The Freelancer

Going freelance can feel daunting, but stylist Jayde Collins says it was the best move she ever made

What was your journey into the hair industry?

My journey was a bit of an accident. I left school on a Friday unsure of what I wanted to do and managed to get an apprenticeship at a local TONI&GUY salon by the Monday. It’s fair to say I was not a natural to begin with, but I learned how to perfect my craft and gained attention to detail. Now I love it so much that I couldn’t ever imagine doing anything else.

Can you tell us about your present role?

I work with two of the best spaces for freelancers at the moment – The Hunter Collective (@huntercollective) and The Social (@thesocial). I can give my clients the luxury experience of a salon, but I also have as much flexibility as I need. I love having a team of freelancers around for chats between clients. We bounce around creative ideas and talk about new products, which means I still feel in the loop.

What are the biggest benefits of being a freelancer?

The work-life balance because I never realised how exhausted I was until I was able to work a healthy schedule into my life. In a lot of salons, creative work is on your down time so I would often end up working six or seven-day weeks. Now I can choose a ‘creative day’ out of my week and make it work around my clients. It’s allowed me to become the hairdresser I’ve always longed to be.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a freelancer?

The admin side as booking appointments and keeping on top of everything takes time. Having to reply to every message is tough and it makes me appreciate every receptionist I’ve ever worked with so much more. I’ve learned to take a power hour every morning and get on top of my day.

What are your tips for building a name as a freelancer?

Find your niche. Use Instagram for what you want to attract in a client and make sure your hashtags are relevant. It’s free advertising and you’d be so surprised at how many clients you can generate through it. Don’t post for the sake of posting and feature your best work as I believe in quality over quantity.

What resources would you recommend to fellow freelancers?

Get a good booking system and be organised. A financial advisor or good accountant is key. There is so much to learn about how to create the best business plan and feel secure financially while doing so. It’s taken a huge weight off my shoulders having that support, especially in such uncertain times.

What’s the signature look you like to create?

I love to create colours that work with people’s hair. Nothing satisfies me more than a seamless colour blend and shiny locks. I get a lot of clients that come to me with damaged hair and I love taking them on a journey to healthy hair.

What are the go-to products in your kitbag?

I always colour with Olaplex to ensure my clients walk away with the best possible hair. I’m also a huge lover of Shu Uemura Oil because it doesn’t weigh down the hair like some other products.

What’s next for you and your career?

I would love to give back and educate one day. For now, it’s about becoming the best hairdresser I can be, taking this year to evolve into my new freelance career change and see the exciting places that it leads me!