Business consultant Phil Jackson from Build Your Salon, offers these tips for avoiding being overwhelmed.
We all know that business can be brutal, life can be challenging, and being overwhelmed can be a frequent struggle for salon owners. But many salon owners are making things worse for themselves. That’s because, on the surface, their overwhelm looks like procrastination.
Perhaps your goals are a little woolly. Maybe you’re inattentive or you seek distraction when you should be working. Or it could be that you find you are constantly inventing excuses not to do something. If that sounds at all familiar, you’re procrastinating and a stern talking to might well be what is needed. Eliminate distractions, switch off your notifications and find the best time of day to focus on your work. Rekindle the passion for the task by reconnecting with the reason behind it. Getting more organised can help with procrastination too. Schedule your tasks and break them down into smaller chunks.
But trying to deal with overwhelm the same way is a recipe for disaster. Imagine you have a friend who feels small and alone. They appear teary or irritable. They might even have physical symptoms of overwhelm. Anxiety makes their heart race or they feel short of breath. How would you treat that person? With a stern talking to? With a kick in the butt to get things moving? With scheduling and discipline? Of course not, yet we treat ourselves this way all the time.
So many of us are over critical. The way we repeatedly speak to ourselves, in our heads is beyond anything we would dare say to someone else. Yet this continual chipping away of your own self-esteem has long-term effects. In fact, it can be devastating if you are feeling overwhelmed.
The better approach is to increase the time and effort you put into self-care to reduce your anxiety. Take out your journal and try to identify what is at the root of those feelings of fear. Break overwhelming tasks down into tiny chunks. Celebrate each time you make progress. Delegate as much as you can to your team, to outsourcers, even to your children! But most importantly, be kind to yourself.
The team at Aaron Michaels barbershop in Livingstone in Scotland were treated to a morning of education from Reuzel educator, Paul Taylor Clinch @pirate_paulus.
Paul was showing the team some of the expert techniques he has perfected over the years following his training at the world-famous Schorem barbershop in Rotterdam, home of the Reuzel brand.
The team asked him to demonstrate the specifics of side parting placement. Paul spent the morning showing them how he approaches a haircut by using varying shape patterns, and by starting on the top of the head first, perfecting the style and then finishing with the fade, if required.
Finding the baseline, working with precision, how to make the client feel relaxed and the importance of the final silhouette was all discussed.
Paul is a great advocate of letting the head shape and hair dictate the finished style using his experience and knowledge as a barber. Also, he taught the importance of working efficiently.
He finished the session by going through the Reuzel product range he recommended and what particular product to use to get the best hold for the specific style. He encouraged the barbers to use the product in the hair before the blowdry, as there is no point in finishing a cut, then having to misplace the look by adding product later.
Paul finished by showing the silhouette of the pomp he created, saying “This cut was designed based on the style the client asked for, the growth pattern, and the shape of the head.”
Aaron Michaels, owner of the barbershop said: “We were delighted to host Paul here today, I’ve been following his work for some time. We have all learned new techniques, loads of tips and tricks and it has given my team a new level of confidence. It has reiterated some of the techniques they already knew but Paul has explained them in detail showing them exactly why they are doing them and the results they can get.”
The event was part of a Reuzel tour, and the team has visited Rum Barber barbershop in Glasgow the day before to educate on specific techniques as well as Reuzel product use.
As Cruz Beckham is snapped on the cover of I.D Magazine with a pink buzzcut, the team at The Lounge in London’s Soho has seen a rise in requests for neon and bright hair from their male clients.
Cruz Beckham on the cover of I.D Magazine
Senior stylist Rosie Swindell says since lockdowns, more men are coming in to get their hair brightly coloured. “A lot more men are discovering there are more ways to express themselves with hair colour rather than just a cut, which is very exciting.
“A lot of guys who have coloured hair in our salon tend to have shorter hair, but when the bleach has a regrowth it’s nice to keep the sides short and keep the length on top to retain the colour. Anyone can have fun and experiment with their hair, if they have the confidence to wear it you’ll suit it. It’s an amazing feeling having bright coloured hair and I’m super hyped that now guys are open to this more.”
While vivid colours are hard to achieve, Rosie and the team are applying pre-lightener we make sure the hair is lifted low and slow to maintain the condition so the toner lasts longer. “If the client is completely new to the whole hair dying situation I always recommend to come in for a top up whenever they need it. There is no right or wrong with this and some clients love the colour it fades into too.”
