THE EDUCATION JOURNEY

Top hairdressers from leading education brands reveal the path that’s led to where they are today and why learning new skills is more important than ever

CLAYDE BAUMANN
Wella top artist for D&J Ambrose

How did your hairdressing career start?

I always knew I wanted to be in a creative industry. Fashion and journalism were my other options, but I found hairdressing was the easiest to access. It wasn’t until my mentor took me to a national award ceremony in South Africa that I began to take it seriously though.

What was your first job? 

It was an upmarket salon called Dave & Johan in Johannesburg, South Africa. The salon owner, Johan Kempen, was a wonderful man. Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer this April. His contribution to the industry will never be forgotten.

How did you get your first position? 

One of my strengths is my ability to communicate my thoughts and feelings and express my passion through the spoken word. I think Johan could see that I was passionate and knew it was a good skill to have as a hairdresser.

What would you like to learn this year?

It’s important to examine constantly the way other people are working. You may not always agree with them but sometimes you find a pearl of wisdom, or skill that you can adopt and mould to suit your own skill set.

For more information on courses, visit www.education.wella.com/home or download the 2021 Education Book.

JACQUI MCINTOSH
VTCT apprenticeship business development manager

How did your hairdressing career start?

My career started by fluke. My older sister was the one interested in hair because her boyfriend was a hairdresser. I studied business for two years but decided it wasn’t for me. I discovered a love for hairdressing by assisting my sister’s boyfriend with in-salon education for a major brand. I’ve never looked back.

What was your first job? 

I have to give homage to two salons for my career – Vasthi’s Hair Salon on Walworth Road in London was my foundation in everything Afro hairdressing. Robert Fielding on Wigmore Street, London was my foundation in European hairdressing.

How did you get your first position?

I showed that I was able to listen and follow instructions.

Do you still take courses? 

I love going on courses –I like challenging my creativity as well as my technical ability and knowledge. I believe you’re only as good as your last haircut.

Visit www.vtct.org.uk/qualificationcategory/hairdressing-barbering for details on hairdressing and barbering qualifications.

AMY HORSMAN
Head of colour and salon manager at Cutting Room Creative for L’Oréal Professionnel Paris

How did your hairdressing career start?

I started when I was 13 in a tiny salon as a Saturday girl. It was all perms, shampoo and sets and that’s when I knew I wanted to work in a bigger salon.

What was your first job? 

After working as a Saturday girl for two years I went on to a full-time apprenticeship at a North Leeds salon. After qualifying I knew I needed to find a good progressive salon to expand my knowledge and that’s when I joined Cutting Room Creative.

How did you get your first position?

I had some experience from my Saturday job which gave me a big advantage in securing my first position.

What would you like to learn this year?

I’m really looking forward to meeting with the L’Oréal Professionnel Paris ‘A team’ again. Working with new products and finding out what’s new on the trend agenda.

Head to www.lorealaccess.com the home to all of L’Oréal Professional brands’ education and inspirational content.

COLOUR CONGRESS 2021 tickets are now live with the first episode airing on 7 June. You can purchase tickets via Access for £150/€165. Episode 1 is Colour is Art: Impactful Placement.

LUKE DAWSON-BROWNE
Technical education manager, Salon Success

How did your hairdressing career start?

My hairdressing career started at the age of 18 after leaving school at 16. One Saturday I went around the local salons in my area asking for a job after becoming obsessed with the Channel 4 TV programme The Salon.

What was your first job? 

My first salon was an eight-chain group called Ian Henry on the Wirral. I began as an apprentice. Due to my age I was fast tracked through my NVQ level 2 completing within 12 months. I finished my NVQ level 3 in the following 12 months. Once I had completed both NVQ 2/3 I became a junior stylist and built up my clientele.

What would you like to learn this year?

As part of my role within the Salon Success education and technical team we learn with the brands we work with. John Paul Mitchell Systems has an excellent online learning platform and #MyDentity has a major digital presence with Guy Tang publishing educational content on his channels.

Visit www.paulmitchellpro.com for details of Paul Mitchell Systems courses and follow @guy_tang on Instagram to stay up-to-date with #MyDentity.

TIM SCOTT-WRIGHT
Schwarzkopf Professional brand ambassador

How did your hairdressing career start?

I went to college to do psychiatric nursing because I wanted to please my parents, but I was kicked off the course as I didn’t attend! I’ve always wanted to do hairdressing and was lucky enough to live where the incredible Umberto Giannini had a salon. I walked in one day asking for a job and Umberto was the one behind the reception desk so I got to speak with him directly. He invited me to come in for a trial which is where I first met the Friday ladies I still do today. After the trial I was offered an apprenticeship and the rest is history!

How did you get your first position? 

Umberto always described me as a cheeky chappy. I was up front, spoke my mind and asked a lot of questions to the point where Umberto would have to tell me to be quiet!

Why is it important to keep learning? 

I teach alongside other Schwarzkopf Professional ambassadors. I learn something from them every time we run courses and believe you should never stop learning.

Visit www.skpevents.co.uk/ASK- Academy-2021/index0.asp for details of Schwarzkopf Professional’s upcoming courses and events.

MIKE TAYLOR
Founder of Mike Taylor Education

How did your hairdressing and barbering career start?

