Applications are now closed – but we’ll be back for 2025 next Autumn!

by | Nov 1, 2023 | Activator, News, Self Employment

Are you thinking of starting your own hairdressing business, or struggling to know what to do next with your existing one? It could be you need a mentor – someone who understands your work environment, has experience of the kind of hurdles you’re facing and can provide practical and personal support.

Now in its third year, Activator is a free mentoring scheme from Creative HEAD and The Industry, open to hairdressing business owners at any stage of their career, that could see you being paired with a top industry name – an Activator – who will mentor you for a full 12 months.

During this time your Activator will be your ‘critical friend’ – acting as your sounding board, providing honest advice, introducing relevant and valuable contacts and networks and helping you learn and grow.

Our Activators have been chosen from across all areas of industry – entrepreneurs like Janice Beck and Kaye Sotomi; established salon owners like Phil Smith and Sarah Mason; independent hairdressers like Ashleigh Hodges and Most Wanted Texture Expert Legend, Lisa Farrall; sustainability experts Anne Veck and Keith Mellen. There are 20 in total, and they are all ready to share their knowledge and expertise and help you navigate the twists and turns of running a business in the UK and Irish hairdressing industries.


Says Creative HEAD publisher Catherine Handcock:

We know what a lonely job it is running your own business – it can be difficult knowing where to begin when you want to try something new, or you’re trying to fix something that’s gone wrong. Activator provides longterm support and advice from hair professionals who’ve been there, done that, worn the T-shirt and can genuinely help people who are now treading the same path. We’re now in our second year and we know how useful this scheme has been to so many business owners.”

Activators pledge to meet with their mentees a minimum six times during the course of the year, either via video link, over the phone or face to face, creating significant opportunity for the scheme to make a real difference. There will also be the opportunity for Activators and their mentees to attend workshops, panel discussions and specialist sessions with occasional guest speakers, helping you become part of a like-minded community.

 