Images: Hair by Louis Souvestre and Rosie Swindells
Session stylist Matthew Curtis made an offer PROJECT: X couldn’t refuse – to come and assist backstage at New York Fashion Week. And with just a few days notice, several members gathered their kit bags and jumped on a plane to the city that never sleeps!
Matthew, who also has a salon in Straford-upon-Avon, invited the team to join him to work on three shows. “I’ve always been a huge ambassador of supporting the next generation of stylists and, this year, one of my team members is taking part in PROJECT: X and given the great opportunity of being mentored over the course of a year by leading figures in the industry.”
Having led shows around the world for the past 12 years, Matthew extended the offer to the team with several agreeing at short notice. The weekend saw them work on British band Hardware LDN, designed by Jessica Horwell, followed by leading South Korean designer, Son Jung Wan, and a New York based collective of designers at Flying Solo.
Matthew added: “The PROJECT: X team is varied and obviously each individual had different strengths, which made for an intriguing and versatile team to have joined us at NY, and when it came to work, they embraced the looks for each of the shows really well. The team were happy to take on these new looks and adapted to each of the shows straight away. It was great to work with the team and give them an insight into what session work is really like. Most of all, it made me realise that what I can take for granted and the position I’m in is where I would of loved to have been at their stage so although I’m still striving for bigger and better myself, if I can give back and help guide more and work with a legacy foundation like the Fellowship, I will always be at the end of the phone.”
PROJECT: X leader Sam Burnett, said: “This was an incredible opportunity for the team members and they haven’t stopped talking about it since they returned. It gave them a real insight to working in a fast-paced environment and big thanks to Matthew, Unite Hair and Olivia Garden for making this an unforgettable experience.”
Green Salon Collective have released details of its upcoming monthly events, aimed at educating both existing members and those interested in finding out more about the collective’s work.
The company understands the importance of knowledge for addressing environmental and social issues and so has curated a series of events – both virtual and in person – designed to empower its members – and the wider industry – with up-to-date information on sustainability.
The programme for the coming months is as follows:
HAIR ROPE MAKING with Lead Researcher Sanne Visser, £100
MONDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 7PM-10PM London
GSC is always looking for ways to recycle the unrecyclable. Our very first R&D partner Sanne is an expert at hair rope making and has been working with hair as a material for over seven years.
This truly unique workshop brings her craft to GSC members and invites hairdressers to try their hands at making hair rope, which is then fastened into hanging planters – perfect for displaying in salon or at home.
Come along and discover how hair clippings can be recycled into a useful and innovative material.
TUESDAY 1ST MARCH 7PM (AND FIRST TUES OF EACH MONTH) ZOOM
This free information session is open to all. Meet some of the team, learn what we do and why we do it. We’ll cover our system, the costs, how it will help your business gain new clients and we’ll answer all of your questions, too. A guest speaker also features every second month.
Sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel, Green Salon Collective will be joined by guest speakers offering practical ideas on how to help your local communities fight climate change. Featuring Amy Nguyen, Founder & Editor of Sustainable and Social and Forbes’ Sustainability Contributor and Lucy Siegle, author of Turning the Tide on Plastic, the evening is a chance to find out more about the role you can pay in the future of our planet.
The 2021 Fellowship for British Hairdressing Award Winners came together this month for a special celebratory lunch to start the new year.
Efi Davis, Andy Heasman, Ken Picton
The winners, who picked up their awards at the Fellowship Luncheon & Awards at The Londoner in December, enjoyed a three-course Indian lunch at the trendy Dishoom in Shoreditch, London.
Ashleigh Hodges, FAME Team, Errol Douglas
The 2022 F.A.M.E team also came together to mark the start of their exciting year of opportunities, which includes mentoring by some of the biggest names in British hairdressing and a photo shoot with their leaders Gary Hooker and Michael Young.
Errol Douglas, Andy Heasman, Ann Herman
The lunch was also an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the industry, from sustainability to business challenges and the future of hairdressing.
Errol Douglas, Junior Green
Chancellor Ashleigh Hodges, who welcomed the winners, said: “This is the first time we have held a lunch for our winners, and it was important for us to celebrate their success, especially after the crazy 18 months we have had. It was lovely to see everyone and discuss some of the issues facing us all.”
