Seeking outside guidance to running a business isn’t a sign or weakness or failure, it’s the smartest business move you can make, according to salon owner and entrepreneur Sean Hanna, who is also a mentor in HJ’s Business Boardroom, in association with L’Oreal Professionnel.
You don’t always need a regular mentor, sometimes, you just need the right person to point you in the right direction at the right time. However, make sure the person you’re asking is actually qualified to advise you.
“Most salons are started by talented hairdressers but running a successful business isn’t just about being a brilliant hairdresser,” he explains.
“Suddenly, you’re responsible for recruiting and leading a team, marketing, managing finances, and ensuring long-term profitability. You are making strategic decisions that can have genuine implications to the success or failure of your business. Now that you’re a business owner and ‘the boss’, everyone expects you to have all the answers.”
Sean’s Tips for Salon Owners Finding and Working with a Mentor
- Match your mentor to your next goal
If you have one salon, find someone who has successfully opened a second. If you’re looking to scale, find someone who has built a salon group. The more specific the match, the more relevant the guidance. - Identify your weak spot first
If you struggle with finances, seek out someone with real-life financial expertise. If marketing is your blind spot, look for a mentor who has used marketing to build a strong brand and client base. - Don’t choose based on personal relationships
Your family and friends might offer well-meaning advice, but good intentions don’t equal business acumen. - Consider investing in professional mentorship
Many salon owners experience rapid growth followed by a plateau, unsure how to move forward. A paid mentor can provide structured, focused support to help you break through those barriers. - Start with your network
In the early stages, valuable insights can come from industry events, business communities, and online content. Hairdressing has a generous culture of sharing so make sure you use it.
Top Tips on How to Make the Most of Mentorship
- Be clear on what you want to learn
Whether it’s building your clientele, developing a signature technique, or understanding the business side of the salon, know your goal before you approach a mentor. - Choose someone whose career you genuinely admire
Look beyond social media followings. Seek out someone whose work ethic, values, and professional journey align with where you want to go. - Show up prepared
Don’t waste your mentor’s time – or yours. Come to every session with questions, updates, and a willingness to act on feedback. - Be open to challenge
A good mentor won’t just tell you what you want to hear. The most valuable sessions are often the most uncomfortable ones. - Pay it forward
The hairdressing industry is built on knowledge sharing. When you’ve grown through mentorship, become a mentor yourself to the next generation.
Apply Now to Be Part of HJ’s Business Boardroom
This is a one-year mentorship program which will not only give you access to real life business strategies, but also to some of the UK’s leading hair salon business owners. Valued at more than £10,000, this mentorship programme is being offered for free, courtesy of HJ and L’Oréal Professionnel.
To apply, submit a maximum of 500 words telling us about you and your business so far; share your goals and explain why you would be the perfect candidate for this programme.
To be eligible you must:
- Be an active owner of a hairdressing salon based in the UK
- Be available on the following dates: 6 May, 18 May, 6 July, 28 September, 4-5 October (Salon International)
- Agree to be filmed and interviewed over the course of the programme
- Be prepared to join us on stage at Salon International to help inspire the next generation of business owners
