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Five Ways to Help You Stay Sane Through the Christmas Rush

Five Ways to Help You Stay Sane Through the Christmas Rush

Five Ways to Help You Stay Sane Through the Christmas Rush

L’Oréal Professionnel’s Head Up coach, Hayley Jepson, shares essential advice for a balanced festive season

by CAITLYN | EXPLORE

Max Van Dan OeteLaar for Unsplash

The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and for stylists and salon owners, the festive season can bring more than just holiday cheer. Packed schedules, high expectations and back-to-back appointments can leave even the most experienced professionals feeling overwhelmed. But it’s possible to navigate the holiday rush without losing your cool. 

L’Oréal Professionnel’s Head Up coach, Hayley Jepson, is here to share her top tips for reducing stress and staying balanced through the season. “Mental health is the number one challenge for hairdressers,” she says, highlighting the importance of looking after yourself as you look after your clients.  

Here are five ways to keep holiday stress in check. 

  1. Stay Hydrated

Hydration might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference. Drinking water throughout the day can help maintain focus and energy levels, something that can start to wane during long hours.  

  1. Bring Snacks

Busy days can mean missing meals, which leads to a drop in energy and mood. Plan ahead and stock up on easy, nutritious snacks that you can eat between clients. Jepson recommends bringing snacks that are quick and filling: “Have them in your bag so you always have something with you”. A quick snack can keep your energy up, even on the busiest days. 

  1. Set Boundaries

The desire to please every client is understandable, especially during the holiday season. However, learning to set boundaries can be essential to managing your stress. “We get stressed as hairdressers when clients are late, or if a colour isn’t going to plan,” Hay explains. “It’s wise to focus on what you can control and not what you can’t.” She suggests saying no to that extra appointment if you’re already stretched thin and communicating clearly with clients about your time limits. 

  1. Take Micro-Breaks

A few minutes here and there can help refresh your mind and body. Between clients, take a moment to stretch out your arms, back, and shoulders. These small breaks make a big impact on both physical and mental stamina, helping you get through each day with more ease. “Stretch when you have a minute – your body will thank you!” says Hayley. 

  1. Ask for Help

There’s no need to handle it all alone. If a colour isn’t going as planned or a client is particularly demanding, don’t hesitate to reach out to a colleague for a second opinion. “Sometimes it can be good to get a second opinion on what to do in times of stress,” she adds. “We can start to feel out of control when things go wrong, so reaching out helps us get out of our own head.” 

Extra Support for the Busy Season 

If you’re looking for additional tools to support your mental fitness, L’Oréal Professionnel’s Head Up program offers free online videos on managing stress, setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. Each video is quick and designed for hair professionals, perfect for a watch on your lunch break or commute. 

Plus, Head Up has teamed up with Calm, offering hairstylists three months of free access to the meditation and relaxation app (and 50 per cent off the annual subscription). Through Calm, you’ll find guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep tools designed to help you unwind and stay grounded. 

The holiday season may be hectic but taking small steps to look after yourself can make all the difference. As Hayley puts it, “focus on what you can control, and give yourself the space to nurture your own well-being.” 

Head Up videos can be found on L’Oréal Professionnel Head Up website. 

 

  • Step 1: Visit L’Oréal Professionnel UK website and watch Ep 1 of Head Up.  
  • Step 2: Scroll down to Head Up X Calm partnership and sign up for your discount code and free subscription! 

“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen

“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen

“Practice Your Craft, Collaborate With Other Creatives And Build Your Portfolio” – It List 2024 Award Winner, Mike Mahoney, Shares How To Get Seen

We get into the nitty gritty with Mike’s experience balancing salon and session work 

by MADDI | DOCUMENTS

Winning the It List The Editorial Stylist award back in September marked an exciting milestone for Mike Mahoney, a stylist who is all about pushing creative boundaries in both salon and editorial settings. With a background in session work under top industry names, Mike has forged a unique path, blending salon commitments with the high-paced world of editorial and runway shows. 

 Mike’s schedule is a balancing act between his salon clients at Josh Wood’s Atelier and his role on the core team of session stylist Gary Gill. Working under Gary has given Mike opportunities with high-profile brands and photographers, like London-based Tomila Katsman, enabling him to perfect techniques across editorial campaigns, look books and runway work. 

