You may have already some experience as a hairdresser or maybe you have a passion for styling hair. Becoming a Private Hairdresser is an excellent goal - and like all self employed roles - has its advantages and disadvantages. Another common route to earning a full time living as a hairdresser is by joining an existing salon - for experience, an already stocked premises or an established client base.
To become a hairdresser some formal training is often required and plenty of hands on experience! There are many specialised schools around the country that offer relatively short term courses. Here you will have a chance to perfect your skills on volunteers or models before venturing into the real world and dealing with customer requests.
Looking at courses online you will find everything from 2 day intensive courses to training that lasts a year, or longer. Of course what you gain from each different course will vary greatly. Depending on your goals - if it's to work alone, in a salon or even as a Mobile Hairdresser - you will need to pick the perfect course for you.
We are seeing that mobile hairdressers are becoming more and more popular - as people like to be pampered in their own home before a night out, a wedding or another event. Customers are will to pay a little extra more for the convience of having someone come to their home - a practice that could give you a competitive advantage over your competition.
If your want to be a mobile hairdresser, firstly you need to go to a hairdresser or beauty school to properly learn how to cut and style hair. Although some people prefer to work in a salon - to work and learn under well experienced hairdressers and hair stylists, but at the same time many regions around the globe require that you are a certified beautician before becoming a mobile hairdresser. The reason for this is sometimes you will be handling chemicals and of course to regulate the industry.
Whatever route you take - there are some key skills you should have to be successful and ensure being a Hairdresser is a perfect match for your personality:
*You should have some creative flair
*You should have amazing interpersonal skills - be a great talker, even better listener
*If going solo - you will need basic business skills - for setting prices, dealing with costs.
The job itself is a mix of training and experience on the job - due to its skilled nature. The opportunities are very open from working for yourself, to a saloon all the way to creative designer work - for those with keen eyes and sharp skills.
To be sure it’s the career path for you..can you find friends or family to practice on? How about a part time or trainee job in a hairdressers to see what really happens behind closed doors!
It is now easier to buy Hairdressing or Mobile Hairdressing packs with many of the tools you will need and use - these include everything from hair cutting clips, combs, rollers, a variety of scissors and possibly clippers.
Get them - and start to get use to them! Will you be happy making them the tools of your trade for the foreseeable future?
Some final tips as you begin your journey:
*Start to build a portfolio of your work as soon as you can - the more you have to show, the easier it will be to get interviews and placements.
*If going to start in a salon - ensure you are assigned a mentor - someone you have met and feel comfortable with. This person will be your teacher and you will need to have an excellent relationship from the start.
*Go to hair shows, fashion shows - get out and meet stylists - ask plenty questions and take plenty contact details for future opportunities.
*Ensure your appearance is always as fashionable as possible - when possible clients see you they will make assumptions about your skills and style based on how you look. Tough - but true!
*Enjoy - Hairdressing can be an amazing people focused service - where you are only limited by your own creativity.
*Promote yourself! Of course - get the word out about your skills, tell your family and friends - start to advertise and create an online profile, so if people search online for a Private Hairdresser or Mobile Hairdresser - your details are top of the list.
Why not sign up here today to promote yourself for FREE. Also check this article for some tips on creating the perfect online profile to attract customers.