The Outliers Issue 1

Creations,
Chichester
“IF YOU cut me, CAT comes
out of my veins! I’m Redken for
life!” Carolyn Sweeney’s laugh
is infectious; a warmth and
intelligence radiate from her as
she discusses her 20-year-old
salon, and her adored team, 80
per cent of whom have been with
her for more than 10 years. And
it’s the team she cites as the secret
of Creations’ success. “If you
don’t keep educating and get the
team right, you won’t have client
longevity,” she says simply.
But it’s also about cash flow,
she adds, and being in control of
your own finances. “We all have
good and bad times, but cash is
king. You’ve got to make sure that
the money is in the bank before
you invest in anything. And the
team needs to know that – if they
want education or new basins,
the money has to come from
somewhere,” she says. As soon
as someone graduates from the
Creations Academy, they’re
expected to attend three Redken
colour courses – Highlights, Color
ER and Principals of Color, to
ensure everyone is fully immersed
in the world of Redken colour.
It’s this level of skill and craft
that Carolyn believes should be
pushing salon owners to increase
their prices. “Our industry still
desperately under-charges for
what we do. Deliver beautiful
hairdressing and charge for what
you deliver… and stop being
scared. Aren’t you better off with
one haircut at £50 than two cuts
at £25? There is no other industry
holding prices down like ours!”
“If you don’t keep educating
and get the team right, you
won’t have client longevity”
Carolyn Sweeney
42 The Outliers