Spotlight on . . . jon kinsey - salon owner

  Name:  Jon Kinsey Job Title:  Salon owner/Creative director and Manager Place of Work:  Fresh Salons, 259 Harrogate Road, Moortown, Leeds LS17 6PA   Why did you get into hairdressing? I have grown up around the industry with my auntie working for Vidal Sassoons for over 30 years. I've always had a passion for hair and working with people. Hairdressing was recommended to me by my mother because she always said I was creative with my hands. How did you get your foot in the door?  I first started my career at Vidal Sassoons in Leeds in 1996 as a apprentice. How did you work your way up to a senior position in the salon? I worked my way up through pure determination and hard graft by always wanting to better myself. I reached management level at Sassoons and then decided I needed to branch out and start creating my own name with my own salon. What is the best part of your job? Having regular clients and meeting a variety of people. I love hair shows and I have a real passion for education i.e. training my staff and  teaching seminars. Being my own boss is also great. What is the worst part of your job?   Running behind schedule, finding staff with as much passion as myself and paper work. Who inspires you and why?   Tim Hartley is a massive inspiration to me because his passion and design for hair is amazing and also because I personally assisted him on shows on a regular basis. He never fails to deliver with his attention to detail and individual suitability. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?   I hopefully will be on the way to making my salon and academy a national brand in the hair  industry. Which part of the job do you find the most rewarding? There is not just one part, all of my job is rewarding. If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?   To have a government recognised license. Describe an average day at work My day starts by getting the salon ready before starting my column of clients. I also ensure all the other staff are organised, the days are always very hectic because we are so busy but we have a great atmosphere with all the staff and clients leaving happy. At the end of the day it's one final tidy up, cash up and then shut up for the next day. What advice would you give to someone who would like to do your job? Work hard and harder. Never stop learning and aim to train with the best in the industry. Name your favourite hair cut or style - a classic cut, an avant garde style etc.  It is a Sassoons cut called the Bias cut it is such a beautiful undercut shape and technique that can be worn on all ages and types of women. Which celebrity would you like to style and what would you change about their hair? Simon Cowell, his haircut is such a square shape and with such strong hair growth the shape he has at present does him no favours, he could look so much better with a slightly rounder shape! Get rid of the flat top! If you weren't a hairdresser (or working in the industry), what would you be? I think I would be an architect because I thrive on creating some thing new.