EDUCATION
TRANSFORMING CURL EDUCATION
Founder Carla Kirkpatrick on building confidence through curl education and community
For more than two decades behind the chair, Carla Kirkpatrick, founder of The Hello You! Curls Club, watched clients struggle to understand and embrace their natural texture. Recognising that traditional salon education was leaving a gap in client confidence, Carla created The Hello You! Curls Club – an intimate, four-person workshop designed to empower clients through hands-on guidance, honest consultation and peer support. Here, Carla explains how bringing clients together is reshaping textured hair education and helping salons build stronger client relationships.
What was the inspiration behind The Hello You! Curls Club?
Carla: Conversations with clients made me realise the world of curl education is still surprisingly small. People are getting information from influencers rather than stylists, and much of it is brand-led instead of focused on what actually works. We try to educate during appointments, but it’s like giving someone directions – they think they’ve got it, then get home and realise they haven’t.
There was a real need for people to learn through firsthand experience. We explain why products work, how to use a diffuser properly and how small changes can make a big difference. Keeping the workshops to just four people means everyone receives individual support and realises they’re not alone.
What are the most common questions clients ask?
Carla: Frizz is probably the biggest one and the negative relationship many people have with it. For years we’ve been told our hair needs to be tamed and made perfect.
I notice it particularly with older clients who remember big ’80s hair and worry that diffusing will make it huge. Then there’s product choice – people realise they don’t need lots of products to achieve great results. Bringing everyone together helps clients see that their hair isn’t unmanageable – it’s simply unique, and that’s something to celebrate.
How would you describe your approach to textured hair education?
Carla: It’s about really seeing people and understanding how they see themselves. Negative experiences with textured hair often begin at school or in the workplace, where people are told their hair is ‘wild’.
My education for stylists covers techniques and products, but it’s also about understanding the person in front of you. I have people travelling 70 miles for a haircut because they can’t find a local salon that understands curls. Investing in education pays off quickly because there’s such a demand for knowledgeable stylists.
How does The Hello You! Curls Club inspire you?
Carla: Working with clients in a group environment genuinely feels like making a difference. Knowledge has no value unless you share it. My clients range from their 20s to their 80s, and helping someone feel confident in their natural hair for the first time is incredibly emotional. Giving them that confidence in themselves is the most rewarding part of what I do.