Spotlight on . . . jon withrington - senior director

Name: Jon Withrington

Job Title: Senior Director

Place of Work: Rush Worthing - 8-10 Montague Street BN11 3HA- 01903 218 942

Why did you get into hairdressing?

It was actually by accident I studied graphic design and illustration initially which involved some photographic work which inspired a bit of a career change. I had pictures of me spending my working life in front of a mac which didn't appeal to me however I still wanted to do something creative, of which one of my friends suggest I give it a try...

How did you get your foot in the door? 

At 17 I looked into all my options, spoke to tutors at my college about training there however everyone pointed to doing a modern apprenticeship. Anyhow after a number of failed attempts with different salons in Hastings, I was about to give up but while having my ear pierced (as you do in such times) the owner told me of this place that I walked past everyday being on of the best salons in town. I gave it a try...and I got the job!

How did you work your way up to a senior position in the salon? 

I trained through an apprenticeship with really tough education whereby only perfection was allowed using a combination of Sassoon and toni & guy education. I feel that the excellent underpinning education, Passion, minium standards, understanding your clients & hard work (doing 12 hour days most the time) has allowed me to be who I am now

What is the best part of your job?

Having the power to be creative, making peoples self esteem go through the roof & educating clients and staff which is something I'm very passionate about.

What is the worst part of your job?

The hours! Generally find it rather hard to maintain a balance between social and work life, particularly as I love working! And sometimes the pay, I've had to leave a number of salons and work hard to earn a good salary but it still doesn't totally reflect the work I do.

Who inspires you? Why?

Vidal Sassoon for inspiring and changing the face of the industry which a lot of younger stylists now don't realise how much of an impact that one person made on the industry...could you imagine us still doing shampoo and sets for editorial, bad times!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Hopfully on the education team at our London academy with a rush and maybe looking to opening my own franchise. Who know...

Which part of the job do you find the most rewarding?

 

When people appreciate your hard work and realise that it's a lot harder than it looks sometimes.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

 

Have the industry regulated and ensure tighter rules around NVQ training to ensure that regardless of where people train, they have equal access to excellent education with higher standards.

How did you get your job? 

I first heard about rush when I read hj as an apprentice in Hastings, I actually moved to Brighton when the first salon I was at went bust. When I moved I didn't have quite enough experience to work at rush so I worked for some different salons and then found out about the Worthing one just popping in...

Describe an average day at work

 Well I live in Brighton so it goes -

 - 6:30am shower and coffee 

- 8:03am leave from Brighton to Worthing (clutching breaky)

- 9am > 8pm (most days) start my first client and continue at a steady pace although I manage to get behind and battle with my schedule.

8:30pm Leave from Worthing to Brighton

9:00pm Get home!! Well roughly  

What advice would you give to someone who would like to do your job?

Do your researches first, have a plan or a goal. When working for a group like Rush perfection is key in everything from cust service to the quality of your work whether it be a T-section to a blowdry, so you must work hard and have an excellent work ethic. 

Name your favourite hair cut or style 

The Graduated bob, I love the cleanness of the shape and how its effortlessly classy however with some tweaks and can become edgy. 

Which celebrity would you like to style and what would you change about their hair?

Katie holmes, I'd give her a full head of extensions the crop wasn't the most flattering with her face shape adding a little excess width to those cheekbones.

If you weren't a hairdresser (or working in the industry), what would you be?

 

A graphic Designer and illustrator, still somehow working in the background of the hair industry.