10 MINUTES WITH KYLIE DWYER

By Louise May

Kylie Dwyer started her apprenticeship as a stylist in 1986 and went on to own two successful salons for over 21 years. In 2003 she became a professional educator and founded Elite Hair Education and the award-winning Scissor Licence Program for apprentices.

Kylie has had many amazing opportunities over the years including working with WELLA on their education team, Upstyle Coach at the World Skills Olympics, National Inspirational Educator for Goldwell/KMS, Stylist at Sydney and Melbourne Fashion Week for 8 years, and Industry Expert Assessor for TAFE NSW.

She has been a finalist and winner of multiple awards at Hair Expo and AHIA, has developed national training packages for a number of industry organisations, and is currently an AHC Education and Training Committee member.

In 2016 Kylie and her husband Mick created Pricing Your Services, which includes a book, app and online business course for Salon Owners and Managers.

In 2021 Kylie created and launched SNIPT App, a haircutting tutorial app designed as an on-demand resource for hairdressers with step-by-step instructions on how to complete 100’s of different styles. And in 2022 Kylie and Mick established Elite Scissors, a range of premium-quality scissors designed for professional stylists. Kylie spearheaded the design process and collaborated with highly skilled scissor designers and manufacturers around the world to bring Elite Scissors to life!

Hair Biz Editor Louise May spends 10 minutes with Kylie Dwyer chatting about her industry journey and future plans.

What initially drew you to the industry, and how did your early experiences shape your career path?

My cousin was a hairdresser, and she loved what she did and watching her really inspired me. I did want to go to university and become a teacher like most of my friends, but when my cousin offered me an apprenticeship, I accepted as I thought it would be cool to work with her every day.

The only problem was that the only training I got was through TAFE and whilst I achieved a distinction, I was always scared to cut and colour hair on clients. I promised myself that one day I would own my own salon and make sure no one ever felt scared but would always feel confident instead – and that’s what I did!

Why did you decide to transition into education, and how did it change your view of the industry?

I decided to transition into education after growing our salon business to a team of 25. Having spent years training and nurturing our team, I felt a strong pull to the educational side of our industry.

Mick had been a national sports coach with the Canadian Coaching Council, and writing training systems and procedures was his area of expertise, so together we mapped out our on-the-job training systems to the national training package, and I attained my formal training education so I could move into that space.

I then worked with Wella, Goldwell, a number of small and large franchise groups, and developed our award-winning Scissor Licence program, followed by SNIPT our haircutting tutorial App.

Once I completed my training as an educator and had been working in this space, my view on the industry was that there were lots of educators and salon owners trying their best, however, there were also lots of gaps. The biggest gap I identified was an emerging stylist finishing TAFE or College without the skills or confidence they needed to get on the floor and start cutting hair – this is why I designed the Scissor Licence Program.

What inspired you to create Elite Hair Education and how has it grown since you started?

After working in the industry as a hairdresser and salon owner for many years and training our own staff, I really felt that there were gaps in the standard training packages from TAFE and Colleges that were leaving apprentices underprepared for when they completed their apprenticeship and had to get out on the floor with their own clients. I have always had a huge passion for our industry and educating and nurturing talent so that they stay in our industry for years to come.

Elite Hair Education was started so we could share our proven haircutting training system that required all learning types to be addressed through watching and doing. To get a true learning experience the trainee must be hands-on in a simulated client environment, which is our unique haircutting training system. Scissor Licence started with 2 programs annually with 30 students and has continued to grow over the years with 7 programs and 125 students nationally in 2024.

Can you talk us through your programs and how you help salons and stylists?

All my programs, workshops, apps and online courses are designed to build stylists’ confidence in their own skills. Before I became an educator the biggest gap I had seen in the formal training packages from TAFE and Colleges, was that apprentices were not taught the necessary skills to feel confident cutting their client's hair, and salon owners don’t have the time to teach them –this is also something I found myself when completing my own apprenticeship!

My Scissor Licence Program takes my students through a structured program with 7 days of face-to-face education across 3 workshops, over a 10-month period, and I recommend that this is started during the first or second year of their apprenticeship.

The program covers skills not taught at TAFE and College and can have an apprentice on the floor cutting hair 12 months earlier, compared to only completing TAFE or College.

