TEN MINUTES with NATHAN YAZBEK

By Chereine Waddell

Meet Nathan Yazbek, a visionary whose passion for hairdressing has ignited a path of innovation and excellence. From his humble beginnings frequenting a local salon to crafting Salon Yazbek into a beacon of creativity and sustainability, Nathan’s story is a testament to the transformative power of dedication and determination.

With accolades such as AHIA NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year 2022 & 2023 and British Hairdressing Awards International Collection of the Year Finalist 2023, Nathan’s commitment to pushing boundaries knows no bounds.

Mocha online Editor Chereine Waddell delves into Nathan’s extraordinary journey, uncovering the inspiration behind his craft and the impact he continues to make in the ever-evolving world of hairdressing.

Nathan, can you share with us your journey from your early days getting haircuts at the local salon to becoming the owner of Salon Yazbek in 2010?

My first taste of hairdressing was where I grew up in Sydney’s Inner West. I used to get my haircut at a local salon, and the owner needed a Saturday boy – this certainly beat working at Woolworths, so I jumped at the opportunity and worked at the local hair salon during high school and when I went to university.

I spent my weekends sweeping floors, making coffees, chatting to clients, and listening to awesome music. A year into my Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Media I realised Uni wasn’t for me.

I was more drawn to the high-end salons on my daily commute to Uni, so I dropped out, got myself an apprenticeship in Darlinghurst and started studying Hairdressing at TAFE.

My first real taste of my career was at a salon on the lower North Shore. It was huge, had a great culture, a massive team and was the perfect environment to build a clientele and develop my skills. I was completely focused and obsessed about owning my own salon.

I headed back to the books with a Diploma in Salon Management at TAFE, took a sabbatical around the Middle East for 6 months, which left me more inspired than ever to come back to Sydney and open my own doors. In 2010 a rundown salon on Military Road Neutral Bay was a dream project waiting to happen – and Salon Yazbek was born! I was 24, oblivious of the whirlwind ahead, full of ego, but determined!

As the AHIA NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year 2022 and 2023, what do such accolades mean to you personally, and how do they shape your approach to hairdressing?

Winning these accolades for me is a measure of success, because without a successful business, without being a successful leader, without a great team and great salon with great clients - I wouldn’t have the capacity to enter the AHIA.

It’s a huge creative project to pursue, you are responsible for the creative direction of the shoot, no one reassures you that your creative vision is on the right track, because creativity is so subjective.

So, you just trust your gut and go all in, invest a whole lot of funds in bringing your creative vision to life, then hope for the best that your strategy turns out!

It shapes my approach to hairdressing as it means being recognised by industry peers. It shapes me by keeping my bar of standards set high and always wanting to do better, to keep evolving and growing.

Sustainability is a key focus at Salon Yazbek. How did your passion for sustainability and eco-luxe practices develop, and how do you incorporate them into your work?

My passion for sustainability and eco-luxe practices developed from a combination of personal values and professional experiences. I grew up in an environmentally conscious household, and I think it’s essential that to be a viable business you need to incorporate sustainability into your business practices. I’ve seeked out brands who shared these values and have adapted to new endeavours that align with my personal values.

Whether it's endorsing vegan formula products or hair colour that is naturally derived and ammonia-free, I strive to integrate sustainability while still delivering luxurious high-end hair. It’s a journey that I am committed to and one that I believe is essential for the future.

With over 18 years of experience in hairdressing, what motivates you to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in your craft?

My motivation to continue to push boundaries and strive for excellence comes from my genuine passion for hairdressing. This has only grown stronger over the years. I find so much fulfilment in creating beautiful hair that help clients feel confident, sexy, and empowered.

The satisfaction of seeing my clients’ happy faces after a beautiful haircut transformation really fills my tank. (cliché I know, but it really does!)

Knowing that I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s self-esteem and confidence through my work is rewarding and inspires me to always give my best. You can give someone the BEST haircut ever, but if they don’t feel that connection from you, they won’t be coming back!

I also believe that setting high standards for myself and my work furthers you for excellence. This not only benefits my clients and team but helps me stand out in a competitive industry.

Ultimately, my passion for hairdressing, coupled with the desire to stay at the forefront of the hairdressing industry motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence.

Can you walk us through your approach to hairdressing, particularly when it comes to cutting and colouring techniques, and how you stay innovative in your work?

Well, I don’t colour hair, let's be clear here! My approach to hairdressing revolves around technical expertise, creativity and an understanding of my client's needs.

-Firstly, the consultation is key. Clear communication is essential, making sure we are on the same page and that I can deliver the results!

-Then it’s the technical haircut. Having a strong foundation of cutting and styling techniques.

-Then it's customisation. Anyone can follow the steps of a haircut, but no two clients are the same, so I consider factors like their face shape, lifestyle, hair texture to create a hairstyle that enhances my client’s beauty and makes them feel great!

-Getting Creative: I believe being creative and seeking inspiration adds fresh ideas into my work. It’s as simple as creating a pin board and buckets of different cuts to reference that keep your eye sharp and outlook creative.

-Education. Hairdressing is constantly evolving, which is why I prioritise ongoing education and professional development. Whether it's industry catchups, online courses, bespoke classes, or collaborating, I am all about learning and pushing the boundaries!

Beyond your role at Salon Yazbek, you’re also involved in educating and inspiring other hairdressers. What drives you to share your knowledge and expertise with the industry?

Like I said, I love hairdressing, and this motivates me to share my knowledge with others. Teaching is an opportunity for me to continue learning and refining my own skills. By educating students and peers, I gain new perspectives and insights that enhance my own expertise.

