A former ballet dancer who changed careers after reconsidering his future in the performing arts is marking 12 years running a hair salon in Marple Bridge.
Thomas Eaves, who has now worked in the hair industry for 13 years, runs Thomas Harry Hairdressing alongside his mother, Emma Gregory.
His route into hairdressing followed a difficult decision to step away from ballet, which had been his lifelong ambition.
"I saw so many talented dancers working incredibly hard but still needing two jobs just to make ends meet," Thomas said. "After a minor injury, I really started to think about what my future looked like. I knew I wanted a career where I could still be creative but also build a life."
Standing at 6'5, Thomas also felt his height could make progressing into the ballet roles he wanted more challenging. Rather than moving into contemporary dance, which he said "wasn't my passion", he began looking for another creative career.
"I wasn't giving up on being creative. I was simply changing direction."
Having previously studied Fashion and Textiles and grown up around the salon industry through his mother, Thomas decided to retrain in hairdressing at Manchester's Nicky Oliver Academy.
He completed NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications before starting self-employed work in his hometown.
An opportunity to purchase a local salon arose soon afterwards and Thomas and his mother established Thomas Harry Hairdressing in Marple Bridge.
"It wasn't planned," Thomas said. "Everything just seemed to fall into place, and I feel incredibly lucky."
More than a decade later, the salon has grown into an established local business offering services including cutting, colouring, barbering, hair extensions and specialist smoothing treatments.
Thomas now leads a team of five stylists and has also moved into education and mentoring within the industry.
He said the technical foundations learned during his training continue to influence his work.
"The core skills I learned have never changed. The foundations are exactly the same. Through experience, I've simply adapted those techniques to suit every client."
Thomas also highlighted the importance of learning to work confidently with different hair textures during his training.
"Learning to work with a variety of hair textures made the training even more creative. Not every academy offers that level of experience, and it gave me confidence to work with every client."
Looking back on his change of direction, Thomas hopes his experience will encourage others who may be considering starting again in a different profession.
"No matter how nervous you feel, you only get one life. As you get older, you realise that even more. Even if you feel anxious, take that step and push yourself. Always take every opportunity because you never know if you'll get it again."
Nicky Oliver, founder of Nicky Oliver Academy, said:
"It is fantastic to see former students thriving and building long-term successful careers in hairdressing."
Thomas's journey from ballet training to running a long-established Marple Bridge salon demonstrates how a major career change can develop into a successful local business and a new creative path.
