Determination and respect are keys to success

Bruno Giamattei is the owner of Marc Antoni hair salon in Hart Street, Henley. He has run the business for the last 41 years. It was founded by his father in Reading in 1966 and where Bruno worked before training at Alan International in London. The business has recently
celebrated its 40th anniversary. Married to Carolyn, he has two children.

Describe your Business?

A multi-award winning five star hair salon with four salons in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.

How many people does it employ?

We employ 50 people across all four salons.

What did you do before you started this business?

Slightly differently, at the age of 18, I actually trained as a semi-professional football player.

When did you start your business?

41 years ago

What was your objective in starting your business?

I just loved doing hair, and the time was right.

Who, or What influenced you to set up your own business?

My father (Bruno Giamattei Senior) inspired me to start the business and make a living.

Do you have a mentor or role Model?

My father is my mentor and Vidal Sassoon is my role model.

What would you do differently if you were starting again?

I would have a bigger spaced salon, as all my businesses on average are 1100-1200sq ft — I would go for 2000sq ft and have bigger premises in each of the towns.

How is your business doing compared with last year?

It is very hard, as just to stand still we have to make £120k extra this year to include National Insurance and minimum wage changes, implemented by the government. Supplier price increases put pressure on everyone, but it is a must to stay in business.

Do you compare on a regular basis?

We do weekly and monthly comparisons and we keep our salons busy.

How do you market your business?

Through clientele and Google reviews, you cannot beat your clients recommending you highly enough. This has done us well, as we have been in Henley-on-Thames for all these years.

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

People say you have more free time, I enjoy seeing the youngsters evolve and become top hairdressers within the Marc Antoni brand.

What’s the most challenging aspect of running your business?

I would say, it was dealing with
clients every day.

Where is your business headed?

To be carrying on, until I don’t enjoy it any more.

Are you using Generative AI to shape your business?

No, I am not, but my brother Aaron is, and I leave that to him.

How important are online sales … and why?

We don’t do online sales, our service is face-to-face recommendations based on the clients’ hair at that point in time.

How do you have a work-life balance?

Since Covid I now work part-time in the salon which frees up more of my time during the week for other work outside of the salon.

Do you set any goals for your business at the start of a new financial year?

Yes, we constantly set targets for every quarter for all our stylists, which we review monthly and we discuss in weekly staff meetings.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned since you started your business?

Not to take things too seriously, and don’t worry about things you cannot control, as it only puts pressure on yourself and no-one else cares. What will be will be.

What advice would you offer to anybody considering starting a business?

To be determined and be passionate in what you do and aim for the stars — if you land on the clouds you are doing well.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made?

Putting all my eggs into one basket doing a business deal with someone else. My father told me not to do it, but I didn’t listen as I trusted the other person — but I got smashed and I would never do it again.

How organised are you?

I go day by day and honestly I am not that organised at all.

What are you most looking forward to in 2026?

Surviving.

How are you planning for retirement?

The vineyards of Italy are calling.

What’s the secret of your success?

Determination, respect the people you work with, being a problem solver and a great listener.

What three qualities do you think are most important to become a success in running a profitable business?

You must have confidence and believe in yourself, you must have determination and be prepared to go where it is scary, a will to succeed and never give up.

How do you dress for work each day and is it important?

We have a dress code for the salon (black and white) and smart. I always dress smart as it sets an impression to all your staff to abide by the dress code.

What can’t you do without every day?

My wife and family, they are my backbone.

What change would you most like to see in 2026?

Generally that people are kinder to one another.

Interview by Will Hamilton,
intermediary and global

marketing consultant, Hamilton Associates