Hairbiz Year 14 Issue 3

Year 14 Issue 3

s y a w Al Evy

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ON THE COVER 20 Always EVY

08 Editors Letter 18-21 Industry News 54 Hair Shop 56 Dateline City

FEATURE 10-12 Robert Eaton 14 10 Minutes with Lisa Polini 24 Healthy Habits with Catriona & Paul Skinner

SALON PROFILE 28 When It Doesn’t Go To Plan By Kym Krey 30 Infinity Hair 32 A Slice of Manhattan – Hudson Hair

EVENTS

CONTENTS

REGULARS

34 Australian Hair Industry Awards & Hotshots Finalists Announced!

36 A Virtual Hair Experience – Journey to the Top

SALON HEALTH 40 Safe Salon By Simone Lee 42 When the Only Constant is Change By Anthony Gray

PROFILE

44 Colour Correction By Kristie Kesic 46 Taylor Bradford, Uniquely You By Kym Krey 48 The Rulebook for Apprentices & Assistants By Cos Sakkas

PRODUCT PROFILE

50 Express your colour identity with Schwarzkopf Professional’s Chroma ID 57 Brushes – Are they All the Same?

BLOG SPOT 60 The Importance of Mindset By Julie Piantadosi 61 I’d Rather Swim in Positivity By Kobi Bokshish 62 Judgement By Dario Controneo

BUSINESS 64 Educators Collaborating Together By Kylie Dwyer 66 So My Brand Isn’t A Logo? By Sarah Garner 68 Remember Why Life Is Great By Caitlyn Menzel 70 Social Strategies & Hashtags By Nicole Healey 72 Cause Vs Symptom By Phillip Fernandez

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HAIR BIZ PUBLISHER

Linda Woodhead linda@mochapublishing.com.au

EDITOR

Kym Krey kym@mochapublishing.com.au

EDITOR’S LETTER

ADVERTISING MANAGER Nina Barbara nina@mochapublishing.com.au

ART DIRECTOR

Kellie Woodhead kellie@mochapublishing.com.au

ADMINISTRATION

Jess Richmond jess@mochapublishing.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS Kym Krey Linda Woodhead Simone Lee Anthony Gray Kristie Kesic Cos Sakkas Julie Piantadosi Kobi Bokshish Dario Controneo Kylie Dwyer Sarah Garner Caitlyn Menzel Nicole Healey Phillip Fernandez

OFFICE

PO BOX 252 Helensvale Plaza Qld 4212 P: 07 5580 5155 mail@mochapublishing.com.au www.mochapublishing.com.au

DISTRIBUTION

Australia Post - Print Post 100005498

Well…. we never saw THAT coming!

So much has happened since we were last together. Sure, we’ve seen challenges and frustration but wow, haven’t we also seen people truly step up? They’ve risen, taken charge and generally shown great leadership in the most tumultuous of circumstances.

Shoutout to our boys Kobi Bokshish and Adam Ciaccia for their incredible effort in bringing the Aftermath Hair Education Facebook group to life. What began as a desire to give back and support the industry that had supported them, rapidly gained momentum (and we mean RAPIDLY!) to become a truly global platform with over 11,000 members learning every day with live education delivered by artists from around the world.

PRINTING

What a wonderful gesture that became a global movement!

We’re all incredibly proud of our industry right now.

PUBLISHED BY

At Team Mocha, our focus will always be about finding the light- looking for the opportunities and finding the way forward, so our contributors and business experts for this edition have focused on doing exactly that. Guiding the way.

APN

mocha publishing

PUBLISHERS OF

HAIR BIZ, Beauty Biz & Barber Shop Hair Biz is published four times a year by mocha publishing ABN 65 091 846 189 No Part of the publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission.

Hair Biz does not accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies, original artwork or other material. The views expressed in Hair Biz are not necessarily those of the publisher.

No responsibility will be accepted if the publication is delayed or prevented by factors beyong the control of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted for errors in copy, or for any loss arising from the failure of an advertisement or any part thereof to appear. © 2020 mocha publishing All rights reserved.

Whatever our ‘new normal’ will be in the months and years ahead, one thing is for sure: the spirit of this industry will never be extinguished and with the wonderful leaders around us, we are in very good hands.

We’ve got this!

And to show you that business can still be wildly successful even when major things go wrong- over and over againwe tell the story of Vivienne Johns and Nadine Smith of Hunter and Wood salon, UK. Reading their absolute rollercoaster of a business journey will almost certainly give you a laugh, have you white-knuckled and make you feel much better about where you’re at right now! Such a great reminder that with persistence and determination, anything is possible!

We’ll spend 10 Minutes With… absolute firecracker and incredibly talented Lisa Polini, (aka The Hairy Godmother’) as she walks us through her career to date, celebrating her recent IHA win for Best International Women’s Commercial Collection. So well deserved.

On the topic of resilience, we meet Tayla Bradford and learn how she turned herself around from ‘problem staff member’ to salon superstar and manager-in-training with a change of mindset and a dream to be the best she could be.

We focus on Healthy Habits with George and Catriona Howard of WA’s George and Ivy Hair to learn how they find happiness and balance in a busy world.

And MIG’s Anthony Gray chats to Brendon Mann, Founder of Epic Hair Group to learn how he has managed the crisis, led his teams and kept all 15 salons moving forward and focused on outstanding client service.

So grab a warm brew, find a comfy spot and settle in for an inspirational read.

Until next time!

Delivering Pure Inner Hydration HYDRATE@EVYPROFESSIONAL.COM • WWW.EVYPROFESSIONAL.COM • TEL. 1300 760 165

ROBERT EATON BRITISH HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR 2019

Robert Eaton is a multi-award-winning stylist and the Creative Director at Russell Eaton salons in Leeds and Barnsley. Widely known within the industry as a true colour expert, Robert has extensive knowledge across all aspects of hair and styling, as well as being a fully qualified trichologist, making him one of the most in-demand hairdressers in the region.

Starting out as an assistant in the family salon business at just 11 years old, he began his apprenticeship in 1996 when he was 16, giving him a valuable head start in the industry.

From the start, Robert was dedicated to consistent education, attending as many events as seminars as possible and entering industry competitions to hone his skills, and this commitment paid off as his awards cabinet began to fill.

Three-time winner of British Hairdressing Awards North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year, and nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year, Robert has risen to become one of the most respected names in the hairdressing industry.

Also a qualified Trichologist, Robert has added specialist services to his salon menus and works extensively with wig personalisation, helping clients with hair replacement due to cancer and alopecia.

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HAIR BIZ EDITOR, KYM KREY SPOKE WITH ROBERT RECENTLY. Robert, you come from a background of hairdressers in the family. Was hairdressing always going to be your career?

I grew up around the industry, seeing the hard work and dedication that hairdressers have from an early age.

I always remember being excited and inspired by salon life. I was working Saturdays from the age of 11 and although I did consider studying graphic design as I was always very interested in anything creative, I was naturally drawn towards the hairdressing industry and our family business.

You began entering competitions quite early in your career. What did you love about creative competition work as a youngster?

I was always encouraged by my Dad to attend as many events and enter as many competitions as I could to really help me learn from the creative process and the people involved within them. I fell in love with the creative side of the industry straight away and have never really looked back. Entering competitions helped us raise the profile of our family business and myself within the industry.

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE Your competition experience, along with your passion education saw you rise rapidly in hairdressing circles, earning yourself a place on the British F.A.M.E Team. What did that experience do for your early career?

For me, that was an incredible year. It was in 2003 when I not only won the L’Oréal Colour Trophy, but also the North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards and became a member of the FAME team. This was a year that really made an impact for me in the industry and I learnt so much being a part of the FAME team. I had many amazing experiences that I still draw on today in the hairdressing work that I create.

You’ve won British Hairdressing Awards North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year an incredible 3 times!

How have these accolades impacted you personally and what impact have they had on your business and career?

RE. Winning competitions has always helped to build my own confidence, skills and profiling in the industry. For our business, I feel that it has really helped to build a strong identity outside of London and I hope that we have demonstrated that you can still be successful coming from a smaller town.

What did being nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year mean to you?

It was a dream come true and something I had always aspired to.

To be nominated amongst so many inspiring, creative and talented people in the hairdressing industry was truly incredible.

Was business ownership always on the cards for you?

Being part of the family business has meant that I have always grown up understanding business and the highs and lows it can bring.

I have always loved developing our brand so becoming more and more involved in the family business is something I am very proud of.

You opened a second salon and spa in 2012 which many salon owners find extremely challenging, splitting time and resources between 2 locations. How have you successfully managed this in your own business?

When we opened our salon in Leeds, for the first year I worked 7 days a week, helping it to become established and to create a strong foundation – and of course to help pay off some of our set up costs! We are very lucky to have a very loyal, strong and dedicated team which helped as we grew the business. In our Barnsley salon, most of the team members have worked with us for over 10 years which gave us a strong foundation on which to grow the company organically. I still work on clients in our Barnsley salon one day a week and then the rest of the week in our Leeds salon. It is important for me to spend time in both salons so I have a relationship with all team members across the company. Our management team are crucial as well as having our entire teams working together is essential for success.

You are also a qualified Trichologist. Why was this important to you and how has this knowledge and additional qualification assisted you in business?

I have always worked with wigs and hairpieces and helped clients restore their confidence and look and I recognised the importance hair has for so many people. This led to me becoming more interested in the area of trichology, as I really wanted to understand the medical side of why some people experience these conditions. For me, working with someone who is experiencing hair loss is one of the most rewarding parts of my jobs as I am able to give them some confidence back at what can be a very vulnerable and low time for some people. From a business perspective, it has been a great addition to our salon and the services we offer, and our clients love that we have an in-salon Trichologist who is able to assist with their needs. It has really helped us to strengthen our reputation as true hair experts in our area cont’d over page

cont’d from page 11

What additional services do you offer to clients as a result of your Trichology studies?

I offer a personalised trichology consultation in our Leeds salon where we have a private room. We offer bespoke and specialised hair replacement treatments and specialised scalp rejuvenation services. We’re also specialists in caring for finer hair textures and offering specialised techniques and products to really improve the density of these hair textures.

Both your Mum and Dad still work in the salon, your Dad on the floor one day a week and your Mum as the world’s best bookkeeper and in front of house. What do you most enjoy about working alongside your family?

One of the things I love the most is being able to have total trust and honesty with what we think. And although we may disagree from time to time, ultimately we are all working towards the same goals and success.

You’re also UK and Ireland Technical Director for Wella Professionals and a member of the elite Wella Professionals Colour Creatives which require significant travel. How do you juggle this with business and family commitments?

This can be difficult as the combination of all 12

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

of these roles takes a great deal of time. I am lucky that I have the support of my family and the incredible team in both our salons that I would not be able to do this without. I try to be as organised as possible and plan things out as much as I can to help the year run as smoothly as possible and minimise impact to the business.

This not only includes booking out work events but also personal family time as well.

What achievement are you most proud of in your life and why?

Although I have had many work achievements that I am, of course, very proud of, and I hope to continue my success within the industry, my family and my daughter make me feel very proud.

What brings you the greatest joy?

I would have to stay my daughter Pearl. She has just turned 4 so she is at a really great age.

If you were to leave the industry with one thing, what would that legacy be?

That hard work and dedication to our industry always pays off and I would hope people would respect what we have built for a family business.

Additionally, that success can be achieved in the North and outside of London. www.russelleatonhair.com

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10 MINUTES WITH

LI SA PO LI NI She’s the industry’s Hairy Godmother, an international award winner, salon owner and mum to two primaryschool aged children…. and an absolute firecracker!

She’s sprinkled her hairy magic across the industry for over 25 years, and is a WA Ambassador for both Hair Aid Australia and I.H.S. but after running her own businesses for 17 years, Lisa made the fulltime move into education, now working as a well-respected Educator for De Lorenzo Haircare, freelancing by appointment in her free time!

But what has us all popping champagne corks lately is Lisa incredible achievement of winning the Best Women’s Commercial Collection 2020 at the International Hairdressing Awards in Madrid, Spain.

As one of 15 finalists flown in from around the world, Lisa attended a welcome dinner with the judging panel, followed by the awards ceremony and gala where she took out the title.

WE NEEDED NO FURTHER REASON TO FINALLY SPEND 10 MINUTES WITH… LISA POLINI AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT HER EXTRAORDINARY STORY. Lisa, tell us what you do in the industry today.

After owning salons and a barbershop for a number of years, I decided a few years ago to change directions and become a full-time employee and educator for the De Lorenzo Haircare Family.

In my role I service all their education needs and technical support in Western Australia and I love every minute of it. I still freelance as a hairstylist to my loyal handful of Hype Hair Studio clients by appointment only, as I couldn’t imagine completely putting down the tools.

You’ll still catch me running around as a volunteer at WA IHS and also my local women’s refuge and not-for-profit community-based programs when I can. I have my ‘finger in every pie’ as they say.

To help us get to know you a little more, you tell us a little about your upbringing.

I can honestly say I had the best childhood - something I hope my 2 kids will feel when they look back at their childhood.

I was born and bred in my hometown

of Rockingham, a coastal city about an hour south of Perth. I grew up surrounded by family and friends. My brother and I have the best memories of our holidays and long weekends spent mostly down in Margaret River on my Aunty and Uncle’s bush property with our cousins.

We would hit the surf, explore the river rapids and the bushland around the property. We even rode around on old banana seat pushbikes with ‘spokey dokeys’ (the 80s kids will relate to how sick that was!). We thought we were the coolest kids in town in our ‘lil Polini gang!! In the evenings we’d play board games while our parents would crank up the old record player and drink vino around the fire. It was a running joke that nobody was allowed to break anything because they couldn’t drive to a hospital after dark.

I left school at the age of 15 to start my apprenticeship and went on to own 3 salons: two Hype Hair Salons and it baby brother Hype “The Barbershop”.

How did you first get involved in the industry?

I was washing dishes, cleaning bar tables and motel rooms at my parent’s local “Friday Night Social Club” on weekends from the tender age of 13. The local salon owner Barb would hang out with my parents and one day, when I was 14, she asked me if I’d be her Saturday Tea and Tidy girl. I think it was only 6 weeks later I was offered an apprenticeship and I never looked back. I was always going to end up in a trade but if you had asked me at 14 if a career in hairdressing was on the cards, I would’ve probably laughed! I was a bit of a tomboy and I honestly wanted to be a bricklayer.

You’ve just recently been awarded the International Hairdressing Awards Best Women’s Commercial Collection in spectacular style! What did this moment mean to you?

It really is a hard one to put into words. The feeling was quite surreal as for 2020, my plan was to have a “gap year” from competing and focus on a better work life balance. My publicist Claire (who also doubles as my bestie) said ‘pick 4 of your images, I’m entering you into the IH Awards’. I honestly was beside myself and shocked to be announced as a finalist. When that moment came that my name was called out, I couldn’t do much else but have good old fashioned cry.

Anyone who knows me, knows I cry at the drop of a hat in these moments! My dear friend Emiliano (also not shy of a cry in public at moments like this!) was the first to congratulate me and his message was loud and clear: “I remember hearing once that when we cry for joy it’s our soul screaming out I TOLD YOU TO BELIEVE IN ME!” Both Emiliano and Benni have taken me under their wings over the years and been a very influential part of where I am creatively, today. I’ve always felt a bit of a stigma that you have to leave the West to have any opportunity, so as much as this win is gratifying, it really does feel like a win for the underdogs who spend their career building their skills, attending education, pushing themselves harder and harder with the hope they can make a difference.

You certainly have your dancing shoes on between your fulltime role as Delorenzo WA Educator, Salon Owner, plus volunteer roles in I.H.S. and your local community.... plus being a busy single mum! How on earth do you manage all that?

A cheeky Grey Goose with Cola on the weekend helps, hahaha!

Honestly, I’m someone who can’t sit still and have never mastered the art of saying NO!! I’m still working on that in my “2020 Gap Year” but I’ve been putting off a hip replacement that is now scheduled for later this year, so maybe that’s the universe forcing me to stick to the plan!

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what alternative career would you consider?

Without hesitation, 13-year-old Lisa would’ve said “a builder/bricklayer”, however a slightly older and more-than-slightly unfit 39-year-old Lisa would say that it’s a close call between an Architect or something to do with Youth Support Work.

What are you most passionate about in life?

My three favourite C’s • Carbs = all the white starchy carbs, pasta, bread, potato. When I eat them for breakfast, I think about them for lunch. When I eat them for lunch, I think about them for dinner.

Until there is an all-carb fad diet unlike keto, intermittent fasting, or whatever the trend is now to get thin...I’ve accepted that my booty is my signature look!

• Coke Zero/Diet Coke = it’s my form of coffee, my juice, my mixer and at times it’s replaced my water intake which I wouldn’t recommend…I’m also adding that to the things I need to say NO to more!

• My Children. They’ve moulded me into the woman I am today. My daughter Evie is amazing, and I won’t be surprised if she’s going to change the world for the better. She takes away a big chunk of my mummy guilt by talking about hairdressers with such excitement.

She told everyone at school about my current award and even took it the local paper to show her teacher...I feel like this has given me a little more credit now as her mother.

My son Devan on the other hand, who lives with Autism, and has limited verbal communication just lets the odd “ for f*#@s sake” or “shut the f*#@ up” out at the teachers! I think his Autism has been instrumental in making me the hairdresser and educator I am today. I’ve learned everyone has talent, everyone can learn when enough care and patience is taken, and I’ve learned that even the smallest milestones needs to be celebrated. I take this approach to all my De Lorenzo classes as everyone’s vision of what is creative is unique.

What’s the craziest, funniest or most unusual thing that’s ever happened to you at work?

Hmmm.. ok, the one thing that’s cracked me up the most in my life (possibly because it traumatized us girls as 15 year olds) was the resident streaker during my apprenticeship. He would come past on Tuesday training nights when the salon would be full of apprentices and he’d open that coat and stand on one leg and enjoy himself while everyone screamed in horror. Our salon manager dated a police officer and would get him removed pretty quick while our boss would make the 15-20 of us stay in the staff room. I just felt sorry for the window washer on the Wednesday when the cops took a little longer to arrive!! Soooooo wrong!!!!

What makes you laugh?

I love nothing more than a great belly laugh with my besties. Nothing beats a like-minded, warped sense of humour amongst friends.

What’s your greatest fear?

Camping! The whole camping thing scares the crap out of me. I have this extreme phobia of anything that moves unexpectedly. I literally jump and become hysterical. I once put my neck out in the salon, and it took four Chiro appointments to correct it because I was dodging what I though was a bee…which turned out to be a fly. I once had an apprentice walk past me with his hands cupped pretending he had a cricket which he went to throw at me and it was nothing, but he witnessed me lose my sh*t in front of everyone. I made him get our longest mannequin head out and spiral wind it on pink and yellow rollers for 7 hours as his punishment!!!

If you could leave this industry having achieved just one thing, what would that legacy be?

Wow that is a really tough one to think about.

Probably because I can’t even imagine leaving this industry. So if I had to achieve just one thing, it would be to have an Industry Community Service Day. A day where salons were not allowed to open yet every hairdresser went and gave back to their local community.

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

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INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS STEVIE ENGLISH JOINS EVO

The crew at Evo are chuffed to welcome the creatively gifted, tequila-loving and ever-sohumble, Stevie English to the evo family as their shiny, new Colour Creative Director.

With over 25 years’ experience and an awardwinning salon to his name, Stevie knows a thing or two about colouring hair. Stevie was Hair Director for The Voice Australia in 2016, named Hair Expo Australian Colourist Of The Year in 2018, and has finalised more than 9 times, while his talented team have together won 15 national titles, 50 state titles and 3 business awards… impressive! www.evohair.com

LUKE MUNN WINS AMERICAN CREW ALL-STAR CHALLENGE

WIN A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS WITH PAUL MITCHELL

Calling all colourists! Time to get your creativity flowing for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Las Vegas. Three Six Five Salon Group recently launched the 5th annual Color Outside The Lines Australia competition by Paul Mitchell; an Instagram-based creative colour competition offering a chance to showcase you and your salon in front of thousands of haircare experts and be in the draw to win entry to the Paul Mitchell Gathering in Las Vegas!

