WELCOME

Hair: Adam Reed
Photography: Ben Hards

I always think February is a better time to set goals for the year than January. There’s a bit more motivation in the air, lightness in the sky and hopefully the exhaustion that the festive period often brings with it has finally shifted. I've been thinking of a word that will sum up the seasons ahead. Resilience is the word that springs to mind right now. Resilience in the face of adversity, the cost of living crisis, rising energy prices and the recruitment crisis that our industry is facing.

One way to make your business more resilient is to introduce new business opportunities, and we investigate some ideas in this issue. Why not add scalp care to your service menu – specifically scalp facials. Our Content Writer Chloe investigates the rise of the scalp facial on page 30 and reveals how you can ensure clients come to you for advice. On page 26 Deputy Editor Sian looks at hair extensions, specifically the maintenance of them and how extension customers really can become clients for life. Elsewhere, we look to the trends that will shape the season ahead. It’s often noted that catwalk style has no real bearing on client’s lives and can come off as unrelatable, but Editorial Assistant Josie proves that some SS23 fashion week looks do have roots in real life and can easily be turned into salon-friendly looks (turn to page 24 to discover how).

Our business section contains some great articles that will hopefully shift your mindset and show you resilience in action. Our new column HJ Voicenotes sees Chelsea Caulton share her experience of setting up her own business and her struggles with confidence. Plus, our HJ Debate this month features two hairdressers sharing their thoughts on whether stylists should choose their own clients. Do you think that it could boost the general happiness of a team or do you think that it’s a client’s right to choose their stylist? Would it improve business not having to deal with moaning Ms Smith (we’ve all got a Ms Smith haven’t we…?)

I hope your 2023 has got off to a great start and we look forward to seeing you later in the year. Don’t miss out on being a part of the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2023, entries are now open – and close 5 April. What are you waiting for? This could be your year...