Congratulations! You have chosen the hairdressing industry as the vehicle to give you a better life. Great choice! For some people, this industry gives their life meaning, creates opportunities, and provides financial reward that they never thought possible… For others, it’s a minimum wage job that offers very little prospects. So, what is it for you; and more importantly, what do you want it to be like going forward?
Nobody owes you success. If you’re lucky, you work in a salon where they owe you a guaranteed minimum wage and a work environment that presents opportunities to grow. Other than that, it’s up to you; so what are you made of, how bad do you want success, and what are you prepared to do to get it?
The hairdressing industry offers opportunities that in most cases start with being a salon stylist, and for many that is an amazingly fulfilling career path that allows an individual to build up a great clientele, earn a good living, and build meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues that last years. For others, being a salon hairstylist or barber is a platform into other areas of hairdressing; from being an educator, to working in media doing hair for fashion shows and magazines, or in the entertainment sector doing the hair backstage for movies, TV, or theater.
But regardless of where your path takes you, it’s important to realize that the technical and creative component is only half of what you need to master if you are to really succeed. Whether you wish to be an owner or an employee, it is essential that you develop the people skills, the communication skills, the ability to work as a team, and the ability to manage yourself and market your services if you are to reach your full potential.
You are unique, there is no-one else with the mix of experiences, ambitions, skills and opportunities that makes you the person that you are. Hairdressing can be a great career choice, but like most things in life, there are no guarantees. Success starts with having the right attitude, hard work and the commitment to be a lifelong learner. So my advice to you is, “Be who you are – just better.”
Antony Whitaker is an educator and motivator, with a worldwide reputation based on more than 30 years’ experience in the hairdressing industry; and his best-selling series of ‘GROW’ books are available at his website, growmysalonbusiness.com.