“WE are smart enough to know that service is important and casual enough to keep it real.”
This is the philosophy of the Southern Highlands inaugural Young Businessman of the Year.
Patrick Glanville, owner of Portfolio Hair Design upstairs in Springetts Arcade, was recognised for is achievements in business at the 16th Southern Highlands Business Awards for Excellence last week.
It is an honour that Mr Glanville concedes “took him completely by surprise”, but an accolade he is thrilled to have received.
As far as he is concerned it means he is achieving what he set out to in business, “provide a service that is well appreciated and enjoyed by customers and staff alike”.
And while the 23-year-old hairdresser could be considered to be excelling in business at a young age it is not surprising as he has already racked up almost 10 years in his industry.
“I was 14 and at boarding school in Goulburn when I got a part-time job at a Bowral hairdressing salon,” he said.
“I would travel on the train every week to get to work.
“I was behind the basin washing hair, but I knew almost immediately that I wanted to be out on the floor creating.”
It wasn’t long before Patrick was pursuing his career dream as an apprentice hairdresser in a salon on the Northern Beaches in Sydney.
He said he spent a year and three months working on the Northern Beaches before continuing his apprenticeship at two separate salons in Sydney City for about eight months.
“I moved to the Highlands to complete my apprenticeship and then headed to Brisbane where I managed a hairdressing chain for a while,” he said.
But the draw of the Highlands was too strong for Mr Glanville who was soon back in the shire and ready to open his own salon.
“The Highlands is a fantastic place to live - I love it,” he said.
“I have a horse so living in this area enables me to keep my horse nearby.
“The lifestyle of the Highlands is fantastic. It’s located close to the coast and the city and the area itself has so much to offer.
“It was a natural decision for me to open a salon in the area.”
Portfolio was opened two years ago and has since attracted a large and loyal customer base.
Mr Glanville said his focus in opening the business was to create an environment where everyone was equal, having fun and enjoying value for money.
He said the early success of the business came from drive, passion and determination, but good support from some “very dear friends” had been continually invaluable.
“We have a fantastic team of five staff and I think that also has a lot to do with the success of the business,” he said.
“I’m thankful that I have staff that want to come to work every day and they keep things real - that makes customers want to come back time and again.
“We are really lucky that a huge part of the business is regular clients, some who make their appointments a year in advance.
“And we are lucky to have so many wonderful clients who have become our friends.”
Portfolio Hair Salon is open Mondays-Saturdays.
Bookings are essential.
Details: 4861 1115.