After recently being awarded an MBE, Sheila Abrahams shares her journey in advocating for the freelance hair industry.
What has been your career journey?
I started in hairdressing as a Saturday girl at 13 years old. I then went on to do my training at London College of Fashion for two years before getting my first job. The guy I worked for told me that although I may have got my City & Guilds qualification, I didn't know it all. So I had to do model nights for six months, which were invaluable – I was taken from college trained to a commercial hairstylist. I then went onto the shop floor and worked my way up to senior stylist, and eventually had my own salon. When I had children, I found it difficult to divide my time – I chose to put my children first. But I was terrified that if I stopped hairdressing, I might never pick it up again. So I started working part time from home and my freelancing journey began. It was then that I launched the Freelance Hairdressers Association (FHA).
How has the freelance hair industry changed since you launched the FHA?
Back then, when I left the salon, it was as if I became a nobody. I couldn't get stock from anywhere, the brand managers wouldn't sell to me, wholesalers would block you from going in – it was a completely different attitude than if you were from a salon. Freelancers were tarred with a brush and we were thought of as unqualified, inexperienced, uninsured, and as tax avoiders. There was no voice for the freelance sector – I thought, this can't go on. So, me and a couple of girls held meetings for around 18 months, creating a standard which the FHA still has to this day. Then, after we launched at Salon International, it took five years for the industry to recognise what we were doing, and their attitude changed. Suddenly, we were a gateway to a large group of freelancers, and it gave brands a way to reach an audience they hadn't been able to get hold of. Now, over 60% of the hairdressing workforce are freelance and things have changed so much.
What has been the biggest challenge during your career?
Getting the industry to understand that the FHA was a professional business.
What has been the proudest moment during your career?
Receiving my MBE; to be recognised for what you've done for your own industry is just the most amazing feeling. This community would never have happened if it hadn't been for the organisation.
What's next?
This year, we are overhauling everything at the FHA. We're focusing on what is needed for freelancers right now.
