Against The Odds: The Mastery of Growth

By Bernadette Beswick – 2024 AHIA Business – Australian Educator (Independent) of the Year

Like many in the industry, my journey hasn’t been a straight path. I originally completed a 12-month course, but after time away, being a mum to 4 children, and 1 with a disability, I made the decision to return to hairdressing. When I stepped back in, I assessed my skills, identified my gaps, and committed to further education. I didn’t want to guess my way through—I wanted to know my way through.

I dedicated myself to mastering technical skills, communication, and personal development, ensuring that every client left my chair feeling confident—not just in their hair, but in me as their stylist. That commitment led me to a fully booked career with Lorna Evans at Zumay Mornington, where my return to the industry truly began.

We’ve all been there—second-guessing a client’s request, feeling unsure in our abilities. My mission as an educator is to eliminate that uncertainty, helping hairdressers build thriving careers with confidence. Because hairdressers change lives—we see it every day.

The Power Of Education

Education transformed my career, and I want to share that power with you. Since 2022, my commitment to education, motivation, and growth has led to:

• Winner – AHIA Australian Educator of the Year 2024

• 2X Winner – AHIA Victorian Hairdresser of the Year (2022 & 2023)

• Winner – Australia’s Best Collaboration (with Stevie English, 2022)

• Finalist – Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2024

• Finalist – British Hair Awards International Hairdresser of the Year 2024

• Finalist – Live Fashion Hair International Hairdresser of the Year

• Over 289 international publications and 12 international front covers (alongside Stevie English)

And it all comes down to one thing: education— the tool that changes lives.

Every time I stand in front of an audience, my message is simple: if you have the determination and a passion for growth that serves others, success is inevitable. If I can do it, so can you. My journey continues every day.

Over the next 5 issues, we’ll explore the key elements that build confidence, skill, and success behind the chair. Each issue will focus on a critical area to help you refine your expertise, grow your business, and take full control of your craft.

Building Confident Hairdressers

Confidence is the foundation of success in hairdressing. Whether it’s consultations, cutting, or communication, confidence allows us to work with ease and deliver outstanding results. But confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s built over time, through education, experience, and the right mindset.

The Top 3 Benefits of Confidence Behind the Chair:

• Stronger client trust and loyalty

• Better decision-making and creativity

• Increased job satisfaction and career growth

Confidence isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about how you present yourself, communicate, and handle challenges. Throughout this series, we’ll be focusing on the key skills that allow hairdressers to feel in control, assured, and prepared behind the chair.

2025 – HAIRCUTS ARE BACK!

With 2025 bringing a resurgence in haircuts, are you ready to do more than just a trim?

Right now, the industry is facing a cutting crisis. Many hairdressers lack the confidence or skills to execute diverse, tailored cuts, leading clients to seek expertise elsewhere, or hairdressers declining to do the work. The industry needs to reignite its passion for precision cutting.

• Mastering a wide range of cutting techniques isn’t just about delivering better results—it’s about:

• Increasing productivity and efficiency behind the chair.

• Attracting a broader clientele with versatile skills.

• Enhancing service value and pricing potential.

Haircuts create walking referrals—the kind where strangers stop people on the street to ask, Who cuts your hair? This skill sets you apart and fuels client loyalty.

Champion Your Consultation

A great client experience starts before the first snip—it begins with the consultation.

With social media influencing client expectations, many clients arrive with an overload of images and ideas. The question is: Are you leading the consultation, or is the client dictating the direction?

Mastering the consultation process allows hairdressers to:

• Position themselves as trusted advisors.

• Take control and set realistic expectations.

• Build long-term relationships and client retention.

By refining this skill, you create seamless, timeeffective services that lead to repeat business and stronger client satisfaction.

The Secret Power Of Retailing

Up your game with retailing in the salon!

Retailing in the salon is so much more than just making a sale—it’s about problemsolving, education, and enhancing the client experience. Every product recommended is an extension of the service provided, ensuring clients can maintain their results at home and continue to see the benefits long after they leave the salon. It’s about understanding their needs, addressing their concerns, and offering solutions that genuinely improve their hair. When approached with the right mindset, retailing becomes a natural part of the consultation process—building trust, strengthening client relationships, and positioning the salon as a goto expert for ongoing care and advice.

Retail is the service that sets you apart.

Either you care for your client in salon with this service of someone else will.

The Magic Of Collaboration

In the final edition, my partner in creativity, Stevie English, and I will share the secrets behind our collaborative success.

The Yin & Yang of the Industry

We’ll dive into the creative process, showcasing how collaboration brings diverse strengths to the table.

Salon Success – The Fusion of Cutting & Colouring

Great hairdressing isn’t just about individual skills—it’s about how they come together. This session will explore how cutting and colouring expertise enhance the client experience and elevate salon success.

ARE YOU READY TO ELEVATE YOUR CAREER?

Over the next five issues, we’ll work together to refine confidence, cutting, consultation, retailing, and collaboration skills—building a stronger foundation for success.

Education gave me the power to transform my career, and it can do the same for you.

See you in the next issue!

B x

@be.the.exceptional.hairdresser