DEBATE

Three salon owners share their thoughts on how to run a successful business

1 JOE EMIR, INANCH LONDON

“Since launching our business back in 2005 the plan was always for me to manage and run the operational side and for Inanch to manage and lead the artistic side of the business (although there are crossovers). Inanch is mainly responsible for staff training, client care, photoshoots, new product and service testing, and quality control. She also manages the day-to-day running of the salon and making sure the client journey is impeccable. I am responsible for financial controlling, stock management, marketing and promotions. I also head up the operational management of the sub-brand Gold Class Hair which includes account managing existing and new salons. Inanch does new salon and stylist training, product quality control and new product innovation for Gold Class Hair. Both of us have a shared responsibility when it comes to HR management, staff appraisals and recruitment. For example, I initially interview candidates and Inanch is involved at the final shortlist interviews and stylist trial days. Juggling business and creativity can be extremely difficult, and in our opinion, it could end up holding the business back. Having a partnership where one person heads up the business whilst the other person leads the artistic and creative side, allows both of us to run our responsibilities more efficiently. However, while we both have our own roles, we still have areas that overlap and over the years we have become more aware of what those involve which helps us bounce ideas off each other to run the business more efficiently and creatively.”

2 SALLY BROOKS, BROOKS & BROOKS

“Myself and my business partner Jamie have had a salon for more than 22 years, moving to our new location in Covent Garden two years ago. Jamie has always taken a lead on the business side of the company, but we always discuss figures, targets and goals together so that we are aligned. I love the creative part of what I do; the show work, the shoots and the mentoring, but without a business partner I wouldn’t be able to do that. Quite quickly I learnt how to manage business and creativity as one. It was something that naturally happened early on, we run the business together and there has never been a divide or separation between the two, we just naturally gravitate towards different areas. Sometimes there is a situation that Jamie is best to handle and sometimes one that I am better with; it’s not over-thought it’s just a natural decision. The business has a lot of responsibilities behind it such as team stability and growth, payroll, bills etc, and it’s important that you can balance the two – what creative opportunities are right for the business and what business decisions are right for the growth of creativity. Having a business brain or learning to manage the business responsibilities allows you to still be creative. I think you can run a successful business with a focus on business, but I think it’s harder to run a successful business with only a focus on creativity. Having a balance of the two is the best – after all, most of us need the creativity to fuel ourselves.”

3 SHARON MALCOLM, SHARON MALCOLM HAIRDRESSING

“I founded my business 25 years ago and have always run the business by myself. I remortgaged my house to open the salon on the high street in my hometown of Newtownards in Northern Ireland as I had a vision and wanted to bring something to the town that hadn’t been done before. I hadn’t considered getting a business partner back then, and I have never considered it since. Now, I run the whole salon by myself with some help from my accountant on the financial side of the business. I split my time 80% on the salon – being creative on shoots and educating stylists – and another 20% of the time on the business. I work full time in the salon with a full column of clients, as well as managing the team, the admin, the marketing and dealing with suppliers. I also attend events, work on photoshoots and educate salons around the UK. I love my job and my salon, and sharing the business with someone else has never been on my radar. As a sole trader I can work at my own pace and set my own goals. Some of my peers have life partners who are also business partners, and not having someone to share thoughts and frustrations with can sometimes be challenging and lonely, but thankfully I have great friends in the industry I can talk to. I’d highly recommend running a salon by yourself, but you do have to be mindful of the business as well as the creativity.”