By Richa Kurien, SEO and PPC Manager
6th Mar 2026
Celebrating strong women
International Women’s Day is a time to recognise and celebrate the resilience, ambition and impact of women around the world. In our industry, that strength has been present from the very beginning.
At the heart of our story was our very own female pioneer, Ethel. An accomplished and determined saleswoman, Ethel Foxton co-founded Ellisons in Birmingham nearly 100 years ago with her husband, Ernest. Retaining her well-known maiden name for the new venture, the pair set about changing hairdressing for good. In the 1930s, the industry was almost exclusively a barbering trade, and they recognised that customer service was poor. Undeterred, Ethel was determined to make a change, with customer service as her highest priority. And the rest is history.
Women at the helm of our industry remain just as influential today. From salon owners and spa managers to educators, innovators, brand founders and CEOs, women continue to shape the future of professional hair and beauty every single day.
International Women’s Day is a time to recognise and celebrate the resilience, ambition and impact of women around the world. In our industry, that strength has been present from the very beginning.
At the heart of our story was our very own female pioneer, Ethel. An accomplished and determined saleswoman, Ethel Foxton co-founded Ellisons in Birmingham nearly 100 years ago with her husband, Ernest. Retaining her well-known maiden name for the new venture, the pair set about changing hairdressing for good. In the 1930s, the industry was almost exclusively a barbering trade, and they recognised that customer service was poor. Undeterred, Ethel was determined to make a change, with customer service as her highest priority. And the rest is history.
International Women’s Day is a time to recognise and celebrate the resilience, ambition and impact of women around the world. In our industry, that strength has been present from the very beginning.
At the heart of our story was our very own female pioneer, Ethel. An accomplished and determined saleswoman, Ethel Foxton co-founded Ellisons in Birmingham nearly 100 years ago with her husband, Ernest. Retaining her well-known maiden name for the new venture, the pair set about changing hairdressing for good. In the 1930s, the industry was almost exclusively a barbering trade, and they recognised that customer service was poor. Undeterred, Ethel was determined to make a change, with customer service as her highest priority. And the rest is history.
Women at the helm of our industry remain just as influential today. From salon owners and spa managers to educators, innovators, brand founders and CEOs, women continue to shape the future of professional hair and beauty every single day.
Women at the helm of our industry remain just as influential today. From salon owners and spa managers to educators, innovators, brand founders and CEOs, women continue to shape the future of professional hair and beauty every single day.
Stories from our female founder brands
"What's your biggest piece of advice for women starting in business?"
To celebrate the incredible women in our supplier community, we asked our brands founded by women one simple but powerful question: “What’s your biggest piece of advice for women starting a business?”
Their answers were honest and grounded in real experience. The importance of resilience, pushing forward even on the hardest days, and the determination it takes to turn an idea into reality were common themes. They shared the value of backing yourself before anyone else does, building strong foundations, understanding your numbers and staying adaptable in a fast-moving industry. Many highlighted the power of passion, patience and self-belief, alongside the courage to start before you feel completely ready.
Annabel Maginnis
Co-Founder of Glitterbels
Tammy Koslowski
Founder of NAF!PRO
Katie Barnes
CEO & Founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education
Ellen Kavanagh
Founder of Waxperts
Lucy Pastorelli
Founder and CEO of Lucy Pastorelli Distribution Ltd.
Charlotte Henson
Co-Founder of HONA
Barbara Cooke
CEO of BC SoftWear
Daisy Kalnina
CEO & Founder of The GelBottle Inc
Bekka Costello
Co-Founder of Nail Order
From classroom to career, stories from our experts
"What experience or lesson shaped your journey from classroom to career the most?"
We asked our hair, beauty and spa experts “what experience or lesson shaped your journey from classroom to career the most?” Our team responded with powerful stories of how a career that started in the classroom shaped their growth and personal journeys, sometimes in an unexpected but exciting new direction.
Across every story, a clear theme emerged: growth is built through experience. Whether learning on the salon floor or discovering strengths through unexpected opportunities, mentorship and collaboration have played a defining role. Many reflected on how supportive colleagues, real clients and continuous professional development helped shape not only their skills, but also their confidence and direction.
Louise Moore
Head of Academy and Online Learning
Chelsea Foyle
Spa and College Sales Manager
Sian Murphy
Direct Sales Manager
Jenny MacBride
Academy Development Manager
Sadie Stewart
Direct Sales Team Leader
Anna Thomas
Spa Development Manager
Millie Heydon
Customer Support Advisor
Laura Wood
Business Account Manager
Gemma Sumner
Spa Project Development Manager
Lesley McAteer
Business Account Manager
Claire Moran
Business Account Manager
Shantell Bent
Spa and National Accounts Co-ordinator
If you’ve recently just started your journey at college, you’re stepping onto the salon floor for the first time, progressing into leadership or launching a brand, success in hair and beauty is built on these core foundations: strong relationships, continuous learning and evolution, and of course, courage, resilience and determination.
Wherever you are in your journey, we hope these stories from the strong, amazing women in our industry inspire you, help you to embrace every lesson, and celebrate how far you’ve come.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Love and support,
Team Ellisons and friends x
PS - looking to level up your skills? Explore our range of online and in-person training courses.