Could you be named our next salon of the year?

The Gallery in Tunbridge Wells won Salon of the Year 1 at HJ's 2014 British Hairdressing Business Awards. The judges called their entry 'innovative, forward-thinking and responsive' - but what did winning do for their salon? We speak to owner Lorenzo Colangelo  to find out.

Why did you enter the British Hairdressing Business Awards?

We entered the awards because we had made some big business decisions over the last few years. We restructured our plan to make The Gallery a better business without losing the sense of family and without seeming too corporate. The business has grown and become more profitable, proving the changes were worthwhile and worthy of an entry into the business awards.

What is the value of entering the British Hairdressing Business Awards?

When we were confronted with the criteria for the awards it helped us really focus on what is important from a business perspective. We knew we had an amazing energy and magic in the salon, but when we started to look at the business itself we realised what a strength there was there too. Completing the entry form really hit home what a great business we have.

How did it feel to win Salon of the Year 1?

When we were informed that we had reached the final six in the awards we were overjoyed and celebrated amazingly. The team seemed more galvanised than ever and there was a real sense of belief. Even though we were among such great and proven competition, we felt that we had something different and that our secret was out. I was able to use the awards in every team meeting and it really gave us a sense of focus.

On the night, we took our whole team and I specifically took my mum and dad as they were the original founders of the business. I had visualised in my dreams picking up the award and handing it to my dad - now in his late 70s - and taking my most loyal and long standing staff up, to collect the award as well. When we were called as winners the screams of delight were amongst the loudest of the night. It was the best moment of my career to date. To actually hand the award to my dad and celebrate with my hard-working team made everything so fantastically worthwhile.

What has the win done for your business?

Since winning we have been local celebrities. The reaction from clients - both old and new - has been incredible and we have seen an increase in new clients since all the coverage in the local press. You do have to work hard to get the most out of the win but, saying all that, we have seen an increase in turnover, an increase in clients and, best of all, an increase in morale amongst both our team and clients. The win has really focused our business, my leadership and the team's responsibility to delivering great service to our customers.