Color Outside The Lines Australia is a Paul Mitchell sponsored competition which highlights your creativity and professionalism to the hairdressing industry. Use your knowledge and skill to combine technique, colour choice, cutting and styling, using Paul Mitchell Professional Color, to create a look that reflects current Australian fashion trends.

Photograph and post your look to Instagram (following a set of specific guidelines) and you’ll be in the draw to win some great prizes and exposure for you and your salon! Entries close 11.59pm May 30th, 2020 For full entry guidelines, rules and regulations visit www.365salongroup.com/ pages/cotlaus

HBIA ANNOUNCES DEE PARKER ATTWOOD AS NEW PRESIDENT

The Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dee Parker Attwood as its new President, following the retirement of Andrew Woodward.

Dee is a strong voice in the community and is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge with industry peers.

An advocate for the evolution of professional hairdressing, beauty and barbering, Dees passion is for quality education and business support to be available to all industry employers and employees. Of particular interest for Dee is providing support networks for young people wanting to work in the creative industries and making this career option more appealing and progressive.

Current Australian Hair Expo Hairdresser of the year and International Hairdressing Awards Avante Garde Collection of the Year winner, Dee is CoOwner and Artistic Director of renowned Melbourne salon Wieselmann and works with an extensive portfolio of high-profile clients, photographers and make-up artists creating award winning images. www.hbia.com.au

America Crew has announced the winner of the 2020 Australia All-Star Challenge as Luke Munn from Attaboy Barber, South Australia. Excitingly, Luke has also been chosen as one of 5 global winners who will each receive a $5,000 monetary award and an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, CA to participate in an editorial photo shoot directed and shot by American Crew Founder, and renowned photographer, David Raccuglia.

Luke’s winning entry is a modern twist on a Mod Mullet, using lots of texture for an easy wearable hairstyle that frames the face. The All-Star Challenge encourages barbers and hair stylists from across the globe to showcase their skill by creating original looks with American Crew products that capture the trendsetting-yet-timeless spirit of the brand. www.americancrew.com

KAO SALON DIVISION ANNOUNCES AU/NZ HUB AND NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

Kao Salon Division recently announced the creation of the new ANZ Hub comprised of its Australian and New Zealand salon businesses as a collaborative regional hub to serve these growing salon markets. An executive team has also been appointed to lead the new organization and the passionate trio have a wealth of experience and excellent industry relationships.

• Rita Marcon- Building on a 20-year career with Kao Salon Australia as Director of Education, Rita Marcon has been named Associate Director of Channel Strategy – Marketing and Education – Australia and New Zealand.

• Alexandra Zuban- After serving as Senior Brand Manager – Salon since 2017, Alexandra now steps into the role of Marketing Manager – Australia and New Zealand. Alex’s extensive experience includes marketing, brand and PR leadership at various skincare, haircare and personal care brands over 18 years.

• Linda Foschini has been promoted to Channel Manager – Australia and New Zealand, having been with Kao since 2017 as Brand Manager – Retail. Linda brings a decade of marketing and customer experience to her new role and with an impressive analytical background and passion for Sales, Linda will now focus on driving opportunities, sales and partnerships within the Salon and Retail channels. www.goldwell.com.au www.kmshair.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS SHOWPONY RELAUNCHES WITH ECO PACKAGING

Celebrating more than a decade of continued success and a recent global expansion, Showpony Hair Extensions has relaunched their leading brand in Australia to offer a refreshed aesthetic and a reduction in their eco-footprint.

The stylish and sustainable switch to ecological packaging, has rendered Showpony the world’s first environmentally packaged hair extension company worldwide. www.showponyaus.com.au

PAULINE MCCABE LAUNCHES THE HAIR MENTOR WORKSHOPS

THE 2020 KAO SALON GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

In the wake of current events and the impact on the salon community, Kao Salon Division has elected to remain laser-focused on the recovery of the industry and transform their annual Global Salon Experience, scheduled to take place in Amsterdam, into a virtual event for 2020.

The new digital experience will include dedicated brand experiences, education and KAO’s Global Creative Awards, showcasing next level creativity, and will provide the opportunity for greater attendance than ever before from stylists around the world to join Kao Salon virtually.

This year, Kao Salon Division will be premiering The Global Creative Awards, replacing the company’s Color Zoom competition, and will offer an expanded number of opportunities to compete in both the Technical and Editorial categories.

The deadline for entry has been adjusted, and submissions will be accepted from June 15th to July 15th for Technical Categories, and July 31st for Editorial Categories, providing ample time for artists to create and submit their work. www.globalcreativeawards.com

KAO SALON DIVISION TO OPEN SYDNEY ACADEMY

Globally renowned for her session work and backstage contributions at New York, London, Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks, AHFA 2020 Australian Hairdresser of the Year finalist Pauline McCabe has excitedly launched her new education site, The Hair Mentor.

Through her programs, Pauline will take students behind the scenes for an intimate view of working with a brief, what to pack and how to pack your session kit, and the tricks you need to stay on time and work with tight deadlines. She’ll also share secrets on creating mood boards, wig wrapping, and elements of design balance plus planning your order of operations.

Programs can be booked via her website, www.paulinemccabeeducationthehairmentor.com

This winter Kao Salon Division will open the doors to a luxurious, flagship Sydney Academy at Reid House, 75 King St Sydney. A destination for superior hair education, the new Sydney Academy will be housed in a warehouse built circa 1906 with a stunning classic brick structure in the heart of the CBD, encompassing an entire floor of 320 square meters.

Easily accessible via all transport and in close proximity to Town Hall and Wynyard, the Academy is located just 13.5 kilometres from Sydney airport for interstate and international visitors. Programs offered will range from one-day Rising Star events to Masterclass events with the leaders of the Salon industry and the space will also be utilized for business events, media relations and as a shoot location for the brands’ fashion partners.

INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS HAIR SHOTS 2 THE WORLD ANNOUNCES COVER OF THE DECADE COMPETITION

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, plus thousands of pages of published images including 329 covers for clients around the globe, Hair Shots 2 The World announces the Cover of the Decade competition These covers will be judged by top publishers or hairdressing contacts in UK, Europe, Asia, South America, North American and Africa and with the standard being so high, it will be no easy task for judges to select the winner!

Says Owner and Founder, Leanne Cutler, “We are thrilled to have scored, on average, one to two covers per fortnight over our entire 10 years, which is a great testimony to the quality of hairdressing and photography created by our clients.”

22 Finalists were announced on Monday 27th April with the Hair Shots 2 The World Cover of the Decade to be announced on 20th May. www.hairshots2theworld.com

MYGOV ID NEEDED TO ACCESS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS

The ATO is reminding businesses that are using the ATO’s Business Portal for the first time that they will need a myGovID. Through the Business Portal, business owners can apply for government assistance programs, lodge activity statements and pay super guarantee through the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH). myGovID is an app you download to your smart device to prove who you are online. All businesses that choose to use the ATO’s Business Portal will need a myGovID, which is different to a myGov account.

After downloading the app and setting up your myGovID, you need to link your myGovID to your business using the authorisation service Relationship Authorisation Manger (RAM). Together, myGovID and RAM provide a flexible, easy and secure way to access the ATO’s Business Portal.

Find out more about myGovID at www.ato.gov.au/mygovid

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 HOT SHOTS FINALISTS

Adam Harant Wild Life Hair SoGo

Alannah Read Ella&Jade

Alyssia Pearson Toni&Guy Broadbeach

Amberley Gittings Rubi Hair Richmond

Anna McNamara Ella&Jade

Ashleigh Weller Born Barber’s Collective

Elie Kashi Royals Hair

Evie Golding Rokstar Salon

Hayley Warner Oscar Oscar Carindale

Holly Sharpe B’Me Hair Salon

Jase Alpen Zeppelin.B

Torrie Lennon Rokstar Salon

FOIL ME RAISES FUNDS FOR ANIMAL CHARITY

In wasn’t the best start to 2020 in Australia with our country being ravaged by bushfires, so the team at Foil Me decided to lend a hand by donating a total of $10,000 to Animals Australia, raised through contributing $1 for every Foil Me pack sold in January plus additional donations from friends, families and clients of Foil Me. The team’s fundraising efforts have allowed Animals Australia to assist with: • Flying expert wildlife vets into fire-affected areas • Setting up of emergency food and water stations for survivors • Delivery of 4WDs so wildlife vets and rescuers can access animals • Sending planeloads of food to hungry animals • Funding vets and volunteers for wildlife care “It’s been heart-warming to see the generosity of not only our loyal Foil Me® family/ clients, but also friends and family donating to help us raise those funds and achieve our goal.” says Foil Me co-owner and Creative Director, Emily Ciardiello. www.foilme.com.au

THIS ANNUAL COMPETITION IS NOW IN ITS 10TH YEAR AND IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR HAIRDRESSERS AGED 30 AND UNDER, SPOTLIGHTING TALENT, CREATIVITY AND AN UNRIVALLED PASSION FOR HAIR Well established sponsors Goldwell, ghd, Excellent Edges and Amazing Hair combined with the owners of HOT SHOTS, mocha publishing, offer the HOT SHOTS Team incredible prizes and unique opportunities unlike any other competition in the hair industry today.

Prizes include a stay in the HOT SHOTS House, prizes from all sponsors, photo shoot with Andrew O’Toole and creative director Jayne Wild and much, much more!

The Hot Shots Team of four will be made up of the winning entrants across the new 2020 categories and will be announced at the 2020 Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) – Date to be confirmed.

INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS | INDUSTRY NEWS ‘THE TRIBE AWARDS’ 2020 BY AFTERMATH HAIRED

AfterMath HairEd. was created by Adam Ciaccia and Kobi Bokshish during the peak of the COVID-19 health pandemic as a free educational resource for hairdressers to remain engaged in the industry during a time of crisis. It’s a group that has now amassed over 12,000 members in 5 weeks and has featured some of the most talented hairdressers we’ve seen, most of which were previously some of the countries best kept secrets; and of course we have had some of the industries most recognisable characters as well. It would be easy to name them all here but that would go against everything this group is about. This group is powered by hairdressers for hairdressers, there is no agenda, there is no one singular identity, that is what the logo created by Adam represents.

The content contributions by members of the tribe are done so without ego, a desire to self promote oneself or to seek recognition, there is no pecking order.

Just those who wish to share in a safe non judgemental environment, to help, grow and inspire. Welcome to ‘The AfterMath Tribe’.

‘The Tribe Awards’ 2020 by Aftermath HairEd. is an awards platform designed to make it all about the skills, Everyone has the same model, Victoria from Excellent Edges, the same photographer and iphone and the freedom to do

their makeup, tattoo art the skin or what every else they wish to do to express their creativity.

There will be 4 Categories: - Mannequin of the Year: Open to all hairdressers and barbers, everything goes here, no rules, your mannequin is your canvas!

- Styled Mannequin of Adam Kobi the Year: It’s all about Ciaccia Bokshish styling, we have seen some pretty incredible weaving, moulding and styling skills created during lockdown.

- Mens Mannequin of the Year: Its all about the latest uber cool mens cuts and their beards too!

- New School Mannequin of the Year: This is restricted to hairdressers who are yet to qualify, but again anything goes!

Judging will take place within the group by the tribe members. 1 point for a like or a heart, 2 points for a comments.

With the only cost of entry the purchase of a mannequin through a supplier or just use one you already have; it makes it accessible to everyone with the low cost, the prize pool across the 4 Categories has already exceeded $20,000 in value with various products and goodies. Once all the prizes are confirmed we will announce it officially.

Details on how to enter can be found at www.facebook.com/groups/ AftermathHairEd

y ALWAYS EVY v E s y a Alw COVER STORY

FENDI-FUL

She’s stylish. She’s sleek. She’s a fashion innovator and instigator. She’s luxe and glamourous, classic and classy – the woman you want to be or be with. For the woman who only deserves the best, ALWAYS EVY.

CHANEL CHIC

VERSACE VOLUME

Whether your style is high-end and haute couture, or you’re taking your look from work or casual chic to after 6, EVY PROFESSIONAL always has you covered.

Australia’s smoothing experts, EVY PROFESSIONAL presents their 2020 brand campaign “ALWAYS EVY”, a collection of six empowering, high-end images showcasing styling versatility and a definitive luxe edge.

“Our aim with ALWAYS EVY is to capture every woman’s strength and to highlight their femininity and sartorial chic, through the mediums of hair and styling. Priding ourselves on being an aspirational brand, EVY PROFESSIONAL always seeks out the beauty in every woman; we believe that beauty shines through with beautifully styled, smooth and healthy hair,” says EVY Creator & CEO, Tracey Bazzano Lauretta.

The campaign shoot once again brought together the creative talents of EVY

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PROFESSIONAL PRO Star Ambassador, Sam James, and photographer David Mannah to capture the different EVY looks.

Says Campaign Hair Director, Sam James, “As always, the shine that comes through every look is all thanks to the incredible EVY PROFESSIONAL technology, and the major thing for me to consider when working with such a high-end brief. Shine screams healthy hair, and this is key for the brand and myself.”

“EVY PROFESSIONAL is ALWAYS about creating diversity and this collection is no different. There are so many ways to create movement and style within the EVY tool range, it was exciting to be a part of another collaboration!”

Whatever your styling needs – high shine, smoothness, structured waves, poker straight tresses, or simply glamour, to create each individual desired look, it’s ALWAYS EVY.

“I HOPE YOU LOVE OUR EVY PRODUCTS AS MUCH AS I HAVE LOVED CREATING THEM.” TRACEY BAZZANNO-LAURETTA

CEO and Founder of EVY Professional, Tracey Bazzano-Lauretta has been involved in the hairdressing industry for over 25 years developing a passion for the industry and education.

A salon owner for 20 years, she developed expertise as a Technical Educator in colour and re-bonding and is now dedicated to hair health and hydration.

GUCCI GLAM

“SHINE SCREAMS HEALTHY HAIR, AND THIS IS KEY FOR THE BRAND AND MYSELF”

LOUIS LUXE

In 2010 Tracey stepped away from behind the chair and the salon and moved into distribution, initially distributing the Bio Ionic range and becoming the #1 global distributor for the last 5 years. Now with AquaBaci and a commitment to delivering the very best premium products and tools to ensure the ultimate hair health, they are taking technology and delivering pure inner hair hydration.

“EVY PROFESSIONAL is the culmination of decades of experience, expertise and a true passion for beautiful, healthy hair. Each EVY PROFESSIONAL product delivers a kiss of hydration for the love of fabulously healthy hair,” says Tracey.

SAM JAMES

“The EVY range is all about giving stylists and consumers the very best and most technologically advanced hair tools and products that work to hydrate and promote hair health while styling EVY PROFESSIONAL puts the ultimate hair tools and products into your hands to empower with hair that is healthy, shiny and uber-stylish.”

PRADA PERFECT HAIR DIRECTOR: SAM JAMES HAIR ASSISTANT: MARIE NAHAS PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID MANNAH ART DIRECTION: LAUREN KING STYLING: JOSIE MCMANUS MAKEUP: MIKELE SIMONE CREATIVE CONSULTANTS: TRACEY BAZZANO-LAURETTA + LAUREN KING

www.evyprofessional.com @evyprofessional

The EVY range is all about giving stylists and consumers the very best and most technologically advanced hair tools that work to hydrate and promote hair health while styling.

HEALTHY HABITS WITH

CATRIONA & PAUL SKINNER

As well as being the proud and savvy owners of Fremantle’s AHIA award-winning George and Ivy Hair, Paul and Catriona Skinner are also avid environmentalists, achieving a level of sustainability in their business rarely seen in the industry.

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Named as a nod to Paul’s grandparents who came from an era where recycling was not a preference but a necessity and way of life, the business achieves a wonderful balance between aesthetics and utility.

The building is made of recycled bricks, limestone and steel-framed windows and their courtyard’s lush greenery is complemented by the sculptures and artwork of local artisans.

But it’s this couple’s life away from their business that we’re interested in for this piece. With balance, happiness and both physical and mental health such an important priority, we asked Paul and Catriona what they do to stay happy and healthy in their busy life.

live in a town that has a strong and vibrant community aspect and with the beach and rivers close by. You can find us doing any number of things, walking along the river, hanging out at the local bar or even just at home spending time as a new family with a glass of wine and a good playlist.

They are sustainable and organic from start to finish.

HAPPINESS: What does happiness mean to you and how do you find it in everyday life?

We tend to find happiness in the small everyday things, we are incredibly lucky to

BALANCE: What do you do to maintain balance within a busy lifestyle?

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As the owners of a busy salon and new parents, balance is still something we are

trying hard to achieve. Getting into the outdoors and getting fresh air as a family will always be something that grounds us and clears our minds after a busy week.

Although in this current climate we are working hard to not put too much pressure on ourselves to be making the most of our down time and giving ourselves some time to slow down and take stock of our lives after such a busy year

FOOD AND EATING: What would an ideal day’s meal plan look like for you?

Being a new mum I don’t think that an ideal meal plan for the day exists and I would hate to add any pressure a new mum is feeling about her diet when she has a new baby to feed and get to know. Although we do try to eat as many plant based meals as we can we have also been known to eat a cheese plate for dinner and we are quite partial to the wood fired pizza place up the road

EXERCISE: What does exercise look like for you?

Paul is very into running and has been for years, it helps him to empty his mind for a few moments and get some alone time after talking to clients and suppliers all day long. In the past I have been into yoga and a

few other things but with breastfeeding and working 4 days a week I am not pressuring myself to exercise too much other than taking Charlie for walks around the neighbourhood whenever I can.

COSISTENCY: Are you consistent with your healthy living habits or do they start and stop depending on what is happening in your life?

The one thing that we are consistent with is our mindset. Paul and I are very laid back, easy going people and to us, healthy living is ensuring that we are living a life that makes us and our child feel happy and relaxed.

Yes, we do like to make healthy choices regarding diet and exercise, but we will not be beating ourselves up if we slip and miss a day or two or a week or two.

The hairdressing industry is as busy as it is rewarding, and we are lucky enough to go to work every day loving what we do and working beside each other. Healthy living habits to us aren’t just about what you eat and drink, they are about everyday choices that make your life joyful and one that you want to be present in every single day.

HABITS: What habits have you developed that set you up for success?

Oh man, we wouldn’t say that particular habits that we have in place have set us up for success, more a frame of mind. We just approach every day with a positive mindset and look for the silver lining in all situations. We watched something from Julie Piantadosi recently about putting things into perspective on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being death and asking yourself: how big of a deal is it really? This always helps us to not sweat the small stuff.

What’s one habit that you’d like to break or change to be healthier or happier?

Can we admit to the bottle of wine a night whilst in lockdown? Hahahaha! That is a habit that needs knocking on the head, but I’m sure we aren’t the only ones there, right? Serious note- less screen time.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for your own health or happiness?

Quitting smoking - but that’s a given. I’d say taking up meditation, without getting too cliché about it all. It’s good for the mind.

We don’t practice it daily, but when the mind starts to helicopter out of control, it’s a good way to ground yourself again.

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

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WHEN IT DOESN’T GO TO PLAN!

By Kym Krey

If you’ve ever had a dream that hit a wall, plans that went completely awry or felt like absolutely anything that could go wrong, was going wrong, then this is the story for you!

Vivienne Johns

Nadine Smith

Also, if you’ve ever thought that owning your own business would be a walk in the park, this tale is essential reading.

