Creative HEAD Ireland March/April 2017

The edit
THE NEWS AND KNOW-HOW FROM YOUR INDUSTRY
SMALLER SALONS
DOWNBEAT ABOUT
BUSINESS GROWTH
A RECENT STUDY has revealed a sharp
divide between small and medium-sized
firms on their business outlooks, raising
concern for the survival of micro salons,
with fewer than five employees.
Fewer than half of microbusiness owners
expect their company to grow over the next
two years, compared with almost threequarters
of larger scale SMEs, according to a
new report by Albion Ventures, independent
venture capital investors in the UK.
The fourth Albion Growth Report, which
is based on interviews with 1,000 SMEs,
looks at what creates and impedes growth,
with 57 per cent of SMEs expecting to
register an increase in productivity in the
next 24 months compared with 33 per cent of
micro businesses.
In addition, finding skilled staff was
a top concern for companies with more
than five employees, while cash flow and
red tape were the biggest concerns among
microbusinesses.
“As a small business owner I am finding
it easier to perform with fewer staff numbers
and a small shop unit,” explains a salon
owner from Tullamore, Co. Offaly. “Our salon
was once larger – we downsized on purpose
so we could become more streamlined and
efficient, as we felt all profits were going into
keeping the large rents and salaries paid
rather than ourselves.”
The salon owner, who wished to remain
anonymous, continued: “We found it easier to
source a smaller premises, where rents were
more negotiable.
“Staffing is no longer an issue as before
we had to keep everyone on a one rate policy
due to the number employed, now we are
more flexible than before and can offer
higher salaries due to lower overheads.”
Most Wanted is open
for Irish entries!
IF YOU’RE TOP Irish hairdressing talent then we want to know you, meet
you and reward you! Enter the Most Wanted awards now, and come this
September you could be on stage accepting one of the most coveted prizes
in the industry.
Creative HEAD’s Most Wanted awards celebrate the finest talents in
hairdressing, rewarding phenomenal creativity and business innovation, as
well as remarkable teamwork and exceptional customer service.
Once again there are two Irish categories to enter – Exceptional Stylist
sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, and Supreme Team sponsored by
L’Oréal Professionnel.
Terry McGovern, commercial director of L’Oréal Professional Products
Division Ireland, said: “2016 was the first time that the Most Wanted awards had
categories that were specifically for Irish salons to enter, which created such a
huge buzz. It was incredible to see such a high calibre of Irish hairdressers as
finalists for the Supreme Team award and the Exceptional Stylist award, so I’ve
no doubt that the number of entries will grow 10-fold this year!”
Martin McAllorum, head of sales for Schwarzkopf Professional in Ireland,
added: “Schwarzkopf Professional is very excited to sponsor Most Wanted
Exceptional Stylist for Ireland as it gives the unbelievable talent we have here
a platform to showcase their talent to the industry’s wider audience. Ireland
consistently produces world class stylists and I look forward to seeing this
proven again with this year’s competition.”
Last year the inaugural Exceptional Stylist award was won by Dylan
Bradshaw of Dylan Bradshaw in Dublin, while Ikon Hair Design in Cork took
home the Supreme Team prize. The awards culminate in a glittering Grand
Final, taking place on 4 September in London. The deadlines for entries
is 15 May. For details on how to enter, turn to page 22 or visit
creativeheadmag.com/mostwanted
08 CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND