Former Borders College student Rhianne Miller picked up the ‘Best Hair Stylist’ honour at the Scottish Business Awards, staged at the Philipburn Hotel in Selkirk recently.
Rhianne, from Hawick, studied at the College in 2019 and achieved her level 2 and 3 Diploma in Hairdressing and now works full-time as a self-employed stylist at Wilson’s in Melrose, where she has built up an impressive clientele.
Rhianne commented:
“I was nominated a few months back which was an amazing surprise and shared a link on my social media for my clients to vote for me.
“I had a telephone interview with the Business Awards and a secret shopper made an appointment with me and visited the premises where I work.
“On the night, there were lots of talented business owners from all over the Borders and the awards ran through the course of the evening and we had a lovely meal too.”
Rhianne enjoyed a spell in hospitality at the Capon Tree in Jedburgh and also helped to run The Oak Lounge, now the Gretel in Hawick, but it was always her long-term intention to plough her trade cutting and styling hair.
Commenting on her time at college, she added:
“Borders College has such amazing facilities in the Hairdressing Department and the knowledge and the experience that the lecturers have really allowed me to do well on the course.
“The hands-on experience, as well as the theory side of things, cover all aspects of the industry, and being able to do a placement in a real salon once a week is a great insight of what a career in this industry can look like.
“If it hadn’t been for Borders College and the constant help, love and support from the lecturing staff, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
“My advice to future students is to go for it! I had no idea I wanted to be a hairdresser when I left school and I didn’t decide to go to college until I was in my early 20s and it’s absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Hairdressing Lecturer Dianne Kiore, who taught Rhianne at College, commented:
“Rhianne was an excellent student during her two years at Borders College. Her practical work was of a very high standard and she showed potential to be a very successful stylist throughout her time with us. We are all really proud of her achievements and wish her the very best of luck in her future hairdressing career.”
Rhianne has now qualified for the Scottish Retail Business Awards Grand Final, taking place in March 2022 in Glasgow, and hopes she can go one step further and win at national level.
If you are interested in studying Hairdressing at Borders College, follow this link for the courses available: https://www.borderscollege.ac.uk/course-search