An interview with the leader in the hairdressing industry and education, who, during her 27 years as a hair stylist, has been meeting the expectations of the most demanding clients and conducts prestigious authorial training, professional training and training improving qualifications of hairdressers after hours.
What is so difficult about the topic of training? Is every educator worthy of interest?
Training has always been and will always be inspiring. This trend has been around for decades, but not all training is performed using the right method. It’s a huge responsibility that falls on anyone who renders education services. There’s no place for putting on a show and having fun. Only a professional approach and correct interpretation of the knowledge guarantee that the beginners, students or trainees will receive the specified scope of knowledge in the right way. A trainer, lecturer or teacher is a person who is legally and scientifically prepared to practice this profession. The trend revolves around education, but many trainers approach the subject intending to make a show and gain popularity only by being someone they really aren’t. People believe everything they’re told or shown but fail to verify and consider the most important aspect – the professional qualifications of the educator. Everyone can put on a show, everyone can make an impression, and everyone can influence the emotions of other people. This is manipulation, deliberate manipulation for the purpose of financial gain, because you know it’s all about business.
But what really matters in this business is prestige and professionalism. Not quantity, but quality. Every educator bears responsibility because each certificate issued, each lesson sold and the transfer of knowledge and experience performed in the right way is our business card. You have to be a properly trained psychologist and observer and have more than just professional knowledge in a specific industry. You have to be able to tame your own emotions and the emotions of others, as well as be open, yet prepared, for anything. Demonstrating patience is key. You have to motivate yourself and others to make sure that the knowledge you convey is used in the right way. There is no question of illusion here. We base our work on our own experience and projects, and no trainer is allowed to use or plagiarize the ideas of others. The difficulty consists in synchronizing your thoughts and motor system when working with a group. It’s hard to help others to overcome the barrier and change their habits, which negatively affect the assimilation of new knowledge. I’m a trainer educated by some of the best French pioneers in the industry, and I know exactly what impact other factors and characteristics have if you perform group or schematic training rather than one-to-one teaching. This is not quality, this is just business and a show. That’s why I encourage everyone to verify how the training is delivered and what successes, other than just getting a certificate in a frame or an online version, students are having in practice.
What do you enjoy most, and why did you choose hairdressing?
A trainer derives the greatest satisfaction from the success of his or her students. The most important thing is that they’re able to translate the acquired knowledge into practice every day so that they can enjoy it and show customer satisfaction. To open the mind, combine the vision, perform the artistic part and match the style – this is hairdressing that not only inspires hairdressers and stylists, but is also the foundation for other artists. I chose hairdressing because it has no frames and schemes, there are no barriers. There is creativity, style and elegance. A hairstyle is a business card of anyone from any industry, it’s an international trend. There is no question of boredom or lack of innovation here. In this industry, there are technological innovations, fashion, style, language of communication, feelings and emotions. We, hairdressers, create a family regardless of the country of origin and the language of communication – we are the creators who can show the world that without us, everything is grey. With us, this world and life become more colorful.
Do you enjoy teaching? Or is it an unrewarding profession?
Teaching a class means exploring many values and honing talents. We get to know the world more deeply, discover and help to discover the skills of others. We help to create a story, professional identity or a new image. As trainers, we are constantly learning and implementing innovations so that we can inspire and stimulate the imagination of other people. The pleasure comes when you and your students create a project together and talk in the same language, but it takes time to learn. Being a trainer isn’t for everyone. It has to be your passion. It also entails a lot of sacrifices in your personal life because we have to watch and supervise our students. We’re talking about precision. It’s not only about being present… We have to take care of the image from every side, not only our own, but mainly of everyone around us. For me as a trainer, the most important thing is the success of my students because they are my business card. I support everyone, which is why I don’t do any online training or distance teaching. I have the individual contact, the relationship, the control, and I know how to properly target or fill in the gaps in what is yet to be worked on. I can see who cares about being able to consciously and professionally achieve success under my wing. It’s not the mass business that pleases me – it’s the individual point of view and dialogue. I don’t teach for business, I teach because I love this profession and sharing knowledge. I am an active professional trainer, master in hairdressing and a stylist who has provided over 36,500 hairdressing services since 1996. This knowledge and experience are now being passed onto others. That’s why my current and former students are professionally successful.
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