Fellowship business brunch provides food for thought

The first Fellowship Business Brunch Event proved a resounding success, with a panel of high-profile salon owners all answering a series of pertinent questions relating to the hairdressing industry. The event, hosted at the L’Oreal Academy by Fellowship for British Hairdressing member and business expert Simon Shaw, attracted salon owners from across the UK – not surprising with a panel which included Stelios Andrew, co-director of Rush Hair; Amanda Dicker, co-founder of the Chapel salon group; Victor Pajak, owner of Headquarters, Kingston-upon-Thames; Ben Dellicompagni, managing director of the Francesco Group; and Hellen Ward, director of the Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa, London. Each panellist offered their own unique take on a series of issues, including staffing, discounting, and the benefits of a celebrity clientele or associations. On staffing issues, Victor stressed the need to have clear written rules and regulations in place so that staff members know exactly where they stand. Stelios commented on how much easier it was in the age of social media for staff who leave to take clients with them. Ben said that at Francesco Group they endeavoured to create a culture that engaged the stylists and encouraged loyalty. On discounting, Amanda said: “I believe it devalues the industry and demotivates staff,” while Victor said he felt offering discounts to new clients was an insult to existing, loyal customers. Simon also asked Hellen how having a high-profile celebrity clientele benefitted her business. “Celebrity clients only come back if they want to come back,” said Hellen. “They won’t just come back because you offer them a free service – they can get their hair cut free anywhere. You have to be careful how you use them too - we don’t actively promote our celebrity clientele.” Read full coverage of the event in the May issue of HJ.