“I’ve been fortunate to work with Gary and be part of a setup that allows me to commit fully,” Mike says. In most salons, taking time off for an editorial project would be a challenge, but The Atelier’s supportive environment encourages growth in both realms. “At other salons, the support system wasn’t always there,” Mike explains. “Here, I can go off on projects and bring that experience back to my clients.” 

Mike notes a clear distinction between the work he does for editorial shoots and what goes into styling a salon client. “On set, I usually have days to understand the brand’s mood or to practice the look,” he explains. “With a client, it’s much faster – just a few minutes from reception to chair to figure out their style, but with my editorial experience, it’s easier to do it quickly.” 

Those brief salon moments are where Mike’s editorial expertise shines, adding subtle touches that elevate everyday looks. “A tiny tweak can be the reason clients rebook,” he notes, emphasising that this attention to detail makes each experience unique and tailored. 

Mike got in the mix during Fashion Month in September, contributing to shows for Diesel, McQueen, Chloé, Balenciaga, and Hermès. He reflects on the differences, saying, “Shows like Chloé focus on soft, luxurious hair that’s still accessible to salon clients, while Balenciaga is just pure fun – creative and intense.” 

Fashion week, however, isn’t just about glamour. “Those effortless styles that look like they took minutes often take the longest to perfect,” Mike jokes. Whether he’s styling models or clients, Mike’s favourite part is the challenge, capturing personalities and adding those “extra tweaks” that make all the difference. 

Mike encourages aspiring editorial stylists to put themselves out there. “Practice your craft, collaborate with other creatives, and build your portfolio, especially on Instagram,” he advises. His journey began with a passion project inspired by street culture, which he and friends used to shape their vision without needing to wait for traditional media exposure. “Nowadays, you’re lucky to have Instagram – it gives you the chance to put your work out there instantly.”

Reflecting on his career, Mike credits his mentors and experiences with helping him balance creativity with financial stability. “It’s about finding the right environment,” he shares. “With a supportive salon, you don’t have to choose between your creative ambitions and personal goals.” 

From high-stakes fashion shows to behind-the-chair transformations, Mike Mahoney continues to merge high fashion with salon accessibility, inspiring a new wave of stylists with every look.

Read more about Mike’s editorial excellence by checking out the latest edition of Runway.

Couple Turned Co-founders: How A Personal Journey Inspired A Holistic Haircare Brand

Couple Turned Co-founders: How A Personal Journey Inspired A Holistic Haircare Brand

Couple turned Co-founders: How a Personal Journey Inspired A Holistic Haircare Brand

Kieran Tudor, a stylist turned founder, alongside his wife Laura, created CENTRED to redefine hair health with a focus on internal wellness.

by CAITLYN | DOCUMENTS

For Kieran Tudor, co-founding CENTRED with his wife Laura wasn’t just about creating another haircare brand, it was about solving a deeply personal problem. “CENTRED was born from the journey of hair recovery. I helped my wife and co-founder, Laura, after she suffered from severe hair loss and burnout back in 2017.” 

Faced with the challenge of supporting Laura through hair loss, Kieran realised there wasn’t a natural solution that addressed both internal wellbeing and hair health. This led to the development of the Inside Out Method, now a core part of CENTRED’s product philosophy. 

 “After developing a protocol we used to recover Laura’s hair, we set out to create our range of products that we wished existed but didn’t, he explains. In February 2020, after 18 months of research and development, CENTRED was launched, with a mission to help others going through similar challenges. 

Kieran’s journey was fuelled by witnessing the emotional and physical toll hair loss took on his wife. Seeing the daily struggle Laura faced helped Kieran understand the stress and anxiety hair loss can bring and inspired him to fill the knowledge gaps and provide a solution not only for Laura but for his clients too. 

“Unlike clients who I would see every 6-8 weeks, I saw Laura holding clumps of hair every single day and asking me what to do! Not only did I feel quite helpless, but it also really hit home the emotional and psychological impact that hair loss can have,” he shares. 

