Visiting salons and getting to know the network has been a big focus for me this year! We all know Saks as a company that feels very much like"family". With more salons opening throughout the UK its important we stay connected and follow in the companies success and continue to build a strong future together!
I was very fortunate to be booked for a training day with Saks Aberdeen, I had heard a lot about this salon. Philip & Audrey who own the franchise have won many awards and are renowned for their prestigious salon and commitment to staff training and wellbeing. Before any visit I put in a call to the salon to discuss some options and get an idea for what they would like to cover. I feel its important to know what the salon thinks it's lacking, whether it be inspiration for cutting, colouring or styling! Its a great opportunity to learn as much as possible not just from me but from each other! With the agenda sorted, I will travel up the night before on Sunday and spend Monday in the salon. I will begin with a colour demo and 2 cuts(I will have one model pre-coloured first thing in the morning)
Time is very precious at the minute as my wife is due to give birth to our first baby any day now, so although I'm extremely excited about this trip, in the back of my mind I'm hoping her labour doesn't start! lol
To help prep before my arrival, I employ the help of Christy who was on the A Team 09 and works in the salon. He is a bright, talented youngman. I had requested some photos of any potential models and not wasting anytime Christy has forwarded me 6 photos. I will only pick 2 models as we will do a workshop in the afternoon. I have decided to keep 1 look very commercial and the other much stronger knowing they can dilute or strengthen these looks to work for them and their clients. With the models chosen, I email Christy with a brief to help him prep. I have 100% confidence in him and know he'll do a great job.
Monday morning I wake up to a shockingly cold day! It really is freezing!lol. I head over to the salon and if its superb location didn't impress me enough, the stunning floor layout and extremely well maintained workspace certainly did! Even the dispensary was immaculate as if a magic wand had been waved over it to keep it tidy! It's clear to see why this salon is so successful. I am continuing to work with the Autumn/Winter trends which I have loved every minute of and the group already seem excited before I have even started. The demos will include: a long cosy layer cut with sensuous neutrals as the colour inspiration, followed by a short tight fit cut with a twist of texture madness and merging all the jewelled colours together using some crazy colour to create something more edgy. As I complete the looks the group give a generous applause and as true hairdressers are keen to get their mitts on the models and really look through my work.....!
After a short lunch break we start the workshop and the group are eager to begin. As a result of creating their own looks I am keen to get each stylist to explain what it is they've done to the rest of the group. I find this helps them to communicate with one another and feed off each others ideas and creativity. Even if some of the stylists have followed a similar sectioning pattern or cut to my demos, they have all ended up changing parts of it to make it their own and its a real joy to see this development. The day ends on time and with a massive high. A few of us head over to a local bar to grab a drink before I leave to fly home.
I have to say this was a great trip, short, sweet and very enjoyable. I would like to say a huge thanks to all the staff at Saks in Aberdeen for having me. To Christy, fab job & big thanks for assisting, and to Philip & Audrey for booking me to come and visit and for looking after me.
I hope to see you all again next year!! Merry Christmas!!
Mario x
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