SalonFocus Jan-Feb 2013

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 | £3.50

Plan for micro business ‘coalition for change’ NHF lobbies MPs over VAT reform Should salons charge ‘no-shows’?

Find out who won Britain’s Best!

WAVELENGTH

A micro business ‘coalition for change’

could open important doors Within features, we’ve launched a Business Focus The term “coalition” I appreciate has had a bit of a bad press section designed to, as the name suggests, highlight key since 2010. But the plan that we report on page five for the business issues that salons face and pass on tips, advice and NHF to work to create a coalition of like-minded small and best practice that, we hope, will help members in their daymicro business organisations that can combine to press to-day business challenges. We’ve brought in a new Toolbox the government on issues of concern with a single voice section highlighting the arguments for or against investing definitely has the potential to be a force for good, both for in a specific bit of kit, product or extension to your business the NHF and for the small and micro businesses community – in this edition stand-alone colour bars – as well as how to more widely. get the most from a key business relationship, in this edition Of course important caveats need to be emphasised. your local wholesaler. Another element within Toolbox is a First, the idea, which has been outlined in a draft of the new Tried and Tested page where we’ve NHF’s proposed manifesto The Future of put together a high-level panel of NHF Hairdressing & Barbering Apprenticeships ‘Today’s politicians members to get behind the PR spin and is, as yet, just that – an idea – rather than are beset on every test new and established product and policy. Depending on how such a coalition equipment to see whether it really works ends up working and presenting itself to side by voices all for you, the salon owner. the world, it could feasibly mean the NHF’s A further change is new columnists; voice becoming stronger on some issues pressing their own in this edition Clipso’s Darren Fowler and less distinct on others. Moreover, the agendas, so being on using art to channel and enhance practicalities of establishing your creativity. We have introduced a and sustaining an effective able to argue from page called Case Confidential where we coalition (as both David analyse how a genuine call to the Legal Cameron and Nick a reasonable, Lifeline was resolved. At the back, on Clegg now undoubtedly page 34, we now have @nhfederation, understand) should not be authoritative, where we highlight (as best you can dismissed. within the constraints of a print-based Nevertheless, as someone combined position magazine) the chat, excitement and who knows a bit about of strength can be a vibrant “community” that now exists Westminster and how it within the NHF’s social media channels. works I’d argue it’s a good, real bonus when it So I very much hope you find these and sensible, idea for the NHF at least to investigate. Today’s comes to gaining an changes valuable and accessible. To me these are evolutions rather than politicians and ministers are audience’ revolutions, changes designed simply beset on every side by voices all pressing to refresh and emphasise SalonFocus’ their own agendas, so being able to argue existing strengths. But please do tell me what you think – at from a reasonable, authoritative, combined position of sfenquiries@salonfocus.co.uk. strength can be a real bonus when it comes to opening Finally, a big well done to everyone involved in doors and gaining an audience.

November’s Britain’s Best competition which, as we report As we also report on page five, as an idea this chimes on pages five, eight and nine, exceeded expectations and with the recommendations made by Lord Heseltine – proved to be a huge success. Obviously, all the winners on someone who definitely knows how the Westminster the day deserve plaudits for beating off fierce competition ‘machine’ works – around restoring growth to the British in their categories and rising to the occasion in what was an economy. The fact, too, the NHF has been invited to attend intense, highly-charged competition environment. meetings of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Micro But to me the real winner of the day was simply the Businesses (see News, page six), and in particular to work NHF itself. The Federation took something of a gamble in with it on the issue of VAT reform, is another sign of the launching a new competition in a difficult economic climate appetite out there for the concerns of real, grassroots as well as incorporating text voting and a mobile phonebusinesses to be heard. I’m not for a moment suggesting a based photographic competition. Both innovations appear coalition of this sort could ever match the clout of bigto have proved highly popular and resonated with just the name business organisations such as the Confederation sort of young, dynamic, talented audience the NHF needs of British Industry or British Chambers of Commerce (or to reach out to. Let’s hope it proves a springboard to take even the Federation of Small Businesses) but as a way Britain’s Best to even greater heights this year. of ensuring the disparate voice of micro business is not constantly drowned out in the corridors of power it could be a compelling solution.

On a different note, you may notice some new elements have been introduced into SalonFocus in this edition.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 SALONFOCUS PAGE 3

CONTENTS OUR CONTRIBUTORS

News

12 14

Proposal to create micro business ‘coalition for change’ NHF works with MPs on VAT reform Britain’s Best – a celebration of excellence EU safety plans hit political quick-sand Apprenticeships need root-and-branch reform, says NHF Hairdressing in spotlight over ‘living wage’ Salons urged to charge ‘no-show’ clients

Inspired

05 06 08-09 10 11

17-20

22 23 24

26 28 29

03 06 11 14 16 30-31 32 33 34

Anne Veck runs salons in Oxford and Bicester.

She received her fifth nomination for Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year in last year’s British Hairdressing Awards. Last year, too, she was a finalist for the AIPP Grand Trophy 2011-12 and reached the finals of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Mizani Afro Catwalk Look.

Jane Nixon is owner of Hair Eden in Roe Green, Worsley, outside Manchester

Basil Long is senior legal consultant at Croner

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Andrew Don e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk

Darren Fowler is international creative director for the Clipso salon group

Heidi Morton is insurance administration manager with Coversure Insurance Services, the NHF’s recommended insurance broker.

AD SALES Mainline Media Ltd The Barn, Oakley Hay Lodge Business Park, Great Oakley, Northants NN18 9AS t: +44 (0) 1536 747333 f: +44 (0) 1536 746565 w: www.mainlinemedia.co.uk Advertising Sales Manager Tricia McDougall e: tricia.mcdougall@mainlinemedia. co.uk

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Matrix Print Consultants Ltd t: 01536 527297 e: martin@matrixprint.com While every care is taken in compiling this issue of SalonFocus including manuscripts and photographs submitted, we accept no responsibility for any losses or damage, whatever the cause. All information and prices contained in advertisements are accepted by the publishers in good faith as being correct at the time of going to press. Neither the advertisers nor the publishers accept any responsibility for any variations affecting price variations or availability after the publication has gone to press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher, to whom application must first be made. The views expressed by contributors to SalonFocus are not necessarily those of the NHF, the publisher or its editor. © 2011 The National Hairdressers’ Federation.

Building worked – bringing in a refurb Ready for inspection? – benefits of tax probe insurance Channel your creativity – on YouTube

Toolbox

Colour co-ordinated – salon colour bars Cash in on your wholesaler – what you need to know Tried and Tested – our new testing panel

PAGE 4 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

EVENTS Melanie Collins t: 01234 834385 e: melanie.collins@nhf.info

Advertising Production Manager Craig Barber e: craig.barber@mainlinemedia.co.uk

Business Focus

Wavelength – micro business ‘coalition’ could open important doors HairClips – HMRC ‘tax gap’ crackdown Movers and Groovers – hairdressers of the year Beauty spots – late payer woes Column – Clipso’s Darren Fowler on art’s power Federation Focus – NHF salon pioneers ‘Bristol Pound’ Case confidential – a helpline call resolved Events – key dates for your diary @nhfederation – all the online gossip

PUBLISHER Eileen Lawson BSc FCIS FRSA e: eileen.lawson@nhf.info EDITOR Nic Paton e: sfeditor@salonfocus.co.uk

Capital classics – The London Elite and Soho Chic collection from the NHF’s Barbers’ Elite

Regulars

SALONFOCUS IS PUBLISHED BY: National Hairdressers’ Federation, One Abbey Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford MK44 3WH t: 0845 345 6500 t: 01234 831965 f: 01234 838875 e: sfenquiries@salonfocus.co.uk w: www.nhf.info

Front cover Hair: NHF Barbers’ Elite Art Team Photography: Desmond Murray Clothes styling: Tawfi Khoury Make-up: Jo Sugar

Material for consideration in this section of the magazine should be submitted on CDROM as high resolution jpeg or tiff files to The Editor, SalonFocus. Submissions should be made on the understanding that the National Hairdressers’ Federation has the right to use the material in any part of the magazine and any of its other publications, promotions or website, free from any copyright restrictions, or appearance fees other than the issue of artistic and photographic credits where applicable.

Please include salon name, photographer & stylist.

NEWS

Proposal to create NHF-led

micro business ‘coalition for change’ The NHF is working on a project that could see it reach out to trade associations in other industries to create a “coalition” of small and micro employers able to push for change with a single voice on a range of key business issues and challenges, primarily around pay, apprenticeships, skills and training.

It is hoped the move, though still at an early stage of development, will become a central part of the Federation’s new manifesto for apprenticeships – The Future of Hairdressing & Barbering Apprenticeships – as revealed in SalonFocus in November.

NEC is due to debate the idea next month when it discusses the final wording of the LORD HESELTINE: GROWTH manifesto and, if it gets the go-ahead, it could potentially put the Federation at the forefront of recommendations by Lord Heseltine about how to restore growth to the UK economy.

The former trade and industry secretary suggested in October that the voice of small businesses would be better heard within government if trade associations consolidated their efforts and single “lead” associations presented the case for sectors facing similar issues or challenges.

The Heseltine Review: a new partnership for growth argued that there needed to be a “major rationalisation” of trade associations “to enhance the quality of the debate”.

The intention of the Federation is to create a “campaign group” with trade associations that represent sectors with similar characteristics to that of the NHF, in others words associations that have a membership predominantly of independent, highly skilled sole traders and micro enterprises.

