In its latest effort to support the industry, the NHBF has responded to its Members’ concerns about energy costs by partnering with leading energy consultancy Direct Business Solutions (DBS) to help them save on their utility bills.

The new partnership comes in direct response to the NHBF’s State of the Industry survey in March reporting that 94% of salon owners across the UK had seen an increase in utility bills compared to the same period last year, with 32% stating that utility bills were their largest overhead.  

Energy is essential for most businesses, especially for salons and barbershops, from charging hair clippers or hairdryers to running high tech body and face treatments, as well as lighting and heating your salon. Your needs differ from an average household and, as energy prices continue to rise, this adds to the pressure that salons are feeling across the UK.  

With energy prices skyrocketing over the past year, finding the best deal for your salon is now essential. The new NHBF partnership with DBS aims to help salon owners manage the energy pricing crisis as simply as possible by finding the energy contract best suited to the individual business’s needs. 

The new Members only partnership provides:

•   Great prices and deals on your utilities

•   A choice of like for like quotes, putting you firmly in control

•   Simplicity – your dedicated account person will make this process hassle-free.

•   Clarity on your energy pricing and broker costs

•   Fit – Matching the supplier with your business needs

Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive said: “Rising electricity and gas costs are a real concern to salons across the hair and beauty industry. Coming on top of already increasing staff and business costs, they are pushing many salons at breaking point. We’ve partnered with DBS to help salon owners manage their rising energy costs by finding the energy supplier and tariff that suits them best. We hope that this will help to alleviate some of the pressure that the sector is feeling whilst it is still making a slow and steady recovery from covid.”

Liam Spence, DBS Environment and Sustainability Operations Manager said: “Direct Business Solutions are excited with our partnership with the NHBF and look forward to assisting it’s members with their ongoing energy and carbon reduction requirements.”

On Sunday, June 26^th,  amongst the hustle and bustle of the ISSE2022 show floor, stood 4 beauty entrepreneurs ready to make their pitch for a shot at $10,000 to take their business dreams to the next level.

WorthUp Alliance founders Ted Gibson and Jason Backe were inspired to establish the program based on their own careers as beauty entrepreneurs. As celebrity stylists, salon owners, and product innovators, they have seen and done it all! Worth Up is uniting a coalition of change agents, dream makers and expert advisors like Ted and Jason who are committed to nurturing and empowering emerging entrepreneurs through education, business coaching, mentoring, networking and start-up capital grants.  The Dream Capital program consists of a mentorship period where finalists meet for weekly sessions with Ted, Jason and guest mentors leading up to a business pitch where the winners are determined. This season’s guest mentors were Zan Ray and Tom Collins from Global Beauty Business Academy and Jenny Strebe, founder of Aiir Professional.

At the conclusion of the mentorship season, finalists of the grant competition traveled to Long Beach to present their business proposals in person to a panel of industry heavy hitters. This season’s judges included Founders Ted Gibson and Jason Backe along with:

Matty Conrad – Barber, Educator, and Founder of Victory Brand Products

Janine Jarman – Curl Cult Founder, Hairroin Salon Owner, Educator and BCL Mentor

Nina Tulio – Salon Business Educator, Former Salon Owner, BCL Mentor and OligoPro Ambassador

Dionne Phillips – Luxury Lash Expert, Pioneer of Lash Extensions, Educator, Esthetician and Salon Owner

As each finalist made their pitch, the judges asked probing questions about the beauty pro’s plans, finances, and vision for their business while scoring against a standardized rubric. After deliberations, the Dream Capital Grants were allocated awarding $10,000 to Erika Martin-Ware, $5,000 each to Misha Mills and Michelle Robertson, and $3,000 to Ebony Smith. The finalists were awarded live on the main stage Sunday afternoon, followed by a celebratory toast hosted by Beauty Changes Lives. 

Beauty Changes Lives is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and equipping the next generation of beauty professionals by providing valuable resources, scholarships, education, and mentorship opportunities. In a time when it’s never been more important to support the industry, all proceeds raised from the Beauty Changes Lives Experience will go to changing the lives of beauty professionals. In 2021, the organization raised over $700k in scholarships, and has awarded over 700 scholarships since it’s founding. Beauty Changes Lives is shaping the future of the industry.