Creative HEAD on Instagram

My little pony 🦄Pastel perfection from @meggillespiehair makes us feel nostalgic for '90s toys and flicking through the Argos catalogue when writing our Christmas lists. Swipe for the before 👀#hair #hairdressing #pinkhair #unicornhair #pastelhair #haircolourist #colourtransformation #haircolor #haircolour #pulpriothair #olaplex #pulpriotuk
My little pony 🦄Pastel perfection from @meggillespiehair makes us feel nostalgic for '90s toys and flicking through the Argos catalogue when writing our Christmas lists. Swipe for the before 👀#hair #hairdressing #pinkhair #unicornhair #pastelhair #haircolourist #colourtransformation #haircolor #haircolour #pulpriothair #olaplex #pulpriotuk
My little pony 🦄Pastel perfection from @meggillespiehair makes us feel nostalgic for '90s toys and flicking through the Argos catalogue when writing our Christmas lists. Swipe for the before 👀#hair #hairdressing #pinkhair #unicornhair #pastelhair #haircolourist #colourtransformation #haircolor #haircolour #pulpriothair #olaplex #pulpriotuk
My little pony 🦄 Pastel perfection from @meggillespiehair makes us feel nostalgic for '90s toys and flicking through the Argos catalogue when writing our Christmas lists. Swipe for the before 👀 #hair #hairdressing #pinkhair #unicornhair #pastelhair #haircolourist #colourtransformation #haircolor #haircolour #pulpriothair #olaplex #pulpriotuk
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Sparkle season is upon us ✨🪩@ekaterina_martsikh_ is serving up party season styling inspo with a bejewelled bun that’s worthy of shining bright on any dancefloor.  #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #hairstylist  #hairglitter #bun #partyhair #partseason #hairstylist #hairtransformation  #hairtutorial #festiveseasonhair #stylingtutorial
Sparkle season is upon us ✨🪩 @ekaterina_martsikh_ is serving up party season styling inspo with a bejewelled bun that’s worthy of shining bright on any dancefloor.   #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #hairstylist #hairglitter #bun #partyhair #partseason #hairstylist #hairtransformation #hairtutorial #festiveseasonhair #stylingtutorial
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You will want to be IN it to WIN it! Looking to give your hairdressing kit a glow-up ahead of the new year? Lucky for you, we’ve teamed up with @fourreasons_uk to offer one lucky winner a whopping £500 voucher to spend on the Four Reasons website 😱 Promising better hair days with an array of products across colour and care, which are vegan friendly, Four Reasons breaks the mould of beauty and helps every client feel great by being who they are. The perfect range for use in salon or on set, consider this your sign to give your kit a glow-up before 2024. You’ve got to be in it to win it; don’t say we didn’t warn you! To enter, follow @fourreasons_uk (and @creativeheadmag!) and comment below your must-have product from the Four Reasons range. The competition closes on 11 December, and the lucky winner will be contacted via Instagram DM. Good luck! #AD #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #hairdressers #hairstylist #hairstyle #sessionstylist #barber #barbering #creative #uksalon #irishsalon #christmascompetition #christmascracker #hairproducts #hairtools #hairdryer #hairtechnology
You will want to be IN it to WIN it! Looking to give your hairdressing kit a glow-up ahead of the new year? Lucky for you, we’ve teamed up with @fourreasons_uk to offer one lucky winner a whopping £500 voucher to spend on the Four Reasons website 😱 Promising better hair days with an array of products across colour and care, which are vegan friendly, Four Reasons breaks the mould of beauty and helps every client feel great by being who they are. The perfect range for use in salon or on set, consider this your sign to give your kit a glow-up before 2024. You’ve got to be in it to win it; don’t say we didn’t warn you! To enter, follow @fourreasons_uk (and @creativeheadmag!) and comment below your must-have product from the Four Reasons range. The competition closes on 11 December, and the lucky winner will be contacted via Instagram DM. Good luck! #AD #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #hairdressers #hairstylist #hairstyle #sessionstylist #barber #barbering #creative #uksalon #irishsalon #christmascompetition #christmascracker #hairproducts #hairtools #hairdryer #hairtechnology
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Come with us backstage at the Van Cleef & Arpels 2024 show and Gala Dinner with @authenticbeautyconceptuk 🤍We headed to the spectacular grounds of the Old Royal Naval College to sneak a peek at the behind-the-scenes action as @stephenbeaver led the hair team and talked us through the looks and inspiration for the night ahead of a truly captivating show.Embracing natural texture, Stephen shared with us how Authentic Beauty Concept products and values lined up perfectly with the organic approach he envisioned. #hair #hairdressing #hairdressers #hairstyles #hairstylist #fashionhair #runwayhair #naturalhair #naturaltexture #vancleefarpels #vancleefarpelsshow #creative
