Bruno marc talks hairdressing

Southern Hairdresser of the Year Bruno Marc from the Marc Antoni group talks business; plans for retirement and reveals how starting out as a professional footballer helped him in his hairdressing career.

What was your first job and did you learn anything that you still use today?My first job was as a professional footballer, so very different to hairdressing. It gave me a real passion for winning, working in a team, and the belief that through hard work and determination, you can achieve anything. What was your big break?A big break isn’t really something I feel I’ve had. I believe that what I have achieved over the years is down to hard work. I was extremely proud to pick up HJ’s 2007 Southern Hairdresser of the Year award, and I attribute it to being determined and hard working, with a great team behind me. What was the best career advice you have ever been given?To have patience and to remember that not everyone learns quickly or will understand something the first time you explain it. Teaching at Marc Antoni has really opened my eyes to understand that with patience you get the results. What made you fall in love with hairdressing?The people, creativity, fashion and that every day I’m doing something I love. Not many people would work every day of the week, often late into the night, staying in hotels away from their families and still love what they do. Who do you admire both creatively and in business?Vidal Sassoon will always be at the top of my list. But I also love Antoinette Beenders’ work and with the dressing of hair becoming more important, Patrick Cameron’s work is truly inspirational; I especially admire his new work. His passion and presence on stage is a real gift – he’s a great guy and a fantastic talent. In business, there are so many people I admire that I can’t name anyone in particular. This industry is different to others, in that everyone shares their ideas, successes and mistakes. What would you like to be doing in five years’ time?Chilling out on a beach! In five years’ time, I will have given this job everything and I’d like to take life easy and enjoy spending time with my wife. I’d like to be able to see my daughter Charlotte and the rest of the young team at Marc Antoni succeed and gain as much inspiration from the industry as I have.What is the best part of your job?Teaching is my passion. There is nothing like seeing young people learn new skills and techniques. The confidence and passion you can share through teaching makes it all worthwhile. It’s down to us to be able to share that with them – they are the future of British hairdressing. What sort of clients would you like to see walk through your door?Those that have plenty of money, listen and take advice! Clients need to be re-educated that their hairdresser and colourist are experts and their advice is a fundamental part of how their hair will look in six weeks’ time. What business advice would you give to someone?A good business is down to a team effort. Give everyone you work with the opportunity to share ideas with you. Take criticism and learn from it. Our product company, Wella Professionals, has been a fundamental part of our growth because it has always been honest and upfront – I really admire that. You might think your business is brilliant but there are always areas on which to improve – and you won’t do that without listening to people.