This, in turn, would then be able to lobby the government and other interested bodies on issues such as the

www.nhf.info

design of apprenticeships, employment law and the national minimum wage.

The Heseltine review was also highly critical of the current further education and vocational training system in the UK. “In most instances, skills funding flows to the courses that students demand and which colleges can fill. It is hardly surprising then, that there is often a mismatch between the skills being taught and the skills that employers are demanding or the jobs likely to be on offer. This either results in employers needing to retrain students, or not being able to fill vacancies,” it said.

Lord Heseltine cited research by the Local Government Association published in June that argued young people were being let down by a system

that churned out “armies” of qualified hair and beauty workers when there are just not the jobs available.

It calculated that 94,000 people completed hair and beauty courses in 2011, despite there being just 18,000 new jobs in the sector.

This meant, it said, there were five people qualified for every job. Of these, more than 60 per cent, or 57,000 people, were aged 16 to 18 years old.

Lord Heseltine said: “Whilst the report from which this data is taken acknowledges data limitations, it is a story I have heard repeatedly and is illustrative of a fundamental problem.”

• Apprenticeships’ manifesto proposals in full, page 11

Britain’s Best goes off with a bang applauded the success The NHF’s Britain’s Best of the competition’s competition in November innovative use of textproved a roaring success, based voting and its with more than 250 mobile phone-based people descending on Click ‘n’ Send Head of the Birmingham Hilton the Year Photographic Metropole hotel to watch Competition, both of the action unfold. which proved hugely At one point there popular formats, were even concerns that especially with younger there was not going to entrants. be enough space on the “For Britain’s Best competition floor for all to have been such a competitors, such was the success in its first year interest.

BRITAIN’S BEST: SUCCESS is just amazing and Key winners on the shows the genuine day, on November 18, wealth of hairdressing talent we have were Steve Clewlow, of The Coach in this country. I am really excited the House in Wolverhampton, who was NHF is now leading the way in using named Senior Men’s Hairdresser of the social media and new technology to Year and Emma Saxon, of Stephen engage with and bring on gifted young Coles Hair Design in Lytham St Anne’s, hairdressers and stylists,” he said. who won Senior Women’s Hairdresser of The “buzz” of the day was also the Year. summed up by Tayla’s mum Leanne Tayla Murdy, of The Venue Willis who said: “Amazing! I’ve had in Ashington, was Junior Ladies goose bumps all day it’s been so Hairdresser of the Year, and Newcomer exciting!” of the Year was Trixie White, of Paul Turn to pages eight and nine for Watts Hairdressing in Kettering. images from the day.

But NHF president Mark Coray also

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 5

NEWS

NHF to work with MPs

on pushing for VAT reform The NHF has been invited to brief an influential group of MPs about the issues and challenges facing small and micro businesses, particularly how the UK’s VAT system could be better structured to help entrepreneurs and small business owners.

A meeting in November between secretary general Eileen Lawson and Anne Marie Morris, Conservative MP for Newton Abbott and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Micro-Businesses, has resulted in an invitation to the Federation to attend future meetings.

The parliamentary group was launched in 2011 by Anne Marie and Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, and has some 50 MPs, from both the House of Commons and House of Lords, as sitting members.

The group aims to highlight issues faced by businesses turning over less than £250,000 and employing fewer than five members of staff as well as sole traders.

Previous lobbying activity has included highlighting barriers to growth for micro businesses within the current tax system with chancellor George Osborne, campaigning against fuel duty increases, urging the reform of business rates so that exemptions are easier to obtain and arguing for the simplification of National Insurance for micro businesses.

Eileen said Anne Marie was particularly interested in working with the NHF to highlight how the current “one size fits all” VAT system can work against small, labour-intensive businesses such as hairdressing salons.

The NHF, through its Cut the VAT campaign and its report Cut and Dried? The Case for a VAT Revolution for Hairdressing Salons, launched in January 2011, has been lobbying for the creation of a more flexible VAT ANNE MARIE MORRIS: system to help small businesses.

NHF MEETING It has argued that, rather than all businesses being required to pay a headline VAT rate of 20 per cent, there should be a variable rate, with sole traders and labour-intensive industries paying a lower rate of 10 per cent as they are less able to recover VAT on purchases on goods.

The idea of such a variable rate has been highlighted by, among others, shadow chancellor Ed Balls as a way to stimulate growth within the economy but, up to now, rejected by the Treasury.

Eileen said: “This is another sign of how the NHF is becoming evermore influential as a voice of reason within the business community.

The group is a cross-bench body listened to within Westminster, so it is an important step for the Federation to be able to put the concerns of members to it.

“Apprenticeships and training is another area of interest for it, so the Federation will be looking to feed into the work the group is doing there too,” she added.

PAGE 6 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

HAIRCLIPS TAX WARNING

The UK’s “tax gap”, or the proportion of tax due that went uncollected, fell in 2010/11 to 6.7 per cent from 7.1 per cent in 2009/2010, according to latest figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

However, HMRC also said it believes nearly half of this gap is down to tax evasion by small and medium-sized businesses.

This has led to a warning

by George Bull, partner at tax specialist Baker Tilly, that SMEs “had better make sure their books are in order as the taxman is going to keep a close eye on them in the future”.

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH?

Industry sector-skills body Habia has moved to reassure salons they are unlikely to face being charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for inspections. The HSE said last autumn it would begin charging businesses found to be in breach of health and safety laws for further re-inspection under a plan known as “Fees for Intervention”. But Habia has pointed out that, as the vast majority of salons come under the remit of local authority inspectors rather than the HSE, they will be unaffected.

TECH CALL

Salons and other retailers are being encouraged to make greater use of new technologies such as “QR” codes (which customers scan with their mobiles), in-store tablet computers and self-service tills or checkouts. Research by IT consultancy Hitachi Consulting has found just 12 per cent of Britons say they have used a QR code when shopping, for example, yet three times this number would be willing to do so, with younger shoppers aged 18-24 significantly higher.

FAMILY FIRMS ‘UNLOVED’

Most UK family businesses feel “unloved” and unappreciated by the government, according a study by accountancy and consultancy firm PwC. The global poll of nearly 2,000 family businesses also found more than half – 57 per cent – believed young people entering the job market often did not have the right skills and education they required.

RETAIL CHALLENGE

Retail administrations declined by 15 per cent in the third quarter of last year, according to business advisory firm Deloitte – but the real test for the high street is likely to come in the first few weeks of the new year.

Restructuring partner Lee Manning warned that, while wage growth was poised to outstrip inflation this year, so providing a boost to spending power, the high street as a whole remained “fragile”.

PREFERRED SUPPLIER

Software firm Premier Software has been appointed a preferred supplier for the NHF, meaning members will be able to receive a preferential rate on future purchases of its salonspecific software, Premier Salon. More details on the company can be found at: www.premiersoftware. co.uk

HAPPY SALONS?

Hairdressers are among the happiest workers, according to a poll by training provider City & Guilds. The organisation’s Happiness Index, published in November, concluded vocationally-trained workers, including hairdressers, tended to be happier than academicallytrained, office-based workers. Florists, however, were the happiest overall.

BRITAIN’S BEST

Well done…

you are Britain’s Best!

It was a day of intensity, passion, drama and, above all, excellence.

SalonFocus celebrates November’s inaugural Britain’s Best.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kade Burgess, Text Vote Popularity Poll Stylist/Barber of the Year; Emma Saxon, Senior Ladies Hairdresser of the Year; Louise Hart, winner Part 1, Junior ‘Chicest Chic’; Steve Clewlow, Senior Gents Hairdresser of the Year; Lee Stafford (left) and Mark Coray (right) with international judges Matti Urjansson (Finland), Bente Soerensen (Denmark) and Richard Koffijberg (Netherlands); Tom Bell, winner Junior Men’s ‘Click ‘n’ Send Head of the Year’ Photographic Competition.

PAGE 8 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

BRITAIN’S BEST

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Tayla Murdy, Junior Ladies Hairdresser of the Year; Lucy Bowery winner, ‘Colour of the Day’; Trixie White, winner ‘Newcomer of the Year’; Sharon Chapman (Chapmans, Stowmarket), winner Text Vote Popularity Poll Salon Owner/ Manager of the Year; Kelly Tolley, winner Junior Ladies ‘Click ‘n’ Send Head of the Year’ Photographic Competition; Lee Stafford on stage; Phillip Parkin, winner ‘British Bride’.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 9

NEWS

EU health and safety plans

hit political quick-sand

Proposed European health and safety plans that could cost the British hairdressing industry millions of pounds appear to have run into heavy political weather on the Continent.

The plans by EU Coiffure, a group of European salon bosses, and UNI Europa Hair & Beauty, the European trade union for hairdressers, have inadvertently cast the spotlight on tensions within the so-called “social dialogue” used to create legislation within the European Union, in the process creating something of a panEuropean political storm.

The furore has meant there is now serious doubt as to whether the plans, which it was estimated by the Heath and Safety Executive last summer could potentially cost the UK industry £75m a year if enacted to the full (SalonFocus, July/ August, 2012), will be passed into EU law.

The NHF has been battling the proposals, and has been supported by the UK government, with both arguing they are onerous, unnecessary and often simply duplicate laws.

The proposals would require hairdressers to wear gloves when washing hair as well as non-slip shoes; salon furniture would need to be “ergonomic” and stylists would have to be allowed regular breaks for “social dialogue”.

