Natalie’s head for business brings rewards for the whole community
OWNER OF HAIRDRESSING CHAIN HELPS SAVE LOCAL FUN DAY AND RAISES CHARITY CASH
ONE of the city’s leading businesswomen insists she is still the same normal girl from Derby despite her career rise.
In an interview with the Derby Telegraph, Natalie Allen has revealed her life story, from embarrassing hairdressing mishaps as a youngster to being one of Derby’s most influential people.
Born and raised in Oakwood, and having learned the trade of hairdressing, Natalie now owns three salons in the city.
Not only that, she also runs a popular coffee bar which is growing at a fast rate and has been praised for boosting Oakwood’s community spirit, having led to this year’s “comeback” OakFest event.
And she has done all of that at the same time as bringing up two children.
Natalie runs three Harvey Luke salons – named after her son – in different parts of the city and is now focusing her efforts on training the next generation of hairdressers in an ever changing industry.
“I’m proud with what I’ve achieved but I’m the same normal girl as I was 20 years ago and I’m sure the people who know me can vouch for that,” she said.
“I still work hard and play hard and have a good balance between work and family life.
“I was always into fashion and I gave hairdressing a go – now I’m the owner of three salons. I never thought that would be the case.
“I remember when I was training and I was cutting a woman’s hair and when I finished it her sides were not matching – one was longer than the other.
“She came back and I was horrified. I’ll never forget the experience and it is something I always drum into my staff.”
After training and managing a salon full-time in the early 2000s, Natalie decided to go solo and run her own – and the brave venture paid off. Her first salon in Spondon saw clients flock through the doors every day as her small team excelled. The growing demand meant she could expand her business by opening more salons in Chellaston and Oakwood.
Natalie spoke about how she also opened a salon in Iron Gate, but admitted the experience was not a good one.
“I left six months before the lease expired as I just wanted out.
“It was great at the start but then I started to realise that it was so hard to attract those loyal customers as you do in the suburbs, and that’s what my business thrives on.
“It was like if you couldn’t fit a person in when they wanted they’d say ‘we’ll go next door then.’ Parking issues caused further problems.
“The best part of the job for me is getting to know people and building friendships. Any hairdresser will tell you the same thing.”
A growing name in the Derby area, she decided she wanted to give back to her community and held a special fundraising event for charity.
The event was a huge success and raised £10,000.
This success expanded Natalie’s profile as she was then invited to a star-studded charity ball organised by the late celebrity figure David Gest – well known for being a close friend of music legend Michael Jackson.
Recalling photos of her with famous celebrities from Coronation Street such as Kym Marsh and Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona, Natalie said: “I was absolutely buzzing, it was very surreal and was one of the best things I’ve ever been to. It was an honour to be there.
“The event showed what can be done when you give back to the community and that is what I’m focused on doing.
“The community have supported me over many years and it is only right I give back to them and support them.”
And that giving back has continued in her home ward, Oakwood.
Last year Natalie, 41, managed to give Oakwood something it never had before – a coffee bar.
The Kava Coffee bar is situated