Kieran’s years of experience as a hairdresser became crucial as he and Laura developed the CENTRED product line. “When it came to formulating the products, that’s when being a hair professional really helped,” he explains. Kieran’s hands-on experience allowed him to case-study products and test samples to ensure they met the highest standards. “I had really high standards and expectations, as did Laura, so we were determined to develop products to the highest standards, or we wouldn’t have done it at all.” 

“I think when you’re working behind the chair and recommending your products to your clients, you have to know you’re giving them the best, not cutting corners on ingredients,” Kieran adds. “This direct feedback from clients allows me to continually refine the products and stay true to the brand’s values. For us now it’s also about supporting hair professionals as much as possible.”  

Launching CENTRED came with its own set of obstacles, especially given the timing of its debut. “At the beginning, it was all around raising awareness which was difficult in 2020 as we had just a minor thing of a global pandemic taking over so much of the attention.”  Undeterred, Kieran and Laura focused on personal connections through 1-on-1 Zoom consultations to help clients during those early, uncertain days. “We set out to support our customers in those early days with virtual consultations, helping us to connect with people and build some real trust and loyalty.” As CENTRED grew and expanded into retail, Kieran learned another important lesson: not to spread the brand too thin.  

For other stylists looking to start their product line, Kieran offers this advice: “Find your niche and messaging early on and stick to it. It may feel like you’re repeating yourself, but it is better to do one thing really well than 10 things in a mediocre way.”  

Kieran and Laura’s journey of dealing with hair loss firsthand and launching CENTRED is a powerful example of how personal experiences can lead to innovative solutions, especially when you have prior expertise. For stylists and salon owners considering their own product line, Kieran’s advice is clear: focus on your niche, stay committed to your vision, and never stop learning. 

Zoë Irwin Wants YOU To Offer This Hair Service

Zoë Irwin Wants YOU To Offer This Hair Service

Zoë Irwin Wants YOU To Offer This Hair Service

The John Frieda creative director on her hair facial service launch – and why every stylist should be delivering this to clients 

by CATHERINE | DOCUMENTS

Zoë Irwin

The past couple of years has seen the ‘skinification’ of hair cranked up, as the hair world is influenced in both ingredients and treatments by skincare and beauty. Well, Zoë Irwin has taken this to heart with her hair facial service at John Frieda… and she’s adamant that this service is one that ALL salons and stylists should be offering its clientele.  

“I realised that I learn a lot from beauty treatments, and that women understand the idea of a facial. You have a super deep cleanse and you probably learn more about cleansing your own skin better,” explains Zoë. “They detox you, take out all your impurities, and then they start adding. I love that. It’s one mask on top of another, I love the layered process of it. The psychology behind it is that when you leave, you’ve got this beautiful skin. You’re like, ‘oh my god, I’m going to go back in a month, because this is so good’. But ultimately when you go home, you double cleanse, you add a mask the next week, you don’t let that skin go. No one does. So, I thought, ‘why aren’t we doing this in hair? Why aren’t we levelling this up?’.”  

Now, that’s what she’s done with the £120 service at the iconic John Frieda in London’s Mayfair. The service starts with a detoxifying cleanse, removing coppers and damaging metals from the water and breaking down product residue so that she’s working with a clean base.  

From a trip to India, Zoë learned massage techniques that she’s transferred into the next step, an incredible scalp massage. “When you start massaging people’s heads and necks, you can’t mess around. You’ve got to know your stuff,” she adds, “but the power of massage is massive.” Yes, it’s relaxing, but the action helps stimulate the cells in the hair follicles, powering up that growth factor. 

“I want to people to come out of this service knowing much more about this impact,” she says. “When they come to the basin, I give them a mirror, and I teach them the movements. Then I use a scalp exfoliator, the Virtue ones, very gentle – and I show them in the mirror where and how to place it. Then I teach them the massage movements. So, I’ve totally clarified and got this clean base, which means that the hair will now accept product much, much better.”  

Now, the “hair’s like a sponge”, and Zoë will layer on a strengthening treatment, followed by a moisturising mask. “Hair will only accept so much at one time. It’s like a supercharged treatment …  I’m trying to pre-empt the issues that people have with treatments – ‘I don’t want one on my hair today because I want my blow dry to last’. That’s because it’s in the wrong place. It’s all stuff that you and I know, but the consumer doesn’t know. It’s like a prescriptive service; you come out and your hair is beaming. I finish with an acidic gloss that will shut everything down. I’m using cosmetic plus hydration.” 

