Five Big Takeaways From Salon Smart 2025
Five Big Takeaways From Salon Smart 2025
Creative HEAD’s networking event was just what hair business owners needed
by AMANDA | CONNECT
“Whoever says the hairdressing industry is dead should eat their words. Far from throwing in the towel, business owners are facing challenges head-on with razor-sharp thinking around pricing and an increased emphasis on customer service. It’s the kind of creative response that underlines why this industry is the most resilient out there.” Catherine Handcock, publisher, Creative HEAD
Let’s get one thing straight: Salon Smart 2025 was much needed. At a time of industry turmoil, this was a day where business owners and employers could get together to discuss the challenges and share ideas on how to power through – and there were fresh takes on everything from pricing and profit margins to learning how to rub along with younger team members. With no fewer than 21 presenters and panel members taking to the stage, the Salon Smart agenda was varied and wide-ranging. But as the day played out, some key themes emerged:
Sophia Hilton
1. Gen Z are ready for the world of work, but are you ready to work with them?
Do you think your generation is smarter than your parents’ generation?
Of course you do!
That’s because every generation answers that question exactly the same. Every single generation thinks they’re elite to the one above and the one below.
So, said Sophia Hilton in her session entitled Navigating The Next Generation, it’s really not constructive to say things like, “Kids don’t want to work nowadays,” or that “They are just lazy,” or that “They are going to get a shock when they see what the real world is about.”
Nor, as fellow speaker Michael Young advised, should you start sentences with the words, “When I was your age,” because that puts you firmly in the past, when you need to focus on the future.
Instead, what the new generation want is a sense of control over decision-making; breaks, holidays and flexibility; to be able to bring their problems to work (within professional boundaries); and a boss that can hold a conversation about the new topics of the world (such as gender activism, consumerism, sustainability and maybe even anti-capitalism).
Think about investing in some resilience training, to help you develop skills and strategies to cope with challenges. Meanwhile, map out growth and development plans for each member of your team to keep them motivated and loyal to your business.
Monica Teodoro
2. Always keep an eye on the future of your business
It’s not just your team that’s changing; your clients are evolving too. Monica Teodoro shared invaluable insight from L’Oréal Professional Products Division to remind us that while it’s imperative we look after our current customers (42 per cent of women claim to be watching every penny they spend, so give them what they’re looking for – personalised, expert-led experiences that will lead them to book services based on your recommendation), we need also to be sure we are tapping into the clients of tomorrow. She highlighted that while consumers classified as Growing Minorities (eg, Southern Asian and African) account for just 16 per cent of the population, they also account for 30 per cent of spend because of their reliance on a high degree of specialisation. Men, too, offer untapped potential, and 70 per cent of this category will come from Gen Z and Millennials.
“However,” said Monica, “while all around us is changing, it’s important to focus on the things that will never change: consistency creates a sense of stability and trust, while empowering your team will make them feel comfortable to learn. Continuous upskilling is no longer optional – it’s a must.”
Jacob Morris
3. Financial education, goals and stability contribute to employee satisfaction
“Staff are more loyal if they are financially empowered,” argued Jacob Morris from Salon Smart software partner, Phorest – a powerful insight, given the challenges around recruiting and retaining staff nowadays. Phorest data shows that using Phorest Tips increases not just the number of clients tipping, but also the amount of tip they leave. However, while tipping is seen by staff as a second income, a lifeline for paying rent or saving for their first home, around 30 per cent of them still choose to spend their tips on having fun. Employers could look to provide their teams with a toolkit for handing their money better, said Jacob. However, if that feels too invasive (or beyond your skillset) he also revealed that Phorest will be releasing a series of financial literacy masterclasses this year to help tackle the problem.
Colour panellists Sean Butt, Sophie Hill, Lorraine Naughton and Tony Walmsley
4. Salon colour is your superpower!
Desire for luxury continues to boom, especially among Gen Z, revealed Viktoria Vinnichenko from L’Oréal Professionnel Paris – clients aged 16 to 35 spend 10 per cent more per appointment. Tap into the trends they see on social media by offering colour services that deliver the Gen Z must-haves of healthy shine and a multi-dimensional, natural-looking result (spoiler alert: L’Oréal’s iNOA colour does it all!) or try the hidden colour placement ‘peekaboo’ trend spotted by the L’Oréal colour hack team on TikTok.