Also giving back to a profession that has brought me so much joy and fulfilment is important! Sharing my expertise is a way for me to give back to the industry. And if I can inspire and empower other hairdressers to reach their potential then that’s an added bonus!

Balancing salon ownership, education, and family life can be challenging. How do you manage these different aspects of your life, and what keeps you grounded amidst it all?

To be honest, I don’t think I have mastered this balance, I’ve come to realise that it is not always possible to manage each aspect at full capacity all at the same time. But what I have learnt is that: there is a time for everything. And I’ve learnt to prioritise and allocate time accordingly.

There are moments when I must wear my business hat for longer time in the day then I’d really like to. And at other times, my dad hat needs to quickly come on, when I bust in the door and three kids are wrangling my ankles! I used to rely on exercise and yoga to stay grounded, but my current schedule doesn’t allow for it now.

But despite this, what keeps me centred is recognising that there is a time for everything, and embracing this perspective helps me manage the multiple roles and responsibilities I have, allowing me to stay focused and present as best as I can.

What advice would you give to aspiring hairdressers who are looking to establish themselves in the industry and make a positive impact, both creatively and environmentally?

I would say surround yourself with the best possible team you can, invest in education, get creative, and be respectful.

Network and collaborate and be true to yourself and your values. So many people want to be like influencers but just be authentic! Have values and never stop learning… and get good at creating mood boards!

Network and collaborate and be true to yourself and your values. So many people want to be like influencers but just be authentic! Have values and never stop learning… and get good at creating mood boards!

Outside of the salon, how do you unwind and find inspiration in your personal life, especially as a family man living in the vibrant North Shore lifestyle?

Spending quality time with my family is a priority for me. Whether it’s a picnic, or going for a swim, or going for a walk along the harbour, or just staying at home and have a BBQ - its these moments that help me unwind and remind me what matters.

But honestly, at this point in time, there is nothing better than going out on a date night with my wife and having a really nice meal served up for us! What a treat!

Winning the AHIA NSW Hairdresser of the Year 2022/23 is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement. Can you share with us the behind-the-scenes journey leading up to receiving this prestigious award?

Winning this award involved months of hard work and dedication and constantly living the collection in your head.

Leading up to the shoot takes meticulous planning and preparation with your photographer, models, industry professionals, stylist, studio, and your team. It involves creating infinite mood boards and chopping and changing them.

Then there’s the doubts, the challenges of creating the hair you want to create for the shoot, and the setbacks, but there’s passion and determination to pull it off! There’s the juggling of your client’s hair but really just wanting to work on your shoot hair.

Then there’s the actual shoot day, which is always a bit of a blur because you're so exhausted but excited and running off adrenaline and jacked up on coffee and lollies! Then there’s the post-shoot crash, the mulling over your photos, the critiquing, the “I should have done this instead” Then the anxiety of needing to do something and create, but realising there’s nothing else to do because the shoot is done!

Then my head goes silence for a little while… there’s lots of talk about the shoot in the salon and to your clients. You submit your images and portfolio and then you wait. Then you tune into the live announcement and if you’re lucky, you’re in the finals! Then you need to figure out what to wear to the awards and ensure it looks better than the previous year!

Then the big night comes, there’s anticipation and butterflies in your stomach, and you arrive at the gala night and need to remember everyone’s name you bump into at the AHIA’s – then I’m like, make sure you don’t get too drunk in case you win and need to make a speech, but I might have a few just to take the edge off cause it feels like forever until my category is announced, but you want to have fun with your team and go say hi to everyone in the room, but don’t want to be rude to whoever is accepting the award at that point in time.

Then there’s that moment you need to pee, but don’t want to go in case you miss your category! Then before you know it your name is being read out as a finalist… and the rest after that is honestly a blur!

Being recognised by your peers in the industry must be incredibly rewarding. How did you and your team celebrate this significant milestone, and what did winning this award mean for you and Salon Yazbek?

Winning such a prestigious award is undoubtedly a huge milestone for both me and my team. The recognition from industry peers is incredibly rewarding and validates the hard work, dedication, and passion that we put into hairdressing every day. The team and I partied pretty hard into the evening when I left, they were all still going strong!

But winning has also elevated our reputation in the industry as well as to our clients and has positioned us as a premium award-winning hair salon. It has also awarded me with opportunities that were not previously unavailable. It has also energised and inspired us to keep evolving.

As a leader in the industry, what role do you believe awards and recognition play in inspiring and motivating other hairdressers to strive for excellence in their own careers?

I believe that awards and recognition play a crucial role in inspiring and motivating other hairdressers to strive for excellence in their own careers. (Yes, I was that kid who loved receiving gold star stickers in primary school haha!) But awards serve as a validation of the hard work and dedication that hairdressers invest into their craft. It also sets a benchmark for success and showcases your skills.

The images in these award-winning collections serve as inspiration for other hairdressers. These awards provide opportunities for hairdressers to come together to celebrate each other’s success. And it gives you increased visibility and exposure within the industry for awesome opportunities that might not have been there before!

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for Salon Yazbek and your own professional journey in the coming years? How do you plan to continue pushing boundaries and making a positive impact in the industry?

I just want to have the best Salon and be the best! I would love to expand the Salon Yazbek team and maintain the highest standard and excellence in everything we do at Salon Yazbek. I still want to keep shooting awesome collections and push boundaries in innovation and creativity in my shoots.

I believe giving back to the local community who have supported us so dearly is also important. And whether it’s just sharing my journey and experience, I hope to motivate other hairdressers to reach their full potential and make a positive impact in our industry. So, we can elevate the industry as a whole and keep it strong!

@nathan.yazbek