A dream built on faith, tenacity and years of hard work has come to life in Berea, where Hair by Fee, founded by Fiona Holster, officially opened its doors at the end of March.
Holster, a Cambridge West resident, who is married with four children, said she had to learn balancing and juggling family life while steadily building a name for herself in the hairdressing industry.
Her decision to open in Berea was intentional.
“Berea is a central area where many people are on a daily basis,” Holster said, highlighting her goal of making professional, quality hair care more accessible to the community.
Holster’s path to owning her own salon has been shaped by both setbacks and growth.
After studying hairdressing at Buffalo City College for three years and qualifying in 2008, she entered an eight-year business partnership that ultimately did not work out.
Faced with uncertainty, she took a leap and began working as a mobile hairstylist.
That leap proved to be life changing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, while many businesses struggled, Holster continued her mobile services, and her client base grew rapidly.
“It grew so much that I realised I needed to work in a salon,” she said.
She later rented space from a beautician before finally securing her own premises, a milestone she describes as deeply personal.
“I always wanted my own salon to make beauty accessible to the community, with prices people can afford but with the same quality,” she said.
“Standing there on opening day, I knew I was in an answered prayer.”
But, Hair by Fee is a place for styling, a space built on care, connection, and confidence.
“It’s more than a hair appointment. It’s where women feel seen and heard, a safe space where they matter,” she said.
“When they leave, it’s not just about looking good on the outside, but feeling good on the inside too.”
The salon offers a range of services including cutting, blow-drying, colouring, and treatments, all delivered with a personal touch that has already earned her a loyal following.
Opening a salon, however, did not come without its challenges.
From financial pressures to the uncertainty of starting over, Holster admits the journey required courage.
“It was a bold step of faith, but everything fell into place as if it was already meant to be,” she said.
She now has her sights set on expanding her brand by bringing in more staff and introducing additional services, while keeping up with evolving trends such as modern short haircuts and innovative colouring techniques.
At the heart of it all is a simple but powerful mission: to uplift others.
“I want every client to walk away confident in who they are and feel absolutely gorgeous,” she said.
Her message to aspiring hairstylist, and anyone chasing a dream, is rooted in her own experience.
“Never give up, no matter how long it takes. Consistency is key.
“Always show up for yourself, even on the hard days, and most importantly, put God first in everything you do.”
From a mobile hustle to a thriving salon, Holster’s story is not just about business success, it’s about purpose, perseverance, and creating a space where beauty begins from within.