Confusingly, social dialogue in this context – essentially chatting – is very different from the political version of the phrase, which means formal discussions and negotiations between member states, employers, unions and other public authorities, often through sector-specific social dialogue committees.

While the political arguments are complex, in a nutshell the EU Coiffure/ UNI Europa plan is the first time a social dialogue has been self-generated by an industry sector rather than imposed from above by politicians.

This, in turn, has led some member states to question the principles of the whole social dialogue process as well as oppose this specific plan.

Importantly for salon owners, the European Commission has said it intends to conduct an economic impact assessment of the proposals, something the NHF hopes will highlight the potential burden the plans would cause.

PAGE 10 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

SAFETY STORY: NHF HEL

PING TO MAKE THE NEW

The plans have also begun to attract media attention, with both The Sun and The Daily Express citing NHF secretary general Eileen Lawson in coverage in October, with The Express even going so far as to create a cartoon about the issue (pictured).

“The fact the commission has seen right for it to carry out an economic impact assessment of these proposals is a very positive response,” said Eileen.

S

“It was undoubtedly not what EU Coiffure and UNI Europa Hair & Beauty intended, but they have created a political storm around the principles of the social dialogue within the EU. “Nevertheless, there is still a job to be done to maintain the pressure and to ensure these proposals are not turned into a binding directive. The NHF will keep on pressing the case in Europe for UK salons on this issue,” she added.

One colour client in 10

‘has never had allergy test’ More than one person in 10 having their hair professionally coloured in a salon has never been offered an allergy alert test, according to research shared with the NHF. The finding was published to coincide with the launch last year of an education campaign, Colour with Confidence, run by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association and the NHF to highlight the importance of allergy alert testing prior to colouring (SalonFocus, November/December 2012).

The poll of more than 2,000 men and women by YouGov found that, of the 75 per cent who admitted not testing prior to colouring their hair, 12 per cent of women and 11 per cent of men blamed this on their salon simply never having offered them a test.

This lack of testing in some salons appears to validate the suspicion

prevalent among many salon owners that less reputable competitors sometimes cut corners by not offering a test in an effort to keep an impatient client’s business.

Among other findings, the poll found widespread ignorance about the dangers of allergic reactions.

The vast majority of women – 88 per cent – said they never had their hair coloured in a salon.

Only 17 per cent of women, irrespective of where or how they were dying their hair, were conscientious enough always to have an allergy alert test done beforehand.

The main reasons cited by those who did not were “I have coloured my hair many times and never had a problem” (49 per cent) followed by “I always use the same brand and have never had a problem” (41 per cent).

NEWS

Apprenticeships need root-and-branch reform, says NHF

A root-and-branch review of hairdressing apprenticeships and whether they are “fit for purpose” should be carried out by a panindustry “expert group” of employers, colleges and training providers, the NHF has suggested, with the ultimate aim of developing a Federation-approved qualification.

The proposal is likely to form a central strand of the NHF’s new manifesto for apprenticeships, The Future of Hairdressing and Barbering Apprenticeships. NEC is due to debate a draft of the manifesto next month.

The manifesto has been created from the extensive feedback the Federation received from a members’ survey carried out last summer in response to the government’s Richard Review into apprenticeships (SalonFocus, November/December 2012).

The Richard Review was itself published in November, as SalonFocus went to press, and closely echoed what the NHF has been urging for years – that apprenticeships need to be about making trainees “fit for work” rather than just “qualified” on paper. Its findings will be analysed in more detail in the March/April edition.

The NHF manifesto has recommended the establishment of an “expert reference group” to JOHN ARMSTRONG: review the existing apprenticeship frameworks OBJECTIVES and, ultimately, “establish apprenticeship frameworks which can be endorsed by the NHF”.

The NHF should also work to compare how apprenticeships within hairdressing differ from or match those of other sectors.

It has recommended more work be carried out to raise awareness of the increasingly professional nature of hairdressing and barbering among college and training providers.

There should, too, be an awareness and communication campaign for members designed to clarify what they can reasonably expect a Level 2 or Level 3 apprentice to achieve in terms of skills.

It has also recommended the NHF work with the Hairdressing Council to “rekindle” the statutory register for hairdressers and so highlight and emphasise the value of proficiency and professionalism.

“This might ultimately progress to create a professional institute for stylists and practitioners,” it argued.

Finally, sixth, the NHF should – as discussed on page five – work to create a campaign group with other trade associations to lobby the government and others more effectively on issues such as training and apprenticeships.

Education committee chairman John Armstrong told SalonFocus: “There is a clear need to improve the quality and relevance of qualifications and this manifesto identifies key areas of work that we would like to take forward. I am hopeful our February meeting will approve the manifesto so we can start to work to achieve these objectives.”

John told SalonFocus the education committee is also working to identify and appoint a network of education “leads” within each NHF region, who will be tasked with championing training and qualifications at a local level. More details on this will also be outlined in the March/April edition.

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MOVERS&GROOVERS HAIRDRESSERS OF THE YEAR

NHF-member salons dominated November’s Hairdressers’ Journal British Hairdressing Awards.

The overall British Hairdresser of the Year was Angelo Seminara but NHF salons won in six out of 15 categories. Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year was Indira Schauwecker of Toni&Guy, Covent Garden; Men’s Hairdresser of the Year was Tracey Devine, of Angels, Aberdeen; Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year was Ken Picton and Paul Dennison, of Ken Picton Salon, Cardiff; Midlands Hairdresser of the Year was Sarah Bowron and Adrian Bowron, of Aesthetics, Solihull; North Western Hairdresser of the Year was Gary Taylor, of Edward and Co, Brighouse; and Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year was Ken Picton, of Ken Picton Salon.

BRAZILIAN BALL

Brazilian glamour was the theme for the ISSA charity ball, in association with the Red Cross, in November.

The art team from Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa was invited by L’Oréal Professionnel to style models for the event, with Richard and creative director Cristiano Basciu leading the team, along with Nando Lopes, Sabrina Thompson, Danielle Langley, Eletta Guggeri, Louise Rose, April Zacharian, Clara Bandry and Joel Swan.

TIKADI WIN

REGIS AMBASSADOR

TV presenter Caroline Flack has been named as a new brand ambassador for NHF member Regis Salons. Regis was one of the first salon brands to pioneer the “ombre” look, notably worn

by Caroline. Her ambassador role will mean her fronting a six-month promotion for Regis. The multiplatform campaign will include traditional press relations as well as blogs and social media.

FUDGE AT MERCURY

Professional hair brand Fudge hosted a backstage hair salon at the music industry’s prestigious Mercury Prize Awards in London in November. The brand hosted four individual styling stations in the artists’ lounge, led by Fudge grooming stylist Dale Ted Watkins, offering dry cuts and styling to artists, their entourages, and management teams. Artists who stopped by to get styled included Django Django, Richard Hawley, Sam Lee and all their band members, plus prize winner Alt-J.

Essex salon and NHF member Tikadi won the Small Business of the Year award at the 2012 Mid-Essex Business Awards in October. The award was designed to recognise fiscal growth, client service, educational support and general team spirit at the salon, owned by Sharon Hennessey and Michael Mehmet.

PICTON IMAGE

Cardiff salon owner Ken Picton has been announced as winner of the 2012 Your Hair magazine Image of the Year competition.

The award was presented at October’s Salon International.

His salon was also one of the final four from the UK shortlisted for 2012’s prestigious Fellowship for British Hairdressing Salon of the Year Award, which was due to be announced last month.

SINITTA STYLE

Liverpool salon BMG World was in the thick of the action at Liverpool Fashion Week in October. The salon styled 1980s’ pop star Sinitta as well as a raft of other models.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 2012 SALONFOCUS PAGE 11

NEWS

Hairdressing in spotlight over

‘living wage’

Hairdressing is one of the occupations that most commonly fails to pay a “living wage” to employees, research has suggested, as the concept of paying such a wage – over and above the national minimum wage (NMW) – looks set to become a key political battleground at the general election in 2015.

Labour leader Ed Miliband in November pledged a future Labour government would ensure millions of workers were paid a wage of at least £7.45 an hour (£8.55 in London), as opposed to the national minimum wage, currently £6.19 an hour for those aged over 21.

ED MILIBAND: The idea of a living WAGE PLEDGE wage has no legal force, so firms are not required to pay it, but organisations such as the Living Wage Foundation have argued the more organisations that commit to paying employees at this higher rate, the more pressure others will come under to follow

suit and be seen as “good” employers.

Ed Miliband has argued that, under a future Labour administration, Whitehall contracts would only go to firms paying a living wage and firms that fail to pay it should risk being “named and shamed”.

Research for consultancy KPMG in October identified hairdressing and barbering as being within the bottom ten of occupations that paid below the living wage.

The industry came in least worst of the ten, with an estimated 65 per cent of workers receiving less than £7.45 an hour.

By comparison, 90 per cent of bar staff fell into this category.

A regional breakdown of pay levels also threw up some interesting findings.

Hairdressing was in the bottom three of occupations paying below the living wage in the north east of England, the north west, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the West Midlands.

But elsewhere it was clear hairdressing salons and barbers were often paying at or above the living wage, let alone above the minimum wage.

The debate has come as the Federation has emphasised in its latest

round of evidence to the Low Pay Commission – the body that sets the rate of the NMW – the need for the wage not to be increased from October.

The Federation argued forcefully that, “until we see growth return to the sector, our members, who are by and large micro businesses, would find any increase in the national minimum wage difficult and would definitely not be able to cope with any increase beyond one of the cost of living”.