The big message is how important the scalp is – perfectly timed with the social media obsession with all things scalp care.

@zoeirwinhair

It was for a press event to launch a Manta brush that Zoë realised she had something interesting in her hands… “The press just went nuts for how it was all being shown,” she recalls. “The Daily Mail’s Lucia Ferrari went on the front page along with a page inside. From that we had people come from all over the country, and I realised that this isn’t something that people are thinking about enough. Now, we sell it as a packaged service like you see in beauty, you can buy three together.”  

Zoë’s philosophy is all about restoring hair to its healthiest, strongest state to deliver the best results. “When you’re colouring hair, you’re colouring the quality of what’s in front of you. So, if I address that before I colour it, I can therefore give the colour that people want.” 

Her treatments are divided into sessions. The process begins with a consultation, where Zoë assesses the steps needed to achieve the desired results. Next is the “radiance reset”, featuring a deep cleansing treatment and massage therapy 101. “They learn how and where the to put the product on,” she explains. Finally, the hair is ready for colour. “When they come for their colour, they get the best colour they’ve ever had, because their hair’s in the right condition. It works.” 

scalp massage

Image: Karolina grabowska

Zoë’s seen raging success across the board with her clientele. “It’s about £120, but people now just come in for it. And my clients come to me just to have the head massage. They often go out with wet hair, but they come for the massage because it’s extremely powerful, you know?” 

She’s a fierce advocate for hair getting the attention to detail that it deserves. “We put all this effort into our skin, but people stop at their hair,” she muses. But stylists can take their skill and package it, make it so easy to understand and for the client to buy into. This is something that I feel that hairdressers everywhere should be doing. I’ve really seen how important it is and how people love it. You sell the dream. 

Beyond The Chair Care

Beyond The Chair Care

Beyond The Chair Care

How salons are transforming their communities all across the UK and Ireland

by CAITLYN | DOCUMENTS

Salons have always been places of connection, care, and transformation. But for some salon owners, their impact goes far beyond the services they provide. These salons are creating safe spaces, building community programmes, and volunteering their time to support those who need it most. Whether it’s through offering a warm, inclusive environment or providing outreach to vulnerable groups, these salons are changing lives in ways that go well beyond haircuts.

Creating Safe Spaces

At the core of many salons is the connection between stylists and their clients, but some salons take this further by making their spaces feel like sanctuaries of warmth, acceptance, and care. Craig Henderson, owner of Craig’s Barber Shop in Bolton, has created a space that is uniquely welcoming for neurodivergent clients, children with disabilities, and those who often struggle with traditional salon environments. “A lot of them have had really bad experiences until they found the right hair professional who they could confide in,” Craig shares. His shop offers a calm, non-judgmental environment that helps clients feel safe.

Similarly, Siobhan Maher, owner of The Peculiar Hair Club in Leixlip, County Kildare, designed her salon as a gender-neutral, inclusive space where everyone feels at home. “When a client comes in, they know they are in a safe space where they can express themselves,” she explains. This welcoming atmosphere is especially important for clients who may not feel comfortable in more traditional salons. Both Craig and Siobhan’s spaces reflect a growing movement in the salon industry – one that recognises the need for salons to be more inclusive and emotionally supportive environments.

 

Going Beyond the Salon

While creating safe spaces inside the salon is essential, some owners take their work a step further by reaching out into their communities and providing care to those who may never step foot inside their doors. For these salon owners, giving back is not just a gesture – it’s a commitment.

Alison McRitchie, owner of The Head Gardener in Inverness, has worked closely with Highland Hospice since 2010. Her involvement has grown over the years, going beyond the occasional volunteer effort. Alison helped create a salon space within the hospice, where patients can experience the comfort of a hair service in a non-clinical setting. “We wanted to create a space where people could step out of the medical environment and enjoy being pampered,” Alison explains.  She and her team remain on-call for the hospice, ensuring that whenever a patient needs a haircut, Alison is there to provide that much-needed care. Her ongoing, dedicated involvement highlights how salons can play a vital role in offering both care and dignity to patients at a challenging time in their lives.

