FREELANCE
The FREELANCER’S GUIDE to Confidence
From finding your voice on social media and building a supportive network to entering competitions and getting to grips with the business side, successful freelancers share how confidence can help you build a career on your own terms
SHED
Becoming a successful hairdresser takes more than skill, talent and industry qualifications. Are these qualities important? Absolutely. In fact, when pursuing your career as a stylist, these are the skills you should work on first and foremost. But what happens when you get all the credentials and want to forge a path as a freelance hairdresser independent contractor? Well, there’s an underrated quality that will propel you into a thriving and successful career, and that’s confidence.
You’ve likely seen real-life examples of confident stylists in action. It’s the person whose career trajectory reads the same as yours on paper, yet they remain booked and busy, win awards, and speak on stages, while you struggle from month to month to get bookings. Nine times out of 10, the gap isn’t a talent problem; it’s a confidence problem. The good news is that this is something that can be remedied. We spoke to our little black book of successful stylists for their tips on harnessing confidence.
VENNER JAMES
Commit to Life-Long Learning
Nothing screams confidence more than someone who knows their stuff and is at the top of their game. When you become a freelancer, the buck stops with you. You are the employee, HR, and the person in charge of your growth and professional development. While it may be comfortable to rest on your laurels when you are your own boss, you stand a better chance of forging ahead and therefore exuding confidence if you stay on top of your game and keep improving as a stylist. “Being confident in your gift is the foundation every freelancer should build upon,” explains London-based celebrity hairstylist Venner James. “When that foundation is solid, everything else you build becomes stronger. So, keep refining your gift. Keep building with every pin, curl, trim. Your job is to stay ready when your timing arrives.”
Lose Your Fear of Social Media
Most of us have a love/hate relationship with social media. Yet, there’s no denying its power when it comes to amplifying your work, creating a personal brand and leveraging it to attract more revenue and opportunities.
If you are naturally more introverted (it’s a myth that all hairstylists are extroverts), the thought of ‘putting yourself out there’ most likely fills you with dread. But nearly all of the experts cite social media as the number-one tool for boosting confidence.
“I stopped worrying so much about what other people might think and started sharing what I know, what I believe in and the work I genuinely enjoy,” says Rachel Feltham of Rachel H Hair Studio, Oxfordshire. “A few things that have really helped me build confidence are practice: post something, because consistency matters more than perfection. I also remind myself that not everything needs to be “industry perfect” to be valuable. I use social media as a portfolio rather than a performance.”
Find Your Squad
Freelancing offers a wealth of freedom, but there’s no denying that it can be isolating working alone. Your confidence levels will likely waver as you navigate the highs and lows that come with self-employment. But one surefire way to maintain a positive mindset and remain confident and motivated is to surround yourself with a community of like-minded individuals to see you through the tougher periods.
Harry Andreou, Founder of Studio U, Winchester, a beautiful co-working space for freelance stylists, says that community lies at the heart of why he felt that such a space was necessary.
“Freelancing can offer incredible freedom, but it can also feel isolating,” Harry explains. “Many stylists are forced to choose between the structure of traditional employment and working completely alone. At Studio U we share knowledge, support one another and create the energy of a busy salon without sacrificing anyone’s independence. It’s a community, rather than simply a chair to rent.”
Start Before You Are Ready
One misconception about confidence is that you can only act upon it when you ‘feel’ ready. However, if you speak to anyone who has achieved anything of worth, one thing that is often repeated is that confidence comes after you’ve taken those shaky, tentative steps.
Harry explains further, stating: “Start before you feel completely ready. Confidence rarely arrives first. Usually, it develops after you have taken the uncomfortable step, attended the event, introduced yourself or posted the work.”
EMMA DIXON
Enter Competitions
Another aspect of being a professional stylist that is likely to bring feelings of trepidation and insecurity is the vulnerability that comes with entering industry awards like the British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. The fear of being judged, competing with other people, and the obvious fear of the result being unfavourable are valid, and it’s no wonder why many choose to avoid such potential negative feelings.
But on the other side of fear is where the magic lies. The confidence that comes from doing the brave thing, and the opportunities that often arise from putting yourself out there, suggest that the payoff is certainly worth it.
Emma Dixon, Hairstylist and Denman Creative, certainly agrees, having witnessed how transformative it is to step out of your comfort zone. She says: “Things really started to grow for me when I competed for the title of Denman Stage Star at Salon International and won. It really challenged my creativity and unlocked things in me that I didn’t know were there. Now I work with people that I could only have dreamed of before; other brands have reached out, and everything that I have done has led to something else and a new experience.”
Pay Attention to the ‘Business’ of Freelancing
While hairdressing comes as naturally to stylists as breathing, the business side of things may not come as effortlessly. But the success of your business depends on how much focus you put on the business side of things, paying attention to elements like growth, strategy and long-term vision, aka the unsexy part of what we do.
“Understand that being a brilliant hairdresser and running a successful business are two different skills”, explains Harry, “You need both. Confidence often comes from clarity. Know what you offer, who you want to work with, what your time is worth and what it genuinely costs to deliver your services. Pricing properly, managing your finances and creating a consistent client experience might not feel as exciting as the creative work, but they give you the stability to keep creating. It’s also important not to confuse being fully booked with being profitable. Success isn’t about working every available hour. It’s about building a business that supports the life you want, rather than one that consumes it.”
HARRY ANDREOU
Quick hacks for freelance stylists
SHEILA ABRAHAMS MBE, FOUNDER, THE FREELANCE HAIRDRESSERS' ASSOCIATION
“Freelance hairdressing isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly why knowledge matters as much as creative skill. Knowing yourself well enough to recognise the working environment that suits you, understanding your timing, and making sure you have the right support around you – that’s what turns a good idea into a sustainable career. Without it, even the most talented stylist can end up isolated, uninsured or making decisions alone that they shouldn’t have to.”
TOM ROWLEY-CLIFFORD, CREATIVE STYLIST @TOMRC_HAIR
“I believe social media is the key to most of the amazing opportunities in the industry, so it’s really important that you have a presence on there. The best way to build confidence on social media is to post something you're passionate about so your content reaches the right people and brands that will help you create a lovely, supportive community.”
AMELIA WILMOTT - FELLOWSHIP FOR BRITISH HAIRDRESSING PROJECT X, QUIF CENTRE STAGE 2025 WINNER
“My number-one tip would be to put yourself out there. The more you put yourself out there, build connections, find your voice, and refine your technical skills, the more you’ll have the confidence to say yes to opportunities that come your way. People will start to know your name, remember you, and believe in you.”
RACHEL MCWHIRTER HAIRSTYLIST, @RACHELMCWHIRTERHAIRSTYLIST
“For me, confidence as a freelance hairdresser has come from realising that I don’t have to fit the traditional mould of what a successful hairdresser ‘should’ look like. I’ve become much more confident in putting myself forward by being really clear about who I am, what I stand for and the kind of working life I want to create.”
KARIS WOODWARD, @KARISAMYHAIR
“Being a freelancer comes with a lot of unspoken challenges within the confidence realm; you really have to back yourself and have the right tools and mindset going into it. Dealing with clients can be tricky with no one to fall back on, so having the confidence in knowing you are the professional and they are the client is crucial. Social media is one of the tools that you really want to allow time for: it’s free marketing, and for me, where I generate all my new clientele.”