It’s amazing to think that Wilsons was started over 28 years ago! Here’s our founder’s story …
Audrey has over 45 years experience in the hairdressing industry, starting her career in a local Macclesfield salon at the age of 15. It was at this point that her creative spark was ignited, and she took the bold step to apply to Vidal Sassoon …
Upon joining Vidal Sassoon Audrey began the process of retraining as a hair stylist. She was incredibly fortunate to work alongside top creative directors and colourists during the 1980s at the company’s Manchester salon and London Academy.
Audrey left Manchester and crossed continents to sunny Bermuda, during which time she worked as a creative stylist for a salon called Strands, in the city of Hamilton. Strands was considered to be the leader in haircare on the island at the time.
In 1987 Audrey joined the global haircare brand Redken as a Salon Educator. She trained in salons throughout the United Kingdom, and became a team leader and the company’s Northern Education Manager. Audrey’s duties included traveling as far a field as Los Angeles whilst working for Redken.
In 1992 Audrey returned to Macclesfield and opened the doors of ‘Wilsons Associates’ with her sister Heather. Her passion for hairdressing shone through, and she harnessed a desire to build a team to share her skills and knowledge.
Alongside Total People, Wilsons provided work-based training for salon apprentices. Since opening her salon, Audrey has trained over 40 young apprentices, and has received many accolades during that time including, the Investors in People Government award for businesses. Some of the apprentices Audrey trained are still part of her valued team today, and others have started businesses of their own.
Fast forward to 2020, and Audrey continues to have a great team at our salon in Macclesfield. Our collective aim is to offer the customer a service beyond their expectations.
Audrey says … ‘I am a great believer that in order to succeed and survive everything must evolve – and evolve we have!’
