Winning hair salon proudly new wave

Boutique hair salon Oscar and Ivy Hair Co has proven it is a cut above the rest.

The salon took out the top prize at the Busselton and Dunsborough Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2019 Business Excellence Awards last Friday night.

Oscar and Ivy was named as the Busselton Dunsborough Times and GWN7 outstanding business of the year.

For owner and principal hairdresser Merinda Levitzke, the win was a total shock.

“This is our first time entering and we just did it for the experience — and what an experience it has been,” she said.

“We have only been in business for 2 1/2 years, so this is very surreal and very humbling.”

Ms Levitzke said she felt the business’ point of difference as an environmentally friendly salon was what made it stand out. In the past year, Oscar and Ivy has moved to using a new low-toxicity colour range and joined the Sustainable Salons program, recycling 95 per cent of its waste.

Ms Levitzke is also passionate about developing her business and helping her employees grow.

“My passion is to help people grow and I love this industry,” she said. “In Perth, I did my training with a big company, so I was blessed to upskill and learn about the business side of things. We are constantly learning and training here, so this award is for everyone and recognition of the team.”

Sixteen awards were presented at the gala event.

Other winners included The Humble Bicycle Co, which received CQ University’s young entrepreneur award, and The Good Egg, which won Bendigo Bank’s judges’ choice gong.

South West Counselling Inc was awarded EBM’s excellence in not-for-profit and Busselton Martial Arts won Forrest Personnel’s inclusivity and diversity prize.

Angus Smith, Ray Mountenay and Laurie Saltarini were inducted into the chamber’s business hall of fame.