High-quality hair salons in Miaoli:"HT Hair" and "Hair x Time" for a makeover.

2024-11-27｜Lena

Many people in Miaoli head to Taichung or Hsinchu for hair coloring and perming, but Miaoli also boasts high-quality salons. Located on Zizhi Road, "HT Hair" specializes in mature and edgy styles, making it a favorite among local office workers. On Fuqian Road, "Hair x Time " caters to a younger crowd. Whether you're looking for a sharp bad boy perm, a refreshing summer short hairstyle for women, or balayage, these two salons promise a memorable and stylish experience.

Catalogue

I. Miaoli hair salon recommendation – HT Hair Salon

II. Miaoli hair salon recommendation – Hair x Time

III. How to build a local hairdressing brand in Miaoli?

IV. The uniqueness of hair salons

V. United in struggles, scattered after hours

VI. Hair salon management – Turning sharp stones into smooth shapes for greater fulfillment

VIII. Information of quality hair salons in Miaoli

Miaoli hair salon recommendation – HT Hair Salon

"The dream began with five chairs."
"In the beginning, it wasn’t about making money; I just wanted a comfortable place to work." – Brand owner, Van

Miaoli City Hair Salon Recommendation: HT Hair Salon Owner - Van

Van

Hair salons in Miaoli are often small shops or chain franchises, with few high-end, premium-quality options. However, located on the corner of Zizhi Road in Miaoli City, HT Salon stands out with its minimalist white exterior and spacious, high-ceiling interior that could easily be mistaken for a coffee shop. HT, short for "HAIR TIME," reflects the philosophy of its owner, Van, who hopes clients can enjoy three to four hours of transformation as a joyful, beautiful experience. Van humorously explains that the simplicity of the name was intentional, as overly complex names might result in locals referring to it as "the salon next to so-and-so’s shop."

HT has been serving the local community for 11 years, taking a different path from the typical salon model by offering premium-quality services. Van notes, "Perhaps clients in Miaoli lack other options, which is why they spend big on salons outside the county." While the brand has faced occasional criticism for being "too expensive," Van believes in providing exceptional service to leave clients satisfied, allowing word-of-mouth recommendations to attract more customers willing to pay for quality. This approach led to the launch of a second salon brand, Hair x Time, in Miaoli City two years ago.

Miaoli hair salon recommendation – Hair x Time

Da Mi

The second brand, "Hair x Time," extends HT's philosophy but targets a younger demographic, specifically students and youth. Strategically located on Fuqian Road, near a school district, the salon mirrors the original HT approach by not overcrowding the space with seating. Dami, who manages Beautiful Moments, explains: "When planning this salon, we wanted to ensure that clients wouldn’t feel cramped, so we intentionally avoided packing in too many seats." Both brands align with their core values through spatial planning, interior design, and workflow layout, creating an environment where clients can begin enjoying their hair makeover experience the moment they walk through the door.

How to build a local hairdressing brand in Miaoli?

Van, not a Miaoli native, never expected to start a business on this land. By chance, he moved from Hsinchu to Miaoli, embarking on an uninterrupted journey in hairdressing that has brought fresh impact and change to the local market. Unlike major cities like Taipei, Taichung, or Kaohsiung, which rely heavily on online marketing to attract out-of-town clients, Miaoli’s consumer base primarily consists of locals. As a result, while online presence is essential, building strong customer relationships is even more critical for HT and Hair x Time. Da Mi explains: "If you can create a style that truly satisfies and pleases your client, they’ll come back to you next time. And if they’re really happy with the service, they’ll also recommend you to their friends."

Miaoli City Hair Salon Introduction: HT Salon Interior Photos

HT Salon & Hair x Time Salon interior photos

The uniqueness of hair salons

The hairdressing industry is widely recognized for its long working hours. Unless it’s a small studio or a traditional salon, most hair salons are predominantly staffed by young people, and it’s rare to find multiple stylists who are also mothers. However, HT and Beautiful Moments break this norm. "This is quite special. Almost all of our stylists are moms. In rural areas, especially, it’s challenging for women in hairdressing to balance being a stylist and managing a family, which leads many to leave the industry," Van explains with heartfelt sincerity.

Perhaps because most team members share similar roles, they better understand each other's challenges and needs. Decisions on major issues or employee benefits are often made with the role of motherhood in mind. As both a stylist and a mom, Dami shares: "The parent-child leave here is a great benefit for moms. Pregnancy is unpredictable, and kids can suddenly fall ill. At our salon, the impact of being a mom isn’t as significant as it might be elsewhere. In fact, having kids has given us clearer goals and more motivation."

United in struggles, scattered after hours

Isn’t it wonderful to have a team of partners who are like brothers and sisters, willing to go above and beyond for each other? That was exactly how Van felt in the early days of starting his business. However, with experience, his perspective shifted significantly. "Running a salon is about making money!" he says, as if shouting to his 11-years-younger self. "As a business owner, you sometimes need to change your mindset. To retain your team, it’s not just about creating a happy work environment. Offering fair profit-sharing is just as crucial. After all, people work to earn a living."

A small studio with just 5 chairs in its early days.

After 11 years of experience and growth, the salon is managed with the philosophy of "maintaining professional boundaries among colleagues." However, the shared roles and similar life experiences among team members foster a deep mutual understanding. Even though everyone heads home after work to focus on their families, without frequent private gatherings, the team remains supportive during work hours. They seamlessly assist one another, often becoming that "third hand" when someone is overwhelmed.

Hair salon management – Turning sharp stones into smooth shapes for greater fulfillment

Brand owner Van, rather than taking on a typical "boss" role, is more like a guiding "mentor" to the team. When team members face emotional challenges or hurdles they can’t overcome, Van engages in timely communication to understand their thoughts and offers gentle, non-directive advice. "After talking things through over two or three years, I realized that even the most intense personalities could become softer. When this trait becomes common within the team, newcomers are naturally influenced by it. To me, that’s a huge sense of achievement," Van shared.

This caring and supportive leadership style not only creates a harmonious team atmosphere but also serves as a model for future leaders within the salon. Dami, as the manager of Beautiful Moments, acknowledges drawing significant inspiration from Van. Reflecting on her role, Dami notes that traditional methods of harsh discipline in the hair industry don’t always yield good results: "Young people today understand through conversation. As long as they do their job well and provide great service to clients, I don’t interfere much with what they do outside work. For both seasoned and new stylists, being happy at work is incredibly important."

HT & Hair x Time team photo

Factionalism and cliques in the hairdressing industry are no less common than in school days. However, HT and Hair x Time prioritize "mutual support" above all. Building a cohesive workplace culture for each salon takes time and effort. While group dynamics occasionally lead to misunderstandings, the team’s deep understanding of each other fosters strong rapport. At HT and Hair x Time, minor conflicts are often brushed off with a smile, diffusing negativity and maintaining harmony. This approach helps team members develop a balanced mindset, even in an industry where fairness is not always guaranteed.

Recommended tourist attractions in Miaoli

If you have the chance to visit Miaoli, why not set aside an afternoon for a transformation at HT or Hair x Time? Afterward, treat yourself to a local favorite, "Chou Dodo" (Stinky Tofu), highly recommended by Van. Laughing, Van explains, "It’s super smelly, but the flavor is unique, with a mix of herbal spices and basil. Plus, it’s vegetarian-friendly." Miaoli-native Da Mi suggests some nostalgic favorites from her childhood: Grandma’s Tapioca at Beimiao Market and Yikouxiang Stuffed Pancakes. For sightseeing, she recommends heading to Tai'an or Dahu for a day of exploration.