Strands, which began as a small hairdressing salon and has grown into one of Bermuda's most best known beauty centres, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Managing director William Mayo tells Beverley Causey-Smith that the secret of Strands' success has primarily been its staff.

Strands, a first class hair salon, skin clinic and day spa located on 31 Reid Street, Hamilton is thrilled about celebrating its 20 years of business. It is one of Bermuda's finest beauty facilities if not the finest.

If ever you feel you would like to improve upon your physical and emotional well being this is where you should retreat for a few hours or a day.

You can be pampered and beautified in a relaxed atmosphere of elegance by beauty experts who have had years of meticulous training.

William Mayo, managing director, said: "We are a full service spa with numerous stylists and beauty therapists and we offer individual care. We take people by appointment only and there is a big emphasis on privacy.'' The salon/day spa is a complete facility for relaxing from stress. They offer a whirlpool, steam room and sauna. The steam room is great for sweating it out while the dry heat sauna forces the body to cleanse the skin and its pores.

The Clarins-Paris Method face treatment is a cleansing treatment and a series of purifying, moisturising and revitalising massage techniques using specific products. Besides facials, massages, manicures and pedicures are available.

The business originated in 1980 and first opened on Bermudiana Road where the Portofino is located. In 1991 they purchased an interest in their present facilities and today the state of the art facility is booming.

Reflecting over the years Mr. Mayo shared some of his earlier memories: "As a student in the UK in the early 60s I always leaned towards the arts. About 1964, the same time the Beatles were popular, Vidal Sassoon was on the forefront. Many men were finding the hair salon business to be very profitable and exciting and I launched a career in the field.'' Mr. Mayo came to Bermuda in 1970 and worked as a hairdresser and feels that he is where he is today because of hard work and good common sense.

"One of my career role models was Vidal Sassoon. He influenced me more than anyone. He is the single most individual who radically changed the industry `on its head, no pun intended'. He threw the rollers out and gave beautiful precision cuts.'' Personal care has become very popular for both sexes during the last decade and many men enjoy a haircut, facial, massage and manicure.

Either sex is sure to appreciate Reiki (pronounced ray-kay) meaning `universal life energy'. Mr. Mayo explained: "It is an ancient Japanese healing and cleansing technique. By cleansing the body of toxins and assisting in balancing areas of blocked energy, this healing leaves the recipient with a very calm and relaxed feeling.'' "I must say that we have excellent staff at Strands. Our people are the heart of our business and without them the success which we have achieved would not be possible. It has happened as a result of the many efforts of our professional staff,'' Mr. Mayo said. Strands has seven long term staff and they are: Sarah Sims 20 years, Steve Smethurst 20 years, Tim Horan 20 years, Fernanda Cardoza 20 years, Ian Shaw 14 years, Caroline Thompson four years, Chris Lockwood 7 years and Jai Black 5 years. One of the most rewarding aspects of Mr. Mayo's career is working with people and meeting the challenges of new technology as it relates to his business.

He shares a positive working relationship with his wife Carole, vice president of Strands, who manages the administrative side of the business. "One of the best rewards of our life, has been our only child, our son Adam, who is pursuing a music career in England. He never showed any interest in the beauty business with us. We support his ideas and share a wonderful relationship with him,'' concluded Mr. Mayo.

Founders: Carole and William Mayo, the proud owners of Strands for 20 years.

Beauty centre: The landmark Strands hair salon, skin clinic and day spa at 31 Reid Street.

Super staff: Strands hairdressers and assistants, from left, Ellen Tobin, Jette Christiansen, Chris Lockwood, Carolyne Romanik, senior front desk coordinator, Fernada Cardoza, Caroline Thompson, Lovette Stevens, Elizabeth Pile. (Missing: Crystal Mahon, hairdressing trainee).