I started here as a Graduate Stylist in the Bicester Salon, and I am now the Business Development Manager, overseeing both our Salons.

In this role I’m excited about working with our Salon Managers as they lead their teams in gaining experience, improving practical skills, and building relationships with clients.

Career progression in this industry takes commitment, practice and skill, and you need a supportive environment to grow.

At The Hair Gallery, Sam and Debbie encourage us to get involved in our own professional development, look for ways to improve, and ask for help where we need it.  This has given me the confidence to progress in my own career and, now, to support and develop the Management team too.

I feel such pride when we receive positive comments about our team.  We stand out when we consistently exceed our markers on customer service, and that’s obvious because clients come back to us.

We think it’s important to celebrate individual and team success, and are proud that our team are self motivators!

Our passion for hair doesn’t stop when we leave the Salon… We read hair magazines, follow creative stylists on social media and try out new techniques.  Personally, I am really enthusiastic about wedding hair.  I think it is a privilege to be involved in the build up to someone’s wedding and to make them feel beautiful for their special day.

I started as an Apprentice here 10 years ago, straight from school – nervous about talking to people or answering the phone. 

Looking back now as a Senior Creative Stylist, I’ve changed a lot through working here.  Now I have a varied client list, training opportunities, the ability to develop my career based on my interests, and the opportunity to support and guide the junior members of the team at our Bicester Salon.

We are encouraged to ask and learn, whatever our role, so my confidence and professional skills have really grown.  We have training from Schwarzkopf technicians on new products, and I find the hands on experience really helpful.

I love the technical aspect of my work, especially colour.  Clients look and feel transformed when they’ve had a colour change and it is great to have the knowledge to advise and style them.

Sam and Debbie are interested in finding out which areas of our career we want to develop, and how we want to achieve that.

For example, I had good practical understanding of how a Salon is run, and wanted to learn more about management so I completed a Management and Team Leading course to help prepare me for this new stage in my career. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.

My favourite part of the job is my relationships with my team, and getting to know clients and making them feel good about how they look!