From ashes to appointments

A Dubai businesswoman has proved that teamwork and determination can have remarkable results in times of crisis.

Ruksher Malik went into shock as she watched Pastels, her hairdressing business and her passion, burn to the ground during a fire at the Oasis Centre in September last year. She managed to salvage the majority of her equipment but the client lists, comfortable working environment, confidence and team morale disappeared in a matter of minutes.

But a determined Ruksher gathered her staff together and now runs a brand new salon in a villa on Al Wasl Road near Umm Suquiem Spinneys.

Devastating experience

Ruksher says the fire "was the most devastating experience of my life." Recalling that night, she said: "I received a call from a staff member at about in the morning and immediately knew something had gone wrong. I went into shock and can't even remember the journey to the Oasis Centre that night."

"It's just such a shame to have lost so many regular customers. Most of the books, registers and contact directories were lost in the fire so we had no way of letting people know what our plans were."

Ruksher has worked in the salon at the Jumeirah Beach Club for eight years and says she took a lot of strength from her business partner there, Steven Chan.

"We now want to tell the world that the team from Pastels has stuck together and helped each other through times of troubles to re-open a wonderful new salon. And I couldn't have done it without them or my husband and two daughters."

To contact the salon: call Dubai 3947393 or 3947395.