This is the story of Hunter & Walsh salon owners, Vivienne Johns and Nadine Smith (Hunter & Walsh are their maiden names). Two talented gals who hatched a plan to bring a high street salon experience to a rural, seaside town and make their way in business.

What happened along the way is a white-knuckled rollercoaster ride through the highest of highs and lowest of lows that come with the life of a business owner.

But be prepared- this piece will make you laugh, make you cry… and you might need a lie down at the end!

HAIR BIZ EDITOR, KYM KREY SPOKE WITH THE VERY RESILIENT VIVIENNE JOHNS TO HEAR HER EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE. Vivienne, tell us a little about your early career prior to opening your salon.

My career began in 1997, when I started working for Toni&Guy in Dublin before moving to Cornwall in the UK. There, I worked in a small salon for about 3 years before deciding with a couple of colleagues to open our own salon.

Was business ownership always part of the dream for you?

Owning my own salon had never really been on my radar in the early days of my career. While working for Toni&Guy I was motivated to work through the ranks, to join the art team and to do platform work, as that is what really appealed to me at that time.

What was the catalyst for taking the plunge to open your salon?

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Moving to Cornwall was an eye opener for me.

I started working in a small town salon, and my dream of art teams and creating artistic collections took a huge back seat. There just wasn’t the opportunity to get involved in Session work or join art teams in a rural area like Cornwall. Cornwall is a surfers destination with great beaches, a nice climate and a lovely lifestyle but it is very far away from the creative hub of London.

You had early success in your new business, bringing a standard of service to your local area that had not previously been offered?

It was then that my ambitions really changed direction. I found that working in this ‘regular, everyday salon’ was not for me, and I knew that the town, although it was rural, needed something different to the run-of-the-mill salon experience.

We decided this is what we would do- we would bring the sophistication of London to Penzance!

Our philosophy was to bring an elevated customer experience in beautiful surroundings, offering the best in technology and products.

You were making great money and enjoying an enviable lifestyle in that phase. Did you feel like you’d ‘made it’?

We were crazy busy! Our type of salon experience was exactly what people were looking for. We had an opening party and we literally had a queue up the street to come in and see what we had done.

We thought we had ‘made it’ in every sense of the word. We made so much money, our turnover was incredible, but we did work very hard. We worked hard and played hard!

And then…. things started to decline significantly. Talk us through that period and how you navigated the challenges.

This continued until 2010 but the cracks had started to appear between us as a partnership. Three really is a crowd, especially in this kind of environment. We believed three was the magic number but in reality, three was a very difficult number. Two would often gang up against one and finding a common ground was often very difficult. Money was always an issue; how much to invest back into the business and the team, how much to take out. We had one partner

in particular who never wanted to reinvest into the business; he always wanted to take all the money out. This became a real strain on the business as there was never enough left behind to navigate the unforeseeable.

Tell us about the ‘bald men in suits’ story.

As time passed, other salons had seen our success and opened similar salons offering elevated service, and we started to lose clients to newer salons. As business became more difficult to find, we were having to push harder to attract clients than we ever had before, and our business partner started to lose interest. He had become more distant from the business as he wanted the easy money. He became overdrawn on his directors account, meaning he had taken more money than he earned. At the same time he went off to have a shoulder operation, but never returned to the salon to work.

We then got a solicitors letter saying he wanted

us to buy his share, but as he already owed the business money, plus his proportion of the tax, we refused. We were advised to pay our share of the tax bill and not his until the dispute was resolved.

This started a 2-year battle, back and forward, with no winners but the solicitors.

Then one day, two men with bald heads and clip boards arrived in the salon and we knew instantly they weren’t there for haircuts! My business partner, Nadine, was very quick thinking and welcomed them with open arms as if they were friends. We had a salon full of clients and didn’t want them knowing that these guys were actually bailiffs ready to seize goods to settle the outstanding tax bill!

They had a list of items they had to take and strongly informed us that they would not be leaving empty handed, but as they’d never been in a ladies salon, they weren’t familiar with the equipment. When they asked for “Wellonda sections” (which were literally the mirrors and chairs our clients were sitting in), Nadine said, “Yes, they are downstairs!” and brought them to the basement where we had 6 broken trollies stored, which she emptied out and said, “Here they are!” So, off they went, none the wiser!

So, what on earth happened next? Could you keep trading?

Our accountant said that if the bailiffs are here, then we were out of time and had to dissolve the company immediately. We’d wanted to resolve the issue amicably by our business partner paying his tax and were very worried about dissolving the company. Luckily, our accountant handled it all, and we could go back to working as normal, but we did have to wipe out the bank account to pay all existing debts.

Were you able to rebuild?

Yes, we were a busy salon, so we worked hard and quickly started to rebuild our money. At that time we had 12 stylists working in an 8 chair salon, so we were wall to wall and needed a bigger premises.

Also, with everything that had happened with our business partner, we were happy to make the move and rebrand our business as Hunter & Walsh.

We looked for a larger space and found the perfect town centre location which was huge and just the right size for 12 or more stylists. We started the plans and on the advice of our solicitor, we instructed a surveyor. We had two options: to survey the whole building or just our unit as we were only going to be renting the ground floor.

And being cash-strapped as we often are starting out, you took the cheaper option of just surveying your unit, and that decision came back to bite you.

What happened?

Well, the renovations took 6 months and ended up a lot more expensive than we had budgeted for or borrowed for, as is often the case. So as the build was taking place, one by one our stylists started leaving. We went from 12 stylists to just three of us- just one staff member and us!

We had done our sums to make sure this new location was affordable based on 12 stylists generating over £1m in turnover a year, and even with this level of turnover, the building was still

probably a little out of our budget. We had to repay not only the sizeable bank loan we’d taken, but we’d borrowed money from our parents and maxed out our credit cards having to pay for unexpected things like diverting gas pipes.

So you eventually opened?

Yes, we opened with the 3 of us and 5 apprentices, who were left over from when we had 12 stylists! There was no time for in-house training, so we put them into college one day a week.

6 months after we opened, we still hadn’t taken a wage from the business but were working around the clock. We had high personal debt but managed to keep our head above water by living on our tips. It was awful.

And then you had another shock!

Yes. Scrimping on the surveyor costs came back to bite us when we got a bill from the landlord for works he’d completed on the building. We owed £18k ($35,000) towards the cost. Our lease had a ‘Fully Repairing and Insuring’ clause which meant we were 51% liable for ALL repair to the building.

If the surveyor had included specific points in their report, we would have been forewarned of the problem, or could possibly have disputed the bill, but we had no option but to set up a payment plan of £1000 a month, which was devastating as we still hadn’t taken any wages for ourselves!

And then you had a huge issue with your 5 apprentices at college?

we knew we needed to downsize to a premises that would be affordable if the worst ever happened again and it ended up being just Nadine and I by ourselves.

We moved to a beautiful new waterside property and I’m happy to say that we are known for our exceptional standard of education, we’ve won Cornwall Apprentice Employer of the Year 2019 for our robust apprenticeship programme and we still dedicate a whole day every week to training our youngsters. The salon is closed for business and open for training every Monday.

We were expecting our apprentices to be ready to start working on the floor after 2 years as they came to the end of their training, but all of them came to us saying they didn’t feel ready. When we asked them to show us a basic haircut, we were shocked to discover that they didn’t even know how to hold their scissors correctly! We were so wrapped up in situation that we didn’t check and missed that they were falling behind badly.

We were still in debt, and we knew the only way to get out of the hole we were in was to make sure those girls were ready to go on the salon floor.

The problem we had was, we were working back to back, to make money and had no time to train them! We decided the only thing to do was for me to take one day off the salon floor to get the apprentices’ skills and confidence high enough to be able to take clients of their own and to start generating an income for the business.

So after all that, training your own team from within has turned into one of your greatest strengths?

Many business owners would have just dismissed the apprentices, but you made an enormous sacrifice to keep them and train them.

Right now, I am putting together a social media bootcamp course as everyone I speak to from salon owners to stylists and other business people ask me about our social media and our branding. I have been working as a social media coach for HPS high performance stylist for a year where I teach other stylists and salon owners how to fire up their Instagram. I am taking this opportunity of being locked down to seize the moment to spread my knowledge even further.

We needed stylists and in fact, that was our best decision ever and what we believe, got ourselves to the position we are in today.

And I believe you relocated again after that?

Yes. When our lease came up for renewal in 2017,

Definitely. That one decision to reinvest our time turned our whole business around. Most of our stylists are home grown and our team is happy and that radiates and attracts more stylists from all over who want to come and work with you. You start to win awards, you get noticed in the industry and you gain new clients.

Looking back at your journey, what has been the most important learning experience that you would pass on to others as advice?

An overnight success takes a very long time!

And in the current climate, you’re also working on a new project?

www.hunterandwalsh.com Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

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Chantal Davis

y t i n i f n I HAIR

Friends, Chantal Davis and Monique Loriaux started out with a dream to create a relaxing space in which to transform their clients into the best versions of themselves. Diving in ‘without one clue about running a business’, Infinity Hair was born in 2015 and, we’re happy to report, is going from strength to strength!

Monique Loriaux With Monique’s skills as Colourist and Chantal’s styling prowess, they made perfect duo, but business began to grow and since then, they’ve added a new staff member every 12 months.

Said Chantal, ‘Our family-like team culture is something that we pride ourselves on, making sure that we have that perfect work and personal balance. Everyone works a 4-day roster and we also arrange team days out every quarter to disconnect from work and have a laugh’.

“MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER SALON OWNERS AND DON’T BE SCARED TO ASK FOR ADVICE. LOOK AFTER YOUR TEAM AND THEY WILL LOOK AFTER YOU.” - MONIQUE LORIAUX 30

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

The team are very active when it comes to education and career development, making sure that everyone (including Chantal and Monique!) are continuously inspired and reaching toward their goals. Industry shows and Fashion Weeks are also a high priority with the team regularly working hard behind the scenes to bring the creative vision to life.

Even their salon has had regular makeovers with two refurbishments in the last 5 years to accommodate their ever-expanding enterprise. From their pink walls to the fluffy, cosy waiting chairs, it’s a client’s hair dream.

HAIR BIZ EDITOR, KYM KREY SPOKE TO CHANTAL AND MONIQUE RECENTLY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS JOURNEY. Ladies, tell us about your individual careers prior to opening your salon.

Chantal. I didn’t really have much happening before

we opened the salon doors because there was little opportunity given to me. Monique was the hairdresser that I looked up to in the salon and I’d only ever worked in one other salon before Infinity where I completed my apprenticeship and worked out what my next steps would be. I guess because of my experience working for someone

else, I now encourage and give my staff the opportunity to be involved in everything we do!

Monique. I’ve been in the industry for almost 17 years and I’ve always specialised in colour. I eventually became a colour educator at our old salon, training apprentices and new senior staff. I also travelled around Australia on the education calendar for Goldwell assisting on photo shoots and fashion shows.

What prompted your decision to open a business together?

Chantal. Monique and I were having this random conversation about the future one day and we both wanted a change in our career, so we saw this opportunity and ran with it. We’ve never looked back since!

Was business ownership always part of the dream for you?

Chantal. Back then, I don’t really know. I mean who does

really know? I knew my future was in hair but opening a salon was a huge risk, and honestly, it scared me, but now I wouldn’t think of doing anything else.

Monique. Not at all! I never imagined having my own salon. But I guess one day it just clicked.

What do you feel is so unique about the concept and client experience you’ve created at Infinity?

Chantal. We have such a loyal following and our clients

are part of our family. It’s not just the relationship but the experience they receive as soon as they walk through that door. From the team all greeting them with a smile, to the beverage they are offered, to opening the consultation with a massage, we put enormous thought and effort into every point. Our basin experience is something we also pride ourselves highly on.

Share with us your philosophies around staff selection and development. How do you find, keep and grow your team to bring out their best?

Chantal. We’ve been extremely blessed when it comes to our team. They’re a kind, ego-free, unique and talented

bunch of hairdressers who help drive each other to their full potential. We network to find new team members as they must fit in with our existing stylists. We encourage our team to attend education out of the salon to help develop their skills and network with other hairdressers as well.

Chantal and I also make sure we have “Inspire me sessions” with our brands, so everyone’s mind is refreshed so they can go back to their clients and recreate or educate what they have learnt.

You’ve chosen to offer your staff a 4-day roster, allowing them a 3-day weekend every week. What benefits do you feel this has given the business?

Chantal. It’s all about work-life balance which

is important to everyone. We noticed a huge difference in our staff and even with ourselves when we put this into place. I think a lot of salons do this now which is fantastic! In addition to our team’s mental wellbeing, we found that evenings are our most requested appointments, so it was a win:win.

Tell us more about your quarterly Team Days- why you hold them, the content you cover and how they’ve benefited the team.

Chantal. Each quarter someone in the team

is given an amount of money which they use to organise a time when everyone comes together for a day or night of laughter and team bounding. Our staff are considered our friends and sometimes it’s just nice to have that outside salon time to make us

appreciate each other and work stronger as a team.

You’re very active in encouraging your team to participate in events, creative showcases and photoshoots. Why do you feel this is so important?

Chantal. We want our team to grow and take

creative initiative, so when we do have the chance to attend fashion week, or we can have them assist in our photoshoots, it’s important for them to feel like they’re part of the journey. With our last showcase with Goldwell, everyone got to prep a model or have their artistic input. It’s also important to have something to break up the everyday salon routine as if you don’t, sometimes it can put you in a bit of a funk and there’s nothing worse than being bored.

Putting yourself out there really gives you that extra bit of confidence and drive.

Who would you say, are your industry heroes or who inspires you today?

Chantal. I’m a HUGE Kevin Murphy fan! I just love

how he stands for so much, especially his passion for environmental change, now repurposing ocean waste plastic to produce his packaging. I attend Melbourne Fashion Week with the KM team and it’s like I get this creative motivation from their unique techniques and use of products.

Monique. With styling, it’s Renya. Everything she does I love and want to try to recreate. I’m always on her Instagram checking out her latest videos.

Chantal, you attended the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica. Talk us through this experience and what it did for you.

Chantal. I was looking for

education for myself and I needed something that was going to take me out of my comfort zone, and what’s more out of your comfort zone than attending a 5-day work shop in a different

country?! I don’t cut a lot of short hair so that’s what I wanted to focus on and oh, man it was hard! Everything was different, and it was like I was cutting hair for the first time, from the tools we had to use, the sectioning patterns, and even how we held ourselves. I made some amazing friends other there and I loved the experience so much that I went back the next year! I think all hairdressers, no matter how long they’ve been in the industry, should regularly rejuvenate their skills.

What has been your greatest lesson or piece of advice along your business journey?

Monique. Make friends with other salon owners

and don’t be scared to ask for advice. Look after your team and they will look after you.

Chantal. Be patient and don’t rush into things; it’s okay to take your time and be a little picky.

And what advice would you give others who also dream of opening their own salon one day?

Monique. Find the right space for you. Location

and parking are super important. Also have someone in your corner to help you. We use an external HR service and if we’re ever unsure about anything, Chantal is straight away on the phone to guide us through.

Chantal. If it feels right, just do it!! Make smart financial decisions that will leave you feeling less stressed if something was to happen. And please, be kind and respectful to your staff because they will give you their heart and soul forever.

What might we see in the future from you and the team at Infinity Hair?

We will be appearing on the Goldwell education calendar which is very exciting. Hopefully we will also get to do another salon photoshoot which will build our confidence toward submissions for photographic competitions, but we will take on anything that life throws us really!

www.infinityhair.com.au Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

31

! n a t t a h n a M

A SLICE OF

Laura Hudson Hair Design (LHHD) was established in 2009 on Brisbane’s southside and was originally set up in a small space of just 49 SQM. In 2018, owner Laura Hudson saw an opportunity to develop a unique boutique lifestyle hairdressing salon, with a decision to rebrand the salon in line with her evolution as a stylist and business owner. With the relocation to a new space of 105SQM, HUDSON HAIR was born.

Destined to be a standout in the hair industry, Laura eats, breathes and sleeps hairdressing both in her home town of Brisbane and on the national and international stage.

WE SPOKE TO LAURA ABOUT THE TRANSITION OF SALONS, BRANDING AND LIFE BALANCE WHICH SHE CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE ACHIEVING WITH GRACE AND SUCCESS. You went through a whole new build when you moved salons, where did you get your inspiration from with the new look?

We wanted to infuse the salon with sophistication and fun, and for guests to walk in and immediately feel a sense of comfort and style. Our clients have always commented on the ‘warmth’ of our salon - it was so important not to lose this atmosphere in a bigger space and this was the main consideration during the design period.

At the heart of our design inspiration was New York City. This vast metropolis sprawled

Laura Hudson alongside the Hudson River has been a favourite destination of mine for as long as I can remember, so what better way to pay homage to this city than by building our own little slice of Manhattan right here in Brisbane.

A colour palette of soft pink, grey and white was chosen to complement the mix of elements and textures of the fixtures and fittings. This textural mix includes recycled railway sleepers, pressed metal and timber VJ Boards.

The roof was painted black to balance the colour palette with the design deliberately creating warmth and ensuring the space didn’t feel so big and stark. This combination gives the décor an urban design feel and continues the thread of contemporary beauty.

Custom-built product shelves were installed, complete with LED lighting to ensure the space didn’t reflect a retail store. Track lighting on the roof, which directs the light in exactly the right places, gives the space a light, airy ambiance.

Due to engineering circumstances, weightbearing beams were installed through the centre of the salon to hold up the roof. We made this a main feature when installing our custom-made cutting stations.

A busy, thriving salon we wanted to ensure our clients had a relaxation space, away from the buzz of the salon, so a separate basin room was created. A custom-built wall made out of steel reinforcing sheets was installed for added privacy.

With the new design, we embraced environmental sustainability; in addition to using recycled materials and LED lighting, a living green wall was incorporated as a key feature. We installed a self-watering, waterproof system with living plants that don’t need a lot of attention.

The response from clients has been positive; they love the design because it’s inviting, urban and fun.

With such a big task, what were the challenges for you and how did you overcome them?

My husband had been in a serious motorbike accident during the relocation and renovation, so it was a challenging and stressful – thank goodness for my amazing team, family and friends who stepped in and kept me going!

Down-time is a businesses’ worst enemy so ensuring this was minimised as much as possible was a huge priority for me. We had to close the old salon, finish the ‘make good’, and relocate everything into the new salon in just a couple of days. Was a huge challenge.

I knew that my old landlord wouldn’t make things easy for me (long story), so this also presented its challenges in terms of meeting their expectations with make good, getting leases tied up and bonds returned etc.

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Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

In hindsight is there anything you would have done differently with the knowledge you now have?

be who I need to be for everyone else.

Tell us a little about your team and your salon culture.

It is so important to know, that no matter what, we are affiliated with a brand that has the same values as Hudson Hair. Having a high-quality product that we know our clients are going to love as much as we do is paramount and training and support for my team to make sure we are up to date with all of the latest knowledge and trends is integral to what we need.

When you think you’ve budgeted and accounted for everything, chances are you haven’t!

Unexpected expenses always pop up. I would definitely be more conscious of this if I took on as big a move as this again.

All of our hairdressers are creative, passionate, and love what they do. Our culture is based on the following 5 areas that are essential to how we operate day to day: 1. Integrity – we provide our clients with realistic, amazing hair outcomes. We only recommend products and services that are exceptional quality and will provide value.

2. Excellence – Good isn’t enough. We strive to excel in everything we do 3. Communication – We communicate openly and honestly as colleagues and hair stylists.

We listen closely and respond appropriately.

We gauge communication styles with an expert ear and modify our communication approach as needed.

4. Education – we are lifelong learners. We constantly seek to grow and master our craft. We educate ourselves, our colleagues and our clients.

5. Team Work – We are a team and a family.

We support each other and work as hard as we can to achieve team goals. We are flexible and we ask for help when we need it – and we support our team mates when they need us!

You’re also a mum of a gorgeous toddler. How do you balance mum life with boss life?

