In the hunt for a salon that understood her hair type fully, DEBBIE ALGOSAIBI launched Roots Qatar with a vision of delivering personal, trusted and unforgettable salon experiences with outstanding results. In 2018, her sister, CAROLYN COLLINS joined as GENERAL MANAGER to take the salon forward. ANUSHAY KHAN delves into the world of beauty to discover Carolyn’s latest entrepreneurial initiatives.
Initially launched in February 2015, Roots Qatar swiftly earned its space in the beauty industry in Doha. Their clients were amazed at the incredible results which led to Carolyn successfully expanding the Roots Qatar’s footprint across two locations.
It was around 2018 when my girlfriends were gushing over a new gem they had found that had impeccable hair and beauty services. They spoke about the hair experts there, the attention given to every individual and the ‘homely’ and classy’ feel you feel at the salon. That was my first introduction to Roots Qatar. Believe me, when some of your most high-maintenance friends recommend a place, it is worth trying. If only life could have been that easy and I could have just walked in for a hair consultation. It took me weeks to get a slot for a haircut and that is when I met Carolyn.
I was busy getting advice from the stylist when a lady came and stood next to me and started having a conversation about my hair type. She exchanged advice and recommendations with Hannah, my hair stylist, about the colours that would suit my skin tone for the balayage that we were discussing. I complimented her team to which she responded ‘Oh, isn’t she the best!’. Over the course of the next hour, I heard her call almost everyone ‘the best’. Any time anyone would compliment their service, she would praise her team. That is the first memory I have of Carolyn. Later, as I got to know her more on a professional and personal level, I realised that that is just who she is. Supportive, giving off appreciation to those around her, always supporting and giving back to the community, which is very close to her heart. Carolyn is a person who has the natural ability to bring an entire community of incredible women together and she is truly amazing.
Carolyn is a shining example of how women can empower other women and when she became General Manager of Roots she swiftly found out that this was her passion. I had the opportunity to attend a couple of the famous ‘Roots Pamper Evenings’ where I mingled with women that Carolyn has been supporting with a community inspired initiative. You come and get advice from their experts (and maybe even win a thing or two!), then you can go around the salon and look at the amazing businesses run by women who are looking at gaining some exposure and building their client base. You’d find every
“Doing her bit to make the world a better place, Carolyn has also hosted additional initiatives such as ‘The Fashion Swap’ where everyone gave their clothes that they did not want and were able to swap with other women who had also donated clothes – it was a huge success!”
one here; media, bloggers, friends, newbies and women who simply want to meet more people. We had the pleasure of discovering a few of the most unique ventures here and I’m certainly a fan! We cannot think of a better way to welcome someone to the community and introduce them to a strong group of generous women.
Doing her bit to make the world a better place, Carolyn has also hosted additional initiatives such as ‘The Fashion Swap’ where everyone gave their clothes that they did not want and were able to swap with other women who had also donated clothes – it was a huge success! This was another opportunity to network as well as bid to help the environment and Roots were awarded the Green Event Award at the Qatar Sustainability Awards for their event. The role that we find the most endearing would have to be the humanitarian causes that she stands for and holds so dearly to her heart. We had a conversation about cancer research, giving people a platform who are making a change in the community and support cancer sufferers; in essence, finding an opportunity to help anyone who needs her support. It is not unheard of to wake up to a text from Carolyn asking you to spread the word around or make donations for those who are struggling. Talk about a pillar for the community! Even though she is currently quarantined alone as her family is back in UK, she has still managed to make me feel like a relevant part of the family she has built in Doha.
For me, Carolyn Collins is a master of all trades; an entrepreneur with a heart of gold and an overall genuinely generous and warm spirited person who I love to be around.
@rootsqatar