HJ’s Business Boardroom, in partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel, returned to the L’Oréal Academy for its third day, as the eight 2026 mentees put what they’ve learnt so far into practice and continued working towards their final business plans.
Led by award-winning hairdresser and industry entrepreneur Sean Hanna, the year-long mentorship programme is helping salon owners develop their knowledge across the key areas of running a successful hairdressing business.
“As business owners it’s important that you focus on the money – I am here to get you to a better place than you were before,” Sean explained. “A lot of people who start a business start it because they are passionate, but then when you’re the leader of that business you need to learn everything you can to make it successful. As hairdressers we are creative and not everyone is motivated by money. So, if you are making £30,000 and you are happy with that, then that is fine. But if you’re working really hard and running a business we might as well make it work for you!”
What Is HJ’s Business Boardroom?
HJ’s Business Boardroom, in partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel, is a year-long mentorship programme led by Sean Hanna and designed to support established UK salon owners as they develop their businesses.
Throughout 2026, the mentees have been developing new business skills and building on their existing knowledge in areas including marketing, profit building and business planning.
Alongside Sean’s mentorship, the salon owners have had the opportunity to learn from guest speakers and industry business leaders, with the programme culminating in the creation of their own business plans.
Putting Their Business Learning Into Practice
After a previous session focused on marketing – which included a presentation from guest speaker and HJ’s Business Director of the Year Michael Van Clarke – the team were challenged to put their new knowledge into practice.
Take a read of all the highlights from Day 2 here!
Using an exclusive marketing calendar Sean created for the programme, the mentees presented the campaigns they had developed for their businesses.
Michelle Summers-Davies kicked off the session by discussing the lessons she has learnt and implemented in her latest marketing campaign, Liquid Layers, which has already seen an increase in bookings.
Laura Bates spoke about the inspiration she took from guest mentor Salv Mule, who previously discussed building his business within his local area. Laura created an avatar of her typical client – ranging from toddlers to nannas – before presenting her marketing campaign for the year ahead and discussing plans to introduce her own product range to the salon.
Julie Charles broke down her brand messaging, focusing on who they are and what makes her salon unique. She then explained how her new Gloss, Tone & Refresh Service will work for clients returning from holiday.
Meanwhile, Liza Raby discussed the impact her salon has on vulnerable children, adults and their families. Her new Colour, Cut and Confidence marketing campaign is designed to encourage new clients while also rewarding existing ones.
Sean highlighted an important consideration when creating offers designed to attract new business: “Always be careful when offering something to new clients and not existing clients, you don’t want to alienate your existing clients who see new clients getting new things.”
The presentations put into practice many of the principles explored during the previous Business Boardroom session, from identifying the right client to developing campaigns with a clear purpose.
What’s Next for the HJ Business Boardroom?
The mentees are ultimately working towards presenting their own business plans to a panel of industry entrepreneurs, including Michael Van Clarke and Hellen Ward.
As well as developing their business knowledge, the programme has given the group opportunities to connect with other leaders from across the professional hair industry.
Following Day 3, the mentees attended the 70th anniversary of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy, where they had the chance to catch up with creative and business leaders.
Meet the 2026 HJ Business Boardroom Members
- Laura Bates, Creations Hair & Beauty, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
- Hannah Lowndes, LH Hair Design, Bourne and Burghley Training Academy, Peterborough
- Michelle Summers-Davies, Michelle Davies Hair, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire
- Kerry Anne Buckell, KB Hair Extensions and KB The Hair Studio, Sussex
- Julie Charles, re:new Hair & Beauty by Expressions, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
- Sonny Playforth, Sonny Playforth Hairdressing, Northallerton
- Grace Patel, The Brentwood Hairdresser and founder of My Colour Cost
- Liza Raby, Spencers, Peterborough
