After more than forty years of a busy professional career as a hairdresser, Martine Laurans has decided to retire. Met this Friday, September 30 during her last day of activity, she looks back on the past.
As a child, she loved to do updos to her dolls
“Originally from Lot but born in Touraine, I always wanted to become a hairdresser. As a child, I loved to follow my father to the hairdresser and my pleasure was to have dolls to do their buns. In 1976 and for three years I studied at the Albi hairdressing school where I obtained my diploma. During the holidays I worked at the Eve salon, place de la halle in Gramat. In 1980 I had my first job at the Villanova salon, rue de la Balme. In 1985, following looking for a place for a long time, I set up on my own as a men’s hairdresser at 25 avenue Louis Conte. In 1997 I moved to 14 bis on the same avenue at Coiffure Martine, where I haven’t moved since”.
The Gramatois will not forget her shop window, which she always decorated with delicacy during the end-of-year celebrations, at Easter, Christmas, Halloween… or during special events such as recently in July for the Tour de France.
“To do this job, you have to want to discuss”
Alongside her activity, Martine Laurans has always been involved in the social life of the territory. She was a municipal councilor and, for many years, head of protocol for the Lions Club of Rocamadour and Haut-Quercy. She adds: “To do this job, you have to want to talk to your customers. What I always did because I was lucky to be in an area where the people are very friendly. When I retire, with my husband Didier, I will be able to do everything with my grandchildren that I mightn’t do with our daughter Christelle. Walking, VAE, library and discovery of good France, will occupy my days”.
Tributes from its many customers bouquets of flowers and plants fill the shop. With a copiously annotated guestbook, she concludes: “Today I thank all my clients. I very much regret not having found a successor. We wish him the happiest of retirements.
