Business Milestones: Miss Shapes at 20
Two decades is a long time for any business – with all the strife that businesses large and small have had to endure these past four years, it seems that anxiety among business owners has never been higher. The ability for us as business owners to be able to re-frame perceived threats has become ever more critical; for example, the perception of an oversaturated market can be re-framed as market complexity. This kind of reframe gives us the ability to plan around these kinds of challenges, making what felt like something out of our control and turning it into something where we can take steps to continue to improve and grow our businesses and take control of our own destiny.
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Garren Thompson, co-owner and co-founder of Gibraltar hair & beauty salon Miss Shapes, based on Bishop Rapallo’s Ramp. As the business recently hit the 20-year milestone, we discussed the highs and lows of creating a successful salon in a saturated market, how he and his team created their new range of Miss Shapes branded Hair & Beauty products and how this will help build success for another 20 years.
Why and when did you start the business?
Garren: My husband Joseph and I first became serious about opening our own salon in 2002 but we didn’t open the salon until 2003 – we were in our 20s and we didn’t have a clue about how to go about starting a business. That’s one of the biggest changes we’ve seen in business over the last 20 years, how readily available information is thanks to the internet and organisations like the GFSB. Back then we didn’t know about anything, so everything we did was trial and error. Starting with a business loan of £10,000, we created a lovely little salon, bootstrapping as best we could. Joseph’s family all pitched in, with his dad and brother building all the units and we even salvaged the mirrors in a skip.
What would you say was your first growth milestone?
Garren: After a few years of healthy growth, we were offered the opportunity to purchase Headmasters, the salon where Joseph had done his hairdressing apprenticeship, as the owner was retiring. It really felt like a full-circle moment and an opportunity to continue our rapid growth – it was also a bit scary. We moved the hairdressing part of the business to Headmasters and made our original salon into solely beauty and both sides of the business continued to do very well.
Were there any challenges along the way?
Yes there have been! Over the next few years after we bought Headmasters, we continued to expand, needing more and more space, moving out of the original small salon, and opening two more bigger salons, giving us three units to run and support. Our overheads had crept up and up and were getting more and more challenging to manage – that’s when Covid hit. We faced the challenge head on and took immediate action. We made the hard decision to streamline the business and closed two salons, keeping our newly refurbished much larger salon on Bishop Rapallo’s Ramp – where we are now and it’s worked out perfectly.
You recently turned 20! How did you celebrate the milestone?
I was super excited about this milestone so I started planning for our big 20th birthday back at the beginning of 2023! It was then that we decided we wanted to launch a range of our own brand products to celebrate the occasion. As well as an interesting project to get involved with, we also had the intention of creating another revenue stream, as well as reinforcing our brand so that our customers were with us every day, when using our products at home.
Your own brand! What was it like developing that?
First of all, I spent time researching suppliers as I wanted to create products that would fit with our brand ethos. Their brief was that our products had to be organic (where possible) and made from 100% ethically sourced ingredients. We then spent months developing the formulations and testing them out on willing participants! This is a part that I didn’t expect to take so long, and when it comes to developing more products in the future, I will definitely assign more time to this process next time. We also launched a Miss Shapes Home Fragrance collection and are currently working on a Miss Shapes make-up collection. We then spent time creating the branding for the labels, which was another process that took longer than expected – particularly with all the rules and regulations there are to follow. I was very glad to have the guiding hand of our consultant, to make sure we comply with all regulations; it was money well spent.
What’s in store for the next 20 years of Miss Shapes?
Garren: There seems to be a new salon, barbers or beauty shop opening every week somewhere on the rock, so for me it’s about cementing us as a central part of the community in Gibraltar. Joseph has taken a position teaching GCSE hair and beauty, spending half his time in the salon and the other half teaching. We see that as an opportunity to develop and nurture talent for the future within our local community.
The story of Miss Shapes’ continued long-term success is a testament to Garren and Joseph’s ability to face the challenges of life head-on and not get pulled under by external forces that are out of their control. So if you ever find yourself fretting about something you feel is out of your control, ask yourself how you can reframe it into something that is within your control and take back your personal power.
SHARE THIS
OTHER
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment
Thrive catches up with Nick Pitaluga TEP, Managing Director of Gibraltar Trust & Corporate Services Limited - “GTCS”. From starting out as a messenger to leading his firm through a major merger, Nick talks about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and offers inspiration for anyone carving their own niche.
Did you know that what you eat directly affects your energy levels, brain function, and stress resilience? Poor dietary habits—such as skipping meals, consuming too much caffeine, or relying on processed foods—can lead to energy crashes, brain fog, and reduced efficiency. On the other hand, a well-balanced diet stabilises blood sugar, enhances cognitive function, and keeps stress levels in check.
Finding someone who listens, understands, and guides you can make all the difference. For women in Gibraltar, the Women’s Mentorship Programme offers just that – honest conversations and valuable support from people with lived experience who understand. Now in its sixth cycle, the programme pairs women with mentors to help them navigate work, life, and everything in between. Ok, full disclosure: as a recently appointed mentor, that last sentence somewhat triggers the old imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but I am honoured to be part of this scheme and look forward to doing my very best in the months ahead.
When you’ve been running your own business for a while, you know what works, and it’s easy to rely on the skills that got you to where you are. Chances are, you’re comfortable doing things in a certain way, and your team knows what to expect from your leadership style.
AI is poised to reshape the legal profession, with 31% of law firm leaders predicting major disruption by 2025. Scott Simmons explores how AI could improve client outcomes, streamline workflows, and drive value. Whether you’re cautious or curious, it’s time to explore AI’s potential.
