FIRST GLIMPSE: New business owner, Steph Hammond, is using her razor-sharp knowledge and skills to ensure she has a head start when it comes to keeping men one step ahead.

The talented barber recently opened Barberelle barber's shop in Congleton Road, Sandbach - fulfilling a dream of launching her own business and going it alone.

Steph has taken over the building which used to belong to the laptop shop turning it into a stylish and sleek barber's shop complete with comfy chairs and men's hair care.

She is also staying 'local' with suppliers – using Sandbach Candles for candles in the shop, the antique trunk cases used for display were bought from a collector in the town and the balloons on her opening day were from Horizon Event Hire.

The mother-of-two, who went to Sandbach High School, says the reception she has had since opening has been "brilliant" and customers are coming in thick and fast.

"I want people to come in and feel comfortable here – it's like an extension of my home.

"I hope my customers become my friends. It's important that people feel welcome and enjoy the experience," said Steph.

"I try and remember if I have cut their hair before and how they like it done. It's just so amazing opening here – something I've always wanted to do."

She added: "I'm very passionate about my job and I want the business to be a real asset to Sandbach.

"Congleton Road has had a bit of a revamp and there's lots of new businesses here which is great."

In fact Steph, who has been cutting men's hair since the age of 17, has her son to thank for her flourishing career.

For it was just as her son's career in the RAF took off that the busy former retail store manager found her own career was also about to take off.

"I decided to follow my dream and become a barber to allow better work-life balance and allow me time to visit my son who was based two-and-a-half hours away," said Steph who lives in the Leighton area of Crewe.

And as it turns out that ditching a career in retail management with Next and picking up her scissors and trimming tools has been the best decision yet.

"I'm so excited about the future," says Steph who cuts ladies' short hair too. "It's the best decision I've ever made and I'm loving owning my own business."