Stawell beauty salon owners feel 'relieved' to reopen after a change to guidelines

Services can be offered where a face covering can be worn for the duration of the service.

One of three services located at Tanyuk Collective is Ashlea Wilson's business.

Ms Wilson said she felt like she had been on a roller coaster of emotions in 2020.

"It's a little bit surreal that we're finally here and we're about to open," she said.

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"I'm so happy for everyone involved in the industry and proud of the work that has been done over the past few weeks advocating for us to reopen.

"It's annoying the industry weren't consulted in the very beginning but I guess now it's all in the past and we need to start looking forward."

In the last six months, Ms Wilson has only operated her business for three weeks under the coronavirus restrictions.

"It's almost like starting fresh and going in with hopes and wishes that clientele will return," she said.

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"It is a lot easier in smaller towns where a lot of our clients are either our friends, or become our friends.

"It's going to be tough no matter what happens. We've started a whole new collective salon and offering new treatments - it's like going in and pressing the refresh button."

Ms Wilson said she had been contacting her clients who had their appointments cancelled and there was some positive signs.

"We'll be working extra days and extra hours to make up some ground we've lost over the past six months," she said.

"Working extra doesn't come without it's challenges. We've got children and are now heading into school holidays which we will have to juggle along with the business."

Solace Beauty owner Kim Salmi said planning was taken place in her business over the past week, ready for the announcement.

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"We needed to work around remote learning at school so we've taken our time and really got ourselves prepared for the reopening," she said.

"It's been a few tough months for many businesses. Although there was support out there I've never felt so much pressure being a business owner.

"The management of staff during this period does take a lot out of you. Not only are you trying to keep yourself motivated, positive and upbeat you have to look out for the mental health of my employees. It's been challenging."

Mrs Salmi said as a business owner with employees it was her responsibility to help her staff navigate through what was a tough time for the industry.

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