7 minute read
DEAN BUTCHER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF TEMPLE HAIR & 40 YEARS IN HAIRDRESSING
Geelong’s Temple Hair salon owner Dean Butcher, celebrates the momentous milestone of 40 years in the hairdressing industry and 20 Years of Temple Hair.
Dean is admired for his creative thinking and personable nature, at his happiest when working collaboratively. The boy from the farm who was drawn to all things glamourous from a young age. Hairdressing offered both connection and creativity.
Opening Temple Hair in 2003 with a commitment to client care, exceptional and consistent results, along with salon experience and open communication. The Temple team culture values connection amongst staff and clients, rewarding hard work and working cohesively. Staff truly care about each other, assisting each other and sharing skills to deliver the ultimate client experience.
Dean’s passion for hairdressing has never wavered. Working with staff who have been with him for almost 20 years, as well as clients that have been loyal for his 40-year journey. “The ability to connect with another person and have a positive impact on their self-confidence is what fills my cup every day.” Said Dean about his love for the industry.
“For thirty years Dean has been a part of the Kao Salon Division family. Admired for his dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm for the industry. It has been a pleasure to support his incredible success and we truly value this longstanding partnership, congratulations to Dean and Temple Hair” said Rita Marcon, General Manager Kao Salon Division.
We catch up with Dean and chat about his love of the industry and of business, his amazing team, and 30 years of being with Goldwell.
How did you first get into hairdressing?
I was drawn to all things glamorous from an early age. It wasn’t exactly the usual progression for a boy from a farm. My Parents and a couple of aunts were always very encouraging, maybe they saw something in me that stood out.
What drew you to the industry and what do you love most about the business?
There is no doubt I’m creative and a people person, some say I could talk underwater. I’m a chronic over-sharer. I’m truly at my happiest when working collaboratively with like-minded creative people, I believe we inspire each other. The ability to connect with another person and have a positive impact on their self-confidence is what ‘Fills my cup’ every day. Sharing our life’s journeys with my clients is as much therapy for me as it is for a client.
What has been a career highlight of yours and what has been your greatest challenge?
Opening Temple 20 years ago was a dream come true. I’ve always been determined to create a culture where the team truly connect with the client and understand their personal needs. This has allowed me and the team to create an experience that every client deserves. We all need some pampering from time to time.
Some of my clients I’ve known since early in my apprenticeship are now more like friends. I’m proud of the Temple team culture, I have the pleasure to work alongside stylists and salon co-ordinators who have been with me almost 20 years, they really are family.
Occasionally it can be a challenge. Finding the elusive team member that share the same passion and ethos. But your vibe attracts your tribe, I guess.
Temple Hair is celebrating 20 years in business, and personally, you have an impressive 40 years’ experience. An incredible innings! To what do you attribute this longevity?
Surrounding myself with likeminded individuals and rewarding them for their hard work and loyalty. Open communication is paramount. Consistently delivering results for our clients and training our team to broaden their abilities in all aspects of hairdressing.
I believe it’s important to create a team that can service all clients regardless of their gender, age, and needs. Although I have personally had almost 40 years of experience in the industry, I still find inspiration and motivation to broaden my own expertise and I share this with my team.
Temple Hair is a much-loved Geelong salon with long standing staff and clients; how do you keep your team motivated and passionate and retain clients?
Although our core values have never changed, we constantly look at ways to re-invent the wheel, doing things a little differently, adding to the overall client experience. I’m passionate about the strength of a cohesive team of creative individuals who share our skills and new techniques with each other.
We all back each other up, we assist each other in consultations, we step in to assist fellow stylists daily, we truly care about each other, and this allows us to offer the ultimate client experience.
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given during your career/ time in business?
The best advice I’ve been given as a business owner is to consistently communicate.
Have open, honest, and regular dialogue with every individual. Create a culture where your team feel comfortable talking to you about anything. A culture where everyone at every level feels valued and an important part of the Temple experience.
What would you say are the core values or philosophies which define your business or leadership style?
My core values are about creating an experience that makes every client feel special, pampered, and walk out feeling confident in their appearance. As a leader I believe respect and open communication with team and clients is so important. Building solid client/stylist relationships is imperative.
Who inspires you in our industry today?
I’m inspired by so many individuals. I’m lucky enough to have forged some close relationships with many experienced salon owners, especially through the ‘Goldwell MBE Leadership program’ and I find when I engage openly and honestly with them, I get the same in return.
Some of my contemporaries offer wisdom and advise from their vast experience whilst some of the newer trail blazers in our industry motivate me with a different perspective, fresh eyes, and the world at their feet.
You have been working with Goldwell for 30 Years! How did this partnership come about? What do you love about the brand and working with the Kao Salon Division?
My introduction to the Goldwell & the KAO salon division was in 1993 when I worked at Impressions in Hair. I worked with the Impressions crew for 10 years before opening Temple in 2003. My love of all things Goldwell was my obvious choice. Over the last 20 years I’ve witnessed the brand make improvements and evolve into the premium professional colour and hair care range it is today. The KAO team are in constant contact and always there to support, share knowledge, educate, and inspire.
Favourite Kao Salon Division products?
As a colour range the TopChic permanent colour has continued to perform and improve especially with the introduction of TopChic zero (vegan & ammonia free) with the most superior gloss from a permanent colour range.
Colorance is a truly unique and extensive range of Demi-permanent colour ideal for toning, conditioning, and glazing the hair. It really is a unique product unmatched in our industry.
Elumen is also a unique and exciting range with grey coverage and iridescence, vibrance in an ammonia-free and non-oxidative colour range. The Colour opportunities are endless and feel like this is an important extension of my creativity.
For hair care at home Goldwell DualSenses is an extensive range that covers all bases and is a crowd favourite. However, I truly love the prescriptive nature of KMS as it really targets a clients specific hair type and condition.
We are also really loving the newly launched luxurious Kerasilk range also and I’m enjoying watching it build momentum as the premium client preference.
What’s next for you & Temple Hair?
In an ever-changing industry I’m seeing a lot of unsettling change with some individuals and salons. Some are even stepping away from the industry. I believe a salon like ours that truly values “Team spirit” and our commitment to work so closely together to get fantastic results and create an awesome client experience gives us an edge. This is what makes us stand out and keeps my passion alive.
