Falling in love with hairdressing at a young age, Mhicca’s experience in the hairdressing industry started when she was 16 and extends now to over 15 years. Beginning her journey in a small town in New Zealand shortly after she qualified, Mhicca then moved to Perth, Australia. She worked in a number of boutique salons and over the last 10 years she has retained a loyal following, enabling her to open up her own salon. 

At age 25 Mhicca branched out as a self-employed stylist. She began working out of her dad's garage in Morley over 6 years ago. After she married her husband they decided to move the salon into a room in their small North Perth home, which consisted of two styling chairs and a portable basin. 

With a God given word to open a salon called “Vessel”, Mhicca and Jeff began looking for a new location. In March 2020 their innovative mindset for detail and creativity sparked the vision to create one of Perth’s most luxurious and unique hair salons! 

With a background in elite sport, Mhicca has always juggled her training with long hours on the salon floor. In 2019, off the back end of a successful international rugby career, Mhicca was fortunate enough to be offered a contract with AFLW West Coast Eagles. From a Wallaroo to an Eagle she naturally sustains a high level of work ethic within the business, influenced by elite sport. She continues to remain fit and endeavours to one day leave her sporting career and invest more time building the business to new heights. 

“I absolutely love my job and my clients. I have built incredible friendships with them over the years, which makes our workspace super friendly. Everyone that comes to Vessel is valued, and we are always striving to create a memorable, loving experience for them. 

Owning Vessel with my husband has been the most fulfilling journey we’ve achieved together. Creating jobs for others has been a rewarding experience. Knowing we are forming jobs and opportunity in a positive environment and loving culture allows us to influence our staff and watch them grow. 

Our vision is to build multiple Vessels. They will all look different. They will all carry the same heart and be a place of belonging. Watch this space for exciting plans ahead for both the hair and beauty side of the business and much more.”

From training athletes to finding a love for barbering. Jeff’s experience in barbering has come leaps and bounds in a short period of 18months. At 34 years old Jeff made a decision to leave his 17 year long fitness industry career and become a barber. Jeff is 18months into his hairdressing apprenticeship and his potential has grown rapidly, making his clipper cuts one of the fastest growing services in the salon. 

With his love for people and hunger to learn, Jeff is one of our pillars within the business. He has a natural flair for discovering shape and individual style for his clients, and his reputation is growing. Naturally with a heart for people and a quality service, Jeff finds his clients returning on a 3 week cycle and his bookings slowly filling up on a monthly basis. 

If he’s not building his TikTok profile with his clipper cuts, you’ll find him creating beautiful waves, offering shoulder massages, or extending his training in women’s cuts. Jeff carries a certificate in massage, looking after our ‘neck, scalp and shoulder massages’ in our newly developed spa corner.

Jeff's expertise in the fitness industry has brought such an incredible sense of work ethic, precision, and strength to our team. With an 8 year background lecturing at TAFE, Jeff will carry his own team under him one day.  

Not only an amazing husband and apprentice, he carries a huge load of the back end of the business by running errands, managing the paperwork and most of the financial side along with his mum, Lyn Carter, our private bookkeeper. Jeff is worth his weight in gold and without him, Vessel would not operate as smoothly as it does. 

He says making a decision to start a career in hairdressing, and training to become a qualified stylist specialising in barbering, has been one of the best decisions he has ever made. 

Shanel has worked within the hairdressing industry for 3 years. Starting her apprenticeship in New Zealand at age 15, she gained experience from a young age. Shanel took a long-awaited break from hairdressing, but endeavours to complete her apprenticeship under Vessel over the next few years. We are so glad she has decided to complete the rest of her qualification, and we are excited to support her with completing her apprenticeship. 

Shanel is a delight to have in the salon. She is fun and brings a lovely energy to the space. We love her, and we love the way she interacts and loves her clients. 

"Raised in the small town of Picton, New Zealand, at the age of 15 I moved to Christchurch to pursue a career in hairdressing. For 2 years I studied and worked in a salon. During the second year of my apprenticeship, unfortunately, my dream as a stylist died and I lost my passion for hairdressing.

Moving to Perth, looking for a new adventure, I fell into this opportunity. Being out of the industry for a number of years, I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever find my passion for hair again. 

Mhicca and Jeff saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. My spark had been completely relit. Working at Vessel has been my favourite adventure so far. I have a passion for creative hairstyles and complex braid work. 

I have loved building strong friendships and connections with my clients throughout their hair journey, and helping them to express their personalities through their appearance. 

Qualifications:

Salon Assistant Level 2 2013

Student of the Year 2013

Salon Support Level 3 2014

Completing my apprenticeship at Taylor Weir