HOB Salons is celebrating 40 years in business—and International Creative Director Akin Konizi has become one of the most respected hairdressers around the world, picking up a myriad of awards, including British Hairdresser of the Year four times.
So what makes a good hairdresser? “The soft skills are just as important as the hair skills,” Akin says. “One of the main roles of a hairstylist is to interact with clients and build relationships, this, along with offering a great haircut or color, is what creates a loyal client base. How you greet a client, how you chat to them throughout the appointment and how you show empathy and understanding of not just their hair needs, but their personal needs are all vital to creating that invaluable client/stylist relationship.”
So what advice does Akin have for being a great hairdresser? Here’s his top tips:
1. Be professional: Ask questions and listen, but don’t be afraid to advise and steer the client towards a cut or style that would suit them, or to recommend services that you, as a skilled professional, know would benefit them. This is what makes you stand out from the crowd—your professionalism, your expertise, your experience and your customer care.
2. Read the client: Every client will arrive with different needs and priorities. Some clients love to chat, some want a silent appointment, and a great stylist will be able to read a client’s verbal and body language to gauge what they want from an appointment.
3. Transferable skills: Being a great hairdresser isn’t always about working with clients. In the varied career that is hairdressing, a stylist’s skills will often be put to the test in high-pressured environments—backstage at fashion shows or educational presentations, for example. Learning to adjust to these different working environments and to make skills transferable is all part of having an exciting career as a hairdresser.
4. Keep learning: The only way to be a truly great stylist and ensure you never fall behind is to invest in on-going education. There is always something new to learn, or a way to develop and improve existing skills. If you take your role as a stylist seriously and continue to invest in yourself, you will enjoy a long, successful and fulfilling career.
5. Keep ahead of trends: We’ve had several years of long, wavy hair, but more and more celebrities are stepping out with a beautiful bob, so are you ready for the change? Keep on top of your cutting skills and be ready for the change in trends. If you’ve not cut hair for a while and have lost your confidence, invest in some training and be ready to excite your clients with a whole new look.
RELATES STORIES ON RUNNING YOUR SALON BUSINESS
11 Ways Spring to Clean Your Salon Business
8 Steps to Creating a Business Plan for Your Salon
Expert Advice: How Hair Salons Can Manage the Competition!
10 Ways to Motivate Salon Employees and Staff
How to Maintain Professional Boundaries in Your Business