Ten Minutes with KATY REEVE

2023 Ahia Business Sole Operator Of The Year.

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 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 eduction 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 experience, 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.

Could you elaborate on your involvement with the Unwritten App community?

I became part of the Unwritten brand a couple of years ago when they were testing products and wanted some hairdressers to be part of that team, this then evolved into becoming part of a brain tank for their app. I was asked to become an ambassador of the brand to not only use the app and products but help educate and grow awareness of how this app can grow our indie business.

Your journey includes various educational roles. How have these experiences influenced your approach to teaching and mentoring?

My values as an educator have developed through experience with my own teachers over the years both in UK & Australia and I have shaped my teaching style by remembering how each of my brilliant teachers made me feel, how they helped me grow and their ability to make learning fun.

My mission as a Hairdressing Educator is to see the opportunity in everyone, to understand different learning styles, to cement the importance of discipline and foundation. As was my core competency as a hairdresser, my core offering as an educator is a cutting and styling curriculum.

My methodology, which evolved via demand more than original intent, is in-salon education. Marketwise, I have spent most of the time with young and emerging stylists, revisiting the classics with a side-serve of tailored styling. I have also spent a lot of time with Salon Educators, Owners, and those looking to expand their education arm in salon.

What could we be doing differently as an industry to engage our youth?

I think we need to listen more than we talk, however that goes both ways.

I’m a bit old school in a lot of ways however I make a concise effort to connect with the new school. Many of the traditional ways of hairdressing, education and running a business will always exist however the people within this are different. I like to manage expectations of what can be accomplished in what time.

There has always been “natural” creatives and they will shine no matter what industry they are in, what I find fascinating is that hairdressers now seem to have other artistic skills, whether it’s in art, design, fashion or photography and I think it’s fantastic!

I think we should create an industry where we don’t always have individuals that necessarily live and breathe hairdressing, that they are allowed to grow as a true creative and have full autonomy of their careers within the parameters of our business models.

On a day off, where can we find you? What’s your favourite way to unwind?

I need to move! I go to the gym daily, whether its strength, cardio or Pilates, and this year I started doing yoga which has been amazing for feeling grounded when the days are crazy.

What’s your go-to playlist or favourite music genre when you’re in the salon creating magic?

I’m a 90’s girl, R&B, easy listening or on a Saturday afternoon maybe a bit of soft house!

If you had to pick a favourite comfort food or guilty pleasure, what would it be?

It’s always been chips – or crisps!! I have a savoury tooth and would choose crunchy over soft any day.

Lastly, what exciting projects or developments can we expect in 2024?

Next year I have some bookings with salons that want to create a block of education over a certain amount of time. I love this as I can build a rapport with team members and hopefully, they get more out of each session. It’s also a great way to create a long-standing knowledge rather than a quick fix.

I’m chatting with some product companies that would like to work with me on educational events and classes and I’m working on my long-term educational offering that I will hopefully launch at the middle or end of 2024 , and of course I’ll be at every event in the calendar !!!

@katyreevehairandlife