This issue, Phil sits down with four-times British hairdresser of the year, Akin Konizi. One of the founders of HOB salons – alongside Clive Collins and Paul Simbler – the trio have 17 salons across London and Hertfordshire, as well as an academy that attracts students from around the world.
AKIN, IT’S GREAT TO FINALLY SIT DOWN TOGETHER! I’M GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION I ASK ALL MY INTERVIEWEES – WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER CHALLENGE OR ‘FAILURE’ SO FAR?
When you asked me to do this interview, my first reaction was actually no, because I don’t really understand ‘failure’. After reading some of your past interviews, however, I was really inspired, so I’m confident and hopeful that I can pass something on to other hairdressers.
I think my biggest challenge was being a very ambitious and impatient 23-year-old opening my own salon. My objectives were misplaced; everything I did came from an inexperienced understanding of what it really meant to own a salon. Without experience – and without understanding your true target – how do you know if you’ve really succeeded or not?
I thought having my own salon at that age was an achievement in itself, but I didn’t understand the impact it would have on an inexperienced businessperson. I thought that me being a busy stylist meant my salon would be successful; what I didn’t realise was that having a salon is more about
making sure your team are happy and busy too. This should have led me to training my team more, motivating them, marketing them and leading them to success – unfortunately, that isn’t what happened. Four years on and I was the busiest stylist around, but I was working in an empty salon.
DO YOU THINK IT’S GOOD FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN THE GOOD AND BAD SIDES OF BUSINESS?
The challenges should definitely be discussed, so as not to paint a rosy picture for everyone, but the mindset should be that any failures are just part of the journey to success. Anything that is worth having is worth trying for. Every award I have won has taken at least three attempts. Were the first two failures? No, they were practice runs to reach the standard I believed was worthy of a win.
SUCCESS IS OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENT TO EVERYONE, BUT WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO YOU?
I could be quite psychological about the definition of success, but it is driven by having financial reward as well as career reward. I don’t want to be a poor, successful hairdresser, I’d rather be well off and comfortable so I can concentrate on being creative. Money doesn’t always make you happy, but it certainly helps… a lot!
HOW DOES SOMEONE CREATE SUCCESS IN THEIR CAREER?
It takes either being really good at something or working towards being really good at something and practising it over and over.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM YOUR SUCCESS?
I learnt that you should focus on what you are best at. I am a creative that doesn’t mind dabbling in business, not the other way around.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE HELPED YOU MAKE BETTER DECISIONS IN THE FUTURE?
Where you’ve been very involved in the business AND creative side of things, Phil, I’ve been really lucky to have two incredible partners who love doing the things that I don’t have time for, or don’t enjoy as much. I’ve focused on the creative side of the business, and Paul and Clive have supported me in that profile-leading role. Together, we work as a team and that has allowed me to thrive in the things I do best.
IF YOU COULD START ALL OVER AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
I wouldn’t do anything differently. After my apprenticeship, I changed many jobs to gain as much experience and understanding of the industry as I could. After I met Clive and Paul, I actually decided to open my own business, but then I chose to go back and join them.
IT’S AMAZING WHAT YOU’VE ACHIEVED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS, WHAT CHARACTER TRAITS HAVE GOT YOU THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS?
My biggest character traits are to be obsessive, manic and extremely passionate. I’ve learnt that everything changes; it doesn’t necessarily always go from good to bad, or bad to good, but nothing remains the same. There will be difficult times, and if you work harder, you’ll do better. Hard work is not as favoured as it used to be, but I believe you can work harder and smarter, without just depending on smarter.
DO YOU EVER DOUBT YOURSELF? HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THOSE FEELINGS?
It’s important to be focused and confident, and to know that you’ll get through it. If you’re not your own biggest believer, why would anyone else be? “I don’t think I can do this” crosses my mind all the time, but at the end of the day, if Iwant to, then I can!
YOU’RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!
I don’t think I am a positive or negative person. I like to think I am a realist.
WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PROFESSIONAL DECISION YOU EVER HAD TO MAKE?
Everything I do is based on facts and research, so the right thing always makes sense in the end. Sure, there have been difficult occasions over the years, but I have no regrets about anything.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL MOMENT RECENTLY?
I am very proud that HOB is growing in the apprentice education arena, our plan is to become one of the biggest apprentice providers in the UK. Having invested so much over the years into our own apprentices, we are happy to be offering that to the industry. It’s going really well!
THAT’S GREAT, WE ALL KNOW THERE’S A REAL ISSUE WITH APPRENTICES AND RECRUITMENT; THERE’S NOT MANY SALONS WHO AREN’T TOUCHED BY THIS.
For me, it seems like the government is doing everything it can to close down our industry. Apprentices are vital to our future, and we need to make them affordable, productive and available to all salons. That means prioritising education and inspiring them to have a fantastic career.
100% I AGREE. MY NEXT QUESTION: AKIN, ARE YOU A PERSON WHO TAKES RISKS?
Yes, but very calculated ones! I’m not a gambling sort, and I never understand why you wouldn’t do your research and calculations first.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR MINDSET THAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL?
I think my main mindset is to inspire my team and the people around me. I’m energised by people that want to learn and want to be successful, and I am forever giving as much advice as I can. As an educator, inspiration is the key.
I WOULD ALSO SAY YOU ARE VERY DRIVEN – LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS!
I wouldn’t say driven; I would say expectant. Failure was never an option. Every day is a success if it is moving forward and developing, even in small steps. The one thing I cannot handle is standing still or, God forbid, going backwards. Every day has to be a gaining of experience and goals.
WHAT THREE PIECES OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE AT THE START OF THEIR CAREER?
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