To learn more about Worth Up Alliance please visit https://beautychangeslives.org/worth-up-alliance/.

Meet the winners of the Spring 2022 Dream Capital Grants here: https://beautychangeslives.org/dream-capital/

The fabulous founder of Stylebook Directory, Sarah Yorke has been recognised as one of the best in the business after being named a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards!

Sarah is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants – the most the awards has ever had. A well deserved announcement we think!

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.

Twelve awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year. Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Sarah is super ecstatic about being shortlisted for such a fantastic award and is over the moon to have been selected out of thousands of entrants! She looks forward to attending the awards in autumn to build her ever-growing network and cheer on other fellow finalists too.

This year’s awards will also feature a brand new award highlighting the organisations investing in the training and development of young people. The John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award looks to recognise outstanding examples of businesses offering apprenticeships, vocational training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, all in the name of improving young people’s access to work.

The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The alumni has collectively generated over £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 450,000 people.

To mark the milestone year for the programme, entrants will have the chance to win over £30,000 worth of marketing support and a tree will be planted for every application submitted with the support of Ecologi.

Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated this year. Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the country.

“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.

“This year’s finalists should be so proud of what they’ve already achieved both in business and in being shortlisted for an award – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Finals and unveiling the winners!”

Anne Boden MBE, Founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: “Congratulations to all those businesses who have made the shortlist. It’s great to see the passion, resilience and amazing ingenuity from entrepreneurs across so many categories.” For the full list of finalists, visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com

Following a phenomenally successful and impactful O.P Awards 2021 the team is back this year with an even bigger and better O.P Hairshow & Awards 2022. Held on Sunday 25th September in the centre of Birmingham.

“The energy you put into what you do is the energy it will be received with,” – is a quote often used by Josh and never more relevant than when planning this event.

He said: “The O.P Hairshow 2022 will be an event like no other in the UK. An event dedicated to you. Each and every one of you. No sales, no vendors, no marketing, no gimmicks. Just pure, organic energy, education, information and inspiration. The O.P Hairshow is your day. To surround yourself with like-minded, motivated individuals. To network. To learn. To leave a more confident, determined and better you.”

The O.P Hairshow will consist of a full day’s education. Fully representative of Barber.josh.o.p Education in covering every single aspect of our industry:

– Cutting demonstrations – Long, Medium & Short hair. Modern & Classic. Scissor work, Fading, Styling and Creativity.

– Cutting theory presentations – The D.F.S Formula, Line Theory and much more.

– Business seminars

– Social media growth and marketing seminars

– Photography and content creation seminars

– Mindset and motivation seminars

– Self Study seminars

– Networking

Light refreshments will be provided.

This will then be followed by the second annual O.P Awards. Josh said: “Last year was an unbelievably powerful evening where our online academy members from across the globe came together for an evening of joy, inspiration and emotion. The evening was described by many members as ‘a family reunion’. All our finalists got the opportunity to take the stage and share their story, their journey and their inspirations and in doing so each finalist lit up and inspired the entire room. This year will not be the same. No. This year will be even better!

“The O.P Hairshow & Awards 2022 will undoubtedly be the event of the year and we are delighted to say that you are invited.

“Our differences are the most beautiful thing we have in common and here at Barber.josh.o.p Education we look to ensure that no matter who you are, what ‘category’ you fit into within our industry, that you are celebrated. That you have a place to come to learn, to grow, to network, to share, to laugh and to most importantly be fulfilled. We make it our mission to help every individual find what makes them fulfilled and build a life where they can maximise their fulfillment and in doing so maximise their success.” Head to barberjoshop.com to purchase your tickets and we’ll see you there!

On Monday, June 27, 2022 at Medinah Country Club, Andis was a featured hole partner at the outing where funds benefitted Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.  In just one day, over $1.2 million was raised and will go directly to the hospital.

As well as raising an incredible amount for charity, celebrities in attendance received Andis products including: the At Home inCRED Clipper, inEDGE Trimmer, reSURGE professional shaver, and the inLINER Corded Trimmer. 

Celebrity guests included: Kerry Wood, John Brotherton, Roger Clemens, Jim McMahon, Fred McGriff, Kenny Lofton, Kevin Butler, James “Big Cat” Williams, Brian McCaskey, Dan Pasqua, among many others.