Ash Weller – The Hot Shots House Experience

ASH WELLER

THE HOT SHOTS HOUSE EXPERIENCE

The Hot Shots is a competition for young creative talent under 35years of age, Hairdressing and Barbering, like no other. The winners are treated to an absolutely life changing experience as described so well here by Ash Weller. It’s 4 days in a house, and pre-covid the last house was a week in Austria! that’s right, epic!

It’s days of programs, exercises and being mentored by leaders in the Hair and Fashion Worlds, both creative and business and more. THE HOT SHOT HOUSE is designed to break you down and put you back together in a stronger form of yourself by these people, so you go back out and conquer your goals! Sounds like fun? There is an ulterior motive. Leaders are born from programs like these, enter THE HOT SHOT HOUSE, you may find yourself back at some stage with you as a mentor!

In true Ash style, he took the long road, with his partner, to the HOT SHOT HOUSE so he can get into the zone to enjoy this experience to the fullest.

THE JOURNEY THERE

So, after a few months of waiting for COVID 19 to settle down we finally got the chance to start this once in a lifetime opportunity THE HOT SHOTS HOUSE! But let’s start by talking in and enjoying the journey, to getting to that point.

Once the dates where 100% locked in and everyone was booking their flights, I was adding up the miles for petrol to take my home with me, (as this bus had been my home for 5 weeks at that point) as well as needing some nature time and...well.. to just feel lost again. I decided to hit the world-famous GREAT OCEAN ROAD! A trip I’ve dreamed about for a long time. Sad it took a virus to allow me to have down time enough to go on that trip, but I chose to take this as a way to finally experience it. A journey filled with self-awareness, peace and tranquillity, reflection, no cell reception and or lack of and to really be aware of good and bad habits, we all have them, but once that phone reception is out that’s when it shows!

On this journey I wanted to make an effort to grab the camera out again and shoot some content, document the trip in all its glory or.… not so glory. I love to shoot all sides as by now I think you all may know, but to me that’s the beauty of travel, like when I tour. I always would stay in hostels in the city or town I’m in. as I feel that’s the best way to find out all that place has to offer. The history, museums, galleries, must do’s and just to meet the friendly locals. Actually, there’s a great story in Port Fairy, a Shipping-Docks town, and an ongoing prank in the main pub that involves a shot on the house, and the colour blue…you’ll have to ask me in person for that story! All in all we really liked that town, super quiet and simple with beautiful views to wake up in front of, and we didn’t pay a cent! (stealth camping!!) Of course, we checked out the cutest little op shop on the way out.

I got to really enjoy shooting strangely, with my phone, drone and gimbal and of course a little bit of film, but man did it feel good to just be on the road. This is the first time I’ve travelled this far in my van-home, and I loved every moment of it! Even the tough nights trying to find some where to park up and sleep, hopping not to get hassled (we found some great spots by the way). As we made our way closer to Melbourne, we were in dying need of trees, a forest and a camp fire. We found a spot about 2 hours out and booked a night. Little did we know it was pretty well a 4x4 track to get there. Thank god we put on truck tires before we took off! When we arrived at the campsite, we didn’t expect THIS! We got the forest, and the beach all in one! What the!!.... We were so amazed by this I went down straight away to ground myself. Grabbed my drone and was in awe of this special spot. Later in the evening we met our neighbours at the communal fire pit, where we shared fire wood, food, stories, nature, travel and business, as it turns out they were needing the same as us, DOWN TIME!! They owned a really cool architect /design company that designed staged 3d building plans with a really cool and unique outlook, a few drinks were had and great night as we haven’t really had a huge amount of social time on that part of the trip.

We are now on our last few days before we hit Melbourne, and we needed to check out a few spots like the 12 apostles, the Grotto and Loch Ard Gorge (my favourite) Bells Beach and Geelong (unreal vintage stores) These where super amazing places and at Loch Ard Gorge well, the space - you could really feel the history there. Paying respects to the aboriginal elders who found this place.

There’s something to be said about surfers, they are a community of their own, look out for each other and really are one with the earth. I noticed a lad at Bells Beach really talking the time to pay respects to the waves the spot, and all its glory. I could just see the passion vibing out of him, I found it super genuine and inspiring.

Torquay was one of our last nights of our trip and we decided to grab a space at the beach front caravan park, it was probably one of the biggest parks I’ve seen! My partner walked to the reception to get laundry detergent and they gave her a lift back to the van because it was so far away! (She thought she was the queen), the owners were absolutely lovely! And was a great last night where I cooked up a long 3-hour stew right out of the van! (Our kitchen slides out the van) there’s nothing better!

The next day before we headed into Melbourne CBD, we checked out the town, of course op shopping but stumbled across this shop called Everyday Australia, a real rad clothing line that looked super appealing and high quality, we hung out in there for at least an hour talking with the owner, it was her home town, they used to have a shop in Byron bay but when covid hit they jacked up their rent crazy, so they decided to take the brand back home here, and re connect with the town. It was very humbling seeing the kids going in there to hang out, a really nice community-based shop. Loved it! Please go check them out if your ever in town!