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Bond building has hit the big leagues with Ultimate Repair, a full-throttle repair line from @wellaprofessionalsuki 💪 A fabulous, fast acting four-step hair rescue routine, Ultimate Repair offers rapid-fire and easy to apply bond-repairing solution with the Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Treatment. A feather-light leave-in spray, it actively repairs hair damage in under two minutes providing 99 per cent less breakage and x12 smoother hair. Simply add it onto a salon service for optimal hair quality results. Whether an add-on service or retail gift set, this line is a strictly no hard sells programme, it does all the heavy lifting by itself. Damage can do one with Ultimate Repair from Wella Professionals. Visit uk.wella.professionalstore.com. #AD #WellaProfessionals #UltimateRepair #BondBuilding #AskForWella #Hair #Hairdressing #Hairdresser #UKSalon #BondRepairing
Bond building has hit the big leagues with Ultimate Repair, a full-throttle repair line from @wellaprofessionalsuki 💪 A fabulous, fast acting four-step hair rescue routine, Ultimate Repair offers rapid-fire and easy to apply bond-repairing solution with the Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Treatment. A feather-light leave-in spray, it actively repairs hair damage in under two minutes providing 99 per cent less breakage and x12 smoother hair. Simply add it onto a salon service for optimal hair quality results. Whether an add-on service or retail gift set, this line is a strictly no hard sells programme, it does all the heavy lifting by itself. Damage can do one with Ultimate Repair from Wella Professionals. Visit uk.wella.professionalstore.com. #AD #WellaProfessionals #UltimateRepair #BondBuilding #AskForWella #Hair #Hairdressing #Hairdresser #UKSalon #BondRepairing
Bond building has hit the big leagues with Ultimate Repair, a full-throttle repair line from @wellaprofessionalsuki 💪 A fabulous, fast acting four-step hair rescue routine, Ultimate Repair offers rapid-fire and easy to apply bond-repairing solution with the Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Treatment. A feather-light leave-in spray, it actively repairs hair damage in under two minutes providing 99 per cent less breakage and x12 smoother hair. Simply add it onto a salon service for optimal hair quality results. Whether an add-on service or retail gift set, this line is a strictly no hard sells programme, it does all the heavy lifting by itself. Damage can do one with Ultimate Repair from Wella Professionals. Visit uk.wella.professionalstore.com. #AD #WellaProfessionals #UltimateRepair #BondBuilding #AskForWella #Hair #Hairdressing #Hairdresser #UKSalon #BondRepairing
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‘20s wavy decadence meets clippers for a thoroughly modern Chelsea cut from @coiffeurstory 🤩This has GOT to be one our favourite transformations to grace our feed! Model: estellesirey #hair #hairdressing #haircut #chelseacut #haircutting #cuttingtechhniques #clippercut #edgyhair #hairstylist #hairtransformation #transformationreel
‘20s wavy decadence meets clippers for a thoroughly modern Chelsea cut from @coiffeurstory 🤩 This has GOT to be one our favourite transformations to grace our feed! Model: estellesirey #hair #hairdressing #haircut #chelseacut #haircutting #cuttingtechhniques #clippercut #edgyhair #hairstylist #hairtransformation #transformationreel
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Full head of foils, but make it rainbow 🌈It’s seriously satisfying to see @therainbowhairartistwork her magic on this vivid transformation, which resembles a rainbow candy cane in THE best possible way.#hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #hairstylist #rainbowhair #rainbowhaircolour #rainbowfoils #rainbowstreaks #therainbowhairartist #rainbowblonde #mermaidhair #unicornhair
Full head of foils, but make it rainbow 🌈 It’s seriously satisfying to see @therainbowhairartist work her magic on this vivid transformation, which resembles a rainbow candy cane in THE best possible way. #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #hairstylist #rainbowhair #rainbowhaircolour #rainbowfoils #rainbowstreaks #therainbowhairartist #rainbowblonde #mermaidhair #unicornhair
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Blonde bombshell 😍High-contrast hues in a very wearable way from @chloemae.hair, combining ice-cool blonde with a darker root smudge and under panels for added dimension. #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #haircolourist #blonde #blondehair #rootsmudge #roottap #highlights #lorealpro #colourist #colorist
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Blonde bombshell 😍 High-contrast hues in a very wearable way from @chloemae.hair, combining ice-cool blonde with a darker root smudge and under panels for added dimension. #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #haircolourist #blonde #blondehair #rootsmudge #roottap #highlights #lorealpro #colourist #colorist
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All tied up 🎀A beautifully braided bow from sports@keashldn for @nikelondon. A centrepiece to the classic sport luxe slicked-back bun, the intricate detailing gives a subtly coquette finish. #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #bows #braidedbow #braids #braiding #hairstylist #updo #bun #braid #hairbow #editorialhair #editorialstylist
All tied up 🎀 A beautifully braided bow from sports@keashldn for @nikelondon. A centrepiece to the classic sport luxe slicked-back bun, the intricate detailing gives a subtly coquette finish. #hair #hairdressing #hairdresser #bows #braidedbow #braids #braiding #hairstylist #updo #bun #braid #hairbow #editorialhair #editorialstylist
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