In between workshops, I provide a detailed action plan to complete back at the salon, and all students have access to my haircutting tutorial app SNIPT which provides step-by-step videos on all the skills taught in the Scissor Licence program, allowing students to practice and perfect what they have learnt.

In addition to Scissor Licence, I also have workshops like my 1-day Masterclass, which is designed to further enhance the skills of Scissor Licence graduates and experienced stylists by looking at the latest trending techniques and styles in our industry.

I also offer in-salon private training days which are 100% tailored to the needs of the salon and stylists and can address specific skill gaps, based on the demands of their clientele.

Your husband Mick works alongside you with Elite Education, can you tell us about his role?

If I’m the face of Elite Hair Education, Mick makes sure everything is running smoothly behind the scenes! Mick takes care of all our operations, invoicing, website, app, photography, videography, stock and deliveries, works closely with our team and distributors, AND is the keynote speaker for Pricing Your Services, our salon education business, and regularly delivers presentations and workshops for salon owners and managers. It’s fair to say I couldn’t do this without him!

Tell us about the SNIPT App. How did you come up with the idea? Who is it for? and why do you think it has been so successful worldwide?

Back in 2020 during the pandemic, our workshops had to be put on hold, along with TAFE and College moving online, and salons closed. Apprentices were missing out on key pieces of their education, so we really wanted to find a way to support them.

During my time in the industry, I’d also seen that students go to formal training and learn the haircutting skills they need for their career, but then typically have little time to practice when back in the salon. Then, when they do get the chance, they have forgotten much of what they learnt.

We designed SNIPT as an on-demand app containing all the lessons required to teach hairdressers how to cut hair. It’s the ultimate haircutting app, with hundreds of step-by-step lessons, all less than 6 minutes duration. It covers both basic and professional-level haircuts, and the latest trending cuts are added to the app regularly.

It can be used by apprentices with little to no haircutting experience (it starts with lessons on how to hold your scissors and comb correctly!), through to experienced stylists looking to learn the latest trending cuts and techniques.

SNIPT has been such a big success as all the content is on demand – it can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and the videos are all only 6 mins long and won’t take up hours and hours of a stylist’s already busy day.

It’s also very cost effective – the Basics Plan is free, and Premium (where you’ll find the latest trending cuts) is less than the cost of a cup of coffee, at only $3 per week.

Can you tell us about Elite Scissors?

I created Elite Scissors in 2022 with the aim of providing premium quality scissors that are ergonomically structured to deliver ultimate comfort for professional stylists of any skill level, and I’m proud to say that I’m the first female designer in the world of premium scissors!

I have designed 3 ranges which include our Signature Series, Premium Range, Starter Kit, and accessories, and all products have been designed with superior quality steel, and ergonomic offset handles with our unique honeycombing technique to balance and reduce the overall weight of scissor ensures the best comfort and protection for hands, wrists, and shoulders.

We’ve also got an amazing team of agents/ educators on board (11 in total so far) around the country and in 2025 will launch into New Zealand.

How has the hairdressing industry changed over the years, and what do you think needs to happen for it to keep growing and improving?

The industry has changed a lot in my 38 years. Apprenticeships are shortened, technology has been implemented and is growing fast, the legalities of running a salon and a team can be complicated, and trades are not seen as a high profile or high paying career for school leavers or their parents.

For the industry to continue to grow we need to do whatever is in our power to attract younger people, educate them quickly and effectively, and look after them so the industry retains the skills and people.

Mick is currently on tour with Pricing Your Services teaching salon owners and managers on how to extract the correct numbers from their data, so they know how much it costs to run their business and what they need to charge to make a profit. With profits, salon owners can educate their team, improve their technology, and continue to grow their business.

What’s on the agenda for the next 12 months?

The next 12 months are very exciting for us. We are focusing on growing our 4 brands, and ensuring our customer service and communication is exceeding expectations wherever possible with our clients. In 2025 we are also launching our cutting education programs and Elite Scissors internationally, starting with New Zealand.

Personally, my goal is to care for our team, particularly the people that work so hard behind the scenes to make everything happen. Without them none of this amazing education could come to life for our industry. They are my rocks!

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