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In this 'about me' section I wanted to tell you my back story with bullet points rather than a full on story. I hope it makes for a not so full on 'about me' story but more a readable straight to the point statement of my hairdressing journey.
My Journey
01
Apprenticeship
I started on a 5 year apprenticeship at John Olivers in Thetford, Norfolk (Including Youth Training Scheme - Does anyone remeber that!?)
02
Published
Won a photo-shoot and got published in the Hairdressers Journal on the 5th May 1989.
03
Salon Trainer
Very quickly I became the Salon Trainer at John Olivers in Cambridge.
04
Training School
Then I began teaching 'Cutting' at The John Oliver Training School in Norwich.
05
Travel
When my Nan died she left me 5k, so I decided to buy and around the world ticket (Well everyone in Cambridge had a gap year so I thought I'd take one)
06
London
When I returned from my travels I got a job as a Stylist at Charles Worthington in London.
07
A Home
After realising that I would never be able to afford to get on the property ladder I moved back to Norfolk where I set up a mobile business.
08
FHA
As any mobile hairdresser would, I joined the 'Freelance Hair Association'.
09
Top Icons
Built up my business and always kept on learning. (Through the FHA I've had fabulous training with top industry icons Andrew Barton, Patrick Cameron, Tim Hartley, Trevor Sorbie.
10
Judging Events
Judged John Oliver Trainee Awards and the West Suffolk College Hair and Beauty Festival for multiple years as I love what the young people create.
11
Final 10
Reached the final 10 in both the 'Ladies Cutting Edge' competition and the 'European Golden Clipper Award' at the Guild of Hairdressers.
12
Thought of Me
FHA's Sheila Abrahams called to say 'A friend of a friend in America needed someone to work on a cruise ship and that she had thought of me'.
13
My Response
I'd previously had a conversation with Sheila that when I was 18 I applied for the Cruise Ships but had to wear white shoes. I chucked the application in the bin and said, 'I'm not wearing white shoes'!! Sheila remembered this!
14
Dumped
I had recently been dumped by my then boyfriend, and my car loan had just finished... so I went to sea!
15
Promotion
Began as a Stylist, and six months later found myself being promoted to Spa Manager.
16
Salon Set-Up
Ended up setting up 3 salons on three different ships... The Mariner, The Voyager and The Navigator.
17
Shipped to Me
Because I was so obsessed with hairdressing I used to have the 'Hairdressers Journal' shipped out to me.
18
Extra Luggage
When I left the Cruise Ships I came back with extra luggage in the form of a husband, and we're still together!
19
Consultant
I applied for a job as a Technical Consultant for L'oreal. I got it and started training again in salons across East Anglia.
20
Opened First Salon
When my daughter reached the age of one I opened my first Salon in January 2007.
21
Outgrown
Rapidly outgrew that salon, and opened a 'Colour Specialist Salon' in June 2008.
22
Andrew Barton
Andrew Barton suggested I call it a Specialist Salon as he said I was one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to colour. (That was on a Marie Claire supplement called 'Hair Envy' photo-shoot in July 2008)
23
5Star
Got a 5 Star rating in The Good Salon Guide.
24
Re-purposing
Couldn't sell the original salon, so I re-opened it as a 'Kids Only' salon. (Kids friendly environment had speciality seating, play areas and games console)
25
Fantastic Salon
As I was now a Salon owner I enrolled myself on the 'Fantastic Salon Programme'. This lead to me doing a 2 year Ambassador Programme with the Fantastic Hairdresser Company.
26
Learning From the Best
Also gained incredible learning from Akin Konizi, Sally Brooks and Desmond Murray at this time.
27
Wig Cutting
Trained to offer 'My New Hair' with Trevor Sorbie.
28
Management Degree
Started and completed a 'BA Honours Business Management Degree' course. 2:1
29
Excellence
Runner up in the 2010 'British Hairdressing Business Awards'. (Salon of the Year) Regional finalists - L'oreal Colour Trophy. East of England business champions, and winner of customer excellence awards.
30
Breakdown
Unfortunately I became exhausted and ended up having a breakdown, withdrawing from public life. I ended up closing my businesses to lead a simpler life.... which took a while!!
31
Recovery
When I recovered from my illness I dove straight back into my passion... training! Did courses in Brand Leadership, P.R, and Copywriting.
32
Educating
West Suffolk College offered me a job in the business school, and the hairdressing school.
33
Standards
Completed 'Sector Training' on 'Teaching, Learning and Assessment Towards Outstanding Standards'.
34
L'Oreal
L'Oreal asked me to consider teaching for them again when I saw them at Salon International. (Of course I said yes!)
35
Re-inducted
Had to be re-inducted, and started looking after 26 salons in East Anglia. This is my passion... Educating Hairdressers!
36
Covid 19
During the lockdowns, I have been connecting with the hairdressing world in a very different way. it's given me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of helping more hairdressers reach their full capacity using modern technology.
Covid gave me a chance to keep educating myself online from home. I kept in touch with the Freelance Hair Association, How to Cut it with Dom Lehane and the Fellowship of British Hairdressers the most.
37
Covid 19
Salon International 2021 & 2022, how fantastic to be out in ‘real life’ amongst our fabulous industry.
