Rovella Hair & Co, a stylish new hair salon in Norwich, has quickly become a shining star in the hair and beauty world. Co-founded by Ieva and her business partner Jess, the salon has already earned industry recognition, being named a finalist in the 2025 Hair and Beauty Awards for Best New Salon.
A Friendship Turned Partnership
The journey to opening their own salon blossomed naturally during Ieva and Jess’s time on the prestigious Wella Colour Expert course. Their shared passion and growing friendship sparked the idea to take their careers to the next level. “It all came together quickly,” says Ieva. “As we studied together and travelled to London, we realised we shared the same vision: to push boundaries and grow—not just for ourselves but for our future salon and team. That’s when we decided to make it happen.”
Having worked together for over two years at a previous salon, their bond as colleagues grew through their dedication to perfecting their craft. “Jess and I inspire and support each other every step of the way,” Ieva says. “I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with.”
A Name with Meaning
The salon’s name, Rovella, carries a deeply personal significance. It’s inspired by Ieva and Jess’s cherished dogs—Rosa, a pug, and Bella, a Labrador. “Our furry babies bring us so much joy,” Ieva shares. “We wanted the name to reflect something personal and meaningful to us.”
Rovella Hair & Co has quickly built a reputation for offering a warm and inviting atmosphere, alongside an impressive range of services, including hair colouring, cutting, extensions, and perming.
Recognition and Industry Success
Being named a finalist in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards is a milestone that means the world to Ieva and Jess. “This recognition validates all the hard work and dedication we’ve poured into Rovella Hair & Co,” says Ieva. “We’re incredibly grateful and excited to attend the red carpet event in Birmingham next year.”
Big Plans for the Future
With their eyes firmly set on 2025, Ieva and Jess aim to expand their team while continuing to grow within the industry. Despite recently completing the Wella Colour Expert course, their hunger for new challenges and opportunities remains strong. Ieva adds, “We’ll be graduating from Wella World studios in London this January, and we’re looking forward to what the future holds.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those considering starting their own business, Ieva offers insightful advice: “Step out of your comfort zone. It’s scary and stressful at times, but it’s so worth it. That’s when you truly grow.”
A Bright Future for Rovella Hair & Co
As Rovella Hair & Co continues to flourish, it’s clear that Ieva and Jess’s shared vision, hard work, and determination have laid the foundation for their success. With exciting milestones ahead, the future looks brighter than ever for this dynamic duo and their growing salon.
The Full Interview
Congratulations on starting your new business, Rovella Hair & Co! How long have you been planning this venture, and what inspired you to open your own salon?
Thank you! Actually, we weren’t planning it for long. During our Wella Colour Expert course, our friendship grew stronger, and we both realised that we worked really well together. We shared the same vision to push our boundaries and grow—not only for ourselves but for the salon and team as well—so we could achieve our full potential. That’s what led us to decide to open our own place.
You’ve started the company with your friend—how long have you known each other, and what’s it like working together?
Jess and I have been working together for over two years now. We worked side by side in our previous salon and spent a lot of time together studying and traveling to London for the Wella Colour Expert course. That was when we realised how well we got along and that we shared the same vision for progress and improvement. I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with. We have similar ideas and goals, and we support and inspire each other every step of the way.
The salon feels so inviting, and we heard the name was inspired by your pet dogs! Could you tell us more about that and the services you offer?
Yes, our salon is named after our dogs. We wanted a name that was personal and meaningful to us. Our furry babies bring so much love and joy to our lives, so we decided to name the salon after them: my pug, Rosa, and Jess’s Labrador, Bella.
We offer a wide range of services, including hair colouring, cutting, hair extensions, and perming.
Congratulations on being selected as a finalist in the 2025 Hair and Beauty Awards for Best New Salon! That’s amazing! What does this recognition mean to you?
Thank you so much! Being finalists is such an incredible honour for us. It validates all the hard work and dedication we’ve put into making this dream a reality. We’re incredibly grateful to be recognised within the industry and are looking forward to attending the red-carpet event in Birmingham next year.
What are your goals and aspirations for Rovella Hair & Co in the future?
The hair industry is always evolving, and we are determined to stay focused and grow with it. We want to continue progressing and bringing the best to our clients and team.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own business?
Step out of your comfort zone. That’s where real progress and growth happen. It can feel scary, overwhelming, and stressful at times, but it’s so worth it.
What are your plans and hopes for 2025?
We’re excited about expanding our team and continuing to grow as individuals. Even though we just completed the Wella Colour Expert course, we’re always looking for new opportunities. We’ll be heading to the Wella World Studios in London for our graduation in January, and we’re thrilled about the UK Hair and Beauty Awards finals in Birmingham next August.