It’s definitely tricky, I have come to the realisation that sometimes some things at the salon just have to wait. I’m lucky to have an amazing and supportive team. Lisa my manager has worked with me for over 15 years, so I have a lot of support and I know she has things under control at the salon. The control freak in me has had to step back but I know that HH is in capable hands! Mum guilt is a real thing! I find that it’s super important for me to take time out for myself to give me the energy I need to

How important are the partnerships you choose with your salon when it comes to colour, retail and business services?

You recently partnered with milk_shake as one of your retail brands, can you tell us a little about that and what you love about them?

Conceptual Brands have been such an incredible company to be partnered with. Milkshake’s National Education Manager Sarah has been a huge help and support. There is no task to big or small. She seems to just make everything happen.

• The products are amazing, they smell incredible, and the clients absolutely love them • The price point is exceptional for the quality • Training and support is second to none

What’s your favourite product and why?

milk_shake

Milkshake Incredible milk - I absolutely love this product!! I use this little miracle milk on almost every single client! It pretty much does everything - controls frizz, prevents split ends, heat protects and is the most amazing detangler I have ever used! It also maintains colour, gives the hair an incredible shine and gorgeous volume and body! Even better it is only $27.95! This stuff walks off our shelves!

You have re-opened after the Covid-19 situation, how are you finding business in this challenging time?

It has definitely been an interesting time. I think when COVID really kicked off, no one really knew what was going on or how to respond.

It was the uncertainty that I found most frustrating. We had so many highs and lows. I scheduled a team meeting where we all voiced our concerns and as a team, we decided that the best thing to do at that time was to close our doors and monitor the situation. We took a few weeks and I did a lot of soul searching, weighing up pro’s and con’s, engaged in long discussions with my team and industry colleagues, and we decided that with the current cleanliness and social distancing measures in place, we could definitely think about reopening in a reduced capacity – so that’s what we did!

The support from our clients and community since reopening has been overwhelming. I really think in these times you have an opportunity to really grow and evolve.

I feel like this situation has brought my team and I so much closer together. I definitely couldn’t have got through this last month without the amazing support from my girls. I think looking more to the positives instead of focusing on the negatives is essential at times like this. You can’t control everything, so I didn’t want to stress about things that were completely out of my control.

Any wishes on the hair bucket list?

Yes! To win QLD hairdresser of the year.

And finally, Laura, where do you see yourself in 5 year’s time?

Having a successful fully booked and thriving salon!

Hudson Hair is based in Holland Park West in Brisbane, Queensland Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! FINALISTS AN

2020 AUSTRALIAN HAIR INDUSTRY AWARDS

2020

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN HAIR INDUSTRY AWARDS FOR 2020 & HOT SHOTS 2020 The Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) are the only National Comprehensive Business Awards in the Hair Industry and with specialist, individual and state categories, they are seen as the true benchmark of excellence. A strong panel of National and International business, marketing, coaching, media and educational experts spent over 4 weeks of their own precious time, scrutinizing hundreds of entries in a huge Australian Hair Industry Awards.

With over 300 entries in total and some of the most popular categories such as Best Customer Care, Best Salon Team and Best Salon Director/ Owner of the year receiving more than double the usual number of entries, reaching finalists status in the AHIA’s is a huge achievement in itself!

Finalists are based on strict criteria being met, and ranking given which ultimately determines the number of finalists per category and winners.

Winners of the 2020 Australian Hair Industry Awards will be announced at the hair industry’s night of night’s gala extravaganza which will be held in the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Gold Coast, QLD from 7.30pm till late, with the Official After Party once again at Nineteen at The Star, right next door. Due to COVID-19 the original date had to be cancelled but new date will be announced as soon as possible.

Each Winner will receive: -

• A Custom-made Crystal Trophy • A profile feature in Hair Biz Magazine • PR sent to national and local media

2020 also sees the return of the AHIA Care Treat and Style Products Awards whereby prominent PR and media judges were asked to test products over a 2-month period, which had been repackaged in clean-skin white containers with non-branded instructions and descriptions, ensuring ranking was based on product alone and not on name. This year we saw over 60 products entered across the 3 categories!

2020 Hall of Fame recipient will also be announced on the night, providing the ultimate peer recognition to the person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian Hair

Industry throughout his or her career as well as the Vidal Sassoon Humanitarian Award and a Special Recognition Award. Also announced will be the 2020 Australian Wholesaler of the Year Award based on the highest number of votes from all State Winners who are announced with AHIA Finalists and who will be receiving a winner’s trophy in the coming weeks.

With regards to the AUSTRALIAN HOT SHOTS 2020, once again the benchmark has been lifted based on the quality and number of entries into this annual competition for young hairstylists under the age of 30. Well established sponsors Goldwell, ghd, Excellent Edges and Amazing Hair combined with the owners of HOT SHOTS, mocha publishing, to offer our HOT SHOTS Team incredible prizes and unique opportunities unlike any other competition in the hair industry today.

An enormous panel of National and International judges spent over 4 weeks of their own precious time, scrutinising all of the entries in the HOT SHOTS competition for 2020.

Joining the HOT SHOTS Team in 2020 as the Creative Director is once again, none other than multi award winner, educator, salon owner and our very own well-loved ‘Poppet’, the one and only Jayne Wild who will visit the team in the HOT SHOTS House as well as mentor and give creative direction at the very special photo shoot with acclaimed and award winning photographer, Andrew O’Toole.

Courtesy of Goldwell, the Hot Shots Team would have been travelling to Amsterdam for the Goldwell Global Creative Awards in October 2020, showing even further generosity, commitment and passion from our sponsor, however with the current COVID-19 situation this event has been transformed

into an online event. Organisers and Sponsors will be talking further once restrictions are lifted.

The Hot Shots Team of four will be made up of the winning entrants across the new 2020 categories and announced at the 2020 AHIA gala night - Date to be confirmed.

Each Winner will receive: -

• A Beautiful Glass Trophy • A profile feature in Hair Biz Magazine • A full range of Electrical tools from ghd and invitation to be a member of the 2020 Style Squad • A full GOLDWELL Styling kit • $4000 worth of Excellent Edges Scissors and training • An Amazing Hair Extensions Kit • A Team Photo Shoot with Creative Director, Jayne Wild, Iconic Photographer Andrew O’Toole and award winning MUA and Stylist • An invitation to be a guest at the HOT SHOTS HOUSE where they will spend 3 days of mentoring with top industry icons …And of course, a place on the HOT SHOT list, pushing them to the forefront of the industry.

THE 2020 HOT SHOTS FINALISTS Adam Harant, Wild Life Hair SoGo Alannah Read, Ella&Jade Alyssia Pearson, Toni&Guy Broadbeach Amberley Gittings, Rubi Hair Richmond Anna McNamara, Ella&Jade Ashleigh Weller, Born Barber’s Collective Elie Kashi, Royals Hair Evie Golding, Rokstar Salon Hayley Warner, Oscar Oscar Carindale Holly Sharpe, B’Me Hair Salon Jase Alpen, Zeppelin.B Torrie Lennon, Rokstar Salon

NNOUNCED! FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

2020

2020 AUSTRALIAN HAIR INDUSTRY AWARDS

2020 AUSTRALIAN HAIR INDUSTRY AWARDS FINALISTS Junior/Apprentice of the Year

SPONSORED BY EXCELLENT EDGES Alana Liversage, Wild Life Hair SoGo Annabelle Nutting, Birds & Fellas Hair Caitlyn McMillan, Ella&Jade Emily Rodger, Ella & Jade Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair Jamie Simpson, Beautify Hair Design Kellie Handricks, Elysium Hair Brisbane Louise Graham, Togninis Hair Mikayla Raschilla, Pierrot’s Hair StudioMt Lawley Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative Shannon Popowski, Rubi Hair-Windsor Tara Haskell, The End Hairdressing

Salon Stylist of the Year

SPONSORED BY MATRIX Adam Harant, Wild Life SoGo Amberley Gittings, Rubi Hair Richmond Elle Schoemaker, Cobelle Creative Evie Golding, Rokstar Salon Hannah Brumley, Elysium Hair Brisbane Leanne Kay, Stevie English Hair Maddison Power, Ella & Jade Mark Tingling, Toni & Guy Newtown Steven Clarke, Toni and Guy Cronulla Terry Robertson, Luke Reynolds Hairdressing Torrie Lennon, Rokstar Salon William Webb, Ella&Jade

Salon Manager of the Year

SPONSORED BY WELLA PROFESSIONALS Donna Nayler, Elite Salons Jessica Kane, Tigerlamb King Street Lyndsey Hayden, TONI&GUY Perth Nadine Baxter, Rixon Hair Nina Meidow, Ella&Jade Whitney Kelly, Elysium Hair Brisbane

Business Director/Owner of the Year SPONSORED BY GOLDWELL Ali Holmes, Wild Life SoGo Amy Gaudie, Urban Chic Brendon Mann, Epic Hair Designs Brodie-Lee Tsiknaris, Rokstar Don De Sanctis, Barber Boys Hayley Kidson, Minogue Hairdressing Helen Owens, Tigerlamb Julie Mahony, Pierrots’s Hair Studio Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative Luke Reynolds, Luke Reynolds Hairdressing Mary and Adam Alamine, Royals Hair Sharlene Lee, Circles of Hair

Salon Design

SPONSORED BY KMS Barber Boys & Co | Do or Dye Hair Edwards and Co | Haven & Co Rapture In Hair | Sir and Duchess SJ Establishment | Telleish Hair Studio Urban Chic | Xin Twenty One

Best Educator of the Year - Individual SPONSORED BY EVY Bernadette Beswick | Dario Cotroneo Geoffrey Herberg | Kellie McCord Kristina Russell | Monique McMahon Nicole Healy | Tom White

Best Educator of the Year Organisation

SPONSORED BY SUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA Barbery - The Craft of a Barber Academy MIG Training | The Secret Fox Education

Best Customer Care

SPONSORED BY SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL Axis Hairdressing | Ella&Jade Elysium Hair Brisbane | Epic Hair Designs | Little Birdie Hair Co Luke Reynolds Hairdressing | Orbe Pierrot’s Hair Studio SJ Establishment | Tigerlamb Toni & Guy Brisbane | Tyler Reid Hair

In Salon Training

SPONSORED BY ZING COACHING B&B Hair Salon | Ella&Jade Elysium Hair Brisbane | Epic Hair Designs | Luke Reynolds Hairdressing Orbe | Pierrot’s Hair Studio Rokstar | Royals Hair | Tigerlamb

Best Marketing Award

SPONSORED BY SHORTCUTS Circles of Hair | Hello Gorgeous Pierrot’s Hair Studio Rubi Hair | Salon Kiin

Best Business Performance of the Year (non-salon)

SPONSORED BY BRISBANE SCHOOL OF HAIRDRESSING Amazing Hair | EcoHeads Excellent Edges | Foil Me | Piloroo Pure Haircare | Timely Salon Software (Consult)

Salon Team of the Year

SPONSORED BY L’OREAL PROFESSIONAL Cobelle Creative | Elysium Hair Brisbane | Oscar Oscar Broadbeach Rixon Hair | Rokstar | Royals Hair Salon Kiin | Sloans of Lane Cove Tigerlamb King Street | Togninis Toni & Guy Cronulla | Wild Life SoGo

Best Salon Newcomer of the Year

SPONSORED BY REVLON PROFESSIONAL apaR Hair Studio Ripley George & Ivy | Infiniti Hair Studio Maxyn Asher Hair | SJ Establishment Sol Hair | Studio Lane Hair Boutique The ViP Collective | Zanzi

STATE SALONS OF THE YEAR State Salon of the Year NSW/ACT

SPONSORED BY KITOMBA Cranium Hair | Eden Hair Energy Hello Gorgeous | Minogue Hairdressing Casuarina | Royals Hair Toni & Guy Mosman.

State Salon of the Year QLD

SPONSORED BY WELLA PROFESSIONALS apaR Hair Studio | Ella&Jade Elysium Hair Brisbane | Epic Hair Designs | Luke Reynolds Hairdressing Minogue Hairdressing Reedy Creek Rokstar | Tigerlamb King Street Toni & Guy Broadbeach | Urban Chic

State Salon of the Year VIC/TAS

SPONSORED BY MUK HAIRCARE Anton Hair | Huntress Hair Religion Oscar Oscar Chadstone Rubi Hair Richmond

State Salon of the Year SA SPONSORED BY REDKEN MJ by Mat Johnson | Orbe

State Salon of the Year WA/NT SPONSORED BY MATRIX Circles Of Subiaco Earth Wind Fire Hair Pierrot’s Hair Studio Revampd Hair Studio Toni and Guy Perth

THE AUSTRALIAN SALON BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MOCHA

Winner is determined based on the highest judging points and ranking of one of the winners of the State Salon Business’ of the Year.

State Wholesaler of the Year Winners SPONSORED BY DATELINE IMPORTS SA - Hair Beauty Co Op VIC/TAS - HairCo WA/NT - International Salon Supplies QLD - Salon Depot NSW – Norris, Penrith

The National Winner announced on the gala night is based on the Wholesaler with the highest number of votes received from the State Winners.

Special Recognition Award SPONSORED BY PULP RIOT

To Be Announced on the Gala Night

Hall of Fame

SPONSORED BY HAIR BEAUTY CO-OP To Be Announced on the Gala Night

Vidal Sassoon Humanitarian Award SPONSORED BY MOCHA

To Be Announced on the Gala Night

AHIA CARE TREAT AND STYLE PRODUCTAWARDS SPONSORED BY MOCHA

CARE – Best Shampoo and Conditioner Pair

- Anti Age Shampoo and Cream Conditioner By Innovatis Australia - BC Hyaluronic Moisture Kick Shampoo and Conditioner By Schwarzkopf Professional - Blond Absolu Shampoo and Conditioner

By Kérastase - Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo and Conditioner By Redken - Franco Alphonse & Co Argan Shampoo and Conditioner By Salon and Beauty Branding - Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner

By BondiBoost - Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner By DNA Organics - K-Respect Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner By milk_shake - Legerity Hair Beauty Shampoo and Mask Conditioner By Hair Beauty Co-Op - Muroto Volume Amplify Shampoo and Conditioner By Shu Uemura

TREAT – Best Cream Treatment

- 1 Minute Treatment By Juuce - Active Yogurt Mask By milk_shake - Actyva Nuova Fibra Cream By Kemon - Anti Age Deep Mask By Innovatis Australia - Legerity Beauty Hair Cream By Hair Beauty Coop - Magnet Anti-Pollution Restoring Mask

By Revlon Professional - QPLEXX 003 Bond Protector By DNA Organics - Re-Animation Pack By Elgon - Serie Expert Absolut Repair Gold Quinoa & Protein Masque By L’Oreal Professional - Silky Soul: Angel Magic Moisture

By ME&MY Hair Care

STYLE – Best Ladies Styling Product Styling Oil, Cream/Paste or Texture

- PURE Styling Cream By Pure Haircare - Professional Luminous Drops by Affinage Professional - And Tonic Cream By Kemon - Botanic Oil Serum By Juuce - Copyright Custom Care - Split End Repair Cream By TIGI Haircare Australia - Dry Shampoo Paste 05 By Redken - JoiFull Volumizing Styler By Joico - Mad About Waves Windy Texture Balm

By Schwarzkopf Professional - Professional Luminous Drops By Affinage Professional - Sprayshine Shimmer Gloss By DNA Organics - Stylesign Curly Twist Surf Oil Salty Oil Spray By Goldwell

Best Eco Salon

SPONSORED BY DNA ORGANICS apaR Hair Studio | Elysium Hair Brisbane | George & Ivy Little Birdie Hair Co | Toni&Guy Newtown | Zanzi

Single or table of 10 tickets can be purchased for the gala awards dinner online

www.mochapublishing.com.au/shop

Single Tickets $295.00 | Table of Ten $2650.00

GALA AWARDS DINNER DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Gold Coast. QLD. From 7.30pm till late. The AHIA is proudly owned by mocha publishing

TOP HAIRDRESSERS TO PRESENT A HAIR EXPERIENCE

Virtual

Sharon Blain Education and Box Hill Institute have teamed up to produce a three-hour online hairdressing extravaganza on Monday 8 June from 11am to 2pm aimed at young and potential hairdressers not to mention the industry at large!

Virtual Hair Experience: Journey to the Top will feature industry luminaries telling inspiring stories about their path to the top of the hairdressing field and edge-of-fashion, creative hairstyling.

Tickets for just $20 can be purchased online.

Event co-producer Sharon Blain said that the invited hairdressers jumped at the chance to encourage young hairdressers and those considering hairdressing as a career.

She said, “Hairdressing is one of the most exciting, creative careers in the world and the opportunities behind and beyond the chair are huge, these days.

“I really want young people to understand that the hairdressing business has real, ongoing rewards. They can have influence on hair fashion globally, help clients feel good about themselves, educate and inspire others, get sensational session experiences around the world and achieve material success, particularly as salon owners.”

SHARING THEIR JOURNEY TO THE TOP WILL BE :-

• Mark Hayes, International Creative Director, Sassoon • Tabatha Coffey, international business woman, designer and educator • Dee Parker Attwood, 2019 Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year • Sharon Blain, international educator • Kobi Bokshish, Intershape • Steve Corthine, Stevie English Hair • Hermiz Daniel, Hermiz Salon • Danny Pato, 2019 Hair Expo New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year • Joey Scandizzo, Joey Scandizzo Salon • Jules and Bennie Tognini, Lil Off The Top, Tognini’s • Jayne Wild and Gary Latham, Wild Life Hair • Emiliano and Lisa Vitale, é Salon • Renya Xydis, session hairstylist, Valonz

HOSTED BY Richard Reid The Virtual Hair Experience: Journey to the Top will replace the industry production that Sharon Blain Education and Box Hill Institute were to have staged at Hair Expo Australia, which has been cancelled due to COVID19.

Hair Expo favourite & TV celebrity, Richard Reid, will host the event with more special guests to be announced!

Tickets on sale now: www.facebook.com/ Virtual-Hair-Experience-Journey-to-the-Top

Box Hill Institute’s Executive Director Educational Delivery, Jane Trewin, is coproducing the event and said that it is time for apprentices and potential new artists to see the industry’s brilliance and endless opportunities.

She said, “The purpose of the event is to motivate young people to join or remain in the industry as it would be hard to find a more rewarding or artistic career. It’s also important for us to support industry by demonstrating how rewarding, interesting and inspirational a career it can be.

“We want future generations to consider this career path. We want more apprentices coming into the sector and staying in the sector to become the talent of the future. That’s why Sharon and I want to support the industry through an event like this.

“The type of recognition hairdressing will get from the calibre of talent in this event will help the industry to gain exposure which we hope will attract the next wave of artists.”

HAIR BY Danny Pato

HAIR BY Dee Parker Attwood

“DANNY PATO AND DEE PARKER ATTWOOD, THE CURRENT HAIR EXPO HAIRDRESSERS OF THE YEAR, HAD BEEN PREPARING A SHOWSTOPPER SHOWCASE FOR THE HAIR EXPO GALA, SO WE HOPE THAT IN SOME WAY THIS GIVES THEM DUE RECOGNITION OF THEIR SUPREME TITLES,” - SHARON BLAIN

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Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

p o T e h t o t y e n r ou

J

A VIRTUAL HAIR EXPERIENCE

Benni Tognini

Danny Pato

Dee Parker Attwood

Hermiz Daniel

Gary and Jayne Wild

Joey Scandizzo

Jules Tognini

Kobi Bokshish

Mark Hayes

Renya Xydis

y Hosted b

d i e R d r a h c i R Join these industry luminaries and more, telling inspiring stories about their path to the Sharon Blain

Stevie English

Tabatha Coffey

The Vitales - Emiliano and Lisa

top of the hairdressing field, the edge-of-fashion and creative hairstyling.