Back in 1991 you had to learn hairdressing first, but as soon as I finished my training I wanted to go and work in a barbers.

What was your first job? 

Command Performance hairdressing and the first barbershop I worked in was Trilby’s in Basingstoke.

How did you get your first position?

My passion. I’d just finished training in hairdressing and Trilby’s must have seen my passion for barbering and I’m glad they took a punt on me.

Do you enrol on courses? 

I often book educators to come and teach me and my staff. We had Kade Cut, for example, come and educate on Afro hair recently.

What would you like to learn this year?

Mens’ hair pieces is something I think all barbers should get behind. I really think hair systems can help develop male grooming and the barbering industry as a whole.

For more information on the Mike Taylor Education courses, go to www.miketayloreducation.com.

JOHN ANTHONEY
Matrix Master Craft educator

How did your hairdressing career start?

I started my career in hairdressing after working backstage at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach theatre. After seeing the wigs and hair pieces I fell in love with the creative industry.

What was your first job? 

My first salon job was at Blades hair salon in my home town – Kilmarnock in Scotland. I went back to Scotland to do my apprenticeship in hairdressing because I could stay with my parents whilst studying. I had an amazing boss called Lorraine who took me under her wing. I knew that one day I wanted my own salon to be run the way she ran hers. Lorraine and her team were a pleasure to work with at such a young age – they were kind, helpful and educated me.

What would you like to learn this year?

I enrolled on lots of education over the past year, but I particularly loved a business and marketing course I took. I also studied mindfulness and had coaching sessions from other business owners. I recommend keeping in touch with your colour house and watch for new launches and education. Matrix, for example, has everything from live webinars to e-learnings.

For more information on Matrix education courses, visit www. matrixhaircare.co.uk/educationcourses.

BECKY SUTHERLAND
OSMO IKON ambassador

How did your hairdressing career start?

I started my hairdressing career at 13 and love it just as much now I’m 35!

What was your first job? 

I started as a Saturday girl at a local salon. Living in a small country village I knew I had to push myself and work hard to break the mould.

How did you get your first position? 

I believe my persistence and perseverance got me my first position. I visited the salon every single week until they offered me the job.

Why is it so important to keep learning?

I love doing courses – they expand my own knowledge and help the next generation. OSMO has courses for all levels on colour, barbering and styling. Their website lists the courses so you can plan now for when they restart!

What would you like to learn this year?

I would love to learn more about Afro- Caribbean hair. I know this is the next step that I need to take to better my knowledge and be more inclusive.

For a list of OSMO education courses visit: www.osmo.uk.com/education

KY WILSON
BaByliss PRO Ambassador

How did your hairdressing career start?

After being rejected by numerous electrical and plumbing companies because of my age, and being exempt from the government funding from the apprenticeship scheme, I was done with trying. I walked into a local salon called Daniel Gray in Kendal and was offered a trial the following Monday

What do you think got you your first position?

Probably my off the cuff approach to applying for a job and just walking in asking to speak to the owners.

Do you still enrol on courses? 

It’s vital to stay relevant within any fast moving industry. Look at how colouring hair has developed from regimented highlights to today’s more bespoke colour. Now colourists apply a variation of techniques to get blondes blonde and toning is a skill within itself!

What would you like to learn this year?

Doing things that are truly going to make a difference for our industry – not just for vanity or financial gain!

For up-to-date information about BaByliss PRO education visit @BaBylissPROuk on Instagram.

Jonathan Andrew
Fudge Professional global brand ambassador

How did your hairdressing career start?

My first job was at my auntie and uncle’s salon Cox McMillan in London. I moved from Warrington in the North West to London when I was 18 to start my career in hairdressing as an assistant.

How did you get your first position? 

My family were extremely supportive, but I definitely had to work even harder than the rest of the team because my auntie and uncle wanted to show there was no preferential treatment. I owe them a lot because they made sure I didn’t become complacent.

What would you like to learn this year?

I work with Fudge Professional on their courses. I’m very lucky that I get to work with so many amazing hairdressers so I’m constantly learning from them. The last course I personally did was a men’s grooming and make-up course because I wanted to add those additional skills to my expertise. For more information on Fudge Professional courses, visit https:// uk.fudgeprofessional.com/for-salons/ salon-education.list

EDUCATION COURSES TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR

1 ghd Salon Essentials Education
This year ghd is launching Salon Essentials. It is a new look for ghd’s fundamental education which is centred around the essential techniques that lead to expertise with each of their styling tools. Each seminar will cover four techniques and each is built around a specific ghd tool.

For more information on dates and locations or to book onto a Salon Essentials course, speak to your ghd account manager.

2 Sassoon’s in-person courses 
Starting from Mid-May through to the end of August, Sassoon is focusing on all short term in-person courses by offering a ‘Buy one course, get 50% off a second’. Pricing for a five day in-person course begins at £1,500.

Visit www.sassoon-academy. com to see course selection, dates and pricing. Offer available in the UK and USA locations.

3 Goldwell’s Education Book 
Goldwell has a host of educational opportunities both in-person and virtually in 2021 such as Neil Barton: On the Edge Colour and Cutting on Monday 21 June for £240.

 The Goldwell Education Book can be found at www.goldwell. com/en-gb/education/.