HOT SHOT HOUSE 2021

At this point we had about an hour and a half on the road until we hit the hot shot house! On the drive in myself and partner really reflected on our travels, how much we did, how much we learnt, saw and experienced. I was first to arrive, shortly after Amberley arrived, we vibed straight away! Got to know each other and talked about how insane and nervous/ excited we were. All the others Ellie, Alannah, Linda and Louise arrived and wow! Were we in awe! The place was a heritage listed mansion!! The super old decor, high ceilings, rooms everywhere and the beautiful back yard! Amazing! (Not going to lie I parked the van out the back… I just love my little space)

The first night we got to enjoy nice home cooked Bolognese (hot shot house tradition) and got to know each other and had an early night….but man.. we spoilt with the mentors that came in to the house over the next few days.

First up we had Jayne Wild; an incredible editorial stylist, industry icon, award winner and salon owner, and she took us through her journey. She is also the creative director for our collaboration shoot set for August! And you’ll never guess who will be shooting for us! ANDREW O’TOOLE!!! Someone we’ve all been wanting the chance to work with as he is one off the most sought after hair photographers in

the hair industry! I’m soooo bloody pumped!

Then, we had the very hard working, and persistent…. Caterina Di Biase! 4x Hairdresser of the Year!! With her amazing story on how she started, and how the pure passion for hair got her to where she is and of course, by never giving up!

Next up, Dee Parker and Lyndal Salmon pop in with breakfast, Champagne! And a very down to earth conversation about each other and their journey, giving us all the tips for when we shoot with Andrew in the studio. These two really had it all going, out there and bubbly personalities, and just so keen on this industry. Really respected their passion and authenticity.

Nearing the end of the day we had the rock star, Michelle Anthony, the hair competition director come in, man!....Her energy, style and hard-to-the-bone attitude that I just adored! She’s been so involved with competitions for years in the industry, and is all about pushing and exposing the talents where she can, heart of gold that one!

To end the day, we had the one and only Errol Douglas MBE, a british Award Winning Hairdresser that got to meet the Queen! He was just such a character with a massive positive attitude that just captivated you! I got to express what I’m wanting to do with my shop/ career and he, as well as Dario Cotroneo both gave me the best advice ever! It was what I needed to hear from another stylist, and at their level!... it gave me a confidence and belief that what I was wanting to do, was the right path to take.

We had the high energy of Grant Norton from ghd come down to take us through ghd gear, but more so his little quirky tips and tricks when it comes to public speaking, education, delivery, and his journey of assisting others to get to what they want in awards fashion and photographer mentoring. He has so much knowledge on the industry and such a style about him that you can’t miss.

I would like to do the honour of shouting out Pete Walstab of Excellent Edges!! Pete…thank you so much for the huge prize! The Scissor Kit you gave to us all! For taking us through the showroom and the warehouse, showings us the blade-smiths working on every scissor that comes in… by hand! It was so incredible, and it’s easy to see why you have the reputation you do. Your knowledge on hair and scissor techniques really validated some of my own and I felt super pumped to get back and start slicing some hair! You’re a bloody legend man! and I will see you in Sydney for Hair Festival! Cheers again Pete!

I’ll always remembered what these guys told me and here I would like to share, as I feel it could hit home for a lot of people atm.

“Gratitude is what gets you through hard times”

“Your prices are a reflection of your investment in education”

This one really stood out: The 3 C’s Choice Chance Change

“You must make the choice to take a chance to create the change” Words from Dario Cotroneo

That sentence summed it all up for me, I will forever have that with me, so thank you Dario!

At the end of the day, I believe in keeping your circle small, making kindness the new currency and If I’ve learnt anything from all the mentors we have had in, is that we are all on the same level.

Since the pandemic we have all lost, but we are still shining as Hairdressers and Barbers, as we do in these times, we are resilient, and we adapt to change! I think that we should all take pride in that as Hairdressers and Barbers. We are there for the people in our communities and that’s worth everything.

What I got out of this experience was more then I was expecting!

It was a total overhaul of one-self, from facing and dealing with the things we struggle with to learning to self-love and know our worth! To being guided by Linda Woodhead through breaking barriers with ‘punch-boards of negativity’ (see pics), releasing negativity out of our lives… and then we grow and for this Hot Shots House to come as one as a family!

We supported each other through our hard stories, stresses and worries and in just four days, I can truly say we have formed some lifelong friendships!

All thanks to these most hard working, strong, loving, kind and resilient women - Linda Woodhead the Mumma Bear and Co-Mumma Bear Louise May (thanks for washing out the paint stains I got all over my clothes from our painting class, lol.)

I’ll never forget this experience and highly recommend everyone to enter! Its life changing!

I would like to say a massive thank you to all the sponsors and supporters of the Hot Shots Category at AHIA, we all had the best time.

And again of course if I may, the woman that has believed in me and my work for a very-very long time, Linda Woodhead, you are such a treasure for this industry and we all thank you for your ongoing support of this industry and all your involvement.

Much love, Ash

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