Monday 8 June 2020 from 11am to 2pm (EST)

TICKETS: $20.00

www.facebook.com/Virtual-Hair-Experience-Journey-to-the-Top Presented by Sharon Blain Education and Box Hill Institute

Enriched With Organic Green Mandarin, Sweet Almond Oil & Extract Of Lotus Flowers

TrueColour Professional Group

truecolour_australia

TrueEcoColour Ammonia & PPD Free

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Hi Lift TrueEcoColour is a high performance multi-functional hybrid ammonia and PPD free colouring crème. The unique formulation of colouring agents and organic natural extracts produce exceptional performance, enabling long lasting results, superior grey coverage, brilliant shine and condition.

Hi Lift TrueEcoColour is a versatile system for permanent, semi/demi permanent colouring and toning.

Hi Lift TrueEcoColour is made in Italy and developed exclusively for professional salon use.

Hi Lift TrueEcoColour offers online technical support.

(03) 9555 1533 | sales@muimports.com.au | www.muimports.com.au | 662 South Rd, Moorabbin Victoria 3189 Australia

SAFE SALON

By Simone Lee

The recent impact of COVID-19 viral disease to human health across the globe has been grave, and the detrimental effect it has had upon the hair and beauty industry of Australia has been unprecedented.

The health and safety of salon professionals while they practice their craft, is now front and centre in heated debates amongst stylists and consumers.

The very nature of what a salon experience is considered to be has been called into question as salon professionals navigate the work health and safety laws of Australia to operate their businesses safely.

I am the founder of the Australian Institute Of Trichology and the owner of the salon brand Tyler Reid Hair. With a hairdressing career that spans over two and a half decades, I can say like most people, never did I expect to encounter anything like COVID-19 in my lifetime.

Unlike many salon owners, I was prepared immediately to implement necessary clinical processes within my businesses due to knowledge gained from my study of trichology and scientific learning through St Georges University in London for COVID-19 general practice.

I lead my salon to maximize infection control efficiency and minimise COVID-19 risk potential for all stakeholders involved 40

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with my businesses, and we have managed to trade successfully so far.

Being cared for in a relaxed environment is the typical assumption by people who visit salons, and many guests and stylists are not aware of the fact that the hairdressing salon can pose severe risks to those working long and uninterrupted hours.

While hairstylists create beautiful works of art on people’s hair, we also conduct physical procedures involving living skin tissue and dead human hair matter.

Hairdressing requires processes such as close interpersonal contact for extended periods, which could easily mirror the work aspects of specific sectors in the health care industry.

TACKLING SALON OHS

To suitably manage occupational safety and health (OSH) risks, the first critical step is to identify the hazards within the work environment and factor the likelihood of occurrence. Appropriate risk prevention measures should be evaluated and validated and implemented. This process is called risk assessment and is imperative.

A recent publication by European Agency for Safety and Health at Work – EUOSHA for occupational health and safety in hairdressing has listed the following points as some of the potential hazards hairdressers are commonly exposed to.

BIOLOGICAL FACTORS

“Biological factors, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores, can cause infections and diseases. For this reason, strict hygiene measures must be applied”.

ERGONOMIC FACTORS

“Lack of ergonomics in work design could result in physical discomfort, persistent pain in parts of the body or physical and mental exhaustion”.

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

“Irritant and allergic contact eczemas may be caused by prolonged or repeated contact with water and skin-damaging hazardous substances because of the specific wet work in hairdressing salons.”

PHYSICAL FACTORS

“The microclimate parameters (room temperature and humidity, rate of indoor air exchange, etc.)”

ELECTRICAL RISKS

“A hairdressing salon is equipped with a variety of electrical devices. These devices are usually used in the proximity of wet conditions, and, if they are not cared for, there will always be the danger of electric shocks”.

the elements dependent upon the exposure risk level of COVID-19 within Western Australia.

STAFF RISK CONTROL PROCESSES

https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/ literature_reviews/occupational-health-andsafety-in-the-hairdressing-sector

I discussed all known COVID-19 risks and OHS factors with staff and each team member was provided with an employment solution that would suit their requirements.

Each team member was given a choice to work. There were 27 new OHS measured developed for my staff, and some of these included: • Testing of staff temperatures before during and after work, • Hygiene measures, including handwashing and disinfection control processes for the environment and laundering of clothes, • Issuing of full personal protection wear, including N94 masks, goggles, disposable aprons, and gloves, • Splitting staff shifts to reduce the amount of time each staff member would be present within the day, • We were allowed significant time frames between bookings and chose not to accept any new clients. There were two key reasons for this decision.

Many salons around us were closed, and we did not want to profit from the misfortune of others, and the most important was for the mental health and wellbeing of our team.

THE BIOLOGICAL RISK OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

TOUCH-FREE SALON – INFECTION CONTROL

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS

“A hairdressing salon must be spacious and organized in such a way to provide free movement of both staff and clients”.

BURNS AND CUTS

“Contact with hairdryers and steamers that may have hot surfaces that can cause burns.”

FIRE RISKS

“All three parameters necessary to initiate and propagate a fire coexist in the work environment of a hairdressing salon: hot electrical surfaces, flammable products, and air.”

PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS

“Psychosocial factors that can impede work practices and promote stress include bullying, sexual or racial harassment, intimidation, threats, verbal abuse and, in extreme situations, physical assaults”.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered to have originated in bats and pangolins and is a highly contagious influenza-like illness.

COVID-19 is transmitted in respiratory droplets. Coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces with Coronavirus present may spread the disease.

With the COVID-19 transmission factors in mind, I developed a hierarchy of control measures for my salon considering the Health Department Of Australia guidelines for COVID-19, Safe Work Australia employer and employee laws, and operating protocols for hairdressing establishments in Western Australia. I conducted a salon risk assessment, which included three key stakeholders: salon staff, clients, and the public.

My first concern was what potential risks my staff would face from the potential of COVID-19 exposure from guests. I looked at staff mental health, monitoring of physical wellbeing, social distancing, and personal hygiene. I included my team in every aspect of the process. I then validated the OHS measures with medical professionals and formed an adjustable action plan for each of

The salon applied hospital-level infection control measures at all times All areas of the salon were examined to minimize any potential surface transmission of COVID 19. Over 38 touch-free salon processes were created, and all of our guests have been amazed at the level of safety we provide. Two of the touch-free initiatives were: • Salon entry points were open, and infrared temperature testing is conducted on entry to the premise.

• All surfaces guests would come into contact with were covered with recyclable sheer plastic coverings. While disinfection of chair and bench surfaces continued, I considered factors like the potential of cut hair particles that could become embedded in the chair grooves, the porosity of the chair surfaces (COVID-19 can exist on hair surfaces).

GUEST WELLNESS

A twelve-point guest wellness plan was created. All guests attending the salon were informed of the requirements for anyone visiting our salon. Some of the measures we actioned included: • Guests are contacted 24 hours before

their appointments. Specific questions are asked about health, and guests are informed of our salon guest hygiene protocols.

• Guest’s bring their own reading material, beverages, and arrive with clean dry hair.

SALON TECHNICAL WORK

OHS consideration was given to all service offerings. The salon did not offer blow-dry services two weeks ago. The decision was formed to reduce the risk for potential COVID-19 particles spread through the air from droplets that may be in the air through guest communication or from cut hair particles onto surfaces within the salon.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNING

Involving the public through transparent communication on our social media platforms was an excellent way to gain vital feedback from the local community about the measures the business was taking to ensure safe work practices. Our audience went on a very personal and real journey with us as we shared what we were going through as a business and how much their help would be necessary for us to continue to operate.

Messages of support and genuine care continue to flow through our social media platforms. If there is a silver lining to the coronavirus pandemic for the hairdressing industry, I believe from everything I have witnessed personally and professionally over the past two months that there is now a higher level of care and respect from the public for the hairdressing profession.

I have had commentary from so many like: • “Wow, I never really thought of hairdressers in this light before with the risks you all take,” • “You guys are health workers; you help us mentally and physically,” • “I’m just so glad you’re open. If I have to self-isolate for two weeks before I come and see you, wash my hair a dozen times, wear a mask or space suit to the salon. I am not missing my hair appointment.

Lastly, from the many doctors and nurses who have visited my clinical salon: • “Amazing! You are essential too. Thank you so much.”

Perhaps the ‘new normal’ for salons will be an ever-evolving OHS process which will see salon professionals considered amongst the health sector someday. In the meantime, I believe striving for the pursuit of excellence for safe operating standards should be everyone’s priority.

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WHEN THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE NEGOTIATING THE NEW NORMAL!

By Anthony Gray

What a tumultuous time for the nation and more specifically our wonderful industry. The dramatic events of the Covid-19 pandemic have seen our industry turned on its head in the blink of an eye. With many of us fighting for business survival, sharing our stories and perspectives has become increasingly important to ensure we all get through this together.

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As a training organisation, we are privileged to work closely with some of hairdressing’s most successful salon businesses and were curious to understand how these leaders managed their business and their teams through this ever-changing landscape. To this end, I spoke with the director of EPIC Hair Designs, Brendon Mann who generously agreed to share his perspectives and outline some of the daily trials and tribulations the pandemic has thrown his way.

Opening their first salon in 2008, the Epic group now commands 16 locations employing 102 Hairdressers including 30 apprentices in training.

At an appropriate social distance, I had the opportunity to talk with Brendon to understand how Epic has approached this crisis and the steps he has taken to navigate the business and his team through these uncharted waters.

Brendon, what was your initial reaction as a business when Covid-19 first came onto your radar?

As early as January we realized this might be something that we need to be ahead of. We introduced extra sanitization procedures and stocked up on hand sanitizer. Our focus needed to be to keep our teams and our clients safe, so we acted fast in implementing additional safety measures. Even though in January our clients didn’t have concerns about Covid19 we wanted to convey early our new procedures, so our clients felt comfortable returning to their next appointment when Covid19 became a concern.

This concept has worked well throughout this whole period.

In that incredible week in March when large parts of the economy were shut down and hairdressing went through the uncertainty of the 30-minute service restriction, how did you react?

I remember seeing a live update where the announcement was made for a 30-minute service limit and felt a bit shocked. This is very different to our normal luxury service timing however I trusted the direction of the government and I wanted to find a way for this to work for both our clients and our teams. In a time of crisis with the possibility of it lasting 6 months, even a trim for someone will make all the difference. For us it wasn’t about ‘not being right’ for our business model or what services we prefer to do, it was about supporting the community with our skills and keeping our staff employed & safe.

During this time, the pace and extent of change was incredible. How did you approach what has been change on a scale that we may never see again in our lifetime?

I felt like our salon support team was well planned for anything which came their way, so if something changed, we could adapt very fast. The salon support team met at our office at 7am each morning during those first crazy weeks and we would rearrange and plan out the days as they happened. Most days at 8:30am we would have a conference call with all our Salon Managers and often made a video for our team to explain what was happening and what the plan was. I felt that open and honest communication was key, and even though the communication changed often as we adapted to Government regulations, I wanted to ensure that our team were kept well informed.

The decision to remain open or to close during the crisis has been an incredibly difficult one for every salon. What was Epic’s approach that led to the decision to remain open?

I feel that as an industry, we were very lucky to have been given the choice to stay open. Many other industries were told they needed to close and for those industries I see a long road ahead to rebuild. As an industry we are in a very good position to rebuild fast. We surveyed our entire team to find out what their priorities were and for the overwhelming majority, it was to stay open and to stay employed with no reduced hours.

We also considered our commitments to our landlords, suppliers and our apprentice’s training schedule. Our main focus was not to have anyone stood down while continuing to keep everyone safe, and to date we have been able to achieve that.

While the situation is still very much alive and constantly evolving, how do you feel about how Epic has handled the fallout from the crisis to date?

This has been a very unusual situation for everyone, so I feel a lot of people really were not sure what to do. For us, our focus was to follow the government guidelines which I trusted in and at this stage they are working. We had a lot of discussions with our team around this and I am happy with the choice we made.

Our team has been incredibly strong through this whole situation and have stayed extremely positive. I feel very lucky as the director to have the team we have and extremely thankful for how they have all handled it. The honest communication in our company has been the key to us getting through this together.

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! n o i t c e r r Co

By Kristie Kesic

Colour Correction is the neverending challenge for we hairdressers, mainly due to the likes of celebrities, (thanks Kardashians) who go from dark to light in a day. You’d think by now that consumers would either spot a wig or realise they’ve been in the chair for 20 hours and spent 1000’s of dollars!

But you know what, it’s not the consumer’s fault. They just see something they like and think they can have it. It’s not their job to be educated in the theory of colour to know if it’s possible.

That’s our job.

“UNDER PROMISE, AND OVER DELIVER” THERE IS NOTHING WORSE IF THE OUTCOME IS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.”

- KRISTIE KESIC

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Let’s be honest here, we are going to get an influx of colour corrections very soon and I want hairdressers to be educated enough and confident enough to know the correct first step to take, or to possibly even have the confidence to realise their limits, say no and recommend a colourist who can!

I’ll put my hand up and say that I have no problem in turning away jobs that I can’t and won’t do. Yes, this is rare but if I think the hair can’t handle it, or if I know I can’t get them the result they want, I say ‘no’ and I explain why. ALWAYS explain why!

Yes, I have clients say, “But another salon said they could do it”, and I say to them, “I’m a very experienced colourist and in my professional opinion, I’m telling you I can’t”, and then I let them go on their way.

I don’t allow clients to guilt me into doing something I know isn’t right. I have the

Kristie Kesic

confidence to say NO! And besides, no one needs those crazies in their salon!

I’m a Specialist Colour Technician; this is what I do. I’m trained for this and I have a lot of clients come to me to fix up their colour correction. I get frustrated because more often than not, my job isn’t a colour correction; it’s a fix up because the previous hairdresser took the wrong first step. If you look at a colour correction and think it’s too complicated or it scares you, then you shouldn’t attempt it. Colour corrections shouldn’t be complicated, and they shouldn’t scare you if you know what you are doing.

The first step you take in a colour correction determines how successful you will be at achieving the desired end result. If you make the wrong decision, you will never achieve the goal your client wants without jeopardizing the integrity of the hair.

I could go on and on about this topic but, I’m going to give you a very basic example of the most common mistake I see.

Example: A client is a dark colour all over and has an end game goal of being a creamy blonde.

Situation one: After a consultation, the hairdresser decides to do a full head of foils.

This is the perfect example of a wrong decision!

Now let me explain why.

When you do foils, there is always going to be some of that dark hair left out. So, the next time you go in with a full head of foils you will pick up some hair that has already been lightened, so those strands will go lighter, and then you will pick up some strands of hair that are still dark. So that strand will now only be as light as the time before. And this process will continue time after time.

Because of this, you will never achieve the client’s end game result, because some strands would have been lightened 3-4 times while others may have been only lightened once and among all that you will still have random dark pieces.

By making that wrong decision first up, you have made your client’s end goal almost impossible.

Let me offer an alternative.

Whenever I talk colour corrections, I always talk about the ‘end game’ or our ultimate goal, and to achieve that goal, we need to take specific steps along the way that allow us to have a blank canvas for each step to build upon.

I would approach the above situation like this.

STEP 1: Consultation.

The most important step. This is the step where you inform and educate your client on the investment in time and in money that their desired end result involves (and it is definitely an investment of money and time!). Give them the worst case scenario, as anything better than what you’ve now prepared them for is a bonus. Explain each of the stages you will working through and yes this means letting them know that at some point they will see their hair as fluoro orange, but that is just a stage of a bigger process; it’s not what they are going to walk out like. The more you prepare them for each stage, the more confident they will feel with you.

STEP 2:

Now that you have a plan of attack, start by cleansing out the hair that has been artificially coloured. Normally clients come in with regrowth so this area would be left out at first. When it has lifted to the desired level or reached maximum processing time, rinse.

STEP 3: Apply the colour to the roots that will match the level the ends have now been lifted to.

STEP 4:

Apply colour to the ends that will counteract (tone) or enhance the end level and tone, and then process.

STEP 5:

Rinse and make sure the colour is balanced and even. If needed, apply another gloss at the basin. This creates a new blank canvas colour that is hopefully 2 shades lighter.

Anything more than that in one go is really a bonus. That is visit 1.

Visit 2 and so on: I now have a blank canvas to build upon, so I would lighten the whole hair out again. I would continue this process until I have achieved a desirable level. Once a desired all-over level is achieved, I can then go in with foils or balayage, or variations of colour etc.

By doing it this way, each time I have an even canvas to work on and I know how many times each strand of hair has been lightened because it has all been lightened at once.

The end result will be cleaner, and the hair will still maintain integrity. You also need to remember that it’s important that your client’s hair still looks a desirable colour each step of the way. No one wants to be walking around with orange hair on their way to blonde.

The message here is that colour correction is a speciality! If you don’t specialise in colour corrections or don’t have the confidence to approach it at this level, leave it to someone in your salon who does, or refer them to another salon that specialises in corrective work. There is absolutely no shame in saying no to a big colour correction job when you don’t have the confidence to do it well. Trust me, the client will have more respect for you, and for your salon than if you attempt it and get it wrong.

And lastly, this is a quote that we should all live by with colour corrections.

“Under promise, and over deliver” There is nothing worse if the outcome is the other way around.

Kristie Kesic is the Owner/Creative Director of Cobelle Creative www.cobellecreative.com.au Instagram: @cobellecreative

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT

TAYLA BRADFORD u o Y y uel Uniq

By Kym Krey

We love to see a young hairdresser putting their best effort into everything they do and when we heard about this young lady and how she turned her career around to now be working towards a management role, we wanted to shine a little spotlight her way.

Through the ‘real’ conversations and heart to heart chats, this employer and staff member found a way through the frustration and challenges to now find themselves in a very positive new situation, where Tayla is now the salon’s high performer and learning new leadership skills with the hope of managing one day. is a It can be tough for employers dealing with young staff who are finding their way and also tough for young employees adapting to the responsibilities of their career, but this one has a happy ending.

Let’s learn more about how this all played out.

Hair Biz Editor, Kym Krey spoke with Kelli Smith and Tayla Bradford of Uniquely You recently.

Kelli, tell us a little about your salon KS. After always saying, “I will never own

my own salon, I’d rather just go to work and get paid”, I wasn’t happy in my job and felt like I was basically running the salon anyway. So, I called the run-down salon that was 2 minutes from my house, asked if they were interested in selling. They said “Yes”, and gave me a price that I quickly declined, but I left my details, just in case. They rang back a month later offering me the business at half the original price and eventually we agreed on an amount that I was happy with. That was 7 years ago, and I found out I was pregnant a week after the contract was signed but it’s how I ventured into business ownership!

More recently though, I have always worked hard to create a workplace where I would want to be employed and I really do try and make my staff feel appreciated, but I do expect them to work for it!

How would you describe Tayla as a team member?

KS. Tayla is the type of person who can light up the room when she walks in. She is fun, 46

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extremely quick-witted and a real people pleaser when it comes to her clients. She does not stop at work and has no problems getting in and doing the crappy jobs! She gets stuck into the cleaning and does it to my standard which is great! What I really appreciate is that even in the situations that most staff would run away from, she always puts her hand up.

It hasn’t always been plain sailing with Tayla. Tell us a little about the situation you’ve been dealing with together over the last few years.

KS. When Tayla started,

she was very quiet and in her own little shell, I guess. She tried her best 3/4 of the time and when she did, I loved everything about it. Her skills were not quite up to scratch, but she was very willing to take on everything I showed her. However…. the other 1/4 of the time was a whole other story!

At the start, she found it very challenging if a client wanted something that she thought was a little hard and would just shut down on them.

Or she would do something I wouldn’t approve of and when I pulled her up on it, it went either of 2 ways. Either she would get her back up and snap at me like a teenage girl would argue with her Mum, or she would go quiet, say, ‘Yep, ok.’,

and would correct the behaviour.

