A Cut Above - Deborah Whitehead, founder of Gloss Academy and Training talks to us about her dreams to help educate the hairdressing industry

What is your background within the hairdressing industry?

I started as an apprentice when I was sixteen years old, I always wanted to be a hairdresser but I was always told to ‘get a proper job’. I went through a three year apprenticeship with two years as an improver. I then left that salon and went to work with a new company from London operated by Alan International, called Quote Hair and Beauty. There we all re-trained on an intensive programme by the London trainers and this was where my passion for education started. I came to Dubai in 2001 with my family and as soon as I arrived here I was shocked to see that ongoing education was not available, unless linked with a product. After working in salons here I set up Salon Educators in 2011 in Jumeirah Lake Towers, working with City and Guilds, utilising Myhairdressers.com as a training delivery tool.

What do you find most challenging as a salon owner?

People management is an issue that, as salon owners, we need to be constantly re-evaluating.Another issue I have observed since coming to the Middle East is the salon owner's perspective on stock control – this is very different to how we operate in the UK. Professional stock costs need to be monitored strictly and from this you can dramatically change the profit line. Retail stock is like a member of your team who works 24/7, never requests holidays, never takes time off sick and never complains and it should be the aim that the retail profits pay your salon rent.

What changes have you made so far to help educate the hairdressing industry?

We offer courses for those entering the industry with no experience, to work towards obtaining City and Guilds Level 2 and 3 diplomas. We have short bespoke courses which are designed around the individual stylist's or salon's requirements. We have new exciting partners coming on board near the end of 2016, who will offer amazing CPD for all stylists within the GCC. We are also part of a programme, new to the GCC, which is bringing a network of salon owners together offering support and guidance. It is a great platform to share ideas and issues all salon owners come across. Sometimes as business owners we have nowhere to turn to for advice, and so this initiative has been great for us. I would recommend salons to join this next year, if they want to grow.

How could salon owners work together to help improve industry standards?

In the UK we used to attend events and mix with salon owners from our local areas, as well as big chains, to share ideas and issues that everyone encounters. The Professional Beauty GCC event in February is a perfect example of getting the industry together. It doesn’t matter how big or small the business, you find that everyone dealing with people will come across the same issues. Mixing with like-minded salon owners is great for everyone. It’s great to share tips – competition is healthy.

Do you have any examples of success stories from your students?

Yes, we have one stylist working with us who came to do her City and Guilds Diploma Level 2 and 3 directly from school. She is now one of the busiest sylists at Gloss and is building an amazing clientele. Her dream is to go and work in New York and I am sure she will one day. She is an inspiration.

Do you have any advice to give to new salon owners?

Do your research, ask yourself why you are doing it, find good partners who have the same vision and work together. Fill a gap in the market and never stop learning.

Keep an eye out for more from Deborah in the next few issues, where she talks about stock control, retail and educating the industry.