HJ’s entrepreneur mentoring programme is back for 2026 – and this year it is bigger and better, as it joins forces with multi-award-winning salon owner Sean Hanna and L’Oréal Professionnel to boost smaller businesses within the hairdressing industry.
Eight business owners are spending dedicated days with Sean at the L’Oreal Academy, learning everything they need to know about taking their businesses to the next level.
Meet This Year's HJ's Business Boardroom Business Owners
- Laura Bates, Creations Hair & Beauty, St Leonards On Sea, East Sussex
- Liza Raby, Spencers Hair Salon, Peterborough, LH Hair Design Bourne and Burghley Training Academy, Peterborough
- 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 Hairdressing, Northallerton
- Grace Patel, The Brentwood Hairdresser and founder of My Colour Cost
The day started with the new team introducing themselves, talking about the day-to-day issues they face and the processes of buying and opening their businesses. The group were open, honest and authentic about their struggles, their ups and downs, their strengths and weaknesses. Ranging from self-employed to those running a business, setting up their own business and buying an existing salon, their businesses range from a one-man band to employing a small team, a creative salon and a business catering for those with special needs. While everyone’s clientele was different, their issues and concerns were all similar; understanding the numbers, and juggling different roles as people and employers.
“Everyone who has done something differently has been told it is impossible – but with the right strategies, the 'impossible' really does become possible,” Sean enthused. "Most industry entrepreneurs have started in the same place – with an initial idea and a lot of enthusiasm. A lot of the challenges you are experiencing have already been experienced by previous business owners; I’ve opened salons, done things right and wrong and while you can argue it was a different time, we still faced a lot of the same issues.”
Sean, who has run salons for 50 years, talked about his experiences of opening – and closing – salons, running teams and keeping a close eye on the numbers. “Many salons are so focused on the day-to-day challenges of running a salon, but as a business owner you need to step back and look at the strategic decisions you are making.
“We don’t always know what we don’t know and during this programme we will share proven 'real life' systems and strategies that you may not have thought about, which can genuinely help you and your business.”
The first question they faced was why did they want their own business? Answers ranged from to set an example, empower others, control their own time and have unlimited earning potential.
“Being wealthy is something we are often embarrassed about in the UK, but if you do want to be wealthy (and not everyone does) then as a business owner, you can have opportunities that are difficult to replicate as an employee on a limited income.
Most business owners who become wealthy do so by making enough profit to be able to invest. It takes time and consistency. So step one – how to design your business to make a realistic profit.”
The mentees were given various systems designed to make them seriously think about their business plans, profit in their business, and the money coming in and out of their business. “Many salon owners don’t understand why profit is so important – if you don’t have profit, you don’t get paid! It can fund your growth, better training, expansion; it means you can survive shocks when things go wrong and of course it means you can invest in your own personal wealth creation.”
Former Business Director of the Year and owner of Academy Salons, Salv Mule, also gave an insight into running a busy salon group, before answering questions and delving deeper into the mentees businesses.
Stay tuned for more updates!