But then something else would come up and we would go through it all again. Tayla would go through periods of calling in sick constantly, and then would be good for a few months, but then back to calling in sick all the time. Looking back, I don’t know why, but I put up with this for a few years. I guess I felt that I had invested so much, and I honestly really loved the “good” Tayla and I could really see the potential there.

Each time we had a big talk about her

behaviour, we went longer and longer between bad periods, so I could see improvement. But then after about 12 months of good behaviour, we had a big setback last year and I just gave her the ultimatum. Enough was enough. She chose to stay knowing that the next time it happened, she would be out. This was the turning point.

We’re happy to say that the Tayla we see today is quite different to the Tayla of a few years ago. Tell us about the transformation.

KS. Tayla is very head-strong like me but has

also been brought up in a lovely family where you work hard for what you want. I reminded her of wanting to buy a house and wanting to travel and that I wanted to help her do that.

Tayla has always been very reward-orientated but not in the usual ways of receiving bonuses.

She likes to be acknowledged for her work and once I figured this out and we started to get improvement, that’s the route I took.

She thrives on being the best and once she had the confidence to do that, she has been unstoppable. She has gone from being this quiet, “I can’t do that” or “another stylist will do that better than I could” to “I can do that, let me try something new!”

She now wants to be the winner each day and is determined to be booked out all the time so she can be the best. With her confidence boost and some additional training, she turned into the retail queen, helping the salon win the Retailer of the Year award for MILKSHAKE this year!

This very long situation with Tayla has also been a huge learning curve for me and I believe has taken me to that next level in leadership.

Tayla, what was going on for you at that time?

TB. I had just finished my apprenticeship

at another salon when I applied for the position at Uniquely You. I had been trying to manage my anxiety naturally for a few years and I had tried talking to a few counsellors, tried breathing

exercises, but nothing worked.

I didn’t want to go on anxiety medication as I had tried them once before and hated them.

I’d felt like a Zombie, but it was my last hope, so I tried a different one. Eventually, I found one that I was OK with taking and I also really worked on my self-talk.

I kept telling myself, “You’ll be OK”; “This is your job. Your profession. All of your clients comes to see YOU!” Eventually, the salon became my safe place, my home and I became very proud and protective of it.

Looking back, how do you feel your actions were affecting your work?

TB. Basically, Kelli had noticed that I

had fully lowered my standards. In my head, I was thinking, “Why should I put in extra effort and go above and beyond when others didn’t?”

Kelli had a talk with me and then I sat and thought about what I wanted in life and how I was going to get it. I needed a job. I had a great boss and couldn’t ever ask for better, so I needed to make it up to her and remind her, and myself, why I was there. It was about working toward my potential and achieving what I wanted in life.

Kelli, what were some of the most challenging aspects for you and how did you deal with these?

KS. Trust- I hated that her reasons for being

sick were always things that couldn’t be seen.

I just thought that this is like every younger person I had worked with, and that they just liked picking and choosing when they came to work. Ironically, I was also one of those who would call up sick when I really wasn’t and Tayla would say the same things that I used to say!

In addition to that, I learned that my mindset had to change instead of everything being so black and white and I learned to step up and call people out on their behaviour. I had never had the confidence to do that before and now I do.

Tayla, the turnaround has been incredible with you now working on your leadership skills to progress into a management role eventually. How exciting is it for you to now be growing in this way?

TB. I am extremely excited for what my future

holds in the salon. I’ve got some great ideas that I have learnt recently that I look forward to putting into action as I step more and more into this role. I feel almost anything is possible!

Are you proud of yourself for what you’ve accomplished?

TB. Of course, I am beyond proud! Never in my

life did I think I would ever be where I am now.

I’ve overcome so much but since being here at Uniquely You, I’ve achieved so much more.

Looking back, it’s incredible to remember that I was once a shy, unmotivated employee!

And what advice would you give other hairdressers who may be struggling with anxiety issues that are impacting their work?

TB. As someone who deals with anxiety, my

advice would be to find something that makes you happy and let it distract your mind. Try talking to someone, even if it is your boss.

I needed to open up to my boss because we both knew I wasn’t that girl she had hired.

Sometimes we forget that others don’t know what it feels like, so we have to try to explain for them to understand.

Kelli, is there anything you would offer other salon owners as advice from your experience?

KS. Don’t feel bad about doing what’s right for your business, BUT if you have a feeling about someone and think they are the right one for your team... work at it and jump on those issues way quicker than I did. www.uniquelyyou.com.au Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

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THE RULEBOOK FOR APPRENTICES AND ASSISTANTS

By Cos Sakkas

Completing a hairdressing apprenticeship can change your life and open up a world of opportunities, but like anything, you get out what you put in, according to Toni&Guy head of education and International Artistic Director, Cos Sakkas.

“Like any job, the more you throw yourself into it, the happier and more content you will be.

No one says being an apprentice is easy but following a few simple rules will mean you gain so much more than doing the bare minimum”.

“Ask questions, practice as much as you can and immerse yourself in meetings, training and shoots and you will have a career that you will love every day. These initial years will lay the foundations for an amazing career with so many opportunities, so give them everything you’ve got. The long days won’t last forever!”

COS’S RULEBOOK FOR APPRENTICES: 1. It’s not reality TV.

Becoming a success takes hard work and dedication. We’re not living in a reality TV world where everything is done for you and fame is instant. You have to prove yourself and spend time learning the craft.

2. Practice, practice, practice.

Nothing worth having, comes easily and the same 48

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applies to your training. If you think you can do something, still do it again and again. It takes years to hone your skills and perfect your craft and repeating a technique over and over is the only way to do it well and consistently under all conditions.

3. Speak up. If you have a question, or want to

learn something, make sure you say so. Your boss isn’t a mind reader and if there’s a skill you want to learn, or need help with something, make sure they know. If you are quiet and look disinterested, you’ll be overlooked in favour of members of the team who are more enthusiastic. This is your career. Take responsibility for your own learning.

4. Stay out of the backroom. Breaks and

lunch aside, don’t hang out in the staffroom.

If you’ve finished with clients, or cleaning and tidying up, stay on the salon floor and watch what the stylists are doing. Notice how they talk to clients, how they section the hair or where they place the pins, and you will learn a lot. And … if you see that someone is busy, offer to help. Guess who they’ll ask when opportunities come up!

5. Dress to impress. They say, ‘dress for the

job you want, not the job you’re in’, so make sure you always look good. That doesn’t mean spending all your money on designer clothes, but it does mean making sure you look clean and smart, your clothes are ironed, and your shoes aren’t scuffed. Do your hair and make-up well every day, as not only will you look credible and professional, but wearing different hairstyles is also a great talking point with clients and will show the rest of the team what you can do.

6. Find a mentor. Find someone you respect

and who will spend time with you as someone else may have done for them. We have all had someone in our careers who advised and guided us, and this can really enhance your progress. Be willing, be coachable and be grateful and make the most of every opportunity you’re given. www.toniandguy.com Instagram: @cossakkas

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Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

Schwarzkopf Professional presents the first 100% customisable, semi-permanent mix and tone colour system with integrated Bonding Technology for intense care.

Responding to the demand for complete customisation, self-expression and lowcommitment hair colour, Schwarzkopf Professional have developed a unique colour system, Chroma ID. For an infinite array of colour options, without damage, Chroma ID offers a complete colour line that expresses the true identity of each and every individual client – from the most natural cool blonde to striking, bold pink!

Chroma ID’s versatile portfolio is formulated to: • Neutralise brassy tones • Refresh or enhance coloured or virgin hair • Create pastel to bold expressive colour statements • Correct colour results For unlimited shade combinations with maximum customisation, Chroma ID’s 100% customisable, semi-permanent mix and tone colour system includes the following products, which last up to 15 washes*: • 14 Bonding Colour Masks; for low commitment colour toning, enhancing and refreshing virgin, coloured or pre-lightened hair • 6 Bonding Colour Masks (Intense); for bold and expressive colour toning, softer pastel toning (using the Clear Bonding Colour Mask) or for customising any Bonding Colour Mask • 6 Bonding Colour Masks (Home Maintenance); to help salon clients maintain their colour vibrancy at home • A Clear Bonding Colour Mask and a Home Maintenance Bonding Colour Mask; for mixing and customising all shades, or for deep conditioning with shine enhancement With integrated Bonding and Low Salt Technology, combined with deeply caring formulas, Chroma ID enables hairdressers to colour their clients’ hair whilst maintaining, and even improving overall hair quality: • Bonding Technology enforces the

structural bonds within the hair shaft for stronger hair with less breakage • Low Salt Technology reduces the pigment penetration barrier, maximising the availability of colour pigments entering the hair • Keratin and Panthenol provides extra care and outer cuticle sealing for improved hair quality Chroma ID’s wide range of colour masks enable hairdressers to offer services that truly meet the needs of every colour client including, neutralisation, pastel services, colour refresh and bold creative colouring. Or at home, salon clients can preserve their flawless hair colour in-between appointments thanks to the matching Bonding Colour Masks. Low commitment Bonding Colour Masks for at home colour refresh and pastel services include: • ICE: for anti-yellow effects on light blonde, silver or white bases • BEIGE: for beige effects on light blonde bases • COPPER: for copper tones and refreshments on medium blonde bases • GRANITE: for anti-orange effects on dark blonde bases and cool tone directions • RUBY: for red tones and refreshments on dark blonde bases • CLEAR: as a base for all pastel colours (to be intermixed with any of the Chroma ID intense Bonding Colour Masks) Chroma ID is based on top performing shades from IGORA ROYAL and IGORA VIBRANCE, so hairdressers can easily select the corresponding Chroma ID shade for any dual, freehand or full head colour service. *depending on the hair base and Chroma ID shade used

www.schwarzkopf-professional.com.au @schwarzkopfproanz #schwarzkopfproanz

HOTTER. FASTER. BETTER.

HAIR SHOP

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1. THE TRESSA By Foil Me

Pre-cut foil company, Foil Me has teamed up with their Canadian brand ambassador, Tressa Yanchuk, to collaborate on a new foil named ‘The Tressa’. Recognisable by the distinct purple (Periwinkle) and white box, and purple foil, “The Tressa” foil design capitalizes on Tressa’s own business logo and a tool vital to all hairdressers – the bobby pin!

The collection includes Original (12.5cm by 27cm), Wide (12.5cm by 27cm) and Extra Wide (20cm by 40cm) pre-cut options. With her reputation as a blonde, balayage and ombre specialist and savvy educator, Tressa’s affinity for colour, beautiful blondes and intricate techniques made her an ideal collaboration partner for Foil Me. www.foilme.com.au

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2. FABULOSO PLATINUM BLONDE By Evo

For any blonde suffering from dull, dry, or brassy hair, rejoice!

Evo’s crowd-favourite Fabuloso Platinum Blonde Colour Boosting Treatment has a new pal… introducing Fabuloso Platinum Blonde Toning Shampoo.

Unlike grandma’s purple shampoo and conditioner, the Evo Fabuloso Platinum Shampoo and Treatment stops brassy hair in its tracks while leaving hair feeling oh-so-lush. With a maxed-out pigment load, the shampoo tones quickly and evenly while the treatment provides an extra toning boost with a healthy dose of nourishment that blondes so desperately need. Used together or alone, the duo offers blondes complete flexibility to achieve the tone they want. www.evohair.com

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3. DETOX HAIR CLEANSING CREAM By Redken

Redken Australia excitedly launches Hair Cleansing Cream; the deep cleansing shampoo that purifies hair leaving it feeling fresh, bouncy and clean. With active chelating agents and fruit acids, the formula removes product build up and mineral deposits while strengthening the cuticle and adding shine. Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo also helps remove pollution particles, daily grit, excess sebum and styling build-up from all hair types. www.redken.com.au

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4. ZERO HEAT AIR DRY STYLING CREMES By Joico

Style your hair in seconds–that’s the beauty of this timesaving, polishing crème that provides long-lasting, air-dried style while keeping frizz at bay.

• Minimizes frizz and enhances hair’s natural texture • Reduces natural drying time • Provides 24-hour humidity control • Retains your natural, air-dry look for up to 24 hours • Boosts shine • Leaves no sticky residue www.joico.com.au

5. INSTANT HAND MOISTURE & SANITIZER By Angel

Containing Pure Silver Ion and Aloe Barbadensus Leaf Extract and Camelia Sinesis Leaf Extract, features the function of deep cleansing while protecting your hands from bacteria and it’s breeding. This special formulation can not only clean hands entirely, but moisturize hands, leaving you a refreshing touching feeling. 400ml www.joiken.com.au

6. BRAZIL CACAU By M&U Imports

Now with a new and improved formula, the best just got better. Brazil Cacau Keratin Smoothing Treatment delivers straighter, smoother, healthier, frizz free hair! www.muimports.com.au

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9. DREAM BLOWOUT By Joico

7. ZUCCHELLI 230 CLASSIC TROLLEY By M&U Imports

Made in Italy, the Zucchelli 230 Classic is a compact, strong and durable professional trolley designed with the busy salon in mind. www.muimports.com.au

8. HYDRASPLASH By Joico

HydraSplash gives fine-to-medium hair the hydration it needs and nourishes strands with a gentle touch. 24-hour hydration. Hair looks replenished, shiny, and healthy after just one use and won’t weigh hair down. Merging some of the most hydrating, vitamin-rich ingredients with technology that provides continuous hydration to fine/medium hair, HydraSplash has a soft touch.... but comes on strong.

Range includes:- HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo, HydraSplash Hydrating Conditioner, HydraSplash Hydrating Gelee Masque and HydraSplash Hydrating Replenishing Leave-In. www.joico.com.au

A thermal protection crème, one-and-done blow- drying solution that saves major time, shields hair from thermal damage, protects against humidity, and fights frizz. Provides heat protection up to 450°F (232°C. Reduces breakage by over 75%. Controls frizz and static www.joico.com.au

The exclusive dHg-grinding technology featured in the Cerena Rose Gold Scissors facilitates smooth and precise cutting and slicing and Titan-Nitride blades offer durability and a long lasting sharp edge. www.muimports.com.au

• For blondes, Rose Blonde, Beige Blonde Colour Refresher Shampoos • For brunettes, Rich Chocolate, Cool Chocolate and Caramel Colour Refresher Shampoos • For redheads, Violet Red, Fire Red Colour Refresher Shampoos • For intense results, Intense Red, Intense Copper, or Intense Violet Colour Refresher Shampoos Colourance is proudly Australian Owned and Made, Cruelty Free and Vegan Friendly. www.naturallook.com.au

11. COLOURANCE COLOUR REFRESHERS By Natural Look

12. BLONDME DETOXIFYING SYSTEM

By Schwarzkopf Professional

10. CERENA ROSE GOLD SCISSORS

By M&U Imports

With 10 colour refreshment shades, Natural Look’s Colourance restores vibrancy, shine and softness to coloured hair. Enriched with Henna, Wheat Amino Acids and Active Botanical Extracts to prevent colour fade, Colourance protects hair from heat styling and moisture loss by nourishing the hair, resulting in increased hair strength and lustrous, silky soft finish.

No matter your unique hue, you’ll find your ideal refresher shade here:

Revives and protects the hair for healthylooking, bright blonde results leveraging the power of Vitamin C. Detoxifying System Purifying Bonding Shampoo A clarifying cleanser that removes outer layer impurities and mineral build-up.

Detoxifying System Bi-Phase Bonding & Protecting Spray–A daily spray to nourish and protect all blonde hair types. www.schwarzkopf-professional.com.au

, g n li y t s ir a h t s e b “Home t o t he d n a ls o o t g in m o o r g ir a personal h ” s t c u d o r p d e t ia c o s s a THE CURL EXPERTS

Ouidad, curl experts since 1984. The Ouidad philosophy knows curly hair inside and out. The Advanced Climate Control range tames every curl’s nightmare: humidity.

Sophisticated ingredients meet decades of curl experience for scientifically-based haircare. Let curls be curls.

GRAFITTI GLAM

Inspire clients, unleash your creativity. From bold expressions to statement-making, soft pastels, Keratin Complex GraffitiGlam offers endlessly unique possibilities when clients want something new to showoff. Keratin-enhanced, ammonia-free, semi-permanent direct dye colour with intense pigmentation.

EXCEPTIONAL HEAT, GLIDE & DURABILITY

Graphite and titanium unite for extraordinary styling performance. Graphite Titanium by BaBylissPRO tools feature frictionless graphite, accelerated heat transfer and incredible heat recovery to create next generation hair straighteners and curling irons. Gentle, ultra-fast, stunningly smooth styling.

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE

Get ready for unbelievable volume, lift and movement.

Design.ME Lift.ME Volumizing Mousse is the unstoppable volumizer with strong, flexible hold and humidity resistance. Never stiff or sticky, always va-vavolume, all day and night. Fullness clients dream of!

PARLUX’S PERFECT BALANCE

Midnight blue masterpiece. Introducing Parlux Alyon Ionizer Tech Hair Dryer in Midnight Blue, Italian-made innovation brimming with technological prowess. 2250 watts of potent power, 18,000 rpm motor, 23 litres of air per second. Perfectly balanced and adorned in midnight blue.

EXPRESS, EASY SALON SMOOTHING

Want it smooth? Want it now? Meet the revolutionary, super-easy, super-fast, progressive salon service which creates ultimate smoothness, minimises curls or eliminates frizz. In just over an hour, Jean Paul Myne Adamantium Keratin Treatment smooths and defrizzes for 8-10 weeks.

ENDLESSLY COLOUR, REFRESH & TONE

Colour while you cleanse. The non-lather cleansing conditioner which instantly infuses strands with rich, semi-permanent colour in every wash. Endlessly colour, refresh and tone with Keracolor Color + Clenditioner. 13 stunning hues.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL DATELINE IMPORTS P/L ON (02) 9666 3611 OR VISIT DATELINECITY.COM

BRUSHES l the same?

l a y e h t e r A

They’re the unsung heroes in ever Stylist’s kit and we all have our favourites, but with so many options on the market, how do you know which are the right ones for you?

We’ve done a roll call of industry favourites to get you on the right track.

LORNA EVANS The Timesaver Brush

This genius of a tool is designed to cut your blowdrying time by at least a third- some Stylists even say it has reduced by half! We all know that long-term repetitive blowdrying can be an issue for hard-working Stylist’s shoulders, so this time saving plus the lightweight design (it’s about half the weight of an iPhone 8!) has got to be a good thing.

A lightweight wooden brush, the Timesaver has a huge 160mm barrel made from boar bristle and high-grade nylon. The 160mm barrel allows you to take huge sections whilst the boar bristle gives you lots of control. The high-grade nylon give you shine and the pointed handle is ideal for taking large sections.

At $85RRP, the Timesaver will become one of the most valued tools in your kit. www.lornaevanseducation.com.au

natural and nylon bristles provide the ultimate grip for a smoother, shinier blow-out and high heat resistance. The range is available in sizes: 25mm, 30mm, 40mm.

suited to fine hair as its natural, soft, rubber cushion offers improved detangling and gentler styling. Made from the wood in well-managed forests, Pete is also resistant to high-heat and his ball-tipped ionic pins reduce frizz and improve manageability. RRP $45

CRYSTAL SHINE PADDLE BRUSH

FOR LONG, THICK, COARSE HAIR: Hank 43 Ceramic Radial Brush has a ceramic-coated barrel that absorbs heat uniformly to speed up drying time and styling, making it particularly suited to long, thick and coarse hair types. RRP $40

VEGAN FRIENDLY BRUSH

FOR THICK, WAVY OR CURLY HAIR: With natural boar bristles that distribute oils to help reduce frizz, those with thick, wavy, curly or frizzy hair can rely on Spike 38 Nylon Pin Bristle Radial Brush to improve manageability. RRP $60

The ultimate in brush luxury, the EVY Crystal Shine Paddle Brush features ion- generating luminous crystals for extra luxury and shine, along with a convenient finger/hand grip for your comfort. The large, deluxe, soft air-cushioned base gives gentle control on sensitive scalps and easy detangling of longer hair including extensions. Crystal shine features smooth, flexible bristles that are kind to your hair, reducing breakage.

