If you’d have asked Oliver Blackaby whether he planned to open his own salon ten years ago, the care-free hairdresser would have replied “no thank you.” Fast forward seven years and boy are we glad he turned that decision on it’s head! Now the owner of award-winning The Hair Salon in Hove, Oliver has grown a hair community and champions for each and every stylist that works with him.
Humble beginnings
The Hair Salon is not your average ‘hair salon’ think of it more as a place where like minded stylists can work together but for themselves as freelance stylists. “When I opened up three years ago it was just me and Alfie Hair. In three months we’d recruited three or four people, a few apprentices and a part time barber,” explains Oliver. “Over the years we’ve learnt what works and what doesn’t.” While the space is totally inclusive, Oliver is careful to ensure anyone who works there shares the same ethos. He’s also created a social media backdrop in the salon and designated storage space, to make working life easy, fun and dynamic for the stylists who work there.
Oliver adds: “All the brands we work with have strong ethical values, like Oway. They have been fantastic in terms of education, recycled plastic and we have evolved with them as a brand. It’s so important to me that anyone who works here has the same mindset in terms of reducing our environmental impact.”
Curve balls
Unfortunately, due to eye surgery Oliver has had to take some time out of the salon this month. Always trying to make the best of a situation however, he has used the time to reflect on the future of his business and made time to attend a business retreat in Somerset, run and organised by Jo Irvin. “It was an incredible four days of immersing myself in my career and the future of the salon,” says Ollie. “Not only did she run and deliver the retreat she invited an incredible team called Equipt to really open our eyes to our business. I think there is a lot to be said for coaching and keeping yourself ahead of the game, and I have Jo to thank for all of this.” Listen to our recent podcast with Oliver and Jo HERE
Next generation
Also turning 50 this year, has got Oliver thinking about his next steps and how he wants to help the next generation of stylists to grow. “I have a loyal clientele but I need to think about next steps. Education is definitely a part of my future,” continues Oliver.
“I never wanted to open a salon ten years ago when I was more care-free, but then you think about the future. I want to celebrate other people’s futures too. Sometimes our industry can be a bit cloak and dagger but I wanted to dispel that myth and create a space where people can come and go. I’ve always tried to be authentic and honest with people and would rather create a space where stylists feel happy and comfortable to work. It’s so important to me to stay true to my own values and always encourage stylists in the salon to do this and also think about why they are a success. My aim is to encourage my team to work hard and smart. As much as people work hard as individuals, they work brilliantly as part of a community and that’s when great things happen.”
To get in touch with Ollie and find out more about The Hair Salon, Life Coaching and generally having a fabulously positive mental attitude, click HERE.
To explore the library of Respectfully hair podcasts, click HERE
For more of the latest industry news, click HERE.
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