Imposter Syndrome in the Hair Industry

Sheridan Rose Shaw is the creative director of Melbourne salon MAMAWEST. Her salon specialises in creative cutting and colour, with a niche for vivid hair.

Her mission is to build a vibrant community and create meaningful connections, but on the way she’s had to overcome lots of obstacles – including her own feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

“I’m a fraud.”

“I don’t deserve to be here.”

These are both things I’ve told myself over the years. The mind is a very powerful tool, and to get to a point where you feel good enough can take a lot of work.

For me, just being ’good’ at something was never enough, I always want to be the best version I can be. So when I was an apprentice hairdresser, it was a humbling experience. I was learning the ropes but I was distracted and irresponsible. It sometimes felt that not living up to my potential was easier than focusing on the hard work.

It wasn’t till I qualified that I found my love and passion for hair and it really took off. It was the first time I felt like I was ever really good at something.

But even having that self-belief didn’t stop those thoughts in my head. When I launched MAMAWEST, I’d been a hairdresser for over 10 years and still I felt like a massive imposter.

Those feelings can sometimes be a blessing, because I never stop trying. I want to be the best hairdresser I can be, so I constantly educate myself and push myself to the limits. That’s why I love hair – there’s so much room to expand, it’s not just about the clients, it’s about educating and mentoring. There are so many avenues to explore.

For my wonderful staff who work at MAMAWEST, positive thinking and positive affirmation is key to how we work. If they feel self-doubt, I share my own experiences, empathise with their situations and we’ll write a positive affirmation on the wall that’s the polar opposite of what they’re feeling. I try to help them take control of their negative thoughts, move it in a different direction, and find out what happens on the other side.

Having the right tools at your fingertips can make life so much easier when you start to experience self-doubt or negative thoughts. For my mental health, those tools come in the form of daily meditation, journaling and yoga. Also important is finding your tribe, a community of people who understand the challenges of owning a salon, and leaning into this community regularly!

When running my business, it’s about finding things that help take the stress away. Delegate all the things that create stress, so you can focus more on what you love. Have the right systems in place that can automate all the fiddly things like stock management, waitlists and deposits, so you can focus on the really important stuff, like finding the right people, people who are really good at what they do.

When I look back to where I was three and a half years ago, I would never have thought any of what I’ve achieved would have been possible. Sitting in campaigns and shoots, being on panels with some of the best hairdressers in Australia, being asked to direct fashion shows, and being a hair director for fashion week, this is my inner child’s dream come true. I never thought I wanted to be a hairdresser or a salon owner and maybe it’s because I didn’t want to admit to what I wanted, but the clearer I get on my vision and what I want, the more likely it’s going to happen.

Life is so much better when you feel deserving of the opportunities you’re in, as you can then take the right steps to make it happen. I have moments of self-doubt from time-to-time, but now it’s about the way I talk to myself. I talk myself into situations, remind myself that I can do it, that I am worthy. I put in the action to get to the other side, rather than wallowing in doubt and comparison.

That’s the biggest tip I could give to someone who doesn’t feel good enough. If you want something, you have to put in the action. If you want to feel good enough, you have to act differently to feel good enough. Clear the noise and distractions with the right tools. That’s when the magic comes.

Timely is so proud to be supporting Sheridan in her career to help her achieve all her goals. If you’d like to find out more about Timely, visit gettimely.com.