If, like me, you spend more time than you should doom scrolling LinkedIn, you could be tempted into thinking no-one fails. LinkedIn has become a hyperbolic haven and a place to scream and shout about success. But what about failures - why aren’t we talking about them? In business, failure is inevitable. I mean it. Whether it's a product flop, a marketing misstep, or a company on the brink of collapse, every entrepreneur will face moments that test them. Yet, history has shown that these failures can often be the starting point for something extraordinary.
In an increasingly digital work environment where we have more emails, WhatsApp messages & interruptions than ever before, many business leaders started looking at ways of alleviating the stress that comes with this increased workload. Relaxing the dress code and letting your team dress down and wear in more casual clothing is one way of doing this….Or is it?
Who doesn’t love a good office gossip? Hushed conversations by the coffee machine, knowing glances across the office, colleagues who "just thought you should know" – it’s all just harmless banter, right? Not quite. While gossip might seem like an inevitable part of office life, the reality is much less entertaining. Workplace backbiting can destroy trust, drain morale, and impact team productivity. Few people understand this better than Norwegian psychotherapist Glenn Rolfsen. With over two decades of experience in psychotherapy, Glenn has dedicated his career to helping businesses tackle workplace negativity head-on. His innovative "Gozzip" method has been transforming office cultures worldwide, earning him recognition at TEDx talks and WHO conferences.
Mental health issues affect us all. How we manage our daily stresses and anxieties have an impact on our relationships, how we perform in our job and the workplace environment, and our outlook on life. Becoming self-aware of what affects us, managing how we respond to triggers and using tools to help us work through them, are all part of our journey towards MENTAL FITNESS, which is how we should be positively defining it.
Forget everything you know about online shopping—eCommerce is evolving fast. While giants like Amazon and eBay once ruled, a new wave of platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shein, and Temu are reshaping the industry. But beneath the flashy deals and viral trends lies a growing conversation about sustainability, waste, and the hidden costs of convenience.
Technology is having a major effect on every aspect of our lives, and the retail environment is not immune to these changes. Not only has online shopping revolutionised the way we think about buying and consuming, but it has also dramatically changed how we shop in physical stores.
From the increasing influence of AI to the rise of social commerce and sustainability-driven consumer demand, the key to success lies in adapting strategically rather than chasing every new trend. This guide breaks down the most impactful trends for the year ahead—offering insights on how to integrate them into your business without losing sight of what already works. Smart adaptation, not blind reinvention, is the name of the game. Here's what to expect and how to make it work for you.
We recently provided a large local organisation with their uniforms. Once the order was delivered, I felt compelled to send them guidelines on how to take care of their uniform. Spending money on clothes and footwear is not a guarantee on making the right impression, either to yourself, nor anyone else- it’s attention to detail that seals the deal.
There’s something slightly uncomfortable about sending a contract to a client when you run a small business. Especially in Gibraltar, where relationships matter and business often begins with a conversation over un cafelito rather than a legal document. When you know someone personally, or you’ve been introduced by a mutual contact, it can feel unnecessary to formalise everything. You tell yourself that an email thread is enough. Or that you’ll sort the paperwork later. I used to think like that. Over time, and through a few situations that were more stressful than they needed to be, I’ve realised that putting things in writing isn’t about distrust. It’s about creating guardrails for growth. The clearer the boundaries, the freer you are to focus on doing good work.
One of the most dangerous things anyone can say in business is, "We've always done it this way." This phrase doesn't age well and puts businesses at risk. "We've always done it this way" can quickly look like "flogging a dead horse." This doesn't always mean that businesses need to change everything. Some things, like great service, never go out of fashion. But when sales start to slow down, it's always a good idea to consider taking a new approach. Rebranding a product, service, or entire enterprise can be part of this process. But rebranding should never be taken lightly.
In the latest edition of Thrive, regular contributor John Hayes reflects on the uncertainty facing small and medium-sized businesses in Gibraltar. From Brexit fallout to ever-changing frontier delays, he unpacks why the border remains a top concern—and how local firms are adapting. While resolving post-Brexit cross-border issues is beyond the scope of this correspondent, there are practical steps business owners can take to mitigate and manage the challenges of this uncertainty.
During a recent and very long overdue catch up with my friend Trina, I had one of those ‘Aha moments’. To be fair, as someone who spends a lot of time interviewing experts, these moments happen to me a lot, but this one was different. In the 20 years Trina and I have been friends, she’s developed marketing strategies for global brands including Coca Cola, Virgin Atlantic, Nestlé and IKEA . Impressive stuff, but it’s what she’s working on now that really got me thinking…Taking inspiration from the military and politics, Trina and her business partners set up The Competitive Wargaming Team and now deliver secret, scenario-based ‘corporate war rooms’ for senior leaders designed to predict and outmaneuver competitor moves.
When you’re a small business, staying one step ahead of the competition is essential. Yet, many small business owners grapple with the decision to invest in employee training and development. With limited resources and immediate financial pressures, it can unintentionally get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. However, investing in your team’s learning and development is a strategic move that can yield significant returns.
Gibraltar has long been home to many international businesses. Gaming giants, UK-based insurance companies and far-flung fintech firms are all drawn here thanks to our strategic location and business-friendly environment. Carl Clavering moved his insurance business to Gibraltar, and it’s safe to say, it’s transformed his life. When I caught up with Carl, it was clear that his decision to relocate wasn't just about tax advantages or access to the UK market —it was about finding a place that felt like home, both for his business and his family.