Selling up after 30 years

Local beautician Paula Wade has put her salon on the market after 30 years in the business.

Wade, who first opened a salon in 1990, has put The Edge up for sale to try to free up time to focus on her neighbouring business, Top Draw Lingerie.

After starting out under the name New Image in “a little arcade opposite DoC” in Victoria Ave, Wade moved to several locations further down the street over the years, before settling at 49 Victoria Ave in 1999.

After working six days a week for the past three decades, Wade is ready to take her foot off the pedal.

“I’m so busy between each business. It’s just getting too much trying to split my time. At this stage, I want to put my energies into that.

“After 30 years I have a pretty established business. I’ve hit a few waves over the years but I’ve got through them with determination and doing things right.”

Wade said the 2008 global financial crisis and the recent

Covid-19 lockdown were some of the tough times she’s had to navigate over the years.

From body piercings, tooth gems, spray-tanning and crazy nails, she said it had been fascinating seeing trends change over the past 30 years.

Demand for advanced treatments such as instant hair removal and laser tattoo removal have grown significantly in recent times.

“The beauty industry has definitely changed since the 1990s. Every woman had French tips. In the last few years, all the nail art has come back in.”

Wade said the potential upgrades or additions to the salon are “limitless” and were perfect for someone who wanted to be right in the middle of town.

“I still have plenty of energy and enthusiasm but it just needs someone young, with heaps of get up and go.”

The relationships created with clients and staff over the years is what Wade cherishes about her time in the industry.

“You have to be a people’s person to be in this industry. I don’t regret any of my career, I’ve loved it.”