Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1359889
30 indie stylist Volume 2 Issue 2 for me—creative picture, artistic cut and color, photo of the year. I always went for the photo of the year and would hire a good photographer. So again, I stayed in my lane, and I loved competitions. And then you get older, and you feel like, "Ah, I've won all that, but it's silly." But, that said, I think I wouldn't be the hairdresser I am today if I wasn't a competitive hairdresser. HOW HAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE CHANGED SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? I think [COVID has] changed a lot of people's perspective on their life. It's made me sit down and think about what I really want—what I'm really very fortunate to have. Maybe that's sometimes family. Maybe that's sometimes life, in general, and I think it's made me sort of look at how fragile the world is. You don't really know what's going to happen next. So live life. Also, you have to retain a certain amount of positivity when things are tough. This year really taught me a lot of patience and tolerance—even when things are hitting the fan and bank accounts are emptying out. Being a salon owner is never easy, but you know what? There's always light at the end of the tunnel. So I think it's important to stay and take the positives. The big positive for me was actually connecting with everybody online. The amount of people asking me if I would like to do interviews . . . I didn't even know that many people knew me! I think the sharing of the good and bad [has been positive]. And the education that came from COVID— with every artist giving free education at a time when, my god, it was so badly needed to lift our spirits. So yeah, there were a lot of positives and a lot of learning from COVID. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOLO HAIRSTYLISTS WHO WANT TO GROW A SUCCESSFUL CAREER? Number one, surround yourself—no matter what it takes—with good artists, with good people. Even if that's doing free work, or if that's knocking on a salon door you were afraid to go in. Do your hair, brush yourself off, put a smile on your face, walk straight in, and ask them for a job. I mean it's as simple as that. What can they say? No? Looking up to your heroes can sometimes be a letdown, but in most cases—especially in hairdressing—people are good, so get in there. Surround yourself with those people—even if it's for short periods of time. Then maybe they'll start looking at you as talent, and say, "I need this person." But don't take second best. I just pushed myself around the world sometimes, just to be on shoots for free—so be on things for free. Work in salons. Learn as much as you can on social media, but also set yourself a goal . . . to be mentored by the best hairdressers. Don't just look at them online. Remember, you can be one too.