Top 7 Tips for Aspiring Salon Professionals

Although this started as a challenge by an industry friend, I thought the information was worthy enough to share. My name is Jim Roberts and I am the Show and Education Director for Rusk and Babyliss Pro. I am also a salon owner and have been a hairstylist for over 25 years. As a way of giving back to the industry, I wanted to share my top 7 tips for anyone considering hairdressing as a career.

Tip 1
As a hairstylist and salon owner, I have seen a lot of people pursue the beauty industry who in the beginning didn’t really know much about it. Unfortunately, this has led to a lot of people who drop out and don’t continue to practice it as a career.

If you are interested in hairdressing as a profession, I think it’s important to talk with an established salon professional, maybe even your own hairstylist, and discuss the industry with them. Ask them any questions you may have and open the door for any advice they may have for someone like yourself.

Try to find someone who does hair as a career, is successful and, most importantly, really likes what they do – because that really is the secret. It’s not just a job, it’s a career. You have to just love what you are doing to maintain the duration and the lifestyle of being a hairstylist. Normally if a person likes what they do they will openly share with you, so I don’t think you’ll have a hard time finding someone who is open to becoming your mentor.

Tip 2
Make sure that you truly want to focus on a career in the industry. There are people who are successful doing hair as a part time job, but I like to hire people who honestly look at it as a career. If you want a part time job, Starbucks will give you benefits with 20 hours and pay you pretty decent, plus you can stay jacked up on coffee. Instead, look at hairstyling as a true profession, not just a part time job.

Tip 3
The next thing I’d like to talk about is the impact of social media. It plays such a huge role in the industry but I think it also gives a false facade, in fact, sometimes it’s just smoke and mirrors. I’ve met many young and or inspiring hairstylists who think the lifestyle is that of a rock star…or the life of the rich and famous. I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s not!

This industry is great and it can be very rewarding, especially with the travel, but you have to pay your dues first. It’s not something that is going to come to you right out of the gate. You have to realize that the travel and all of the hair shows is not, most importantly, what it’s all about. It’s about a craft, it’s about education, it’s being able to share an experience with a salon guest. Period.

I think that it’s extremely important to first and foremost know that hairstyling is not what you see on social media. Use social media to promote yourself after you have developed the skill. I think it’s vital that you put enough energy into something to be good at it. Some books will tell you that it takes 10,000 hours to be a master, but I believe it takes a lifetime of focus and energy to be great a hairstylist…Then, my friends, you can call yourself a rock star.

Tip 4
Try to be a good person. The better you are as a person, the better you are as a hairstylist. You have to genuinely care about people and realize that at the end of the day it’s all about you and a client, a consultation, a salon experience, and delivering what makes them happy and what makes them feel good about themselves. It comes easy and is sincere if you truly develop skills being a good person and you genuinely care about people. You can always practice a bob shape, or practice layers, but if you practice being kind to people every day, you can never go wrong.

Tip 5
My next point is about focus and training. I have surrounded myself with education and I believe that education brings confidence and confidence brings success. The most important thing with growth comes from being uncomfortable and I think it’s constructive to be uncomfortable. Get used to feeling that way because that’s where the growth comes from. Challenging yourself and putting yourself in situations that you might not be the most confident: that’s how to truly grow. I think it’s also extremely valuable to look at all opportunities. The most important thing to know is what you don’t know and focus on that extremely hard.

Tip 6
I also think it’s worthy to surround yourself with people that you strive to be like: their quality, integrity and skillset. People love to share, especially when they have a gift, so be around these people who will openly share with you.

Tip 7
If you come from a small town, don’t allow that to set you back. Opportunity comes at all levels and many manufacturers offer opportunities to young (or new) hairstylists. Even if you are from a small city or town, engage with a major manufacturer that will offer you some education, some opportunities to travel, and the opportunity to surround yourself with the people that I previously mentioned.

The more you can expand your education, the more your ability to take it back to your small town. There’s nothing wrong with being a big fish in a small town that’s well educated, so just expand your knowledge and take it back home with you. You can even expand it and move on to larger cities… the possibilities really are endless.

In parting, remember that in this industry you can have anything you want, but you can’t have everything you want, and always, always, always be good to people. Kindness really does go a long way!

Jim Roberts
Owner – JRoberts Salon
Show & Education Director – Rusk/Babyliss Pro