It’s been a challenging few years for everyone due to the pandemic, whether you’re a stylist or salon owner. And while the world is trying to get back some sense of normality, there are many people still struggling.
HOB Academy International Creative Director Akin Konizi says we all need to recognize that nothing will be the same as it was in 2019. “Life as we know it has changed—client’s habits have changed, the way we run our businesses has been re-evaluated and our priorities have been questioned," he says. "Many hairdressers have reconsidered their careers, and some unfortunately have left the industry.
“We know hairdressers are some of the happiest people in their job, but there are many reasons why we fall out of love with our work. Pressures at home as well as the salon, cost of living and a determination to create your own destiny are just a few. But we need to step back and remember why we came into this industry in the first place. There may be challenges and concerns ahead, but this is still an incredible industry to be working in—sometimes we just need to remind ourselves.”
So if you’re feeling deflated or thinking about leaving the industry, Konizi shares these tips to remind you why you joined this industry and reignite that spark that brought you here.
- No other job puts a smile on other people’s faces. The pandemic showed us the importance of self-care and wellbeing and a visit to the salon can raise self-esteem and confidence. How amazing is it that we can have that effect on people with a pair of scissors or a color brush?
- You can be as creative as you want to be. Whether it's playing with bright colors or creating beautiful shapes, we get to play with a blank canvas every day.
- No other industry is as sharing as hairdressers—we love to share our skills, knowledge and thought processes. If you feel you’ve become a bit stale, speak to your distributors, who offer a myriad of courses for beginners to the advanced.
- Use social media for good. Come away from the gossip sites and toxic platforms and follow people you aspire to be and who inspire you. Check out their collections, listen to a podcast or take time out to watch IG Lives. Only follow inspiring and uplifting people and don’t get dragged into the nastiness of social media.
- Attend events and meet people. We’ve got trapped in a cycle of staying at home but there are lots of industry events happening now where you can meet like-minded people and speak to your hair heroes to boost your confidence.
- Remember what attracted you into this industry. Working with creative, young, energetic, fashionable people in an environment where you can make it whatever you want it to be. A club, a bar, a workplace, it can be all of these things, where you meet up with your work friends and your extended friends who come to your work every day to see you. No other job is as sociable as ours. The buzz may be a little muted at the moment, but it will return. Fashion is starting to look up, shorter hairstyles are coming back in, more tribal fashion is on the horizon where we can all express ourselves creatively and socially. Hang on in there, it’s going to be great again!
About HOB Academy
HOB Academy is the award-winning training academy, based in Camden in London, founded in 1997 as part of the HOB Salons group. Home to the HOB Creative Team and led by 4-time British Hairdresser of the Year Akin Konizi, the Academy caters for hairdressers of every level from across the world, and delivers first-class courses and seminars covering the full spectrum of hairdressing education from creative to business to fundamental, as well as bespoke and one-to-one tuition. The Creative Team has received numerous accolades and awards, including four British Colour Technician of the Year titles, British Artistic Team of the Year, and a British Hairdressing Business Award for Education, and produces annual photographic collections to wide critical acclaim.