It also stressed the effect the apprentices’ NMW was having on the appetite or ability of salons to take on young people, in particular the impact of the age cut-off.

The wage (currently £2.65 an hour) can only be paid to apprentices aged 16-18 or for the first year of an apprenticeship for those aged 19 years or over.

“The introduction of the apprentices’ national minimum wage at a time of recession has had a detrimental effect on the provision of salon-based apprenticeships as a whole. The age rule has resulted in a loss of opportunity for anyone 18 or over seeking to enter the profession,” it stated.

Cavalier text marketing could cost you dear, salons are told automated marketing calls Salons are being warned unless they have given their to be very careful permission. about sending out A spokeswoman told unsolicited marketing SalonFocus that, if salons were text messages to clients, found to be sending marketing as the Information texts to people who had opted Commissioner’s Office out, even inadvertently, this (ICO) is cracking down was something it would look at on firms that send out very carefully. automated messages to “All spam text is of interest people who have, in fact, to us and we would always asked to opt out.

ANDREW JONES: GAMBLE look into any complaint, The ICO can fine whether a hairdressing salon firms up to £500,000 someone has registered with for “serious breaches” or never heard of,” she said. of electronic marketing regulations, Andrew Jones, director of notably those within the Privacy and Hairdressingapps.com, a designer Electronic Communications Regulations, of specialist mobile phone apps for which stipulate that individuals hairdressers, added: “It is easy to see why should not receive unsolicited texts or

PAGE 12 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

it’s tempting but it is a huge gamble to take for your business.”

Nevertheless, his company’s research in the hairdressing sector showed up to 90 per cent of clients who downloaded an app from their salon were happy to accept “push” marketing notifications being sent to their mobile device.

Salons are also being warned that using aggressive, “in-your-face” sales tactics on social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In can backfire.

A poll of 1,000 small and mediumsized businesses by referral and networking organisation Business Network International (BNI), found nearly three quarters were put off using companies who bombarded them with overt sales messages.

NEWS

Salons urged to get tough

and charge ‘no-show’ clients Salons are being encouraged to take a much harder line with “no-show” clients who cancel at the last minute, even to the extent of charging them for all or part of the cost of the appointment.

The fact hairdressing has a reputation for being people-centred, informal and friendly has meant many salon owners have traditionally shied away from invoking cancellation policies for fear of offending loyal clients and losing customers.

But some leading salons are now calling for a national push to put hairdressing on a par with the private medical and legal professions and top restaurants, where “no-show” sanctions are common.

Julia Gaudio, owner of Elajé Hair & Beauty in Cambridge, told SalonFocus that when a chiropractor or dentist stated their cancellation policy patients JULIA GAUDIO: RESPECT did not bat an eyelid, so why should it be any different for salons. “Booking a hair appointment is, in effect, making a contract with that business and, as an industry, we need to accept this and adopt a cancellation policy which is clearly communicated and adhered to,” she said.

The more salons that took this approach the more KARINE JACKSON: acceptable it would become CULTURE to the public because it would gradually become the norm, she emphasised.

“At the end of the day... we take a professional approach to our cancellation policy and our clients respect this,” she added.

Elajé has a 24-hour cancellation policy written on its appointment cards and a notice on the reception desk.

Staff are trained SIMON COX: verbally to confirm this POLITE WORD

PAGE 14 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

BEAUTY

SPOTS

BEAUTY DEBTS

Nearly three quarters of beauty therapists in the UK say they are owed money by late- or non-paying customers, with some owed as much as £5,000, according to a poll. The survey by mobile phone firm EE calculated the industry as a whole was owed £283m by customers, with beauty therapists spending the equivalent of 36 days a year chasing overdue customer bills.

ASIAN GROOMING

to new customers when they book and any last-minute cancellations incur a 50 per cent charge.

“This is because if a customer cancels at the last minute, we can’t just slot someone else in. We have allocated time for that customer and we are paying for a stylist or therapist for that time,” Julia said.

Another salon that has put in place a 24-hour cancellation policy Covent Garden, London salon Karine Jackson Hair & Beauty.

Karine told SalonFocus that when people phoned up to cancel and were told this, some changed their mind and kept their appointment after all. Those who insist they are too ill to come are not charged, but are only allowed to use this as a reason once.

Previous generations of salon owners had let clients get away with eleventh-hour cancellations and no-shows but it was now time to change the culture, she argued.

“It’s like allergy alert testing. It is a difficult one to manage. Once clients know this is not acceptable and they will be accountable for it, then we can change their behaviour,” she said.

Simon Cox, managing director of Clipso’s St Albans salon, told SalonFocus he got about two per cent no-shows.

He texts reminders to clients about their appointment and tells serial offenders the salon will have to take a payment up front if they keep doing it.

“Once you have a polite word, it doesn’t tend to happen again,” he said.

UK shaving business The Shave Doctor has launched in Hong Kong. Owner Mark Sproston went out there in the autumn to run his professional wet shave course, and the company has said it intends to introduce its product into salons and spas throughout the region.

ADVERTS CALL

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has called for cosmetic surgery advertising to be banned on posters, billboards, the sides of buses and television where it might be seen by young people and children. It follows a call for an outright ban in all public places, which the association made in May.

ENNIS EFFECT

More than a third (35 per cent) of women say they feel “repulsed” by images of skinny celebrities, a poll has argued, with nearly three quarters preferring a more athletic look. The survey by “bootcamp” company Lifestyle247 found Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis had the most desirable shape of body, beating the likes of celebrities such as Kelly Brook and Kim Kardashian.

SK:N EXPANSION

Laser hair removal chain Sk:n has taken its network of clinics to 40 with the opening of a clinic in Sheffield in October. The Crystal Peaks outlet offers services such as laser hair and tattoo removal, acne scarring and regeneration, as well as anti-ageing creams, cleaners and sun creams.

COLUMN

Be inspired,

not daunted, by art

Great hairdressing is about more than just great technique. Hairdressers need to soak up and use the creativity and inspiration that’s all around them – in art, theatre, fashion, opera and music, argues Darren Fowler.

I feel very passionate about art and artists. I believe our industry is hugely influenced and inspired by art and it helps us to evolve in our skills and creativity; well it does for me. To that end I would highly recommend for any hairdresser or designer to attend art exhibitions, as you’ll come away with so much inspiration and many ideas. In my opinion I feel we are led by art and art helps everything to develop.

For example, I recently spent some time in New York – if you haven’t been before, you must!

It is an amazing city and the place alone can inspire you. While I was there I went to the Picasso Black and White art exhibition at The Guggenheim Museum.

The Guggenheim is a wonderful building and, with its spiralling gallery, a great place to see art such as Picasso; it ensures you get to see everything from start to finish.

Artistic influences

The exhibition was, I felt, exceptional and truly mind blowing; Picasso was such an incredible and influential artist. The art was powerfully presented and, because of the way the museum is designed, once you got to the end you could look back at the layers and levels and see you had just experienced the journey of his life through his art. I left the museum feeling so motivated and inspired.

Art helps to make you see things differently; it involves Darren Fowler everything being part is international of a journey, and this is creative director something I think a lot for the Clipso salon of people forget. group

PAGE 16 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Westwood and Alexander McQueen their designs are quite obscure and “out there” but they didn’t just get to be at the top or be a leading name in the fashion world without having a journey behind them to get them to where they are today. Looking back at each one’s journey is brilliant and can be very influential.

Another gallery I would recommend going to if you are ever in New York is MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art).

Closer to home, the Tate Modern is a further place I enjoy going to.

Open your mind

PICASSO AT THE GUGGENHEIM: INFLUENTIAL

When you create an amazing hairstyle, you don’t just jump in and have a finished look – if it’s a client’s hair you’re doing, you need to get to know them, know their style and lifestyle before you begin.

Conversely, if it’s a fashion show you need to see the clothing designs, you need to have discussions with the designer, you need to know the brief, you need to plan the looks, you need to practise, you need to do the prep work, you need to know the model before you have that final finished look. These sorts of journeys can sometimes get lost or forgotten – but the journey really does matter. Art, I find, can relight those thought processes.

Everything has an artistic value, whether it’s art, hair, fashion or whatever, it helps us to produce our creations.

Seeing Picasso’s bizarre art creations, for example, really opened my mind and helped me technically. Art lets you explore, develop and adapt.

When you look at fashion designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne

It’s not just art either that we should be using to feed our creativity and inspiration. Earlier on last year I was very fortunate to see Einstein on the Beach an opera in four acts by Robert Wilson and Philip Glass at The Barbican theatre in London.

It breaks all of the rules of conventional opera. Instead of a traditional orchestral arrangement, Philip Glass chose to compose the work for the synthesisers, woodwinds and voices of the Philip Glass Ensemble.

Non-narrative in form, the work used a series of powerful recurrent images as its main storytelling device, shown in juxtaposition with abstract dance sequences created by American choreographer Lucinda Childs.

This show was absolutely amazing; it is definitely the most influential thing I have seen in the last five years. It’s touring worldwide and if you get the chance to see it, you must!

Hopefully these thoughts on art will have inspired you to go and see an exhibition. I can guarantee you’ll come away with so many thoughts and ideas, thoughts and ideas that in turn will help you to reflect on journeys you need to consider within hairdressing and improve your technical abilities.

