It’s never just about him the salon owner, it’s about the team. Together they understand the importance of respecting each other’s strengths and growth needs. Helping them create a good balance has been the key to keeping his team.
Very few people know this about him, but he has owned an upscale neighbourhood salon with 10 stylists for the past 12 years.
He understands the key to running a successful business and salon team.
It’s never just about him the salon owner, it’s about the team. Together they understand the importance of respecting each other’s strengths and growth needs. Helping them create a good balance has been the key to keeping his team.
“I started working for Matrix 14 years ago as an Artistic Educator. I thought nothing of it, I thought it would be no different from being a hairdresser, only, I was just going to do hair on stage. What attracted me to the role was the prestige persona that came with it. Being an educator was for the elite, the grandioso, and that was who I was.”
“Now if you take life back 30 years ago, I would have never thought, I would be where I am today… Hairdressing saved my life.”
“I was overweight, insecure and bullied for most of my adolescent life. My Pre-Adult life was a nightmare. Because of that, I had to make the very hard decision and leave school. I hadn’t figured out who I was as an individual and that toxic public-school environment definitely didn’t allow for that or for me to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up.”
“I had secured a job in fast food but I knew I wasn’t supposed to be flipping burgers for the rest of my life. I decided to try hairdressing school, and it was hard, it was so hard. But it made me more social, taught me about self-expression, it made me feel whole.”
“When I think back, I knew this was where I always wanted to be. I remember going to the salon with my mom as a child sitting in the waiting room taking it all in. I loved watching everyone cut hair, I loved the conversation, I loved watching everyone be themselves and most of all I loved the smell. I loved the smell of beauty. As soon as I became a part of the industry I gained the confidence I needed in life to move forward.”
“So here I am today, the National Education and Events Manager, a position that didn’t just fall into my lap. It was one that I worked toward and grew into. I’ve seen this industry evolve beyond anything I could’ve imagined when I started and I’m glad to be on this side of things. I work for a brand that recognizes the needs of the hairdresser and that makes my work life so much easier. They understand the direction the industry is going and I love that. I love that I have the opportunity to work with up and coming artists. I love the millennials and their need to be independent, their need to be a boss, set their own hours, determine their faith. I completely respect that.”
“As an Education Manager my goal is to ensure we are constantly bringing these independents together because that’s how we thrive. Our goal is to cater education to the needs of the up and coming stylists, as well as our existing community. We consider all things, life style, schedule and of course attention span. We like to call it snackable content. Things a hairdresser can walk away with and use in the salon every day. We have to consider them, they are the reason we are here.”
“I know so many of you may be tired and you think you want to try something new. But there is something about the beauty industry that keeps people here. There are so many avenues, you don’t have to leave, you just need to find what fits for you. Our industry is constantly evolving and the need to stay educated and current will keep you alive within beauty.”
“I am so grateful for the person that I am today. I look forward to the person that I am still to become.”