An early start leads to an inspiring career in hairdressing

Louise Dennis had her first taste of hairdressing at age 14 and is now a senior designer at Q Hair and Beauty in Chichester. What Makes hairdressing such a great career? Hairdressing is such a beautiful industry; it’s creative and so rewarding. We can give guests a service they love. Hairdressing really is a career not just a job and it can lead into many more amazing opportunities. Every day is different but I never get bored. How did you enter hairdressing and what was the attraction for you? I started with Q Hair and Beauty by joining their after school club, the Tiger Club, at the age of 14 which is a great opportunity for those at school and who are interested in hairdressing. I didn’t know what to expect, it was for 2 hours after school on a Wednesday. I absolutely loved it and could not wait for the following Wednesday to come round again. Attending the Tiger Club made me fall in love with the industry and my passion has kept growing. I was attracted to hairdressing as it was creative yet practical. I love meeting lots of amazing people and at this point I could not wait to finish school and join the super team full time as a ‘future professional’. What were your first impressions of the industry and the possibilities open to you? Coming straight out of school at the age of 16 I was very shy and having the opportunity to have already have two years at Q learning did help with that transaction. Everybody was so confident and content at the salon. I knew Q had a great reputation for education and training and could offer me lots of great opportunities. There was always an issue of HJ in the salon, and each week I was inspired with what colleagues within the industry were doing - a whole new world had just opened up to me. I’m still encouraged by what we do in salon for our guests, and our trips to Salon International and the Fellowship for British Hairdressing events. How did your career progress? After having two years of training before I had left school I then started my apprenticeship at 16. I did that for two and a half years and was so happy when I had qualified! I then became a graduate stylist on the salon floor. I was given valuable opportunities to attend lots of courses with the team. I kept focused, working hard and training lots so I could bring back to the salon and give my guests the best I could. In 2011 I became a member of the Fellowship Clubstar which really is fantastic and inspirational. My team and I attend once a month without fail. I’ve also had the opportunity to work at London Collections: Men with Fudge. What advice would you offer someone looking to carve a long-term, exciting career in hairdressing? The best advice I can give is to keep learning, take every opportunity given to you. You will never stop learning. My salon owner Anthony Barnes-Smith always says: “practise, practise, practise” and “you have to be in it to win it”.