A NEW business owner in Cirencester invited the community to a launch party to celebrate an exciting milestone. 

Rebecca Eykyn, aged 38, welcomed new and old faces into her brand-new salon Koko - which is situated at 2A, The livery, Waterloo, Cirencester - on Saturday, January 6.

She has been working in the hair industry since she was 17 years old.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Rebecca Eykyn at the launch party of Koko Salon Rebecca Eykyn at the launch party of Koko Salon (Image: Rebecca Eykyn)

The last few months have been a whirlwind of decorating and planning as she only decided to set up her own business at the end of last year.

The hair stylist collected the keys in November and transformed the whole space into a cosy Native American inspired salon with help from her sister in law, Cirencester-based Fallon Kirkum Interior Decor & Styling, in just three weeks.

She said she has been overwhelmed at the positive reaction she has received since announcing the salon's opening.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Inside the new Koko Salon Inside the new Koko Salon (Image: Rebecca Eykyn)
Ms Eykyn said: "I am very ambitious and am excited about the future.

"The shop was a white canvas when I first collected the keys for it.

"I wanted to incorporate some Native American furnishings into the salon because the salon's name Koko means the night in Native America.

"I like making people happy and wanted to create somewhere where they can feel safe and warm.

"We have lots of consultations booked in the diary for the next two months, so it is going to be a busy start to the year.

 "Opening my own salon has been a huge step and was something that I didn't even know I wanted six months ago.

"Koko caters to everyone from age zero to 100."

The new business owner is also keen to source everything, from décor to coffee, from local businesses.

She used Cotswold Balloons and Little Grazey for the launch party and has also bought a lot of decorations from Moonstruck.

Currently she is the only full-time stylist at the salon alongside Emma Gravestock, who works part time, but hopes to open another larger salon in the future.

She said: "Eventually I would like to grow the business and help train up the younger ones.

"I love training the youngsters to cut hair, it is my favourite thing to do.

"Running my own training academy would be a dream come true."

To book an appointment call 01285 840 718