INSPIRED

Capital Classics The London Elite and Soho Chic collection from the NHF’s Barbers’ Elite team: Credits: Hair: NHF Barbers’ Elite Art Team Photography: Desmond Murray Clothes styling: Tawfi Khoury Make-up: Jo Sugar

www.nhf.info

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 17

INSPIRED

PAGE 18 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

INSPIRED

www.nhf.info

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 19

INSPIRED

PAGE 20 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

BUSINESS FOCUS

Building worked Most of us will know someone with a salon refurbishment horror story. But bringing a refurb in on time and to budget is doable – it just takes preparation, firmness and constant vigilance, explains Jane Nixon.

We opened six years ago and last year, with appointments in high demand and space in the salon running low, decided it was time to create a new look.

It was imperative, of course, the salon shut for as short a time as possible. In fact, we ended up only being closed for three days, and one of those was a Sunday.

The key to achieving this fast turnaround was preparation. In the two weeks leading up to the refit we had the gas pipes moved, windowsills removed and new flooring fitted, but the salon remained open throughout.

PAGE 22 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

• Get involved and project manage, as you know your salon best • You may be surprised how many people want to buy your furniture, so don’t just bin it • Give your workmen a month, they will take a month, give them three days and they’ll take three days.

So be strict with your time, but realistic.

How the timings worked

HAIR EDEN: DURING AND AFTER REFURBISHMENT

eBay sale

All our old salon furniture was sold over eBay, and buyers were asked to collect everything on the Saturday night. Doing this not only made us some money, it saved on the hire of a skip!

The chairs were still good quality, so we simply had them professionally cleaned and new covers bought. The floor was a polyfloor, meaning separate tiles could be replaced where needed at a small cost.

When it came to funding, I funded the whole project through money put aside specifically for reinvestment.

Even though I had carefully budgeted, I did build in a slightly larger budget to cover unforeseen eventualities. The fact we are VAT-registered means we can claim VAT back on the refurbishment, so giving that little bit extra to spend.

The shop fitter, 110 Percent Interiors based in Swinton, Manchester, was recommended to us by our decorator. I’d seen his exhibition work for other salons and he showed a lot of interest Jane Nixon is owner in every last aspect. of Hair Eden in Roe Nothing appeared to Green, Worsley, be too much trouble. outside Manchester As soon as the

Jane’s tips for a pain-free refit

June 29 – final plans agreed July 6 – furniture ordered August 7 – windowsills removed and new gas pipe fitted August 8 – new flooring fitted and some walls plastered.

August 19 – salon closed for refit August 21 – refit completed August 22 – salon reopened August 30 – final touches completed September 3 – open evening for Breast Cancer Care

What it all cost

plans were completed I paid a 30 per cent deposit and then the rest was paid on completion.

Supervision

I already had a strong idea of how I wanted the salon to look, and so I supervised every step. I made sure I was available 24/7 while the work took place.

What was important was to get across how I would use the space every day.

Since reopening, we’ve noticed some major differences. Last time we placed all the chairs round the walls and so lost the space in the middle, which we can now use.

We also made the mistake of dotting all our stock around the salon, which made it really hard to sell. Now it’s all in one place more people are interested in buying it so we do much more retail. We even now have a small office space where we used to store surplus stock.

Jane’s original budget was £30,000, and her costs broke down as follows: New flooring tiles – £360 Plastering – £150 Decorating – £1,800 Shop fit – £18,500 Two new chairs – £1,600 Chair covers for existing chairs – £200 New cutting stools – £100 Office Furniture – £600 New towels – £250 New gowns – £170 That meant the final cost was £23,730, on budget and on time!

Trade has grown as people have seen the refit photos online through our website and social media, and a lot of local residents who didn’t come to us before have come in to look and ended up booking appointments!

We held an open evening when the salon was complete and used it as a charity fundraiser. Not only did this raise more £1,000 for Breast Cancer Care, we also booked in more than a dozen new clients. So it was worth every penny!

BUSINESS FOCUS

Ready for

inspection?

The news back in September (SalonFocus, November/December, 2012) that salons in the north east of England were to come under the spotlight of a special HM Revenue & Customs tax “taskforce” was, in truth, not that surprising to many insurance and tax professionals who follow these matters.

Despite HMRC telling the industry a year previously it was “not on the list” of upcoming industry-specific taskforces (SalonFocus, January/February 2012), the fact hairdressing as a sector is one that historically has a lot of cash (such as tips) going through its tills was always likely to make it a possible target.

Disruption

Nevertheless, the move has highlighted the importance for salon owners to protect themselves from the threat and disruption of a tax inspection, whether one that results from a specific taskforce initiative or is just part of HMRC’s ongoing inspection regime.

One of the key ways a business, of whatever size, can protect itself is by purchasing tax inspection or fee protection insurance. The good news is such insurance should be a standard element of any reputable salon or retail insurance policy that includes legal cover (and is certainly a part of our salon policy).

But it always pays to double-check your policy that this is indeed the case.

Just as importantly, what can you expect inspection Heidi Morton insurance to cover? is insurance Since April administration 2009 HMRC has manager with been able to visit Coversure Insurance business premises Services, the NHF’s to inspect records recommended covering all insurance broker. taxes including

www.nhf.info

With the taxman targeting salons, now may be the time to make your own enquiries… into tax inspection insurance, advises Heidi Morton.

corporate, income, PAYE, NI, capital gains and VAT. It can also issue written queries before you have even submitted your annual tax returns.

In essence, therefore, anyone who pays tax can come under scrutiny.

Moreover, most enquiries are generated by computer “risk profiling” – and many are selected completely at random.

Time-consuming

The questions asked by HMRC will usually be detailed and time-consuming to answer. Assuming your accountant charges by the hour, the costs therefore of defending yourself can easily run into thousands of pounds, even if at the end of the day little or no extra tax is paid as a result of the enquiry.

Tax protection insurance, very simply, is insurance arranged by your broker to protect clients who suffer a tax enquiry.

The main benefit of having it is that your accountant will defend you should you receive any correspondence or a visit from HMRC. The cost of their professional fees in preparing this defence and acting for you will then be claimed under your insurance policy. On top of this, the reassurance of having this insurance may mean you are less likely to accept unreasonable tax charges because of concerns about incurring large professional fees.

Normally a tax inspection insurance policy should provide automatic cover for up to £75,000 (£100,000 in the case of our policy) of professional costs in the following circumstances: • dealing with any correspondence from HMRC; • attendance at any meeting with HMRC; and • appeal to the first-tier tribunal or upper tribunal.

But it’s also worth being clear what will not normally be covered, including: • routine compliance work, for example preparing your tax return; • overseeing HMRC while they review your records;

•

outstanding taxes, penalties, interest or any other amounts due to HMRC; • defence of criminal prosecution cases or serious fraud enquiries; and • any fees relating to pre-existing tax enquiries.

At the end of the day only the salon owner as the business owner can make a judgement call as to whether tax inspection insurance is, for them, “value for money”.

But consider some statistics.

Premiums for this sort of insurance will start from less than £100 if bought as a stand-alone policy and, as already noted, will often be wrapped into a wider retail policy anyway. Take into account the fact that the cost of handling an inspection can easily run from £2,000 to £5,000, before you even get to the bill for any money owed to HMRC, not to mention the indirect cost to your business of distraction from the day job and the stress of handling an investigation itself.

Seen in this light, it may well be tax investigation or fee protection insurance is a prudent decision, especially for small and micro businesses that will be ill able to afford the disruption to their business a tax inspection will bring.

If you read nothing else read this…

• Hair salons have been targeted for inspection by HMRC • Inspection insurance will often be included automatically in policies, but it is worth knowing what will, and not, be covered • The policy should cover £75,000 of fees as a minimum, ideally more, and premiums for independent cover can start at around £100 • A broker can advise on the suitability of this insurance for your business

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 23

BUSINESS FOCUS

Channel your creativity More and more hairdressers are putting their work – and their business – up on social media channel YouTube. But how easy is it to do, and what do you need to think about before the cameras roll? Anne Veck explains.

The vast majority of salon owners will, or should by now, be all too aware of just how important it is to have a presence on social media if you want successfully to market your business and show people what you can do.

Hairdressing is incredibly visual and therefore it makes absolute business sense to use a visual media channel such as YouTube to show off your work and educate clients.

Our YouTube channel – http://www. youtube.com/user/anneveck – has videos on everything from behind-the-scenes on the catwalk and using the latest products at the salon to more educational “how to” videos.

Credibility

Anne Veck runs salons in Oxford and Bicester.

She received her fifth nomination for Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year in last year’s British Hairdressing Awards. In 2012 she was also a finalist for Creative Head magazine’s Most Wanted Creative Talent Award and the AIPP Avant Garde Award. Last year, too, she was a finalist for the AIPP Grand Trophy 2011-12 and reached the finals of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Mizani Afro Catwalk Look.

Clients are reassured when they see you have a presence on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, a blog and our official website. So it can definitely add to your credibility as a salon. Then for Anne Veck Education – the educational side of the business – YouTube videos are a great advert for my courses.

So, how do you get started and what do you need to consider?

YouTube is popular, free and easy-to-upload – but it stands to reason if you want to make an impact you need to have great, watchable videos.

Usually, we work on the assumption the films should never be longer than 10 minutes.

You need the video to be straight to the point, fast and edgy.

To my mind, it’s also

PAGE 24 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

ON A SHOOT: ANNE PREPPING A MODEL

worth the investment of having it filmed professionally – the quality increases massively.

If you’ve not got much of a budget, one tip can be to use a media student who needs experience and can get access to equipment and materials through their college. But, before you even get to sorting out these sorts of practicalities, it is important to sit down and work out really carefully what it is you want to do.