There were also loads of tips and ideas for maximising colour revenue in a panel session featuring a quartet of business owners. These included:
• Ban colour notes to avoid the ‘same again’ attitude that can lead to clients eventually leaving (Tony Walmsley, Anthony John Salons)
• Check voice dynamics in the consultation to ensure clients can have confidence in everything your team is recommending. If the stylist’s voice goes up at the end of the sentence, that signals a lack of confidence in what they’re saying. If the stylist sounds like they don’t believe in what they’re saying then why should the client? (OB-1 Hair and Inside Outside)
• Look in-depth at your client base to see how and when they book. For those who come less frequently, introduce them to ‘interim’ services that tempt them back in between appointments. For time-poor clients, make sure you offer speedy services that can be done in a lunchtime appointment – and charge more for them. (Sean Butt, Alchemy & I)
• Make sure you keep your colour training up to date so your colour team can jump on trends and be enthused by the colour they’re creating. (Sophie Hill, Headmasters)
Oliver Blackaby, pictured with fellow budget panellist Katya Milavic Davies
5. Now, more than ever, you need to know your numbers
After THAT Budget, it’s not surprising this came up time and again throughout the day, as salon owners take a long, hard look at their business to see where economies can be made and new revenue streams found. For some, like Oliver Blackaby of The Hair Salon Collective, this meant facing up to one of his biggest fears (looking at the actual accounts side of his business), while for others, like self-confessed spreadsheet nerd Sheona Hill of Bloom Salons, it meant picking apart the complex commission structures she had created to help simplify the path to profitability. “I refuse to be a low-margin business anymore,” she said. “I decided what profit I wanted to make and worked back from there.”
Look out for tonnes more coverage from Salon Smart 2025 in the May/June issue of Creative HEAD, and see more photos from the event here.
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Wella Professionals’ TrendVision Awards 2025: The Prize Categories And What’s Up For Grabs
Wella Professionals’ TrendVision Awards 2025: The Prize Categories And What’s Up For Grabs
Dream big. Win big. TrendVision Award 2025 offers career-changing prizes and opportunities for freelancers.
For freelancers, competitions aren’t just about trophies—they’re about getting noticed, growing your brand and unlocking new opportunities. At TVA25, winners gain incredible exposure, return to future TVA events and get access to major career-enhancing prizes.
Here are the categories you need to know:
Transformation Award – For stylists who love a total restyle, this category combines cut and colour expertise, making it ideal for freelancers who want to showcase their versatility.
Editorial Award – Designed for those looking to break into session styling, this category invites freelancers to create editorial-inspired hair that tells a story—perfect for portfolio-building.
XPOSURE Creative Colour – For students only, this category celebrates bold cut and colourcreativity and is a great steppingstone into the industry.
NEW! Digital Award – The ultimate freelancer-friendly category. No travel, no added costs—just submit your work digitally and get the chance to be announced live at the final. Winners receive free tickets to attend TVA, offering invaluable networking opportunities.
Beyond the trophies, TVA25 winners will return as key players at future TrendVision Awardevents, gaining even more exposure. And with an exclusive goodie bag worth £500 for ticket holders, everyone attending walks away with something valuable.
For freelancers ready to level up their career and showcase their skills on a national stage, TVA25 is the competition to enter.
Submissions open 21 April—get involved at wella.co.uk/trendvision.
Find out more key dates here.
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Gerrileigh Stobbs: How TVA Launched My Freelance Career
Gerri Leigh Stobbs: How TVA Launched My Freelance Career
From salon-employed stylist to self-employed success – how winning Wella Professionals’ TrendVision Award shaped Gerri Leigh’s journey.
For many stylists, the Wella Professionals TrendVision Awards are a career-defining moment – but for Gerri Leigh Stobbs, it skyrocketed her freelance success. Winner of the Colour Artist category in 2021, and later an International Artist in 2022, Gerri’s TVA journey has helped shape her career, offering new opportunities, industry recognition and an invaluable network. Now self-employed within a salon space, she reflects on her TVA experience and how it helped propel her as an independent stylist.
Gerri Leigh had always admired TVA from afar, but entering for the first time in 2021, she never expected to go all the way to winning.
“It was actually my first time entering a competition like this, and I was so nervous. My previous boss had won TVA before, but it had taken her years of entering, so I didn’t expect to win on my first try. When I got to the Grand Final and won, it was a complete shocbut the best kind!”
Her winning holographic-inspired look was a bold, futuristic creation, blending commercial viability with creative expression. She recalls the initial uncertainty of trying something so different but says that taking the risk paid off.
“I remember the first time I did a holographic colour in the salon – no one had ever done it before. I found it so scary, but by the end, I felt like I could do it with my eyes closed. TVA pushed me to challenge myself creatively, and it gave me the confidence to take more risks in my work.”
At the time of her TVA win, Gerri Leigh was working as a salon-employed stylist, but she recently transitioned to self-employment within a salon space. While TVA had always been on her radar, she found that the experience gave her the credibility and confidence to take the leap into freelance life.
“Competing at TVA gave me the push to really get my name out there. Since winning, I’ve attracted more clients, and many are proud to say they get their hair done by an award-winning stylist. I’ve also had clients come to me specifically because of my TVA-winning look.”
She emphasises that self-employment should never be a barrier to entering competitions.
