CREATIVE HEAD & THE INDUSTRY LAUNCH NEW INDUSTRY-WIDE MENTOR SCHEME
What are you waiting for?
Applications for the Activator Mentor Scheme are officially open!
Are you thinking of starting your own hairdressing business, or struggling to know what to do next with your existing one? Launching a new salon, expanding your concept or taking the plunge into self-employment can feel incredibly scary, and it’s at a time like this that a mentor can be so valuable – someone who understands your work environment, has experience of the kind of hurdles you’re facing and can provide practical and personal support.
Activator is a free new 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 – one of our Activators – 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 Mark Woolley, Lee Stafford, Ky Wilson and It List Entrepreneur 2020, Ricky Walters; established salon owners like Jordanna Cobella (Cobella), Christel Barron-Hough (Stil), Naomi Brooks (The Hair Sanctuary) and Dylan Bradshaw (Dylan Bradshaw); session stylists Sharon Robinson and the newly crowned Hair Icon, Syd Hayes; and independent hairdressers like Harriet Stokes, Ashleigh Hodges and Most Wanted Texture Expert, Lisa Farrall, plus Creative HEAD Editor Amanda Nottage. There are 21 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 incredible hair professionals who’ve been there, done that and worn the T-shirt and can genuinely help people who are now treading the same path. It’s the first scheme of its kind in hairdressing, and we are very proud of it and our 21 Activators.”
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.
So don’t delay, apply to Activator now – it’s easy to do, and it’s completely free! Applications close on October 15th.