Should you have a niche as a hairdresser?

Some believe the key to success is honing in on a particular speciality, whilst others believe an all-round approach is best

Yes

I think having a niche can be incredibly beneficial if you are looking to establish yourself in the industry as an expert and become a master of your craft. I work on all genders and hair types, however I am particularly known for my men’s hairdressing work – which I have won a number of awards and accolades for.

Having a strong niche has meant that I have received some incredible opportunities, such as working with brands on their campaigns

To become an expert in my niche, I delved into as much men’s hairdressing training as possible, I immersed myself in the men’s hairdressing industry and I learnt the difference between barbering and men’s hairdressing and all the skills required to be the very best.

By taking these steps, I can now truly say I am an expert, and I have industry peers come to me for help and guidance when it comes to opening their own men’s hairdressing salons, training support, and to help with their collections.

Having a strong niche has meant that I have received some incredible opportunities, such as working with brands on their campaigns – including TONI&GUY and Topman – and have been asked to work at events like V Festival and Fashion Week.

Although I do believe you can receive a great deal of opportunities from not having a chosen niche, I think having one can give you more of a platform – the industry will know come to you if they are looking for a reputable men’s hairdresser, Afro stylist, extensionist etc. It can also heighten your reputation whilst allowing you to delve into one area of hairdressing more deeply.

JIM SHAW, OWNER OF TONI&GUY BILLERICAY

No

Not having a niche is absolutely OK – in fact, I don’t have one myself, but rather I see myself as an all-rounder who has experience in a variety of skills and styles of hairdressing.

For many, a niche is something that may not become apparent for many years, or may simply be something that never happens. Throughout my career, I have been extremely fortunate to hone a variety of roles and skills within the industry, from opening my own salon, to precision and creative cutting, colour, session, Afro, men’s, wigs, education, being part of art teams and so much more. I have experienced a lot of different areas and feel comfortable not having one set area of excellence.

As an individual, I want to push myself to become the best version of myself; I love to soak up every ounce of knowledge and learn as much as I can across every single area of hairdressing – no matter what role or challenge is presented to me.

I have experienced a lot of different ‘niche areas’ and feel comfortable not having one set area of excellence

At the beginning of my career, on my very first day, I made a promise to myself to give this career my all, be successful and learn every single detail possible, and instead of focusing solely on one area, I decided to do just that – learn and succeed in all areas. It’s important to remember that having a niche is absolutely amazing; it’s something to be proud of and is a wonderful thing to have. However, if you haven’t found a niche yet, or don’t want to focus on one sole area, this is ok too. Everyone has their own goals, their own vision and their own identity.

DARREL STARKEY, TAYLOR’S HAIR STUDIO