What do you want any video to achieve, to say about you and your salon?

Target audience

Definitely make sure you know who your target audience is, know exactly who would want to watch your videos; once you have this clear in your head, it makes creating content much easier and less stressful!

For example, my tutorial videos are mainly aimed at hairdressers, and so will be pitched in a different way to more “consumer” videos.

Preparation is also important because having a video that is well-structured with a clear message is a real selling point.

So, talk with your video director well in advance so they understand how you want everything to look.

What I’ve also found is that different video types also need different equipment – and, again, your director will probably be able to advise on this.

For example, when we are filming

educational step-by-step tutorials, we use two simple lights and just one camcorder.

It’s incredibly basic but the post-filming editing is the main focus; that’s what completes the overall feel of the video.

Another relatively obvious tip – but one that people get wrong surprisingly often – is that, if you want to do a voiceover, make sure you practise it until you have it word perfect. That way you can concentrate on the message and your delivery without having to worry about “the script”.

When it comes to search engine optimisation – essentially making your videos come up on someone’s internet search – I recommend you get an expert to do it for you. There are loads of “SEO” companies out there nowadays.

However, it is also a good idea to be regularly updating your Facebook page, Twitter account and website to improve the SEO results, as search engines do notice these things.

So – the million pound question – can you make money through YouTube videos? Some people certainly do but, for us, we don’t sell our educational videos, so there is no direct income from this, and that’s never been the intention.

The importance of YouTube to my mind is its place in our marketing mix.

It’s definitely not an add-on; it’s a really important marketing channel and tool in its own right.

If you read nothing else read this…

• YouTube can be a great visual marketing and educational tool • Consider in advance what you want the video to say, and its target audience • Invest in a professional director or, if on a budget, consider using local students • Prepare and practise before you perform • Don’t forget search engine optimisation

TOOLBOX: EQUIPMENT

Colour

co-ordinated The days when colour was predominantly something used to hide the grey hairs of the more mature client are long gone.

Colouring is now one of the key revenue streams for most salons and demanded by clients of all ages, male and female.

A natural extension of this trend being considered by some salons is to celebrate their expertise by installing “colour bars” on the salon floor where clients can see colour being prepared and engage in the whole colour process, including the potential for retail or cross-selling.

So, could this work for your salon?

The first point to make, stresses Karlene Fowler, director at Salon Hair Supplies, is that a colour bar is not going to be appropriate for every salon, especially smaller ones.

“The majority of salons are unlikely to be big enough to have a separate area for colouring but, if you do have or can make space, it can be a valuable addition,” she points out.

“A colour bar could be a useful advert to clients that this is an area you specialise in and it might well increase business. It can also be used as a counter for colour conversations with clients and retail, as well as for mixing and dispensing the colour,” she adds.

Growing trend

“It is certainly a growing trend, though it is still a relatively new concept in the UK, though it is more common in countries such as Germany,” agrees Albert Ewan, of Albert Ewan Design.

“The pokey little room full of clutter is disappearing, as salons grow more proud of their talents. Having a high-quality colour ‘dispensary’ in a prime spot in the salon, having this sort of professional approach, is something that is gaining more momentum in UK salons,” he adds.

“In my experience colour bars are becoming much higher up the list when salon owners list their priorities when planning a refurbishment of their salons,” also agrees Kevin Lewis, owner of Concept Salon Design.

PAGE 26 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

The colour bar as a standalone area in your salon is a relatively new concept but can be a great way to show off your expertise as well as generate client conversation and retail.

SalonFocus investigates.

COLOUR BARS: RANGE OF OPTIONS

“Colouring areas need to be integrated much more within the salon to give a more professional service.

Increasingly, clientele want to know and see how their colours are mixed, using well-trained staff and branded products to a pre-determined formula to give consistent results, which should encourage brand loyalty and increase retail opportunities,” he adds.

“It keeps the mixing area all in one place and can make for a tidier salon. It can also enhance the salon offering by displaying to clients the range of colours available,” says Shirley Braithwaite, marketing manager at REM. “Vanity and mixing units are becoming popular with clients and our designers always include them in their plans. We are occasionally asked for larger, bespoke units to fit a particular space,” she adds.

Establishing a salon floor colour bar is something you do need to think through quite carefully beforehand, cautions

Karlene of Salon Hair Supplies.

“A colour bar can get messy, which might not look so good, so you need to consider how it is going to be used and what it is going to be for. You also need to think about what sort of storage options you are going to want.

“You’ll need to ensure it has good lighting because otherwise it is very hard to see the true shade. Natural daylight bulbs can also be a good idea,” she says.

“A good colour bar should look good, have a sufficient storage, have durable, easily-cleaned surfaces, preferably have a sink to help keep everything ship-shape and, above, all not look like an add-on to a salon,” advises Concept’s Kevin.

REM’s Shirley outlines some of the questions you should probably be asking of a manufacturer. “Can you advise me on location in my salon? Do you have a salon planning service? Can you tailor-make to my specification? Can you show me examples of colour bars you have made or supplied already?”

When it comes to integrating the colour bar into the salon it’s inevitably going to depend on whether you want it to be highly visible, discreet or even completely hidden.

“Highly visible lets the client see the products you use (they won’t think you are advertising an upmarket brand and actually using a cheaper one). Visible can also help with cross-selling,” explains Shirley.

If you read nothing else read this…

• Salon floor colour bars can help to advertise your excellence at colouring • Consider carefully how it will be used, the fact it may get messy, where best for it to be located and how it will be lit • If you only have a small area don’t discount the possibility of bespoke furniture

TOOLBOX: RELATIONSHIPS

Cash in on your wholesaler

Wholesalers nowadays offer much more than a cash-and-carry facility or a place to top-up on product and equipment. SalonFocus looks at how to get the most from your local wholesaler.

What do you use your wholesaler for?

For many salons their wholesaler is primarily a hugely useful resource for product and equipment, somewhere that complements the stock they buy direct from their brand partners.

That’s still very much at the core of what most wholesalers offer the trade, concedes Oliver Fincher, managing director of Aston & Fincher.

“We are still the home of consumables and sundries – pins, grips, brushes, combs and so on – but we are also a very strong independent distributor of a lot of very desired brands, whether that’s Moroccanoil, Matrix, TIGI, Fudge or whoever.

“But to think of your wholesaler as just somewhere to go for pins and grips, value lines or the odd tube will be to miss a whole swathe of what we now do,” he emphasises.

Business advice

Training, business advice and information, consultancy on shopfit and layout, marketing and social media support – wholesalers have their fingers in all these pies, and more, agrees David Williams, marketing manager for Capital Hair & Beauty.

“We are still very much a cash-andcarry-style wholesaler. We do not have people going around banging on doors.

But where we do provide a real benefit is being able to act, in effect, as a salon’s storeroom,” he explains.

“So we do get a lot of salon owners using us as a place to come to frequently and stock up on items here and there rather than having to buy in bulk and then store it somewhere. People are happy to buy little and often.

“But, beyond this, we also run a lot of training courses. We organise more than 1,000 courses a year, predominantly beauty courses. So it can give you the opportunity to supplement your income

PAGE 28 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

If you read nothing else read this…

• Wholesalers can help with much more than supplies • They may be able to offer training, business advice and design consultancy • They normally have a strong understanding of local issues and demographic changes

by, for example, doing a course in tanning or whatever it may be.

“It’s not about training someone to be a fully-fledged hairdresser, of course, more extra things to help staff step up and improve,” he adds.

Direct salesforce

In the case of Aston & Fincher, there is a large direct salesforce, with an emphasis very much put on local knowledge and support, argues Oliver.

“The fact we are independent means we know the demographic and heritage of the area we are working in, and we can adapt and change in response,” he says.

“One increasingly large area where we serve salons nowadays is in education, through our academy. We can offer salons formal product and technical training but also more inspirational training.

“We have beauty educators who are accredited to offer national qualifications, we have big-name guests, such as Patrick Cameron, who regularly come in and do presentations and run workshops.

“We also offer a range of business courses, under the brand ‘Winning Ways’, which are becoming increasingly popular.

“Beyond that we are very happy to work in a consultancy role with individual salons. Or, more informally, if a salon owner just wants to have a chat and get some advice off a store owner, they only have to ask. We see our role as being very much a partnership with salons,” he adds.

“We’re useful as somewhere you can simply bounce ideas off,” says Capital Hair & Beauty’s David.

“We are not just a big warehouse full of boxes, we are also very active online and on social media, so that is another good, quick way to communicate. We also offer a free advice magazine for customers, as do a number of other wholesalers,” he adds.

A further way you can “leverage” the relationship with your wholesaler is when it comes to refurbishing or fitting out a salon, argues Oliver Fincher.

“Another service we can offer these days is design and lay-out. So we can advise on solutions to opening, say, in a big shopping mall, or how to work with landlords, how to make the space in your salon work more effectively and so on.

“There is an awful lot wholesalers can offer to salons nowadays,” he explains.

TOOLBOX

Tried & Tested

SalonFocus is this month launching a new element, Tried and Tested, where a panel of top NHF salon owners give their verdict on both established and new product and equipment.

The product:

Anti-Frizz by YUKO Homecare

Description: Denman’s Precision Combs range comprises a pin tail comb, tail comb, small and large cutting combs, waver comb and rake comb. Made in the UK, they are manufactured from acetal material, so making them heat, chemical and impact resistant.

Did it work?

