Creative HEAD May 2017

“IF YOU DON’T LOVE
THE PLACE YOU GO EVERY DAY
AND THE PEOPLE YOU SEE, YOU’LL GIVE
UP ON THE INSIDE. IT WOULD BE LIKE BEING
IN A PRISON THAT YOU BUILT”
SOPHIA HILTON
THE FOUNDER of Not Another Salon
and winner of 2016 Most Wanted Best
Salon Experience, Sophia explained how
everything was built on a foundation of
trust, and that while that opened her up
to potential hurt, she was ready for it.
Two of her golden rules? To look after
her own mental health (because if you
don’t, there’s a trickledown
effect on your
staff) and to educate
herself through reading and
YouTube videos.
“STOP TRYING TO BE FUCKING FAMOUS. MAKE SURE
THEY’RE GOOD AT A JOB FIRST AND THE REST FOLLOWS”
KY WILSON
FOUNDER OF the The Social and 2016 It List
Entrepreneur, Ky used his empty column time cutting
people’s hair on the streets, so it’s no surprise he eschews
complacency. His two salons – in revamped buildings in
London and the Lake District – highlighted that there’s
no longer just one right way to run a salon. In London, he
roped friends into helping him design something different,
such as custom-made mirrors he now retails to clients.
STAGE
Salon Smart 2017 was a cocktail of inspiration and knowledge, ranging from the
innovative and unique to the experienced and practical. We couldn’t get enough!
“WE’VE TRIED
TO BUILD A BRAND,
NOT A PERSON”
MARK WOOLLEY
WITH SIX SALONS, a studio, education and
products, 2016 Most Wanted Business Thinker
Mark showed how he has taken inspiration
from brands such as Soho House and
Virgin for his 10-year-old brand, Electric.
With a new Electric Hub being built
to house his HQ, lab, a studio and
education, and with a new salon and
academy set to launch in Asia
this summer, Mark still has
plenty of buzz powering
his brand and team.
“IF YOU DIVERSIFY TOO MUCH YOU CAN LOSE YOUR WAY.
INSTEAD BE THE BEST AT WHAT YOU’RE GOOD AT”
STEVE ROWBOTTOM
WITH 10 SALONS in Yorkshire and a stunning
training academy, Westrow’s co-owner Steve puts
his company’s success down squarely to the focus
on education. He’s inspired by his Vidal Sassoon
background, and has helped create an academy where
parents, colleges, brands and other salons are more
than happy to send their youngsters, with an astonishing
98 per cent completion rate.
CREATIVE HEAD