Samantha Cusick and her team at Samantha Cusick London have also extended their care into the community through volunteering. By partnering with Kensington HTB Church, they offered complimentary hair services to individuals at a local shelter. “We believe in the power of self-care and the positive impact it can have on confidence and well-being,” Samantha says. The joy that comes from offering something as simple as a haircut can be transformative for those facing hardship, restoring not just their appearance but their sense of dignity.

Craig Henderson’s community outreach also reflects his commitment to giving back regularly. Every Monday, he visits specialist schools and centres, providing haircuts to neurodivergent children and young adults. “I don’t take a profit from it – I reinvest it back into the shop to enhance the experience for these children,” Craig comments. His work in schools goes beyond the salon and speaks to the deep connection he has with his community.

Inspiring Others

The impact of these efforts doesn’t stop with the individuals these salons serve. Both Craig and Alison are taking their commitment further by developing programmes that help other salon professionals offer the same level of care.

Craig is currently working on a training programme for other hairdressers and barbers across the UK, teaching them how to work with neurodivergent clients and individuals with disabilities. “It’s really about communication and giving them the extra time they need,” Craig explains. His goal is to create a network of professionals who can provide the same level of thoughtful, tailored care that his shop offers. This effort is about more than just teaching technique – it’s about creating a new standard of inclusivity in the industry.

Alison, too, is working to expand her influence beyond Inverness. Her vision is to create a network of salons that can offer similar services to hospices across the country. “The difference it makes to people in their final days is something that can’t be overstated,” she adds. By sharing her experience, getting people in contact, and helping other salon owners understand the value of this work, Alison is paving the way for more salons to integrate care into their business models.

Siobhan Maher’s Peculiar Hair Club is much more than a salon; it’s a home for self-expression and inclusivity, a place where the LGBTQ+ community finds acceptance and empowerment. And Samantha Cusick’s dedication to uplifting women and young stylists –– through her advocacy, mentoring, and community outreach – shows how the act of giving back can extend far beyond a single moment, inspiring confidence that resonates long into the future.

Together, these salon owners are leading a movement within the beauty industry, one that recognises that the true power of a salon lies in its ability to create change, not just in appearances but in lives. Their stories challenge us to think bigger, to care deeper, and to redefine the role that salons can play in the fabric of our communities.

Secrets Of Two Social Media Experts

Secrets Of Two Social Media Experts

Following the success of Stā Social, Samantha Cusick and Conor Doyle chat candidly about all aspects of social media

Samantha Cusick

Conor James Doyle

The first in a series of free educational events, award-winning hairdressers Samantha Cusick and Conor James Doyle joined forces for Stā Social – a social media masterclass for hairdressers looking to level up their content. Following the event, Creative HEAD chatted to the dynamic duo about their relationships with social media and what they’ve learned about building a following.

Samantha Cusick

Talk us through your relationship with social media – how has it transformed the way you work?
 I have a genuine love to create content and share knowledge with others and social media is the best avenue for this. Social media has completely revolutionised the way I approach my work. Before, it was all about word-of-mouth and local advertising, but now I can showcase my work to a global audience in real-time. It’s like having a portfolio that’s constantly updated and always accessible. Social media has allowed me to build a community, engage with clients on a more personal level, and attract new business – be that clients or attracting the attention of brands – which has led to paid ambassador roles. The instant feedback and interaction I get through platforms like Instagram and Facebook have also helped me stay on top of trends and continuously improve my skills.

What would you say is your favourite platform, and why?
Instagram is hands down my favourite platform. As a visual person, it’s the perfect place to showcase my work. The platform is designed for sharing beautiful images and videos, and that’s what my business is all about. The ability to reach people with just a hashtag or location tag is incredibly powerful. Plus, Instagram Stories and Reels have added an easy way to engage with my audience, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at my life as a hairdresser and business owner, which they love.

As well as the benefits, what would you say are some of the pitfalls or common misconceptions? 
One common misconception is that social media success happens overnight. It takes a lot of time, consistency, and effort to build a following and create content that resonates with your audience. Another pitfall is the pressure to constantly produce perfect content, which can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. It’s important to remember that social media should be a tool to enhance your business, not a source of stress. Being authentic and sharing real moments, even the imperfect ones, can actually strengthen your connection with your clients and audience.

