EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

We caught up with Jamie Stevens after a wild couple of years to talk mental health and how salon closures can be for the best

If you had to write a job description for a Business Owner position, what would it say?

Don’t do it! No I’m kidding! I’d say skills must include being available 24/7, seven days a week. My skills are as a hairdresser and being a creative. The hardest times happened when I expanded the salon because the first Jamie Stevens had around 20 staff. When we expanded to having four salons, that jumped up to 60 staff. I spent more time driving between salons maintaining happy staff than I did maintaining happy clients. I went from being a hairdresser to a business operations manager. It’s always been hard trying to find like-minded people to work with. And since the pandemic, employers don’t have the power anymore. That doesn’t have to be a negative – but it’s definitely a mindset shift.

You recently reduced your four salons into one Kensington branch. How did you communicate this with your staff?

The whole ethos for me has always been honesty is the best policy. But during the difficult times, I tried to keep things from them. I really don’t advise this! I’ve been more honest and transparent over the last six months, than I have during the last two years. On the positive side, it made me realise having multiple salon locations wasn’t for me. I’ve now consolidated into one salon – Jamie Stevens Kensington. We’re a great team, with a big clientele. It’s allowed me more control. When I opened multiple salons I didn’t have the right team structure in place. I felt like I had to be there in person. But I’m now back on the shop floor, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and I love it.

Being a dad has a big impact on how I behave, I make an impression on them every day – so it needs to be a good one 

How has your mental health been affected being a business owner?

I’m used to being in full control. But having something happen to me that's out of my control has really affected me. [Jamie Stevens (Media) Ltd is currently bringing High Court proceedings against joint venture partners Brand Architekts PLC for breach of contract in relation to the “MR. Jamie Stevens” hair care brand] It’s a hard one to process. My defence mechanisms have included self-sabotage, eating unhealthily and drinking. I have spent a lot of money on legal fees, and it’s been draining both emotionally and financially. I’m trying to protect my name, because my name is on the product.

Would you say being a business owner is a lonely place to be?

Well, shutting yourself away can be so harmful. I have cut myself off from people in the last couple of years. The mentors in my life, and my wife, my friends and business peers, would always ask ‘how are you?’ and I’d just deflect the question. To be honest since the legal battle started, I stopped doing industry stuff which is such a shame as I love it.

Do you have any advice for anyone going through any business stresses?

You can’t predict the future. It’s not always in your control. To put it simply, it’s like a relationship. There might be a honeymoon period, there’s a marriage contract and sometimes relationships go sour – someone cheats, you file for divorce. But who gets the custody of the children? You can relate this to losing clients, breaking up with business partners and dealing with tricky landlords. If you’re engaging in a legal battle, leave it to the professionals and try to separate yourself from it.

Any parting words of wisdom for our readers that you'd like to share?

Now I’m publicly talking about this, it’s been heart-warming to have people reaching out. Unfortunately there are bad people out there, but it’s how you react that will make your situation better or worse. Take it from someone who didn’t take this advice: talk! Surround yourself with good people, don’t bottle emotions up. Being a dad has a big impact on how I behave, I make an impression on my children every day – so it needs to be a good one.