When I started my business in 2009, I was completely winging it – I left Charles Worthington with a big paper diary, an old school BlackBerry, a wheely kit trolly and no social media! My default strategy has always been to ‘learn things the hard way and never give up’, and I’m now so grateful for all the lessons I’ve learnt from these knockbacks and mistakes. Without all the ups and downs of my career, I would have never become receptive to growth or change.
Here are my five biggest life lessons:
1/ Every business is unique. Learn to be true to yourself and your business values, it’s too easy to look at what others are doing and jump on the bandwagon when it may not be right for you.
2/ When situations arise, take a step back and ask yourself, ‘What feels right here?’‘What’s causing unnecessary stress?’‘What direction feels most authentic for me right now?’ For example, when the lip-syncing and dance routine trend was huge on social media, it never felt right for my brand. Instead, I kept in my own lane and posted beautiful imagery, very few videos and nice writing to suit my audience – this is when I saw my best social growth!
3/ Sudden changes can initially throw you off track, but the power of the pivot can bring huge growth.
4/ I’ve recently had a huge change, losing both of my stylists in the space of a few months, one going travelling and the other having a baby. Instead of immediately replacing them, I recognised that whilst this part of my journey has been fun, it has organically come to an end. Now, I’m focusing on going solo again, positively implementing a fresh strategy to get the best out of working on my own.
5/ Don’t stick with something just because you know it – safe isn’t necessarily best.
M.A.D About Salons, a new education platform which stands for ‘mentor, absorb and digest,’ has burst onto the hairdressing scene with a collaborative and affordable approach to hairdressing and salon business education. Wanting to create an equal playing field, the platform will also have funds available to salons that cannot afford education.
Founded by Janene Hawkins-Bush and Mikaela Martin, M.A.D About Salons offers a unique approach to learning by harnessing the power of skill swapping. The idea was conceived after Mikaela and Janene found themselves grappling with the challenges faced by salon owners, particularly the soaring costs of education and the multitude of expenses associated with running a business.
Janene says, “The concept of ‘swapping’ is becoming common place across a number of industries, including fashion and housing. We wanted to optimise this movement within the hairdressing world and bring a new era of collaboration to the industry.”
Stā Studios, one of London’s newest freelance spaces for creatives, is introducing a new rental framework – Stā Residency. Tailored for freelancers in search of a new, flexible and stable way to expand their business through evolving beyond the existing hourly rental model, Stā Residency offers a monthly rental option.
As well as the benefits of being part of Stā Studios, the advantages of the new Residency are designed to support the financial planning and growth of the freelancer’s business. Each resident is allocated a specific area within Stā Studios, ensuring consistency and the freedom to establish their workspace.
Founder, Samantha Cusick, comments, “Stā Residency is more than just a service enhancement; we pledge to cultivate a closer, more supportive community within Stā Studios, empowering freelancers to thrive in an environment designed with their growth in mind.”
In an excellent achievement, the How to Cut it podcast, hosted and produced by hairstylist and podcaster, Dom Lehane, has emerged as the winner of the ‘Global Industry Podcast Award’ at the illustrious Hairbrained Video Awards event held in New York.
Since its inception in March 2017, How to Cut it has become a cornerstone in the hair industry, captivating audiences with its unparalleled insights, inspirations and valuable information. Dom’s interviews with industry luminaries, including Trevor Sorbie, Charles Worthington and Robert Lobetta, have captivated listeners worldwide.
Reflecting on this win, Dom says, “After seven years of hosting, producing and publishing this weekly podcast, this recognition truly validates the hard work and dedication I’ve put into the show.”
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