17/06/2025
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Dear
School leaver who is attracted to becoming a hairdresser but the career officer did everything they could to put them off and parents just aren't sure about our profession - Hairdressing is an incredible profession with so many opportunities. Hairdressers are incredibly, happy people who have the ability to change peoples lives.
Saturday person who wants to earn some extra money to buy vapes and new clothes - Look around when you are next working in your chosen salon, watch the incredible reactions from clients after their appointment. Watch the stylists, see the knowledge & experience and indeed expertise. Pay close attention to the creativity and the life skills that you can pick up in this environment.
Apprentice who feels a little deflated, not valued, a little lost and am I just a cleaner? - You have made the brilliant decision to become a hairdresser, and the right decision. Every apprenticeship is hard and challenging. Some days you go home and cry and maybe even consider giving up. Think about the options that becoming a hairdresser will give you. You can work in a salon and change peoples lives, you could train to be an educator, travel the world doing hair and earning money. At every possible opportunity practice, practice, practice. Get models practice on a mannequin and where you can watch every stylist you can in the salon. Learn the art of communication, watch the education you have access to. Research past and present hair icons. Practice on your mates. Think about how you feel when you qualify. Its not easy but life isn't easy. Ask questions to your team, every day!
Stylist who feels demotivated and is thinking of leaving the industry. Think about why you went into the industry, think about how you felt when you first qualified. Think about the days before social media when you used to get turned on by a gorgeous graduated bob or a gorgeous colour change. Think about the hair shows/events that you used to go to to get inspired and how motivated you felt to see amazing artists sharing ideas and inspiration. Think about how you make your clients feel and the knowledge and talent you have. Think about that real bastard that trained you and made you amazing who used to make you clean the floors with a toothbrush & who used to hit you with their comb if you weren't watching every section they cut
Advanced Stylist who has been in the industry for over 40 years - Sit down and think about all the incredible things you have achieved in the industry and all the clients that you have made smile. Think about all the industry icons you have met and experienced their education most of whom the younger generation have never heard of. Pass on your knowledge, share your ideas, share your experiences to those who want to listen. Think about the memories you have and all the wonderful things you have created and everything so wonderful you have given to the craft.
Ex hairdresser who left the industry to pursue a different path - Quite simply you once loved our industry and let's face it you miss it, so get back into what you were born to do!!!
Established Salon Owner - who feels lost, demotivated, I cant recruit, my team are challenging and don't want to learn and some of my team just don't have the same passion as me. No one can cut short hair and its all about balayage!!! Some of my team don't want education and they just don't want to improve their skill set. I hate social media and I just don't understand it!!! Again think about what you have achieved through the years. Think about the thousands of clients you have made incredibly happy. Think about all the incredible people you have met throughout your hairdressing journey, all the events you attended, all the icons you met all the competitions you have entered, all the awards you have won. Think about all the past and present people you employed, have helped have a career and build a life. Yes the industry is changing with many challenges but people will always, always need a hair cut, colour etc. Think about some of the basic requirements to run a successful salon as some of the things you were doing years and years ago still work today not all but some! But most of all think about how successful you have been through very challenging times. Reach out, no shame in asking for help or advice from the right people who have the best intentions!
Finally remember, we are all incredible artists, we all have our own challenges in life and business but not a single person other than a hairdresser can make another person feel like we all do.
With love
Phil Collins
