1 mins
MASTER YOUR TRADE
Hairdressers, barbers, and stylists know a thing or two about hard work. It takes time to master your craft and grow your business, especially in a crowded market.
Here, Abigail Butler, owner of Strictly Xtended salon in Bishop’s Stortford, and an AXA business insurance customer since 2015, explains how she took her time and put in the work to build her business.
“I actually started off as a mobile service, driving to clients’ houses. I started in 2009 and opened the first salon in 2014. It was in a little industrial area, not really what I wanted but I needed to start somewhere, and it meant I was able to offer more services.
“I thought I could become a onestop shop to offer different methods of extensions. And that’s where we are today with Strictly Xtended. We moved into this new salon over two years ago.
“To see the transition from starting out so small, doing mobile hairdressing, then the progression from my first salon and now to this place, has been amazing.”
Do the work
When building her business and growing it year by year, Abigail learned a thing or two about hard work. Her best advice for others looking to follow in her footsteps: take your time.
“I kept it quite small at first. My costs were low, and I was able to train myself to understand the business side of things. Although, I am still learning!
“The world wasn’t built in a day, so do it properly. Don’t jump steps. Take your time, do the work, and don’t take shortcuts. Master your trade.”
Learn from your peers
At AXA, hard work from hairdressers is recognised, and when you’re looking for support in growing your business, the best people to reach out to are the experts who have been there, done that. That’s why AXA Business Insurance are joining Salon International 2022 at ExCeL London on 8-10 October.
Look out for AXA’s panel discussion to hear from business owners like Abigail on growing your business on Sunday 10 October, and visit AXA on Stand R178 to learn how to protect the business you’ve built.