Marco Leonetti, the number one name in Manx hairdressing, is celebrating 40 years at the top of his profession.

Over the years, Marco and his salons have become a byword for top quality hairdressing in a friendly atmosphere and the most comfortable surroundings.

His business, Utopia, runs two salons in Douglas - at Castlemona Arcade and in Walpole Avenue.

Perhaps the biggest indicator of success is the number of his staff who have been with him for most of the journey - along with many customers.

’You have to celebrate that because this is the Isle of Man and running a business for 40 years in any arena is remarkable,’ said Marco.

’Over the years I have been lucky enough to have trained and worked with many great staff. We have had a dozen of our staff members for more than 30 years!

’Also the clients - many are still with us decades after their first appointment.’

Some of his former hairdressers have gone on to establish their own successful businesses around the world, of which he is very proud.

’We have always been a happy team and it is great to see people we have worked with go on to do well elsewhere,’ said Marco. ’I’m pleased we played a part in that.

’We invest in young people and train them and build them into the team. Training my staff is important to me. That is the biggest challenge and the biggest expense, but it is worth it.’

He believes that keeping a settled staff also helps with the business, as the hairdressers build relationships with their customers.

’People buy people,’ he said. ’That is crucial. The environment that they are in plays a big part and we try and give our customers the very best products that are available on the market. ’The challenge is to keep up to date, but because we have very strong relationships with a lot of the market leaders, when something new comes out, we are normally quick to try it.’

Marco is committed to the island and believes the location has helped his businesses to thrive over the years.

’I genuinely think that the Isle of Man is a very impressive place in terms of starting a business, running it successfully and maintaining the momentum and standards that influence the arena you are in.

’For instance, restaurants that have been around for a long time tend to influence the other food outlets around because they have set the bar. Everybody aspires to be as good as them.

’I would like to think that, over the years, we have set a standard and hopefully other salons have looked at us and aspired to what we have done.’

While he is modest about the esteem in which his salons are held, he does not take it for granted and knows that it is the result of hard work and high standards.

’It is nice when people come and say, "You are one of the best salons in the island". That is a lovely thing to hear from Joe Public.

’Hopefully, as I go into the twilight of my working life, that influence will continue and lead to a continued high standard of hair dressing across the island.’

Marco was just three years old when his parents moved to the island in 1963. Neither of them spoke English.

Dad Cesare went on to be one of the best known barbers in the island, starting out in Walpole Avenue, Douglas - across the road from of Utopia’s two Douglas salons.

With three uncles also in the hair trade, it is little surprise that Marco followed suit.

From an early age, Marco was in his dad’s salon, where he would be challenged to shave foam off up to 10 balloons and, if he managed it without popping any of them, it would earn him some pennies!

Marco left school in 1976/77 and went to college as a full time student and was a finalist of UK Student of the Year in 1978. He went on to spend a year in London at Xavier’s in Knightsbridge - introducing him to the world of celebrity hair dressings.

While all this was going on, he re-launched the established Hair Market in Douglas. That was followed by Sweeney Todd’s in 1984.

The recession in the mid 1980s led to Marco spotting a new market and, in 1987 he opened budget salon Splitz in Strand Street, Douglas. They had a ’dole day’, where students could come and get 50% off, and TV screens ’We reinvented the budget salon. We encouraged kids on the dole to get their hair done at half price so they were smart when they went in for an interview.

’We boxed clever during the recessionary period.

’I had stuff that was quite revolutionary. It was really aimed at the younger fashion aware people in the island. It was a great salon experience.’

The famous Avant Garde salon closed in 1995, but it was not a case of letting up, as he relaunched with Utopia a year later.

It remains a family affair. Wife Colette is a fellow director and sister Angie is office administrator.

Son Dario has produced films for the business, while daughter Daniella runs Purite on the Bay spa at Royal Avenue in Onchan, and the Purite make-up service operating out of the Utopia complex in Castlemona Arcade.

Nephew Giulio manages the Walpole Avenue salon.

Marco has seen so many developments in the hair trade over the decades and one of the most significant, he says, is who sets the trends.

The big name salons used to dictate fashions and styles, even down to what colours were deemed mainstream. But, with the advent of social media and the explosion of celebrity lifestyle, nowadays, a new hairstyle can be tried by one big name and, within hours of a picture being posted online, thousands of others are demanding the same.

Whatever the fashion, however, Marco and Utopia know that some values remain the same. ’People want to feel comfortable and to be able to discuss what works for them,’ he said.

As for Marco, he is expecting the arrival of his first grandchildren later this year.

That will see him hand over all of the running and decision making to Giulio. ’I want to take lots more time off once the grandchildren arrive!’

The structure he has in place and the training and guidance he has given to all his staff means that it will remain business as usual. Marco, of course, will be at the forefront of the in-salon training programme.

And while Marco may not quite be working the long hours he has always put in, he will not be hanging up his scissors just yet. Something his customers will be delighted to hear!