M & Co - 20 Years of Passion, People and Purpose!

By Louise May

This year marks an extraordinary milestone for M & Co Hair in Atherton, QLD, with owner Marie Villella celebrating 20 years in business. What began as the dream of an eight-year-old girl has grown into a thriving salon built on passion, perseverance, and people.

“I always knew hairdressing was my calling,” Marie shares. “I even told my Grade 4 teacher I didn’t need school because I was going to be a hairdresser. I would spend any spare time in salons, just so I could be surrounded by the craft I loved.”

By 2002, Marie had left school to begin her apprenticeship. When the salon she worked in unexpectedly closed, she almost bought it, but the timing wasn’t right. She moved to Cairns to complete her training, and in 2005, spotted a salon for sale in the local Atherton paper. “I just knew it was meant to be,” she recalls. At just 20 years old, she purchased the business under its original name, On the Kutting Edge. In 2021, she rebranded to M & Co Hair, giving the salon a fresh, modern identity that reflected who they had become.

Alongside running the business, Marie has built a family life she treasures, she has been married for 17 years, is mum to three children, and lives on her property in Tolga. “It’s not just my career,” she says. “It’s my passion and my purpose.”

Staying True to Values

Two decades in business is no small feat, but for Marie the key has been focus and integrity. “I’ve never been one to compare myself to others or chase trends. I stay in my own lane and hold onto the values of consistency, integrity, and creating a positive, down-toearth salon culture.”

That culture is built on connection. Marie encourages her team to learn, shadow each other, and experiment creatively. Achievements, big or small, are always celebrated. “Collaboration and support are part of our everyday life. I want my team to feel proud of what they bring to the table,” she says.

The Team That Brings It to Life

Dani, senior stylist and salon manager, has been part of the M & Co family for eight years and says she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. “I’m obsessed with all things hair, from livedin blondes to rich, dimensional brunettes, but curly hair has my heart,” she shares.

The introduction of Pure Haircare was a turning point for her. “It’s such a clean, natural range that works for every hair type, but for curls it’s incredible. My curly clients finally have products that give their hair the love it deserves! soft, defined, bouncy goodness.”

Dani is committed to staying inspired, whether through hands-on classes with top educators or diving deep into the online world of hair. She draws particular inspiration from Emma at House of Vakai. “Her work is next-level, and her grey blending is chef’s kiss! especially now that more people are embracing their natural greys. Her creativity really stands out.”

For Dani, bringing that energy into the salon is what it’s all about. “Every appointment matters. I want clients to feel that passion from me, because their hair deserves nothing less.”

Tash, now 20, first joined the salon at 15, sweeping floors and making coffees in 2020. By 2021 she had started a school-based apprenticeship with the team and proudly completed it by 2024. “For a while, I thought uni was the only ‘real’ option, because that’s what we’re all told. But deep down, I knew I was wired for something more hands-on and creative,” she says.

Never one to “stick to the script,” Tash thrives on adding her own twist. “I can’t even follow a recipe without changing it. That same curiosity runs through my hairdressing. Curiosity fuels creativity, and that’s what keeps this job fresh.”

Her work spans dimensional colours, bright blondes, grey blending, colour corrections, and statement cuts that are lowmaintenance but impactful. Inspired by stylists like Amelia Jane Hextell, she believes big dreams can grow from small towns.

Lara, the newest school-based apprentice, is just beginning her career. “I fell in love with hairdressing because it’s the perfect way to channel my creativity,” she says. “I’m obsessed with fashion and trends, and hair is such a big part of that. I can’t wait to learn from the M & Co team and grow into a confident stylist.”

Why Pure Haircare Fits

For Marie, bringing Pure Haircare into the salon wasn’t just about adding another product line, it was about finding a brand that spoke the same language as M & Co. “Their commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and being proudly Australianowned and made fits perfectly with what we stand for, caring for our clients, our community, and the planet,” she says.

Pure’s range has quickly become part of the way the team works day to day. Clients love that it’s clean, vegan and organic, while the stylists love the results it delivers. “I absolutely love the Walnut Scalp Scrub and the Lamellar range, they’re beautiful,” Marie adds. “But honestly, there isn’t a single Pure product I don’t enjoy using. The quality, feel, and results speak for themselves.”

By choosing a brand that aligns with their mission, M & Co is able to offer clients more than a service, it’s a salon experience that reflects care, integrity, and responsibility at every level.

More Than Just Hair

For Marie, success isn’t measured only in transformations at the chair, but in how people feel when they leave. “I want every client to walk out feeling seen, valued, and more confident, not just because of how they look, but because of how we made them feel.”

That sense of care extends beyond the salon walls. “When people feel good about themselves, it ripples out into their families, workplaces, and communities. My hope is that our salon uplifts people and sets a standard for kindness, connection, and genuine care.”

From the little girl who declared her destiny in Grade 4, to the woman who has led a thriving salon for two decades, Marie Villella has created more than a business, she has built a legacy.

Twenty years is a remarkable achievement, but for Marie, Dani, Tash, and Lara, it feels like just the beginning. With a culture grounded in values, a team driven by passion, and a shared commitment to care, M & Co Hair is ready for whatever the next chapter brings.

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