Our junior of the year interviews the british hairdresser of the year

To conclude National Apprenticeship Week and celebrate International Women's Day we have a special interview for you. We asked our British Hairdressing Business Awards Junior of the Year Darcey Clarke to ask British Hairdressing Awards sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional British Hairdresser of the Year Sally Brooks everything she'd love to know about Sally's successful career.

Darcey: How old were you when you started out your career?

Sally: I was just turning 20 when I started my hairdressing apprenticeship at the Trevor Sorbie salon in London. I started as an assistant sweeping the floors and worked my way up the ranks, absorbing every amazing opportunity that came my way. I became head junior which gave me an insight into management, to assistant manager and head of education, where I learnt the wonders of training others and at the same time refining my own skills.

Darcey: What has kept your motivation strong throughout your years in hairdressing?

Sally: It’s an ever-changing industry with so many different avenues to explore. No two days are the same and you can grow with your career. You can discover what your passion is – whether it is educating, creativity or the management side – hairdressing has something to offer everyone every day. There is no reason to become bored of this career, there are so many avenues you can take and use your skills in different ways.

Darcey: Are there any regrets that you have from the past?

Sally: I think I might have tried to enjoy school a bit more! It isn’t until you look back that you realise it wasn’t as bad as you thought at the time!

Darcey: What advice would you give for someone like me who’s trying to take the next step in their career and aspire to be at the top of their game?

Sally: Be nice to everyone - always try to look at life with your glass half full. Criticism is only negative if you take it in a negative way. Listen and absorb advice whenever you are given it, you never know when you’ll need it! Train hard – never think something is impossible but never rest on your laurels.If you want to be good you have to work hard and you have to ‘live’ hairdressing and immerse yourself in it. So many times I see people work hard for a little amount of time and then stop – you can never stop learning and there is always something to learn. That’s one of the great things about this industry!

Darcey: What goes into your planning and preparation before a shoot or competition?

Sally: Sleepless nights! You have to give a strong brief to the team you are working with and not stop working on the idea until there is no time left. Never follow what others have done, always create your own identity.

Darcey: What's the most valuable thing you've learnt in hairdressing?

Sally: What an amazing industry this is. It is full of amazing people with different stories and different talents and we are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by them every day. Sally Brooks' hairdressing documentary The Journey to my Destination is now available to stream and download on Amazon. For more information go to thejourneytomydestination.com