“Some freelancers worry that because they don’t work in a big salon, they don’t have the same opportunities. But TVA is for everyone – whether you’re in a large salon or working for yourself, if you have a creative vision, just go for it!”
Winning TVA isn’t just about the title, it’s about what comes next. After her 2021 win, Gerri Leigh went on to compete internationally, where she was invited to assist at a major hair show in Gran Canaria, working alongside global industry leaders.
“Going to Destination in Gran Canaria was incredible! I met stylists from all over the world, worked with some of the best in the industry and built friendships with other TVA winners. That kind of experience is priceless.”
TVA also led to collaborative opportunities, social media growth and industry-wide recognition.
“My name got out there so much more after TVA. I gained followers, got approached for collaborative projects, and even started teaching at colleges across the UK to inspire young stylists. Winning TVA opens doors in ways you don’t even realize at the time.”
One of the biggest benefits of TVA for freelancers is the financial investment that comes with the win. “A lot of freelancers worry about the cost of entering competitions, but TVA actually helped fund my career. The prize money paid for my Master Colour Program, which was a huge investment in my education. As a freelancer, having that kind of training covered is invaluable – it makes you a better stylist and attracts more clients in the long run.”
Her advice to freelancers considering TVA? “Believe in yourself. Imposter syndrome is so real in this industry, but you’ll never grow if you don’t push yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether you win or not, the experience is worth it. It puts that creative spark back into you. Just go for it!”
Thinking of Entering TVA as a Freelancer?
With bigger prizes, a new Digital Award category, and free tickets to the Grand Final for select winners, TVA25 is more accessible than ever for self-employed stylists.
Photographic entries open: 21 April
TVA UK & Ireland Final: 6 October
For more details, visit wella.co.uk/trendvision.
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Wella Professionals TrendVision Award 2025: The Career-Defining Opportunity For Freelancers
Wella Professionals TrendVision Award 2025: The Career-Defining Opportunity For Freelancers
Bigger prizes, new opportunities and an easy way to enter – TrendVision Award 2025 is calling.
For freelance hairstylists, the road to industry recognition can be a solo journey, but Wella Professionals’ TrendVision Award 2025 offers an unparalleled opportunity to step into the spotlight. This year’s competition is bigger than ever, with new categories, an exciting venue and prizes designed to fuel career growth.
The TrendVision Awards have long been a launchpad for emerging talent, offering freelancers a chance to showcase their skills, gain credibility and unlock new career opportunities. This year’s winners will play a key role in future TrendVision Award events, giving them ongoing exposure,beyond just the final.
With the introduction of the Digital Award, TrendVision Award 2025 also makes it easier for freelancers to enter and compete from anywhere. No need for costly travel, finalists will be announced via live video and receive free tickets to attend the event. Plus, with a £500 goodie bag included in the ticket package, the awards aren’t just about competing; it’s about making valuable connections and walking away with new tools for your kit.
Key Dates for TVA25
• Photographic entries open: 21 April
• Photographic entries close: 16 June (5pm)
• Photographic results revealed: 21 July
• Wella RED tickets on sale: 1 July – 15 August
• General sale tickets: From 16 August
• TVA UK & Ireland Final: 6 October
For freelancers looking to elevate their career, showcase their work and get in front of key industry players, Wella Professionals TrendVision Award 2025 is the competition to enter.
Find out more at wella.co.uk/trendvision
Check out the categories here.
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New Year, New Business Goals
New Year, New Business Goals
Calling all salon and barbershop owners! Book for Creative HEAD’s business networking event and set yourself up for a brilliant year ahead
by JOANNA | CONNECT
The business of hairdressing is challenging – perhaps now more than ever. But one thing is certain: you do not need to go it alone. In fact, togetherness is the beating heart of Salon Smart, Creative HEAD’s business networking event.
Now it its 19th year, Salon Smart aims to serve and support salon and barbershop owners and managers across the UK and Ireland, offering unique insight, sharing experiences, and providing endless opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals. Large or small, urban or rural, established or newly launched – the one-day event agenda is abuzz with fresh information, advice and inspiration for every business. And the community spirit is second to none.
Taking place in London on Monday 7 April, a ticket to Salon Smart costs £100 plus VAT (£80 plus VAT for newsletter subscribers), and guarantees access to a schedule of candid talks given by industry innovators, debates on big topics, interactive and live Q&A sessions, and the hair and business brands that could transform the way you work. A hot and delicious lunch plus coffee and cake breaks will ensure you’ll feel satiated and supercharged to absorb every second!
But don’t just take our word for it, these are the words of one satisfied Salon Smart attendee: “Every salon owner needs a pick me up! Today lifted me to the moon. So much great content to take away and digest, then spring it all into action.”
Relaxed, inclusive and relevant for right now, if you want to build a better business, get to Salon Smart.
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