly and fun despite the sense of luxury you feel. Best place to go to feel revived and pampered.” – Johana
“Thanks Tara for my amazing facial last week! I left feeling refreshed and my skin looked so good.” – Nikki
“I can highly recommend Giang at Salute Hair and Day Spa in Lower Hutt. She consistently cuts my hair beautifully, I have learnt a lot from her about how to tame my unruly mop and she is so lovely to deal with (the staff at the reception desk are fabulous too!)” – Joanna
“First time using Salute and the girls at the front desk and Chloe were welcoming and Chloe did an awesome job on my brows and lashes. Looking forward to my next appointment.” – Tayla
“Ann is an absolute godsend! I couldn’t recommend Ann more highly – I have been to get spray tans many times elsewhere and I have never received such a thorough tan. Ann’s attention to detail, kindness and genuine love for what she does is an experience in itself. Highly recommend.” – Beth
“Had the most wonderful Facial with Ann. Felt like a mini holiday, from the moment I arrived, the robe , the retreat room it really is all a lovely vibe! Ann has confidence gained by years of experience and I absolutely love that especially when you want good solid advice on your skin. Ann delivered a wonderful results driven facial that was so relaxing I almost fell asleep it included the most amazing massage as well. It’s really lovely to have a treatment from a lovely person who genuinely cares and loves their job and a great reminder to stop and have some time for yourself.” – Emma
“I had a Man escape spa package with Ann. It was an amazing experience where I used the Vichy room for the first time. The body scrub was so good and the facial and massage was first class. I can’t wait for my next one!! Thanks Ann and Salute staff.” – Mark
Secondly, our team at Salute Hair and Day Spa is like whanau, and we affectionately call ourselves the ‘Salute Sisters’. The sense of comradeship and support among our staff is truly heartwarming, and knowing that everyone has each other’s back creates a wonderful work environment. We take immense joy in the fact that Salute is a place where work feels like being part of an extended family, making it more than just a job — it’s a place of genuine connection and belonging.
Dementia Wellington (based in Petone)
Westpac Rescue Helicopter through the Lower Hutt branch of Westpac
Child Cancer Foundation
Start Sport NZ’s ‘Get Kids Active’ in the Hutt region
Nga Tamariki Early Childhood Centre in Alicetown
Belmont School
Hutt Central School
Wainuiomata Tennis Club for coaching fees
Wainui Whiskers Cattery
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