Our testers said: “The two tail combs and rake comb worked very well. I liked the other combs but found I didn’t get as much tension on the hair I am used to.”

“They did everything expected of them.”

Would you use it in your salon?

Our testers said: “Definitely. I would use the pin combs and rake comb.” “Yes, with great pleasure.”

Description: YUKO Homecare’s Anti-Frizz range comprises a shampoo, conditioner, leavein conditioner and serum. It is, the company says, “an innovative treatment that semi-permanently controls frizz and makes hair smooth and manageable” and has been created with a blend of natural ingredients taken from silk, soy and wheat.

Was there anything that stood out, good or bad?

Our testers said: “With the pin tail combs, the pin was very fine, so that made weaving easier.” “I found each comb easy to hold and they were very comfortable in the hand.”

Any other comments?

Our testers said: “I really like the style of these combs.” “The cutting combs were excellent in graduating.”

HHHH

Did it work?

Our testers said: “Yes, very well.” “Yes (excellent).”

Would you use it in your salon?

Our testers said: “Yes, and retail.”

Tried and Tested overall rating: 4

The product:

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Description: The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a multi-award winning preshampoo treatment specifically designed for returning elasticity, bounce and shine to extremely broken or damaged hair. The company says: “More frequent use of this intensive treatment formula will restore suppleness, elasticity, shine and bounce.”

Did it work?

Our testers said: “Yes (excellent).”

Would you use it in your salon?

Our testers said: “Yes.”

www.nhf.info

Was there anything that stood out, good or bad?

Our testers said: “Time may be an issue for some salons to consider, as clients may not like waiting 20 minutes with product on their hair.” “It brings back elasticity to overprocessed hair. It leaves hair with shine and bounce.”

Any other general comments?

Our testers said: “I really liked the results.”

“Great as a problem solver.”

HHH

Tried and Tested overall rating: 3.6

The SalonFocus Tried and Tested panel are not paid for their opinions. The rating is the opinion of the panel alone. Manufacturers who wish to submit items should contact Tina Beaumont at NHF head office on tina.beaumont@nhf.info. Three samples will normally be required. Being accepted is not a guarantee a review will be published.

The product:

Precision Combs range from Denman

Designed specifically for professional use, the teeth of the combs are, says the company, “ultra-smooth for damage-free combing”.

How Tried and Tested works:

Was there anything that stood out, good or bad?

Our testers said: “I found it made really thick frizzy hair nice and soft and all calmed it down. Using on fine hair I found it didn’t weigh it down.” “The anti-frizz shampoo was excellent on natural curly hair with colour. It leaves hair with great shine and is full and manageable for days. The leave-in conditioner was great on frizzy natural curly hair, coloured and chemically treated hair.”

Any other general comments Our testers said: “I got on really well with this shampoo.” “The revitalize and shine was excellent on over-processed hair, bringing it back to shine, body and bounce.”

HHHH

Tried and Tested overall rating: 4.3

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 29

FEDERATION FOCUS

NHF salon piloting

‘Bristol Pound’ A Bristol NHF member is helping to pioneer a new local currency, the “Bristol Pound”, which has been launched to encourage shoppers to spend money with local and independent retailers.

Some 350 shops and businesses in and around Bristol now accept the currency since it launched in September, including Guy Fawkes Hair & Beauty, owned by Lynn Andres.

“The number of traders and businesses accepting them is growing all the time, though at the moment we are the only hairdresser involved that I know of,” she told SalonFocus.

“This is a way of putting something back into local, independent shops,” she said.

The scheme, the first local currency to

be tested across a major UK city, is being backed by the Bristol Credit Union.

Shoppers can either exchange sterling for Bristol Pounds at the union or five other access points around the city or, if they want to pay for goods electronically or via the internet or their mobile phone, can open an account with the union.

The currency can be used to pay for goods at any shop displaying the Bristol Pound symbol or there is also an online directory at www.bristolpound.org Within a month of it being launched, some £40,000 worth of notes were calculated to be in circulation around the city.

“You just put them through the till, same as a £5, £10 or £20 note, although there is also a £1 note rather than a coin.

BRISTOL POUND: ENCOURAGING LOCAL TRADE

We tell clients that if they want change in Bristol Pounds they can have it, or of course in sterling. It is positive, fun and the design is beautiful,” said Lynn.

“It has created a real buzz; it is about trying to bring the community together again. It is good for Bristol, very positive,” she added.

Regional round-up Simon Shaw, European artistic director at Wahl UK, was the star attraction at NHF Derby Networking Group’s “an evening with…” event at Kirkby in Ashfield in October.

The event was open to members and non-members alike and a packed Festival Hall gathered to watch Simon showcasing his talent on five male models and one female, with a particular emphasis on the clipper cut.

“It was a fantastic evening and an honour to be able to invite such a high-calibre professional to benefit our NHF members,” regional secretary Ivan Blout told SalonFocus after the event.

Next up on the Derby calendar is a seminar with Patrick Cameron, which will be held at Derby College on March 25 (see listing on Events, page 33).

Award-winning hairdresser John Peers

SOUTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS: FUTURE TRENDS

JOHN PEERS: BLACKPOOL DEMONSTRATION

held an afternoon event for Blackpool Networking Group in October.

John has been in the industry for 45 years and originally trained at Pierre

PAGE 30 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Yorkshire Alexandre International in Manchester.

Until last summer he ran the John Peers Hair Studio and Academy in Rochdale but, since that closed, now works as a mobile stylist.

The Derby event saw him demonstrating colour and cutting techniques and total restyles, with models and prepping provided by Blackpool & Fylde College.

The event proved popular and was attended by more than 50 members and non-members, as well as local students.

Southern Region’s South of England Championships were held at the Novotel hotel in Southampton in November, attracting more than 85 entrants and an audience of more than 250 people.

Future trends in fashion, bridal, men’s and “night on the town” were all showcased.

A full list of winners can be found at www.nhf.info

members’ drive A recruitment drive among salons in Mirfield, Yorkshire is to be carried out by Huddersfield Networking Group over the coming months.

With 28 salons trading in the town, Mirfield is being targeted by the group, which is part of Yorkshire Region, to see whether physically getting out and knocking on salon doors can work as an effective method of attracting new members.

“The aim is to get out with recruitment packs and actually take them into salons and speak to the owners,” Phil Cooling, secretary of Yorkshire Region, told SalonFocus.

All regions are being encouraged by head office to develop and run recruitment initiatives through a “Tell a Salon” campaign.

FEDERATION FOCUS

Barbers’ Elite ‘high fives’ at Salon International The NHF’s new Barbers’ Elite team showcased its skills at Salon International for the first time in October, demonstrating five striking autumn/ winter male looks.

The team, led by James Beattie and joined by Alan Findlay and Martin Fox, did a 25-minute demonstration on the Hairdressers’ Journal stage.

James said: “It was an amazing opportunity for the team and for each of the team members involved. 2012 was the NHF Barbers’ Elite team’s first year as a team, and to be given the chance to get up and show people what we love doing was brilliant.”

The team also showcased at October’s NHF conference in Cardiff, joined on this occasion by the Federation’s artistic team Inspire, led by Colin McAndrew and including Donna Mitchell, Kym Wyser and Casey Coleman.

Both teams presented one-hour shows to an audience of around 100 members, focusing on demonstrating their work throughout this year.

LEFT: MARTIN FOX ON STAGE AT SALON INTERNATIONAL; ABOVE: THE NEW INSPIRE TEAM AND MODELS

Looking forward into 2013, both teams have announced new members following an intensive auditioning process over the autumn.

Along with James Beattie, Barbers’ Elite for 2013 will comprise the following: • Existing members: Alan Findlay (Rebel Rebel, Glasgow), Martin Fox (Scarlet Moon, Middlesbrough), Matthew Evans (Goldsworthy’s, Swindon) and Jason Churchill (Yoshimi, Newquay).

• New members: Stuart Dalton (Blaze, Warwickshire), Ben Howe (Wigs and Warpaint, Sheffield), Kade Kut (KadeKut Barbershop, Bedford), Steve Clewlow

From the NEC Now the dust has settled from Britain’s Best in November (and see the coverage in the news pages of this edition of SalonFocus), the priority for the artistic committee over the coming weeks will be to sit down and evaluate how it went, what worked and what can be improved for this year, writes artistic committee chairman Paul Curry.

I think we all agree Britain’s Best was a great success and PAUL CURRY exceeded everyone’s expectations, especially given how challenging it can sometimes be to get a new event off the ground.

The way it tapped into new modes of communication – with the text voting

www.nhf.info

popularity poll and its Click ‘n’ Send Head of the Year photographic competition – was really exciting and, I feel, sends a clear signal as to direction in which artistic competitions and events will increasingly go in the future.

It’s still early days, but the planning for 2013’s Britain’s Best is already getting started, so watch this space!

Apart from Britain’s Best, I will certainly be watching closely the progress of Inspire under Colin McAndrew and Barbers’ Elite under James Beattie.

Barbers’ Elite, in particular, went down a storm at conference and at Salon International in October (see above) and Inspire, under mentor The Trevor Sorbie Artistic Team, had a really exciting 2012.

The momentum and excitement our artistic teams are generating, along with the prospect of an even higher profile Britain’s Best, will, I am sure, make 2013 a year to remember artistically.

(The Coach House, Wolverhampton) and Deon Moffat (Copperfields, Perth).