Michelle Griffin, Ann Herman
The awards have been recognising creativity since they were launched in 1995, which saw Nicky Clarke take the first trophy for his wearable hair.
And the winners were:
Fellow with Honours Jonathan Andrew Andrew Barton Junior Green
Gold Medal Jo Martin
Member of the Year Janene Bush
Individual Salon of the Year Karoliina Saunders Hair Design
Salon Group of the Year Blushes Collective
PROJECT: Colour Achiever of the Year – Darrel Starkey
PROJECT: Men Achiever of the Year–Tammy Reynolds
PROJECT: X Achiever of the Year–Emma Simmons
Snapshot Image of the Year Efi Davies, TONI&GUY
Men’s Image of the Year Charlie Cullen, Charlie Cullen Education at Joe and Co
Colour Image of the Year Hooker & Young
Afro Image of the Year Emma Simmons, Salon 54
International Image of the Year Jacky Chan, Oscar Oscar Chadstone
On Tuesday, 8 February, Skills Minister Alex Burghart met with young people undertaking traineeships – as part of National Apprenticeship Week activity – at Falltricks Hairdressing Academy in Ipswich.
Minister Burghart said: “It was inspiring to meet budding hairdressers undertaking traineeships at Falltricks Hairdressing Academy in Romford during National Apprenticeships Week.”
National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships – taking place between 7th-13th February 2022 across England. The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
A traineeship is a course with work experience that gets you ready for work or an apprenticeship. It can last from six weeks up to one year, though most traineeships last for less than six months.
Traineeships are a great way for young people to access the jobs market, enabling those aged 16 and 24 (or 25 for individuals with an education and health care plan) who don’t have the skills or experience to progress into an apprenticeship or a job.
Minister Burghart explained: “Traineeships are a fantastic way for young people to get on the path to a good job, offering the necessary training and work experience to progress into work or an apprenticeship.”
Apply now before the March 4th deadline for the Close Contact Services Fund which will provide a one-off payment to support eligible close contact service businesses impacted by the Covid restrictions and guidance introduced from December 9th to January 24th 2022, to control the Omicron variant.
Who is eligible?
The Close Contact Services Fund will provide support to businesses in the close contact service sectors who own/rent premises with a non-domestic rates account (NDR), and self-employed close contact service individuals, impacted by the restrictions and guidance introduced and where they are registered as one of the following:
The British Beauty Council (BBCo) and National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) have joined forces to send an open letter to the Chancellor Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, following hundreds of reports that over 60 local authorities are excluding hair & beauty businesses from claiming the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Despite reassurance from HM Treasury that businesses in the hair & beauty sector, including hair salons, beauty salons, barbershops, aestheticians, nail bars, eyebrow bars etc are all eligible for the ARG, the BBCo, NHBF and other sector bodies are continuing to receive reports that these local authorities are either rejecting or not prioritising claims from these businesses. A number of local authorities are also still working out their grant policies since the announcement in December and have yet to make grants available to businesses desperate for support.
The joint letter was sent on behalf of the National Hair and Beauty Federation, British Beauty Council, UK Spa Association, British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology, Hair & Barber Council and the Federation of Holistic Therapists.
In the past the government has stated that the hair and beauty sector is ‘essential’ to the UK’s health and wellbeing whilst contributing almost £30 billion to the UK economy every year and employing 590,500 workers, mostly women and young people, across the UK nations and regions. Pre-Covid, the sector was in the top three fastest growing parts of the retail sector.
Hair & beauty has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic. The latest NHBF snap poll shows over 84% of hair & beauty salons and barbershops experienced reduced business compared with what would normally be expected between Christmas and New Year (28-31 December 2021).
Staff shortages due to COVID or self-isolation are also having an impact on businesses with 54% reporting staff absences during this period.*
Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive says, “Whilst we appreciate that each local authority is entitled to create their own criteria about which businesses receive ARG assistance and that funding will not meet the needs of all businesses affected it does appear that a significant number are actively excluding hair & beauty salons and barbershops in their area. This raises the question as to why – is it because despite all the evidence, they don’t accept these businesses were badly hit by the Omicron surge or perhaps because they just don’t think they’re that important.”