If there was one thing youd wish you had done differently when building your profiles, what would it be?
I wish I had started engaging with my audience more from the beginning. When I first started, I was so focused on posting content that I didn’t prioritise responding to comments and messages as much as I should have. Building a community is just as important as showcasing your work, and it’s something I’ve really focused on improving. Engagement is key to growing your presence and turning followers into loyal clients. I used to think it was all about growing my follower count but actually engagement is the most important.

 

One common complaint we hear is the time involved with capturing, editing, and posting content. What would your advice be to fellow hair pros with not enough hours in the day?
I totally get it—creating content can be incredibly time-consuming. My advice is to batch your content creation. Set aside specific times during the week to capture photos and videos, and then use scheduling tools to post them. This way, you’re not constantly interrupted by the need to create content on the everyday. I also make sure I use each client I do to make multiple pieces of content, think beyond the usual before and after and capture things like your consultation process, the colouring process, styling etc. Each step can be its own piece of content, building you a library of incredibly low-effort content that will do well and give value to the viewer. Also, don’t be afraid to repurpose older content or share user-generated content from your clients. It’s a great way to keep your feed active without spending hours every day on it.

When social can be so all-consuming, what are your top tips for setting boundaries and managing a work/life balance?
It’s so important to set boundaries with social media to avoid burnout. I’m a big believer in time blocking – set aside specific times in your calendar to edit and schedule your content as well as designating specific times for checking and posting on social media, rather than being on it all day. I also make it a point to unplug from my devices during personal time. It’s okay to take breaks from social media – your audience will understand, if you’re comfortable sharing that, honesty and authenticity really resonates with people. Remember, your mental health and well-being should always come first. Being mindful of the time you spend online will help you maintain a healthy work/life balance while still growing your business. I think it’s important to add as well that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others online, I used to fall prey to this and it was super damaging to my mental health, just be you and share what you feel is right for your business. 

Conor James Doyle

Talk us through your relationships with social media – how has it transformed the way you work?
Social media has changed how I work mostly through reach. I’m from a small town in Ireland, there’s no way I would have reached the opportunities I’ve had in LA, Australia, Europe and the UK if not for the audience I’ve connected with internationally online. I don’t even think it’s to do with the numbers but the connections I’ve made.

What would you say is your favourite platform, and why?
Personally, I prefer Instagram. TikTok is great for reach and discovery of new people, but I think it cannot foster a connection with your audience. Instagram is somewhere you can get to know and nurture your community. 

As well as the benefits, what would you say are some of the pitfalls or common misconceptions?
The main misconception is that big numbers = success. I know many creators with huge followings who struggle to monetise it. Your following is like a little garden you create. Success and prosperity rely on how you tend to it and how consistent you are. If you just focus on expansion the whole thing can fall apart.

If there was one thing youd wish you had done differently when building your profiles differently, what would it be?
Realise what my audience is really looking for instead of overcomplicating things and pushing out what I ‘thought’ they wanted based on seeing other creators. So many times, I’ve lost myself and point of view but ultimately I don’t regret that either. These mistakes help give us clarity and direction when navigating back to ourselves. When you’re on the right track it’s a feeling, you just kind of know. 

One common complaint we hear is the time involved with capturing, editing and posting content, what would your advice be to fellow hair pros with not enough hours in the day?
Stop overcomplicating and start maximising. I really only do hair 2-3 times a month and when I have those clients in, the second I see a nice aesthetic shot I shoot. I bank a load of these throughout the service, sometimes only 3-5 seconds long. I’ll share some text or a helpful tip and that’s it. I also will recycle a lot and assemble them to create longer-form pieces with a different angle. 

When social can be so all-consuming, what are your top tips for setting boundaries and managing a work/life balance?
Avoid checking first thing in the morning; if it’s your first hit of dopamine it tells your brain this is the most important source, and you will check it more during the day with more of a sense of urgency. Don’t take it to bed with you either. Treat it like your office or workspace and log off as you would work. Easier said than done and that’s why having a separate phone with zero social media has been a game changer for me. I leave my work phone in a separate room. 

Also, a final note; forget the algorithm. If social is getting you down, take a break. It’s fine to go. It’s when most of your fresh ideas will flourish.