Along with Colin McAndrew, Inspire for 2013 will comprise the following: • Existing members: Casey Coleman (Ocean Hairdressing, Cardiff ), Donna Mitchell (Bonce Salons, West Midlands) and Colin Knight (seanhanna, Cambridge).

• New members: Danielle Seally (Goldsworthy’s, Swindon), Amy Flower (The Industry, Christchurch), Claire Flack (Wigs and Warpaint, Sheffield) and Ryan McCreadie (Medusa Salons, Edinburgh).

Fond farewell for

June Taylor Plaudits have been given to long-standing Blackpool regional secretary June Taylor, who retired last year after distinguished service to the Federation over more than half a century.

June was assistant secretary of the North West Area (now regional networking group) for more than 30 years as well as president of the Blackpool branch and joined the Federation back in 1958.

“I wish the NHF well in the future and very much hope it succeeds in attracting more young people as members as that is, of course, vital for its future,” she said.

Regional colleague Stephen Coles, who runs Stephen Coles Hair Design in Lytham St Anne’s, said: “She was hugely valued and a very active member. She will definitely be missed.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 SALONFOCUS PAGE 31

CASE CONFIDENTIAL

‘She left happy, but is now in tears complaining the cut is too short –

what are our options?’

Basil Long, senior legal consultant at Croner, operator of the NHF’s Legal Lifeline, analyses a real-life call to the helpline and the advice subsequently offered to the salon owner.

‘A customer came into the salon for a bob cut. She provided the stylist with a picture of what she wanted and our stylist proceeded to cut it into the style. She left, seemingly happy, but rang up later on somewhat distressed, saying it cut was too short, and the stylist has accepted he did cut it a bit short. What can we do?’

From a legal perspective, this is not a claim for personal injury, damage or distress. If the stylist had taken a nick out of her ear or if a colour had reacted with her skin then it would be a personal injury claim and one to refer to the insurers. The problem here is the customer has not had the cut she asked for, and therefore technically could come under sale of goods and supply of services regulations.

The principal remedy here that she will be entitled to is to have the cut rectified, and only if – after a reasonable opportunity – the stylist has been unable to rectify the cut would she be entitled to a refund or the cost of going elsewhere.

So, how to approach the problem in practical terms?

Examine the complaint

First, remember that before making any decision you are always entitled to examine the hair yourself to see whether the cut is as bad as you are being told.

If on inspection you don’t agree the cut is a bad one, still try to find out if there is anything you can do so she leaves a happy client.

One question to ask is: how long did it take for the client to come back to you? If it has taken a week or more, then it clearly can’t be that bad unless there is some reason for the delay, such as a holiday or illness.

If rectification is possible, the stylist should endeavour to make a new appointment at the client’s convenience.

The client will not be entitled to go anywhere else in the meantime.

PAGE 32 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Repair, refund or refer

If you have tried rectifying the cut a couple of times and the client is still not happy, then it is time to accept with this client you are probably not going to succeed. Technically, the client is entitled to either a refund or the cost of having it put right somewhere else, if that costs more. However, she would have to be reasonable about where she goes and what she has done.

From a commercial perspective, it is important also to look at the relationship between the stylist and the customer. Is she a regular customer or was this a oneoff? Was she so distressed or the cut so bad it risks her not coming back or, worse still, telling people about the experience?

If she is a good, regular customer it may be worthwhile to go over and above your minimum statutory obligations and offer her something in addition: a voucher for a free styling or some product for the hair to win her back over.

Sometimes, however, you can tell when a client has come in for, effectively, a “free” cut. The dubious client may even try threatening you with trading standards or the local newspaper. If you have followed the proper procedure you should have nothing to worry about. That said, sometimes it can be easier in these circumstances to offer a refund and write it off as a bad experience.

In the case of this specific salon owner, the stylist’s client was a regular one. Reporting the incident the same day suggested she was genuinely upset about the cut, and the stylist did accept it was perhaps a little short. As such, he immediately offered a full refund with his apologies, and some complimentary shampoo and conditioner. The good news? The client has since been back to the salon so both of them are happy.

What the Legal Lifeline offers you: •

24/7 employment-related queries • Advice and commercial matters, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday Access to the Legal Lifeline is available by calling 01234 834389.

Alternatively NHF members can log on to www.nhf.info. A full summary of cover can be found on the reverse of your legal card carrier or by logging onto to www.nhf.info/membershipbenefits/ legalsupport.

The NHF operates a “fair use policy” for the lifeline. Members exceeding 50 calls within a 12-month period may be charged £20 plus VAT per call. All calls to the Legal Lifeline are recorded and monitored by Croner. If your chosen membership category does not include employer support service or your membership is unpaid at the time of any call a charge of £20 plus VAT will apply for all such calls made.

EVENTS

NHF EVENTS OTHERS Please send your events to the NHF at enquiries@nhf. info by 7 January 2013 for March/April, 5 March by May/June and 2 May for July/August. Updated events listed on www.nhf.info

13 16

JAN London Region personalised photoshoot with Desmond Murray.

Contact: Ian Egerton on 0207 357 7070 or Ian@ ico-management.com

26

JAN White Rose Dinner Dance, York Racecourse Contact: Glen Jackson on 01904 635877

17

FEB Red Rose Championships, Swallow Hotel, Preston. Contact: Stephen Coles on 07980 641386

www.nhf.info

MAR London Region personalised Desmond Murray photoshoot, Schwarzkopf Academy London. Contact: Ian Egerton on 0207 357 7070 or ian@icomanagement.com

17

MAR Devon & Cornwall Championships, Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton.

Contact: Pat Cording on 01386 561704.

17/18

MAR Blackpool International Hairdressing Championships.

Winter Gardens Hotel.

Contact: Cheryl Swarbrick on 01253 343723 (day) or Eileen Clough on or 01253 406834 (eve) or suloe@tiscali.co.uk.

25

MAR Patrick Cameron seminar, Derby College, Pride Park, Derby.

Contact: Ivan Blount on 01773 745580

4

MAY President’s bi-annual dinner and Yorkshire Region networking event, Village Hotel, Hull.

Contact: Linda Staveley on 01482 853215.

10

MAY London Region ‘Race, Rattle and Roll’ Night, Ascot Racecourse.

Contact: Ian Egerton on 0207 357 7070 or ian@ ico-management.com

19

MAY Welsh Open Championships, The Coal Exchange, Cardiff Contact: Pani Lazarou on pani@nhfwales.co.uk

23

JUNE South West Regional Championships, Weston Super Mare. Contact: Pat Cording on 01386 561704.

30

JUNE NHF head office ‘Mud Runner’ charity event. For more details go to: www.mudrunner.co.uk or contact melanie.collins@nhf.info if you would like to join the team.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 SALONFOCUS PAGE 33

SOCIAL MEDIA All the latest hairdressing-related tweets posts, pics and comments.

@nhfederation National Hairdressers’ Federation

National Hairdressers’ Federation Tweet us your pics with you and @leestaffordhair from today’s #britainsbest competition!!

Inanch London@InanchLondon Great meeting last night with @NHfederation. We’re delighted to be on the National Hairdressers’ Federation committee for the London region!

Darlene Keren Stockport Hair@StockportHair @stock_college Hairdressing swept the board at the @NHfederation Cheshire Championship yesterday! So proud of you all!

We have had an amazing day at Britain’s Best. With lots of experienced and new stylists on the floor! Well done to everyone and all our winners! Let us know what you thought of the day :) Karen Lucas: Not long got home to Bristol, what a great day! ... thanks to everyone involved working hard behind the scenes ... I thought that Lee Stafford and his partner Jess were fabulous and very sociable and approachable ... some absolutely lovely work produced from the competitors, makes you proud of British hairdressing x

Feeney@XxDarlene_FxX Me and @leestaffordhair at #britainsbest @NHfederation. #idol #inspired pic.twitter.com/lZwUGEkE Michelle Carver@pinkyshell2207

Kelly May@lil_KellyMay Front Cover of Salon Focus nov/dec12 @CuttingCrewHair Overall winner’s photographic stylist @NHfederation

gemma ray@gemmacray @leestaffordhair brilliant day! Some very talented people! @NHFederation

@NHfederation me & the beautiful lee & jess #lovethem pic.twitter.com/ jLp85j2I

becky_the wanted@xBexii_TWx @NHfederation today was amazing had such a great day! ;)

Jessica-Jane Clement@ KissJessicaJane What a fabulous time at the National Hairdressers’ Federation Britain’s Best in Birmingham, such lovely people and so talented!!

Retweeted by NHF - HQ

Holly Mallet: just wanted to say today was great, great set up and people had a great time, thanks for all the effort made to make today work it was a very good day thanks Luke Davies@LukeDavies217 Fantastic day at @NHfederation Britain’s Best yday! Can’t wait for the next one!!

Kelly Tolley@Kelly_Tolley Amazing day at the @NHfederation britainsbest competition LOVE my award! And got to meet @leestaffordhair

PAGE 34 SALONFOCUS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Donna @ Bonce Salons @boncesalons London bound for @TSorbieHair Covent Garden, last day this year of @NHfederation Inspire Team with @CaseyC_Hair @colinmcandrew C U Soon Guys

National Hairdressers’ Federation Did you see our fantastic Barbers’ Elite Team at Salon International?

matt wilson@matthecoachouse Entry fee paid! For #britansbest! @NHfederation Twitter followers: 691 Top Tweeter: Kelly May

Facebook likes: 5176 Top liker: Alan Findlay, Rebel Rebel, Glasgow Connect with us and have your comments and tweets in the next issue of SalonFocus.