The British Beauty Council’s CEO Millie Kendall OBE says, “Having made a strong case to all local authorities as to how personal care has been impacted more heavily than many other business sectors, we would have hoped to see some movement with regards to the release of the ARG funds to salons etc. The Chancellor himself stated that our industry was not just economically valuable but also essential to Britain’s wellbeing. Whilst our previous work ensured personal care businesses were highlighted within guidance as businesses that should be considered for support, local authorities have chosen to disregard this. They clearly do not regard our industry as essential, or the local businesses that operate within them as worthy of support and we would like to know why?”
The NHBF and BBCo are urging all hair & beauty salons and barbershops in to send a message to their local authority to ask why they are excluding fellow businesses in the personal care sector from this much needed financial help.
* The NHBF snap poll, undertaken via Instagram Stories over a 24-hour period from Wednesday 5th to Thursday 6th January, received more than 2000 responses.
Glasgow barber academy welcomes its first eight students
A pioneering barbering academy has welcomed its first intake of students onto a 15-week course that will launch their careers in the burgeoning male grooming sector.
The first eight students have enrolled into the new Sovereign Barber School in Glasgow. It is the first training venture for Sovereign Grooming and the team hope to train around 32 barbers every year, seeing each of them finish the course with sought after formal qualifications.
One of the delighted new students is Glasgow local, Aimee Laws. The 29-year-old applied for the course after discovering a passion for barbering while salons were shut during the pandemic and she found herself cutting her own hair to practice her skills.
Aimee Laws
She said: “The barber school is a great option for people just starting out in the industry as you can learn both the theory and skills while getting the opportunity to put these into practice.
“I’m making a career change from music to barbering, so it is a pretty big jump – but I’m looking forward to it. Previously I taught and played music in social and youth care settings but like many, lockdown gave me a chance to really find out what I wanted my career to look like.
“It’s nerve-wracking to think what the next three and a bit months will have in store but I’m excited to see the skills I’ll have developed by the end.”
The company, which is headed up by award-winning barber Kyle Ross and marketing expert Ryan Crighton, has invested over £500,000 on the purpose-built training facility which sits across three floors (2,570 sq ft) in 38 Renfield Street.
Kyle Ross of Sovereign Grooming training a student
The ground floor will be used as a functioning salon with 12 staff members over the next 12 months. This will also give students the opportunity to be amongst the day-to-day working environment of the salon.
Aimee added: “It’s inspiring to be learning the ropes directly from the Sovereign Grooming founder who is one of the industry’s best barbers. Kyle is known for delivering the highest standards of barbering, so I’ll be looking to pick up as many tips and tricks as I can.
“I’ve done some evening barbering courses in the past but nothing can prepare you like working in a salon. I’m especially looking forward to learning some of the modern barbering that Sovereign Grooming offers.”
3D images from architecture of new salon
The barber school is part of an overall plan to help the grooming industry deal with staff shortages following the impact of the pandemic.
Kyle Ross founded Sovereign Grooming in 2016 in Aberdeen and has since opened a popular salon at the New Waverly development in Edinburgh’s city centre. Kyle will personally oversee the training and want to develop “the best young talent in male grooming”.
Kyle will be joined by fellow barber Barry Doolan, who has been brought in due to his wealth of experience in educating and delivering similar qualifications.
Kyle said: “The Glasgow training academy has been in the pipeline for a while. As a company we’re extremely passionate about learning and development so it was the only natural progression to open our own barbering school.
“Over the 15-weeks, aspiring barbers will become fully qualified, learning typical industry skills whilst gaining important insight into fashion, photoshoot and stage styling – something that other barbering schools don’t offer.”
The school will have up to eight students going through training and qualification every quarter. The three-story Glasgow branch which will also offer luxury hair and beard services and male-focused beauty treatments as well as serving as a brand HQ.
Kyle added: “We want to inspire future generations of barbers to help people look and feel the best they possibly can in and out of the chair.”
After the first salon in Aberdeen proved an immediate hit, Kyle attracted investment to open salons in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, adding business credentials to a CV which had already seen him garlanded with multiple barbering awards.
He was named Best Barber UK at the International Barber Awards in 2017, a year which also saw him named Scottish Men’s Stylist of the Year. In 2018, he was named Best Barber at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards and in 2019 was shortlisted for GQ Magazine’s Barber of the Year title, one of only a handful of stylists outside London to have been shortlisted.
