Creative HEAD May 2017

#SalonSmart17
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
A KEY PART of Salon Smart is the chance to see business experts
enjoy a frank conversation over some of the day’s hot topics. Closing
out Sunday was the live panel debating the youth of today, featuring
Ken West; Headmasters’ Jon Sanders; The Gallery’s Lorenzo Colangelo;
salon owner and NHF ambassador Wendy Cummins; hair icon and
educator Lee Stafford; salon owner Ken Picton; and publicity director
for Salon Success, Zoë Vears. Enticing 16-year-olds to leave school when
those schools are financially incentivised to keep them on is a battle,
although Ken Picton admitted: “I’m happy to take 18, 19, or 20-yearolds
on to be apprentices. I’ll find the budget.” On the Monday, another
A-list panel debated the pros and cons of chair rental – Ken West; Steve
Rowbottom of Westrow; Toby Dicker from The Chapel; Ky Wilson of The
Social; NHF legal expert Laura Chalkley; and Alice Kirby from Lockhart
Meyer Salon Marketing. “The example of Uber has shone a light on
freelancers,” admitted Laura, “it’s about mutuality of obligation.”
WELCOME
TO THE
WILD WEST
“LIDL SHELF STACKERS EARN MORE THAN A LOT
OF HAIRDRESSERS AND THAT MAKES ME FEEL
ASHAMED. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THIS”
KEN WEST
DIRECTOR OF 3•6•5, Ken had started a focus on young
talent at last year’s Salon Smart, asking salons where had
all the 16 year olds gone… and did you actually need them?
He implored salons to think differently and act differently
– such as employing older apprentices and to consider
what you want your apprentices doing – learning hands on
with hair, or doing menial tasks like sweeping up.
FEELS LIKE TEAM SPIRIT
HEADMASTERS COMMERCIAL director Tim
Binnington, brand strategist Laura Hinton and artistic
ambassadors Jonathan Soons and Gareth Williams,
provided a fascinating insight into the inner workings
of the 65-strong salon group as it celebrates its 35th
anniversary this year. Stating that everything comes
back to the brand’s motto: ‘Beautiful, fashionable,
confidence-boosting hair’, Tim began by saying that the
past two years have seen the group focused on boosting
its colour clients, and they are now at 39 per cent of
clients (from 33 per cent two years ago). The group also
focuses its attention on digital, creating collections
specifically for social media. “Our aesthetic is attainable
fashion,” said Jonathan.
CREATIVE HEAD
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