Barber Sandra clocks up ten years on Tolbooth Street, and 100,000 haircuts!

A Forres barber says it’s her versatility and low prices that have kept customers coming back year after year as she celebrates 10 years in business.

Sandra Vilnite moved to Elgin 18 years ago and always dreamed of opening her own shop to provide a better life for her kids and her dad.

“One day I spotted this shop empty and could just see my self in there, and before I knew it, my dream came true,” Sandra said.

She’s now clocked up 10 years at S Barbers in Tolbooth Street in the town, and says Forres is an amazing place to do business, and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Sandra was born in Latvia and has worked in supermarkets, farms, painting and decorating, a hotel in Guernsey, and she worked for K&M Barbershop in Elgin, before deciding to open her own business in Forres.

She also has two sons, four grandchildren, a sister, nephew and niece all living nearby, and some of them work with her in the shop.

Family-friendly

Sandra added: “I started just cutting hair on my own and now we have four people working here. I do perms and colours, ladies pin-ups and cuts which is very popular.

Thinking about what she’s seen over the past 10 years, she said: “It’s so nice to see kids and families coming to me, the kids are growing up and having children of their own – lots of first haircuts and now they’re coming in on their own for haircuts.

She reckons she’s clocked up around 100,000 haircuts in the decade: “On busy days, I can do 60 cuts a day!”

“I love that we’re able to give haircuts to all family – mum, dad, boys and trims for the daughters.

“The ladies love that they can just pop in and have a hair cut with no appointment and we try to keep the lowest prices for haircuts in area.

“No appointment is needed. We have customers coming from Elgin, Nairn, Inverness and even Buckie!

Asked about what it’s like being a business owner in Forres, Sandra said: “The people are really nice and friendly and always doing their best to help others, especially by shopping locally. I use most of shops in Forres, and it’s great for Christmas shopping!”

See who’s commented on Facebook