Episode 171

Pioneering Salon Suites in the UK - My Story | John Gillespie | Managing Director at Phenix Salon Suites | Celebrity Hairstylist | Businessman | Speaker

Tune in to hear John Gillespie share his story, from platform artist to celebrity styling to being the person responsible for bringing Salon Suites to the UK!

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

πŸ”… 38-year industry veteran brought salon suites to the UK and is expanding across the EU!

πŸ”… Growing up in salons with both parents being hairdressers, John was exposed to platform artists and knew that's what he wanted.

πŸ”… Do not let anxiety or fear be your excuse not to take advantage of any opportunity; someone else will take it if you do not.

πŸ”… John held the title of most expensive haircut: "The 30,000-pound haircut."

πŸ”… Focus on building a solid clientele, and you can rely on it. Once you have a solid base of clients, you will have the security and income to do everything you want.

πŸ”… Do not spread yourself too thin; hone in on your goals and focus. Build your skills and clientele before starting other businesses. You will have greater success!

πŸ”… Ask others for help; they want to help you! If you find someone who doesn't just move on to the next person, more people want to help vs do not want to help.

πŸ”… Just because you are not getting paid for an opportunity doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Some opportunities don't pay dollars or pounds; some pay in exposure, relationships, and experience.

πŸ”… Stop undercharging your clients! You are losing lots of money! 65% of hairdressers in the UK are self-employed, hence the rise of salon suites!


πŸ‘‰Follow John on IG and check out his personal recommendations here.


The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.


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The views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com.

About the Podcast

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Supporting Rising & Transforming Stylists

About your host

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Robert Hughes

β€œI THINK HAIRSTYLISTS ARE THE COOLEST, NICEST, AND MOST FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE PLANET! I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT USHERING IN AN EMPOWERED-STYLIST FUTURE, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE GETTING STYLISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TOGETHER IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN LEARN, LAUGH, AND GROW TOGETHER.”
-Said by ME!
Robert started his hair journey as a kid in rural America offering haircuts on the street to kids in the neighborhood, not realizing, one day, he would find himself working the front desk at a hair salon while in high school. From there, his experience from salon-to-salon has included the front of the house, back of the house, stylist, educator, and consultant. It was during this movement through various salons he developed a passion to empower stylists and educate owners on how to raise the industry standard of excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism amongst stylists, managers, owners, and clients. Robert currently is the General Manager and a Master Stylist at Violet Salon in Georgetown, DC.