Stylist, Salon Owner and Educator, Melissa Timperley shares her thoughts on continued education within the industry – and why there's no excuse to not keep learning
“I don’t have time. I’ll do a course when things calm down.” But it never ‘calms down’, does it? That mythical unicorn of a gap in your schedule? Never met her.
Be honest. How many times have you not prioritised learning something new because you’re ‘too busy’? I completely understand where that comes from, because salon life is intense. Columns are at capacity, clients expect more than ever, and most hairdressers are carrying pressure that people outside the industry don’t even see. Long hours, back-to-back appointments, consultations, social media, retention, timings, targets. It’s a lot. So you stick to what you know: the same cuts, the same shapes, the same comfortable routines.
But here’s the truth: upskilling brings about opportunity. The opportunity to satisfy existing clients. Opportunity to attract new clients. Opportunity to increase prices. Opportunity to become known for something. Opportunity to feel excited by hairdressing again, instead of just getting through the day. And it’s not just time. I know it can be challenging to branch out from your comfort zone. To put your skills to the test and learn something new. But trends move quickly, and expectations are higher. Standing still in this industry isn’t neutral – it’s falling behind. Here’s the real truth: if you can’t do it, your client will find someone who can.
As a stylist and salon owner who has delivered education, mostly in person, I know not everyone can afford to take days out of the salon anymore. Not everyone can travel across the country for a course. Not everyone has the luxury of slowing their column down to practise. So, what’s the solution?
I believe how we think about education can change the way we use it. Education can be flexible, more realistic and more connected to everyday salon life. Sometimes learning does look like a hands-on course. But sometimes it’s five focused minutes between clients. Sometimes it’s revisiting a technique right before you use it. Sometimes it’s quietly building confidence over time instead of expecting instant mastery overnight. Learning is not always linear.
The problem isn’t that you don’t care about learning. The problem is that traditional education often doesn’t reflect the reality of working behind the chair.
That’s why I created the MT Masterclass app. Not to replace in-person education, but to support stylists in the moments where they actually need guidance most – on the salon floor, during a busy week, in real working conditions.
You don’t need to do everything. But you do need to do something. In an industry that never stands still, doing nothing costs more than you think.
