es with en minutREEVE tKATY 2023 AHIA BUSINESS SOLE OPERATOR OF THE YE AR By Louise May
Katy Reeve’s journey into hairdressing came from grass roots as her father is a hairdresser. She was always intrigued by this industry and wanted to see what it had to offer. After her apprenticeship was complete in the UK in the 90’s, Katy joined the global brand Toni & Guy London. It was a fantastic leap into the world of hairdressing, from learning the disciplines of cutting and styling, to the creative world of education and shows, she certainly got a real taste for it and wanted more! After relocating to Australia in 2004 Katy rejoined the Australia’s arm of Toni & Guy. Working as a stylist at T&G Manly, she became part of the education team and quickly grew through the ranks as she realised how passionate she was about education. Katy was certain that this was the path she wanted to take in her hairdressing career, however…she suddenly had the opportunity to become a franchise owner. Whilst this was never actually on her career goal list, she also understand that these opportunities are a way for her to keep growing, she wanted to see if she could add some management, financial and leadership skill to her practical skill. Katy owned T&G Manly, for 9 years and had an absolute ball! Within this period of salon ownership Katy’s passion for education and her insatiable drive for growth continued and she was asked to become the National Creative Director for Toni & Guy Australia. Whilst this role started as a “side hustle” it became clear to Katy that she wanted to give this role her all, and she sold her salon and headed
up to the Academy in Paddington, full time. Here she lead the brand with all internal education with their national Varder system, managed and mentored all their educator’s within the state, delivered Art teams and internal training for T&G hairdressers, liaised with the UK head office with global events , worked on all media and show activations, worked with HO in marketing and leadership, worked as education director with Label M managed the private T&G RTO, delivering 1 year hairdressing courses, whilst also teaching external T&G courses and days in the RTO. “These were some of the hardest, most challenging days of my life however I thrived, under the mentorship of the great Dennis Langford and I grew in so many areas of my career,” says Katy. In 2019 her career path changed, staying within the education realm she wrote some education programs for brands then worked with Labiosthetique & Great Lengths as Education Director. Katy started working in Académie salon in Annadale and during this time the global pandemic hit. Fast forward through a crazy time with a lot of time at home thinking about what she wanted for the future, led her to the one thing she had never done, be solo! 2022 Katy made the decision to become a sole operator and independent educator however the world wasn’t quite ready for the education yet and she kept it on the low boil and started renting a chair in her home area of northern beaches. She became an ambassador for the new brand Unwritten, and it was the absolute best time for this partnership. January 2023, Katy started out of the blocks – Katy Reeve Education, and fulltime sole operator and she finished a fantastic year with being awarded AHIA Sole Operator of the Year 2023!
Hair Biz Editor Louise May recently spent 10 minutes chatting with Katy Reeve, about her career, and being a sole operator now and what that looks like…
Could you tell us more about your dual roles, being on the floor and also having your education platform?
I have experienced being a fulltime hairdresser and being a fulltime educator and I truly believe that the best educators still need to be on the tools. Not only does it give you the constant evolving experiences it gives you the storytelling needed to connect to your students. Don’t get me wrong, its busy! Some weeks its 7 days, education prep on a Sunday, travelling to salons, teaching then into a fulltime salon environment however I have always felt energised by both areas of the industry so for me they just go hand in hand.
Your goal is to support salon owners and their teams and being a mentor to young hairdressers. How do you envision bridging the gap between training institutions and salons to improve the apprenticeship experience?
When I created my education offering, I really had to think about what strengths I could bring to the industry. I know it’s not super cool or sexy however I’m good at the fundamental art of hairdressing- the basics! In my research and connecting with salon owners, stylists, and industry leaders I kept coming back the same underlying issue… Are our young hairdressers ‘salon ready’ are they competent and have they got a fire in their belly? I certainly think there is a gap there, I think with my experience with fundamental, structured cutting techniques, my knowledge of the regulations of the TAFE & private RTO system combined with my creative knowledge I could certainly become a salon or individual experience connecter.
