WELCOME

HAIR: JOSH AND SOPHIE-ROSE GOLDSWORTHY PHOTOGRAPHY: SOPHIE-ROSE GOLDSWORTHY

I get it – software can feel like a dry subject, but when it can empower you to get more bookings, deal with no-shows and be a valuable tool for helping businesses with both employed and self-employed staff, things start to get a bit more interesting. We looked at the companies who are delivering on all counts, those that cater to traditional employed salon models, co-working spaces and freelance stylists in our Software for All feature on page 39. When our latest HJ Insider survey revealed that 40% of you were freelance (compared to 44% who said they were employed, and 16% who said they were both), we wanted to ask the software brands what they’re doing to engage all parts of the market.

The skinification of hair, and particularly the cross over between the hair, beauty and wellness spaces prompted our ‘Headfirst into Scalp Health’ feature on page 33. It’s well worth a read to find out the latest innovations and what other stylists are rating right now.

Elsewhere, we spoke to Maddi Cook on pricing for our Voicenotes column. I loved what she had to say about the industry attracting caring people who put their clients first. But she questions whether it’s coming at a cost (literally!) “It’s hard when people outside the industry don’t respect us,” she writes. “But why are we doing this from within? We have a skills shortage and we need to show that hairdressing is a profitable and viable business in order to secure the next generation of hairdressers.” Hear, hear. We need to start looking after ourselves better and elevating our craft to attract a new generation – and that might mean pricing more competitively.

Speaking of elevating our profession, what better celebration of the business acumen than our British Hairdressing Business Award winners who we celebrate from page 52. There on the night? Click here to see if you can spot yourself in our gallery online. 

I hope you manage to find some time over summer to rest, recover and recoup. See you for our September issue - it’s shaping up to be a bumper issue with the #salon24 preview incoming…