Sequoia enjoy that winning feeling
SALON Sequoia Hair said it was the ‘best feeling’ to win a Newbury Weekly News business award, writes Hinna Aamani.
The salon, in Queens Road, won Best New Business at the awards – and they said it was the best evening.
Owners Olie and Lauren Redwood met at the age of 15 and worked at a well-known salon for 17 years.
The couple – who married in 2021 – now run Sequoia Hair in Newbury in a bid to “give back to the community”.
Mr Redwood said: “We were actually away when we found out we had been nominated for the NWN business awards, which after four years of hard work was amazing to find out we were recognised.
“To win on the night with our team was the best feeling and so great to see what it meant to everyone.”
The business branched out in 2021 – two years after opening the salon – and created a café so people could grab a coffee and a cut in one place.
The Coffee Branch opened up just a stone’s throw away from the salon. And in 2023 the business opened a franchise at The Retreat At Elcot Park.
But where did the name Sequoia come from?
“Everyone always asks where the name Sequoia comes from,” Mr Redwood said.
“It’s Latin for our surname Redwood, the tallest trees in the world.”
He added: “Unfortunately after five months of opening [in 2019] the pandemic struck, which shut us down.
“Thinking about the positives it gave us time to put our stamp on the salon.
“We got jobs delivering parcels in the tough time to stay afloat. And with help from family and friends we weathered the storm.”
He added: “To say it’s been a busy four years is an understatement, but we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Sequoia family.
“We all had the best evening [at the business awards]. The food, drinks and entertainment were fantastic.
“Thank you to the racecourse and