HJ VOICENOTES
Nicholas James Tucker, owner of Nicholas James Hair, believes where you build your career shouldn’t define how far it can take you – and explains why returning to the Welsh Valleys became the making of his career
NICHOLAS TUCKER
ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS IN OUR INDUSTRY IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT BIG, YOU HAVE TO MOVE TO LONDON OR MANCHESTER, OR MAYBE EVEN ABROAD. I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE THINK THAT – BECAUSE I USED TO BELIEVE IT TOO.
One of the biggest misconceptions in our industry is that success means moving to London, Manchester or abroad. I understand why people think that – I used to believe it too.
I grew up in a small mining town in the Welsh Valleys and, like many young hairdressers, thought the opportunities I wanted existed elsewhere. After three years working locally, I left Wales at 19 to join award-winning salon group Royston Blythe.
Walking into the Shrewsbury salon was a turning point. The luxury, creativity and professionalism were unlike anything I had experienced before. But what stood out most was the pride, energy and attention to detail throughout the team. Every member of the salon was committed to creating the very best experience, and I knew I wanted to be part of that environment.
Starting at the bottom, I worked my way up to Art Director and learned that success is built on more than technical ability. Mindset, discipline and consistency were just as important. Every detail mattered, from the salon environment and team presentation to the client experience. Those lessons have shaped the way I approach my career today.
Working alongside Nick Malenko and Royston Blythe shaped my approach to hairdressing. Their belief in me opened doors I could only have dreamed of, from celebrity clients including personalities from The Real Housewives of Cheshire to competitions such as the L’Oréal Colour Trophy. More importantly, they taught me to back myself, work relentlessly and create my own identity.
Many assumed London would be my next move, but instead I chose to return home. My ambition was to bring everything I had learned back to the Welsh Valleys and create a salon experience I once believed only existed in bigger cities. I wanted people to experience exceptional hairdressing, luxury and service without having to leave their community.
Today, what I’ve built is about more than beautiful hair. It’s a place where clients feel valued, standards remain uncompromising and people travel from across the UK to experience what we’ve created. Seeing local clients enjoy that same level of confidence and luxury on their doorstep is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Winning Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, having my work featured internationally and seeing it recognised across the industry has reinforced that returning to Wales was the right decision.
Social media has made our industry more connected, proving talent is no longer defined by postcode.