Ryan harris - my career in hairdressing

Ryan Harris is senior stylist at Angels, where he divides his time between the flagship salon in central Aberdeen and its sister salon in Ellon. Although he is 27, Ryan is a relative newcomer to the industry, having embarked on his hairdressing career aged 21. Here, he shares his advice and experience of carving out a successful hairdressing career.

I started my career journey as a builder, although I had always known I wanted to be a hairdresser. For some reason I felt that hairdressing would be a difficult path to follow. I only wish I had followed my heart straight from school.

Put in what you want to get out

Having taken the leap into hairdressing through hard work, determination and many late nights, I managed to complete my SVQ Level 2 within eight months. All of this was done while working in a small busy salon. During my 18 months there my curiosity grew and I knew I wanted bigger and better opportunities. I was longing for the hustle and the bustle of a big city salon and the diversity it would offer. 

When you have decided what direction you want your career to move in, look at the work that the salon is producing. I came across Tracey Devine at Angels and I knew instantly that she would be a great mentor and that Angels would be a great place to further my career. I wrote to Tracey and although it was 200 miles away from where I lived, I asked her for an interview. Following an intensive trade test, I made the big move and relocated.

Treat every client as your first

Building my clientele became easier as I learned what experience my clients were looking for. I decided to always deliver exceptional service and soon became fully booked.     

Tracey and the team from Angels encouraged me to enter competitions. In 2011 I won a place on the Clynol Protégé Team, which was absolutely amazing. Tracey then suggested I enter HJ's British Hairdressing Awards Newcomer of the Year, and my collection was shortlisted. I am always being encouraged to take my career to the next level and applied for the Fellowship for British Hairdressing's 2012 FAME team and got through, which was a massive opportunity.

Being in the FAME team earned me more responsibility and respect in the salon. It also gave me the confidence to educate others by passing on the new knowledge. I hold training nights in the salon teaching the young and eager to ensure they too share my enthusiasm, thirst and drive.