KEEPING IT LOCAL

Drew Scott, owner of Ascend Hair in Prudhoe shares the view of a local hairdresser. He reveals how local salon owners like him aim to push the industry forward in their communities and attract a new generation

I had an odd path into the industry – Iactually started out in banking! But I had a friend who worked in a salon and I loved the environment. I had a good salary and company car in my banking job, however when I met a sales representative from a colour house they opened up my eyes to a different side of the hairdressing industry. I spent 18 years doing sales and business development for different brands. Alongside that job, I trained in hairdressing two evenings a week in college. I then got a role in a hairdressers working on a Saturday. It really felt like I was one of the older ones in the salon, although I was only in my mid-20s!

I then went to do education for the colour house I was a rep for. It was a good lifestyle – but I was becoming a caricature of what I thought I should be like – burning the candle at both ends, and I thought: “I can’t keep doing this”.

I would encourage all salon owners to reach out to adult learners. I’ve actually had two of my clients who have re-trained to do make-up and beauty. It’s so important to say to people: “it’s never too late”.

I handed in my notice and carried on seeing a handful of clients on weekends and evenings. I did worry if I could carry on financially, but in Spring 2019, I stumbled across the perfect salon unit. And the rest is history.

I wanted to create a calm, salon space that focused on wellbeing and a one-on-one service, and we opened in June 2019. When I told the local community what I wanted to achieve, the response was overwhelming. It’s been difficult for local salons post-Covid19. There definitely is a heightened sense of anxiety. In our industry we constantly look at other salons and compare ourselves to them. But we’re a local salon serving a local community. There are actually a lot of salons in my town, and we’re all supportive of one another. If you’re having a worrying moment, it’s lovely to know that you can reach out to the salon down the road.

I’ve definitely come across struggles with staffing and training. My current apprentice is in her 30s, she’s going to college and a high percentage of her peers want to work for themselves and / or become a mobile hairdresser. It makes me think, what will happen to salons and learning from one another in a collaborative environment? There is a shortage of people wanting to work in a salon. In many ways it’s like walking on a knife edge at the moment. I promote positivity and manifestation, but of course I’m worried about the industry as a whole.

However, one positive outcome of Covid-19, is that it has taught people that there is an opportunity to re-train in different fields. I’ve done a few talks at local colleges, I would encourage all salon owners to reach out to adult learners. I’ve actually had two of my clients who have re-trained to do make-up and beauty. It’s so important to say to people: “it’s never too late”.

People need to realise that a hairdressing career doesn’t mean being behind a chair all day. Yes you can work in a salon, but you can also be an educator for a brand, work on cruise ships… the opportunities really are endless.”