EVY PROFESSIONAL QuadTEC Range

Handmade in Korea, the QuadTEC brushes feature a unique combination of carbon, ceramic, twisted bristle and a concave barrel, creating the ultimate brush for both professional and home use.All QuadTEC brushes are negative ion and carbon coated for extra anti-bacterial actions and the concave-shaped, vented barrel retains heat for faster drying and allows better tension for extra volume or smoothing. More grip = less slip. The mineral infused* bristles emit ionic energy for smoother, shinier brushing, eliminating static and flyaway hair and are available in 4 popular sizes.

Inspired by, and manufactured to mimic natural bristle, the Evy Professional Vegan-Friendly Brush delivers smooth, static-free hair every time.

Meticulously crafted, the rubber cushion pad is designed to gently massage the scalp and ensures it’s suitable for fine to medium hair types, including hair extensions. Incredibly, the bristles look and behave like a boar/natural bristle brush but they’re completely vegan- an amazing feat! www.evyprofessional.com

EVO

SCHIMA Brushes

Utilising hand-crafted Schima Timber cultivated from sustainably managed forests, the SCHIMA Brush range features mixed bristles to easily create the perfect tension and shine. Both handle and barrel withstand extreme temperatures, and

FOR FINE HAIR: Although recommended for all hair types, Pete Iconic Paddle Brush is particularly

FOR FRIZZY HAIR: He may look like your ordinary paddle brush, but Conrad Bristle Paddle Brush is your go-to for polishing and smoothing all hair types. His natural boar bristles have the ability to minimise any unwanted frizz and flyaways and he really knows how to shine! Use Conrad when brushing out iron work for a soft, textured look and make sure to use him when your hair is bone dry! RRP $37 FOR WET HAIR: He may be little, but boy does he have big teeth! Roy performs best when hair is wet and will be your little detangling friend!

He can get himself out of any messy situation with his wide teeth to reduce static hairs and erase any unwanted knots. Roy is your go-to detangler before applying any product throughout your hair. RRP $18 www.evohair.com

JULIE PIANTADOSI

BLOG SPOT.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MINDSET. I think it’s safe for me to say that a few months ago, none of us even knew what a coronavirus was. I think it would also be safe for me to say it’s probably been one of the most challenging times in your business right now.

With so much uncertainty, now is the right time to make sure that your mindset is clear of fear and negative thoughts. Everywhere around us, all we see and hear is the coronavirus, and this is exactly how it is for our teams as well. They are also surrounded by fear.

The one word that keeps coming up again and again from salon owners all over our country is overwhelming. All of us have been feeling overwhelmed. Every day we feel scared for our future. Many salon owners have been using downtime to work on their business plans, marketing, policies and procedures and teambuilding. Others have used the down time to absolutely stop and reflect.

Many of us have become very clear in our vision.

And the reality is, that no person we know has actually lived through a coronavirus pandemic. Hence, there is absolutely no right or wrong way to get through this right now. If you’ve managed to survive one day at a time, then you’ve done an amazing job.

As salon owners, and also as parents as many of us also have families we take care of at home, we usually always put ourselves last. This is the time to put your needs first. If there has ever been a time that you need to be very clear about what makes you happy, then this is that time right now.

Sometimes, a simple walk around the block can be enough to keep our head clear. A clear head and a positive mindset are absolutely essential right now, even though some days this will be easy and on other days this will be extremely difficult. We need to stop focusing on all the things we can’t do and focus on the things that we can do and look for those solutions to help us and our team move forward.

And communicate. Communicating openly and regularly is so important right now. Work towards having clear communication between yourself 60

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and your team so that we can eliminate the fear together.

And talk about how we’re feeling and how we are going to move forward in the months ahead. Taking a closer look at your customer service experience is also essential right now. Making sure we are really stepping up together as a team to make our clients look and feel amazing is an essential commitment to the clients who are supporting us. Sometimes I think the government kept us open because the hair industry really does change people’s lives and never has that been needed more than now. If you’ve been blessed to experience this, then you will know how important you are and that will give you the hope to get back out there and do what you do best. Make your clients look and feel amazing.

Remember that what you’re feeling, your clients are feeling, and your staff are feeling. We are all feeling overwhelmed, stressed, happy, and sad at the same time. Think back to one of the toughest times in your personal or business life and remember how you felt, thinking that nothing would get you through and that everything was going to fall apart. But it didn’t. You put it back together. And this is what we need to do now.

Remind yourself who you are, how strong you are, how resilient you are, and that nothing is going to stop you from getting to the other side. You will climb this huge mountain and get back to some sort of normality, so please keep faith. Remember, faith is believing in something that we cannot see and right now we all need faith. Faith will stop us feeling fear. And please give yourself a pat on the back for getting this far.

Together as an industry we can get through this one day at a time and it’s okay if some days you do that better than others.

Much love to you all!

Julie Piantadosi Total salon solutions

BLOG SPOT.

I’D RATHER SWIM IN POSITIVITY THAN DROWN IN NEGATIVITY. About six weeks ago, our world got into a crazy situation that none of us ever expected. The Coronavirus shut down our world. Our dreams. Our livelihood.

But we could choose to deal with it in few different ways.

Let me go back to the beginning. About 12 years ago, I decided to start entering the awards and raising my profile in the industry, and I remember a lovely lady named Stephanie Kucharski from Paul Mitchell at the time asked me, ‘why do you want to do it?’ I said, ‘because I believe that when my name is big enough, people will listen to me more and I can give back’. I was always about charities and helping people, which is something that I learned from my late mother.

But what happens to us as humans during this process, is that you can kind of lose your way. I began winning awards and I became a little bit more high profile in the industry, doing what I need to do in terms of shows and education and representing brands and becoming Creative Director etc.

And you can kind of lose your way and forget why you really started it and you can let your ego take over. What I think the Coronavirus did for me, is that it’s grounded me. It took me back to why I started the whole competition and awards focus and raising my profile and that’s not for my own ego, it was always so that I could help others.

So, with that in mind, I spoke to my dear friend and colleague from Matrix, Adam Ciaccia, and we decided to create the group Aftermath Hair Education for our hairdressing community.

Well, we were overwhelmed! I think in the first week we had around 5,000 people join and to date, about three weeks later as I write this, we’ve got 11,500 members.

We’re still growing every day.

We’ve been doing 1-2 live sessions a day, every day since we opened and we’ve been bringing in educators from Australia and New Zealand, the UK, the US, Estonia, Europe. We’re bring in educators from all over the world, some big, established artists, and some smaller, emerging artists or even beginners. We’ve welcomed people with a great deal of experience and what is amazing is that it’s ‘faceless’.

It’s not held by any brands, it’s just from hairdressers to hairdressers and it is all purely to give back to industry while in lock down, to keep them motivated, united and excited and wanting to be a part of this community. It’s not about what we’re getting, it’s about what we’re giving.

KOBI BOKSHISH

And so, this is our time to give back to our industry. So yes, the Coronavirus has brought many negative things in a lot of eyes, but we decided to take the negativity and drown it and instead, swim into the positivity and take something that is very weak and develop it into something very strong.

The responses we’re getting from people have been overwhelming and the education that our industry is experiencing there is A Class.

So many hairdressers learning so much and I can’t wait to see what will happen to our industry when we come back. People will be more educated; people will be more motivated; people be more united because we are one.

This industry gave me everything I have. It gave

me a house, it gave me a car, it gave me my salary, it gave me everything I ever dreamed of and now it’s time to give back. So I’m calling to all the hairdressers out there that didn’t have the opportunity to give back in their time.

I know you’ve got it in you and I’m calling you. I’m calling to the companies. I’m calling to everyone. Let’s get united and give back because this Coronavirus, does not have to be purely a negative thing that has happened to us.

It’s a reset button for all of us to start something new and fresh because our industry will never die.

So, as said, I’d rather swim in positivity than drown in negativity, and that’s what we’ve done.

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BLOG SPOT.

DARIO COTRONEO

JUDGEMENT! Firstly, this is not the blog I had in mind for this issue (it can wait till next issue), because everything prior to mid-March was completely different for all of us.

COVID 19 has turned the world upside down and then put us in a spin. It’s hard to plan or know what to do and what not to do, within our personal lives, our businesses and careers. We are all doing the best we know how.

I find it humbling to see so many in the industry sharing their stories of their hardship, circumstances and plans to get through this situation we find ourselves in. Reaching out to others, extending compassion and kindness, and shouting to the world, “We can get through this and we will be stronger!”, it’s amazing.

However, unfortunately I have also noticed some who feel the need to voice their opinions to others in a bullish way or send hateful messages, simply because they feel “their way is the right way”.

Come on Guys! We are all under a lot of pressure and therefore we should not be in JUDGMENT. This does not mean that you can’t have a different opinion, but when you push your opinion on to others when it has not been asked for, then you are being a BULLY. Don’t get me wrong, we all judge. I judge and I hate it, but I do know the happier I am in myself, the less likely it is that I will do it. It’s a HABIT (more to come on this word next issue!) that I am working on all the time,

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especially as an educator, as I’m constantly putting myself into my student’s situation, which helps me to be more empathetic, nurturing and compassionate.

Some of the reasons we judge others are: • We are insecure. This is the main reason we judge.

• We are scared. Often, when we’re scared or intimated by other people, we’ll put them down.

• We are lonely. When you are lonely, you might use judgments to bond with other people, but these bonds are based on negativity. The bonds you have based on judging others are superficial and are not likely to contain true substance.

• We are seeking change. When we want our own lives to be different, we are quick to judge the lives of others.

Now here’s a few ways to stop judging: • Monitor your thoughts.

• Look for the positive.

• Avoid stereotyping.

• Stop judging yourself!

• Focus on your own life.

• Remember how it feels to be judged.

In our current economic climate, more than ever, we need each other. We all know there is a lot of mental instability and financial hardship going on. Surely, turning our differences into a positive is what is required from all of us right now.

If you don’t agree with someone, before responding, say this to yourself; “Why has this person chosen this path and what are they currently going through to have chosen it?” Putting yourself in someone else’s “shoes” can sometimes help you understand another point of view. It lessens the judgemental aspect and can sometimes make you aware of how you can actually help.

So, hairdressers, owners, managers, when you see or hear a fellow industry mate choosing a way to navigate through this “shit storm” that makes you think “What The?”, don’t judge them but reach out and say “Do you need a hand”?, “What can I do for you”? or “Do you want to chat”?

Take Care & Be Real Dario xx

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EDUCATORS COLLABORATING TOGETHER

By Kylie Dwyer

The Problem: Salon owners are not signing on apprentices. The biggest obstacle and one of the main reasons for this is the complexity of managing an apprentice’s education from start to completion.

Owners are faced with a huge financial outlay that regularly produces qualified, but underskilled and unemployable stylists. In some cases, the owner is qualified to train the apprentice themselves, but unfortunately available time is the enemy.

To develop a truly skilled stylist, salon owners, managers and education providers are required to balance all of the educational requirements, formal training, external training and insalon training. To achieve this, there needs to be a strong relationship between all parties including the apprentice.

I’m often asked: “If an apprentice attends a hands-on workshop with me and follows the training plan I provide, will they still need to go to TAFE or college?” The answer is a very big YES! Apprentices need a 3-way partnership between formal training, hands-on workshop education (external training) and in-salon training.

As a salon owner for 21 years, I personally oversaw the training of more than 60 apprentices, from start to completion, and I undoubtedly needed the 3 way partnership to get my apprentices on the floor with a high quality skill set, and confidently building their own clientele in the shortest possible time frame.

Whose responsibility is it?

It is my strong belief from my own experience, that education must to be a collaboration of 3 parties: 1. Formal accredited Cert III training from a regulated RTO 2. Private Education- off the job workshops that are non-accredited, but contain skills that are not necessarily in Cert III and are a necessary requirement in a modern salon.

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3. Salon Owners implementing the training outcomes and allowing insalon time to practice, with close monitoring so they can progress and become a competent emerging stylist.

4. The Apprentice- Let’s not forget that we need to have recruited an enthusiastic, motivated apprentice that fits our salon culture, so that they engage productively with the 3 parties involved in planning their career and future in the hairdressing industry.

FORMAL TRAINING

It is critical to do your research and find the RTO that will provide the learning platform and plan that best suits your salon growth. Formal training is structured learning and a mandatory requirement when employing an apprentice.

Cert III is a compulsory requirement that is now completed in 2 years or less, and is designed to deliver the minimum requirement needed to become a hairdresser. It is unreasonable for any salon owner to think that an apprentice can learn everything they need to know to be a competent hairdresser in that time, if they only receive a basic level of skills and knowledge.

In the short time frame available, RTOs do the best they can in delivering the massive amount of information they are required to, often in composite classes. I constantly remind salon owners that Cert III is the minimum requirement, but to develop excellence it requires more in-depth education and attention to detail.

Many of the required skills that are on the typical salon price list are not included in the national training package, and rightly so, I believe. It would require at least another year of college to teach the skills required and to

reach a competent level. Because these skills are generally fashion-related, the skill set and techniques used change rapidly.

For this exact reason, some external education providers offer this type of skills extension after Cert III, assisting the apprentice to upskill and to eventually take on clients confidently.

The investment required in this training is easily self-funded as the apprentice becomes a productive team member and develops the additional fashion skills demanded by their clients.

EXTERNAL TRAINING

In conjunction with the Cert III formal training, it is vital to find the right external education company that can deliver workshops and education that suits your salon culture and learning time frame. These providers will be the companies you use to train your team in specialist skills for cutting, colouring, styling & etc.

Even though in some cases the owner is skilled enough to train the apprentice themselves, time is often not available, so the apprentice’s education delivery becomes disjointed with little progressive planning. Thorough lesson plans and excellent delivery skills are not the norm. A good technician is not necessarily a good professional educator.

Many external training providers offer handson training and they will provide the apprentice with resources to help with practice back in the

salon, such as a training manual or training plan of what was taught in the workshop.

I often explain to my students that learning to cut and colour hair is like a pilot learning to fly a plane; if the hours of practice are achieved, the confidence will be there when you are required to fly.

IN-SALON TRAINING Training plans

I would recommend a flow chart be designed so that everyone is on the same page, and ensure that your training plan has a logical progression of skill accumulation. It is imperative to have a standard set of required skills so that all parties know the expectation and can all work together for to achieve the required outcomes.

After meeting with your RTO and designing a training plan for your apprentice, that training plan can be blended with any additional plans from external courses that have been attended.

Where new learning outcomes have been added and there are further skills gaps, more handson practice will be required, so you can schedule practice time and recruit ‘live’ models for each required session.

You can easily begin your training planning with a quarterly action plan which includes goals to be achieved within that quarter. Consider skills

that may be seasonally affected or influenced by major hair or fashion events in the calendar year. Make the plan, schedule the training sessions and arrange models, then deliver the sessions and assess the end results.

Also consider the available time and training budgets for all participants, so all parties are aware of and happy with their buy in and commitment. Most importantly, the training program, both internal and external needs to be managed, monitored and reviewed by the person responsible for achieving the outcomes such as the Salon Trainer and Manager.

The Apprentice

The enthusiasm of an apprentice can vary however in my 17yrs as an educator, I have found that the correct recruitment process is the most important part. If the apprentice is a match for the culture and there are firm and clear expectations from the beginning, there is rarely an issue with the apprentice.

Apprentices need a mentor who can walk the talk, and reinforce the culture of the salon.

Salons vary in size, image, and target market and a good external educator will recognise these requirements and produce follow up action plans that will provide the salon with an industry-ready apprentice.

Ensure that you have regular meetings scheduled to discuss how the training is progressing, review what is working and identify what needs more attention to reach the goal. The most important outcome for every apprentice is building confidence.

With confidence comes self-belief and with self-belief comes a productive hairdresser.

Summary

• Recruit the right person to suit your salon culture & values • Review the apprentice training plan with your RTO • Book your apprentice into hands-on cutting & colouring courses with external providers • Design an in-salon training plan • Communicate with the apprentice and review training progression regularly.

• Don’t forget to reward and celebrate as goals are achieved along the way!

Kylie Dwyer is the Founder of Elite Hair Education, Developer of Scissor Licence Cutting & Floor Ready Foiling Programs.

For more information you can contact Kylie through www.elitehaireducation.com, or @elitehaireducation Facebook & Instagram.

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 2

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SO MY BRAND ISN’T MY LOGO?

WHAT IS A BRAND EXACTLY?

By Sarah Garner

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Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 3

What do you think of when you hear the word, ‘brand’? For each of us, this word brings up a different meaning but let me make this very clear: your brand includes but is not solely; your logo, your colours, your slogan, your mission statement, or your business card. #truthbomb: If your customer experience doesn’t match the way your business describes itself to the world, then your brand is in hot water - no matter how ‘pretty’ your logo is.

The starting point to any great brand is to work on the relationship with your customers by putting them first.

Imagine walking past your favourite retail store and doing a spot of window shopping. The displays are beautiful, the new season’s range is out and it’s just such an amazing label that you fully support.

The challenge for business owners is to see their brand ‘through their own windows’ or from their customer’s experience of their brand.

Sure, you might be thinking, ‘Well, what possible control do I have over my brand’s reputation if it ultimately relies on the customer’s opinion of their experience?’

You gain control back over your brand the moment you choose to put yourself in your customer’s shoes and truly look into your own business’ window. Changing your mindset in order to win and keep these customers requires understanding that your brand isn’t driven by what’s solely in your customer’s heads; it’s also driven by what’s in their hearts too.

Once you decide to work on the relationship with your customers and put them first, you can then begin creating the tools that support your brand’s impact, from colours to fonts to websites and so on.

1. YOUR AUDIENCE

We are in business because there’s a problem that we can solve for our audience. Our customers have needs and problems to solve and you’re here to solve them, but the trouble is, do you know who those customers are and understand their exactly problems in order to solve them?

Your brand needs to identify your target audience based on your niche. If you specialise in an anti-ageing skincare range, it’s safe to say your target demographic aren’t 18-25 years olds!

Once your customer profile has been clearly identified, you can then confidently address those struggles with your amazing products and services (by the way, your social content becomes damn clear and easier to create regular, quality content by knowing this too).

2. EXPERIENCE

How your customers feel and are treated when they come into contact with your brand is extremely important. What your brand puts out there on social media, print media and your website must reflect how your customer experiences your business at all touch points.

If there is a mis-match with how you ‘perceive’ your business compared to what it truly is, your customers are likely to come away disappointed and tell every living soul about it.

For example, if you pinch pictures off Pinterest portraying a high-end, beautiful, luxurious looking spa and post to your business’ Instagram, then a new client walks in with high expectations. Except they see that your spa hasn’t had a fresh coat of paint in 10 years. Not only have you lost a sale and probably a loyal client, but you’ve also lost brand trust, authenticity and credibility (which means you won’t be in business for long).

Make sure that the promise matches the reality- that how you are portraying your brand in the media world, matches in real life too.

3. PERSONALITY

4. STORY

People relate to and remember stories, so bring everything together and share it with your audience, including your values, personality, history etc. It’s not just your personal story of how you started your business, but also the one of where your brand is headed and how it has a positive impact on your customer’s lives now and well into the future.

A brand story thinks beyond tangible products and services, think about how you can continue to build your story so that people want to care and in turn this creates raving fans and brand advocates.

This is a game-changer in making your brand stand out in any market (not just the crowded ones). Having a strong brand story helps to convey purpose, activate emotion and drives continued customer loyalty.

