For nearly three decades, Barrie Stephen has been more than just a hairdresser—he’s been a visionary, a business leader, and a local legend in Leicestershire.
From humble beginnings in a modest village salon to establishing one of the region’s most aspirational brands, his story is a masterclass in grit, intuition, and unrelenting passion for excellence.
Picture: Provided by Barry Stephen
In 1996, when most entrepreneurs wouldn’t dream of opening a high-end salon outside the city, Barrie did just that. He chose Anstey, a quiet village near Bradgate Park, as the launchpad for his first salon. “Everyone thought I was crazy,” he recalls. “They thought I’d fall flat on my face, but if I’d listened to them, I wouldn’t be where I am today…”
His instincts were right. Within six months, Barrie and his first employee, Debbie, had outgrown the original space, growing in popularity and making a ‘big noise’ in the sleepy village of Anstey. What followed was a journey that would redefine Leicester’s hairdressing landscape.
Barrie’s fascination with hair began early—cutting friends’ and his mum’s hair in the kitchen long before he turned professional. At 15, he left school to pursue a career in hairdressing, landing a Saturday job at Leicester’s former ‘Greco’s’ salon and completing an apprenticeship. That’s where the foundation of his career was laid. “I was lucky,” he reflects. “I knew what I wanted from a young age and was very fortunate to have the best training and the best start early in my career.”
“ I’ve always been decisive, focussed and creative. Intuition has also served me well over the years. ”
Today, the Barrie Stephen brand includes four unique salons: in the city (King Street), a village (Anstey), a market town (Ashby-de-la-Zouch), and a health club (David Lloyd, Colton Park). Each location represents a different slice of Leicester life, yet all share the same commitment to “red carpet” service—an experience that goes beyond hair to touch confidence, identity, and emotion.
Picture credit: Pukaar
“It’s not just about a haircut,” Barrie explains.
“You can ruin someone’s life with a bad cut, or you can change it for the better. Hair is emotional. It’s transformative.
“When clients leave the salon, I want them to be going out with the fairies.”
Despite his brand’s growth and success, Barrie remains hands- on. Post-pandemic, the self-made businessman returned to his roots – the salon floor, re-immersing himself in daily operations and rediscovering the core of his business: connection. “Clients want more than a cut—they want to be understood,” he says.
“I’ve had clients who’ve been with me since the beginning, and that’s the biggest compliment.
“Hairdressing is about making people feel good and that makes me feel amazing,” he adds. “You can just see how somebody changes when they’ve had their hair done. It’s incredible – a great gift and a real privilege.”
Picture: Barrie Stephen
His team delivers what he calls the “six-week experience,” a holistic, consultative approach that considers every aspect of a client’s lifestyle.
But Barrie’s people-first mindset isn’t just for clients. “I’ve employed over 80 people across the years,” he notes proudly. “We pay well, we train hard, and we push for personal success. Some of our stylists earn over £60,000 working four days a week.”
He lights up when talking about young stylists buying their first homes or becoming parents. “That’s what it’s about,” he says. “Not just building a business, but building lives.
“I’m grateful for everything I’ve achieved. I want my team to achieve and to have great lives. Happy team”, happy clients – that’s what I believe.”
The pandemic was Barrie’s greatest business challenge. With 50 staff members and widespread uncertainty, resilience became the order of the day. While many salons shuttered for good, Barrie’s survived—and even thrived. He credits government furlough schemes, but more so his team’s loyalty and the strength of his brand. “If your business was weak before COVID, it didn’t survive. Ours was strong,” he tells Pukaar.
The crisis also sparked a seismic shift in the industry, with many stylists moving to self-employment. But Barrie believes the tide is turning back. “People want structure, training, benefits, and community. That’s what we offer, and that’s why we’re still here.”
A staunch supporter of the Leicester community as well as a passionate animal lover, Barrie serves as an ambassador for Leicester Animal Aid. He is also a patron for the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity—the same organisation that once helped him buy his first property. “Giving back is non-negotiable for me. Leicester has been good to me; I want to be good to Leicester.”
Picture: Barrie Stephen
With 52 awards under his belt, including Leicester Entrepreneur of the Year, Barrie Stephen has little left to prove—yet his drive hasn’t waned. “I’m more passionate now than when I started,” he says. “This business isn’t about ego. It’s about doing something meaningful, helping people feel amazing, and building something that lasts.”
As the industry continues to evolve, Barrie remains rooted in his founding principle: quality, creativity, and care. Whether he’s walking the salon floor or mentoring the next generation of stylists, one thing’s clear—he’s not going anywhere.
“My mum says I’ll be the last man standing in Leicester,” he laughs. “And she’s probably right.”
To find out more, visit: https://www.barriestephenhair.co.uk/
