Hairdresser Raquel Brown has a blueprint for success.

The 26-year-old has just opened her own business — Blueprint Hair Studio — in Hamilton.

And she said — despite the recession — she was confident a mix of high-quality service and value would guarantee a business boom. Ms Brown added: “It was always a dream of mine to do this — the opportunity presented itself, so I just ran with it.”

She said: “I always knew I wanted to be a hair stylist. I was in high school studying accounting, changed my mind and went to Marca College in Toronto.”

After qualifying, Ms Brown worked at top-notch Island spas like Willow Stream at the Fairmont Southampton, Bersalon and Salon 27 for a total of eight years before taking the plunge and setting up shop on her own.

She said: “A part of me was very nervous about starting a business in these economic times — but if you don’t try it when you get the chance, you never will.”

The salon, which has been open for business for a month in the Pearman building on Par-la-Ville Road, will tomorrow get an official opening, with Minister for Home Affairs Michael Fahy attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Ms Brown, a former pupil of CedarBridge Academy and Columbia International College in Hamilton, Ontario, said: “It’s going really well so far — we’ve been really busy.

“A lot of people know of my work and the staff I have — they’re very popular and a lot of it is word of mouth.”

The salon boasts a cool white and pale blue colour scheme, with frosted glass panels and silver framed mirrors. Ms Brown employs three senior hairstylists, a shampoo assistant and a front desk manager at the unisex salon and is the exclusive Island agent for the California-based environmentally-friendly Pravana range of hair care products. She said: “When people come in, they’re really in awe of the decor. It’s a lofty space and very modern. People love it. They’re happy with the design and love the products.”

She added: “Everything is marked at US prices, so people get the same value, which is a bonus. We’re also selling to other salons in Bermuda and we’re looking forward to retailing to more Bermuda salons.”

And she said that the recession might even boost business as people look for an affordable way to treat themselves to a morale-booster during depressing times.

Ms Brown added: “Hair will always be in play — there are always special events and special occasions.

“I specialise in up-do so I do a lot of that for weddings.

“We don’t have many kids in at the moment, but we do them as well. We do everyone — working women, anyone who wants to feel pampered.”

People getting their hair done always makes them feel better about themselves. It’s an affordable way of giving yourself a boost.”