5. IMAGE

Branding is not a brand; it is the visual elements that represent the four points above. The image that comes to mind when someone thinks about your brand and the emotions associated with those visuals are based on the interactions and experiences someone has with your brand.

Your business isn’t actually about you, it’s about your audience. The key thing to remember when building relationships is that you’re building them with another person. We interact with humans because we want to feel a human connection, and your brand is no different.

Why is this important? It influences past, present and future customers and instantly recognisable brands not only have great, professionally designed imagery, but the recognisable imagery becomes recognisable from the customer’s overall emotional experience.

Your brand’s personality is a set of human characteristics and values that are associated with your business’ name. Why would we do this? To evoke an emotional connection within our customer’s minds and create brand loyalty

It takes tender love and care, time and consistency to build a strong brand and whilst that seems like a daunting task, it is so worth it. It’s never too late to start, even if you’ve been in business for over decade, there is no better time than today.

Think about your ideal customer and their personality - what is it like? What types of personalities are they drawn to?

Adopting these characteristics for your own business could ensure that people will relate to your brand far better through connection and authenticity. Show the world the humans behind your brand, the personality, meaningful conversations, celebrate the wins, listen and respond to every single enquiry, DM, comment, tag everything.

Sarah Garner is the Founder and Creative Director at Digital Bloom, an industryspecific branding boutique dedicated to making your hair, beauty or wellness brand turn heads for all the right reasons.

Contact Sarah at hello@digitalbloom. com.au or on 0425 795 636.

Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 2

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REMEMBER WHY LIFE IS GREAT!

By Caitlyn Menzel

Let’s avoid the doom and gloom and stick to all the good things in life and business, yeah?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m scattered AF right now like so many of you; my barbershop was closed for a month and all of my coaching clients are riding the waves with me.

All my days blend into one, but as a planet, we manifested this. We needed it. In so many ways this disaster was a big fat favour to all of us.

Ooooh, controversial opinion, I know!

Whether you agree with me or not, let me raise the points of goodness and flip the switch on the negative crap being forced into our minds…

ONE. This is a test of endurance which will separate the ‘men from the boys!’

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jail free’ card and close their businesses with minimum liability. If you already wanted out – the time is now.

the end is determined by how you invest your time and effort and how you utilise your tools and skills right now.

As for all of those businesses that were cheapening our industry; ‘backyard operators’ avoiding tax and their obligations, not council registered, and those who’ve not been running a good business, they likely won’t survive this!

And of those three options, the key thing to note is – YOU choose your outcome.

You and only you. You can’t control anything that’s happening globally, but you can control how you react and handle the situation at hand.

Is that bad? Absolutely not. Our industry needed a really good cleanse, and that’s exactly what we are experiencing.

TWO. We’ve gotten our time back!

If you’ve been following me on socials, you would’ve heard me say that – a lot.

This challenge is here for a reason and only the fittest will survive.

I think a good portion of salons at the ‘top’ will bounce back no worries, or if they’re killing it right now, they will keep thriving.

If this is you – you go, Glenn Coco! And you deserve a pat on the back.

I believe in my heart of hearts that a good percentage of salons and small businesses will use this opportunity as a ‘get out of

And the rest? It’s a bumpy road now with a tough road ahead, and your success at

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Okay, okay – not the ideal way to be forced into down time, but again, how good is it to actually get shit done?! · We are finally making a dint in the never-ending whiteboard of ‘shit to do’ · We’re catching up on our education, coaching, reading, spring cleaning and other annoying things we’ve been avoiding · We have time for our health and fitness, and cooking!

So how are you actually spending your time? Is it moving you closer towards your end game?

THREE. Hygieeeeeeene This point is an absolute no brainer and probs doesn’t need much of an explanation…

Those few filthy people that don’t wash their hands after using the toilet have never been so frowned upon, people finally respect your personal space in a queue, and B.O. is basically non-existent because everyone is showering four times a day in all their stand down time.

Social distancing means we don’t have entire families turn up for one person’s hair appointment (YAY – no crazy girlfriends and wild kids lurking around you!). Everyone pays by card and now we don’t have to go to the bank, there’s so much free parking available and barely any lines.

Doors are open and we have FRESH AIR, and I reckon we can say goodbye to sick days if we keep this up too.

FOUR. We are forced to audit and review everything.

If you haven’t done this recently, get on it! Managing your costs and cashflow has truly never been more important. We lock out time for this every January and July, but if you don’t do this, the time is now.

Are you paying too much for your phones?

Electricity? Pay TV? Everyone is fighting for your business, call up and negotiate, and don’t be afraid to jump ship.

Do you have home hair care products you don’t sell? Colour you don’t use? Boxes of testers that you’ve never opened? GET RID OF THEM! Cleaaannnse gf. Suppliers will sometimes buy back excess stock at a % less than what you spent on it, or swap it out, or you could have a sale and clear the stock.

Do you have services that you don’t sell a lot of, that take up time, money, products, that maybe only one or two people buy?

Do you have a service you hate? Why don’t you delete it from your service menu and streamline the services you offer? Nothing more overwhelming than going to a restaurant that has nineteen different cuisines, so don’t be that guy; simplify and stay in your lane. Be the best at the things you’re good at!

The last point in this section is to review your staff with a fine-toothed comb.

Assess every aspect of them; their skill, sales, their productivity and performance, their value, their specialties, good and bad habits and areas for improvement. Spend some time with each of your employees and learn what they really want, what drives them, what their needs and visions and goals are, and most importantly get their honest input and feedback. Because while you have had time to reflect, so have they.

FIVE. Reflection has reminded us what’s truly valuable in our lives.

Those people and furry four-footers you live with? Yeah, them! I get that some of us are battling through home schooling and being cooped up with our loved ones, but it’s been a beautiful thing to have time with the fam, yeah?

Personally - I have loved starting a free group for salon owner’s during this crisis, to help and guide them, give strategies and keep them forward-focused, because I love giving back, that’s why I love my job.

And in my home life (it’s not like we can leave the home right now, can we?) I’ve gone right back to the things I loved in my childhood – picked up my guitar again, danced, sang (not well, but still) played board games and cards, and I’ve been staying awayyy from social media as much as possible and I have actually turned off the TV. We have so, so much in our lives to be grateful for, we need to put our energy into the positives and the things we love, rather than dwell on the shit that we cannot control. We have so many opportunities that have arisen from this pandemic and that’s where we need to invest. Remember why your life is great and celebrate every minute of that!

Big love, C x

And that’s the perfect segue into my last point Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 2

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SOCIAL STRATEGIES It’s time to get excited, because I am going to be sharing some tips on how to get those clients back into your business with simple strategies around Instagram Marketing and how Hashtags can work for you!

Hashtags are an unknown world to some, and more often than not, very confusing. I often see salons use hashtags in way that is not optimising them for the real discovery they’re meant for.

Think of this: you go onto Google and you search for what you need, and results come up of all the businesses you can choose from.

This could be something as simple as: - Best Hairdresser Melbourne - Best Eyebrow Wax Perth - Blonde Specialist Sydney And you would find results based on what they have used in the SEO search on their website.

This is much the same for Instagram Marketing when it comes to using Hashtags. Think of Hashtags as the keywords for your SEO search.

To get this right, think of things that your potential customers are searching for when it comes to finding a business like yours online.

Hashtags don’t have to be overly complicated, however choosing the right ones can be a little tricky.

But more isn’t always better either! You might search a hashtag and think that the more some has hash tagged that phrase, the better because 70

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it’s SO popular! It is actually quite the opposite.

Whilst trending hashtags can be great when it comes to relevant events, hashtags with high traffic can lessen your discovery because there is just so much content for people to search through and the incredible content and videos will often stand out so much more.

Hashtags with a lower amount of posts in them are often the ones you should be choosing or if you a hashtag doesn’t exist, you can create it – so you can be the business starting to show up online.

In my classes, I’ve had hair and beauty professionals they tell me that “my location hashtag doesn’t come up” “or that word isn’t there when I use it for a hashtag”. That just means that no one else on Instagram has ever used it, which is a major win for you, because you’re the only person showing up there. That means less competition for you and hopefully more clients in the door of your business in time to come.

So, hashtags are not as scary as first thought!

Hashtags are an incredible source of discovery on Instagram and using hashtags relevant to your posts can see more business coming through your salon door.

Don’t make the mistake of using the same

hashtag groups continually and always create groups of hashtags that are relevant to your post.

Example: Let’s say that you use #creamyblonde as your hashtag but your content is actually a caramel balayage or even a platinum blonde. It just doesn’t match up.

Consider also using hashtags that aren’t specific to the hair or beauty industry. Think about the hashtags that your ideal clients might be using in their Instagram searches. You could then include the hashtags where your dream clients are showing up, such as your location, mums, bloggers, business women, girl bosses or even to do with lifestyle.

Some of the hashtags I often use include #businesschicks #9tothrive #laptoplifestyle #mumsinbusiness #smallbusinessmelbourne #smallbiz #instagramforhairstylists #haireducation #womeninbiz and things like that to mix it up. I love attracting like-minded business people who I can network with as well and have found much success in doing that.

I also love to use community-based hashtags to build a sense of connection with other people in my niche.

Examples of these might be

AND HASHTAGS #hairdressersofinstagram #hairdressersofinsta #barbersofinstagram #haircommunity You’re allowed up to 30 hashtags per Instagram post and if using just 1 can increase your reach by 12.6 by, imagine the benefit of using 30. Your chances of being discovered are so much higher.

From my own experience with a recent post that I did, 51% of people who saw my post weren’t actually following me, because it was shared to 9,174 new people just in hashtags!

The total number of impressions for that post (‘impressions’ is the potential amount of people who could and did see it) was 18,809 people!

That’s more than the number of people that Rod Laver Arena holds where the Australian Open is held!

To get you started, here are some ideas on how to pick which hashtags to use: - 10 hashtags with your location - 10 hashtags to do with what’s in your post #blondebalayage or #dimensionalblonde - 10 hashtags where your ideal customer and their lifestyle would be showing up By researching tags in the search bar, you’ll be able to discover new hashtag ideas so the name of the game is to really think like a client who might be buying from you when it comes to this.

So where should you put your hashtags?

Another question I’m often asked is: “Do I put my hashtags in the caption or in the first post?” and the answer is this. You want to

By Nicole Healy

be discovered as instantly as possible and Instagram is based on timing, so the longer you wait to post your hashtags, even if it is just a few seconds, the more you’re missing out on people finding you – especially if you’re using hashtags with high traffic.

So my recommendation is to include hashtags in your caption, unless you’re using a scheduling program which allows you to post your hashtags in the first comment instantly after your post has gone live.

Hashtags also allow you to get more followers, improve your engagement rates and help to build a sense of community on your account.

Like-minded people are more likely to engage with your content on Instagram. I know for sure that hairdressers are the ones who engage most often with my content, because I built a sense of community when I first started my page 5 years ago and I knew who I was targeting when I started my page.

As a hair or beauty business, your ideal follower might be a little different as you would probably be targeting consumers as potential clients, so you must create content that is consumerfriendly and targeted to what they would buy from you by browsing your Instagram account.

Filming video tutorials which would be valuable for your clients and potential clients to use as a reference at home is a great way to use your downtime.

This could include: • How to use products they have purchased from you • How to style their hair in various ways • How to cover their roots with a coloured dry shampoo or powder between appointments • Talking about your business and things you do to help grow your business, because I’m sure some of your clients are business owners also.

• Sharing educational tips for other hair stylists to learn new things too The content you serve to your audience must entice them enough to want to buy from you.

Creating quality content is key to building trust with your new and potential customers.

Instagram will also favour content such as IGTV to give you more organic reach as it’s a feature they want more and more of their users playing with and creating content with and to be honest, I LOVE creating content using this feature.

Nicole Healy aka Melbourne Hair Blogger has been training hair & beauty professionals in how to use Instagram to grow their business and the results they see are truly incredible in attracting clients into their salons!

Nicole has recently launched her Social Salon School Membership for hair and beauty professionals, with weekly social media classes!

For more info visit www.melbournehairblogger. com.au/plans Hair Biz Year 14 Issue 2

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CAUSE VS SYMPTOM THE ‘WHY’ FACTOR

By Phillip Fernandez

The most frequently used word in a growing child`s vocabulary is the word `WHY`. You see their insatiable curiosity is always searching for answers and solutions which in turn develops their knowledge, thinking, feelings and eventually their actions.

It is also interesting , because as that child grows up to be more knowledgeable and wise, they tend to unconsciously lose the ‘WHY” as they get caught up in the whirlpool of time, pressure, deadlines, business and personal demands and ‘you should know better and so just get on with the job’.

The job comes with goals, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), accountability and responsibility.

This can then lead to a whole myriad of thoughts, feelings and emotions that come with the fear of the unknown. As you know, fear can really test your inner resilience, belief and above all, taking action to move forward.

Fear is one of the most powerful forces in life.

It affects the decisions you make, the actions you take which in turn affects the outcomes you achieve. This then becomes your unconscious blockage which, if not addressed early in life, can lead to creating ‘stories’ that justify these fears and so it becomes a reality in which you live your life.

Fear of failure is the emotional, cognitive and behavioural reaction to the negative consequences you anticipate for failing to achieve a goal. It is an intense worry and negative thinking that leads to mental and even physical trauma.

Failure can be seen as: 1) Embarrassment It is embarrassing to fail. What will people think about me? I won`t look that smart. They might think I am not trying hard enough.

2) I don`t have what it takes Some people lack confidence. This affects their self-worth and self-belief. Successful people are usually associated with confidence, selfworth and self-belief and so it could play out as ‘I don`t have what it takes to be successful’.

3) I am stuck in a rut.

This is all I know how to do and I am comfortable with the knowledge needed to execute my job role. This creates a fear of insecurity.

4) Being irrelevant I could be irrelevant if I don`t perform, or what if my clients don`t like me or if I cannot get on with them or if I find it difficult to communicate.

5) What others might say or think The opinions of others become so important to your performance that it becomes imperative that others are always happy, and you don`t want to offend anyone.

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6) Feeling Pushy This is very prevalent in selling, when one has to sell either a product or a treatment package.

The fear that the clients think you just want to sell them a product or service because you have a target to meet.

7) Communication At times, starting a conversation can be difficult because of the generation gap, the perception that the client is direct and not that talkative, that they do not connect with you as a person, or only want what they came in for, has already bought retail from you the last time, you don`t feel like talking yourself that day, that the client thinks I am too junior to know everything and many other reasons why it is so difficult to communicate.

the rest struggle with these issues? To get staff to take ownership, we need to understand WHY they are struggling to perform or to feel confident in their abilities. Our conversation is getting them to take ownership of their fears, understand they have been fabricated and take ownership of that.

I have to tell you that all the above reasons that come under the umbrella of fear of failure are all just `STORIES` that we have unconsciously created in our lives. We have done it so well that they have become reality and we then begin to live by them.

The YOU FACTOR is about only thinking about the other person`s needs, what will be right for their skin and your duty of care when they leave the salon. That you want the best for your client and that they receive the ultimate in customer care and have been well informed about all options available to them so that can make an informed decision.

When I ask a therapist for example, “Did the client actually tell you that you were pushy when you tried to sell them some skin products?”, they always rely “No, I told myself”.

Yes, exactly right. We tell ourselves everything unconsciously and then that justifies our lack of positive action moving forward. I call this the ‘monkey on their shoulder’ that is telling them these things. Tell the monkey to go away and start to take ownership of your decisions.

You see, we all know what to do. We all know what our KPI`s are and what is expected of us when we turn up to work. But the question I ask is, WHY are only around 20% or less of staff productive and

Only then will you start to see a rise in personal and business performance.

This brings me to what I call the I FACTOR and the YOU FACTOR. The I FACTOR is only thinking about ourselves, about how the clients will think of me, how I will look pushy in the client`s eyes, how they might think I am not experienced enough and so on.

Yes, so that they can make an informed decision and not you making it for them. Your headspace should be focused on their total experience and the rest will take care of themselves.

Let`s stop focusing on the SYMPTOM (KPI`s, Fear of Failure, Stories) and start focusing on the CAUSE which is the WHY FACTOR and deliver the ultimate experience for your client.

Phillip Fernandez Director & Founder of Wizard Business Consulting

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Benchmark Salon Sales are the only salon dedicated business brokers in Australia with outstanding brokers in each state delivering over 500+ sales for clients around the country. Throughout 2020 hair Biz will be featuring articles from a number of the specialised business o get you salon sale ready!

WHO’S GOING TO BUY YOUR SALON?

By Emma Attenborough

As part of Benchmark’s ongoing series on selling your salon business, Emma Attenborough looks at whether you have the easiest or hardest type of business to sell.

THE EASIEST SALON TO SELL 1. Fully Managed = Owner not working in the

salon at all, systems, policy and procedures in place so it runs like clockwork, good lease in place with reasonable rent, 6-20 staff in place and profit of above $100K per year.

This salon will sell to investors and will often sell instantly if it is priced correctly.

2. Fire Sale = Owner pulling their hair out, no profit, basic fitout, lease in place with cheap rent, get me out of this mess!

This salon will sell to a first-time hairdresser/beauty therapist who only has a limited amount of money and just wants something of their own. These salons will often sell quickly.

3. Small Chains = This is a group of salons

under the one brand, usually fully managed and the owner is often the area manager.

Ideally there are 2-5 sites in the group and they all have similar fitouts, good leases, reasonable rents and are located within driving distance so that they can share staff.

Profit is good across all sites.

The buyer for these sites will be an investor or an ex-industry person that does not want to work on the floor. These will often get the best price of any salon within the industry and will sell quickly.

4.

Mid-Range = Owner operator site with the owner and another key employee making up most of the sales, staff totals often up to 5 and profit is what the owner makes in a wage which is usually around $50K - $90K.

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This business will sell to an owner operator that wants to take over the existing owner’s clientele and a strong restriction of trade will be enforced.

Most salon owners in this category have either lost their mojo, are retiring or are pregnant. This salon will sell reasonably quickly if the salon is priced correctly.

5.

Partnership = 2 or 3 owners in the business and for whatever reason they want to get out. Normally there has been a dispute, or one party wants totally out or one wants to go out on their own/retire etc.

These salons are difficult to sell as the buyer often does not want a partner and wants to purchase the business on their own. Restriction of trade (not being able to work within a certain radius of the salon for a period of time) often becomes a problem here and also the sale price gets split which does not leave much for either partner. The buyer will normally kick both owners out of the salon and take over all clientele.

6. Franchise Sites = Usually these sites are

overpriced due to franchisors selling people into new stores at high prices. These new stores sometimes lose money for the first few years until they are established and if an owner wants to get out during this “building” time then it is impossible to get their initial investment back and the owners often lose a lot of money.

The buyers of these stores are often existing owners in the franchise network or bargain hunters that want to buy into a franchise system at a much cheaper price than buying a brand-new store. Some of these sites are moved into our Fire Sale category above and rebadged as a stand-alone salon.

THE HARDEST SALON TO SELL 7.

The Prestige Super Salon = Superstar stylist/therapist who has a large business and personal following. Owner still works on the floor doing clients, profit is large at $250K + , the business has won lots of awards and the salon is built around the owner.

The buyer for this business is usually an active investor that likes the look of the profit in the business but will want to lock the superstar owner into a consultancy role over a period for assistance. Often the owner will get an upfront price and then will receive a bonus payment down the track if all the staff stay and the sales remain consistent.

Like Vidal Sassoon, the Benchmark Salon Sales Team have been at the top of their game for well over a decade. Whether it’s their impressive 500 + salon sales, their nationally award winning brokers or their hundreds of happy client testimonials, you’ll find that using their services is a decision to go with the best of the best and this will get you results.

Benchmark Salon Sales are the only salon dedicated business brokers in Australia with outstanding brokers in each state delivering over 500+ sales for clients around the country.Call Benchmark today – 1300 366 521 or check out their website at salonsales.net.au

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