Apprentice of the month: Harley Lewis

StyleStreet: How are you and where are you?

Harley Lewis: I’m good thank you very much. I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Where I have lived all my life.

SS: How long have you been in the hairdressing?

HL :I’ve been in the game now for about 3yrs,comprising of Hairdressing Pre-Apprentship Coarse, cert 2 at Chisholm Institute Dandenong. And junior apprentice in a salon in Melbourne city I also attend trade school at Biba Academy.

SS: Where have you worked?

HL: I worked at Worksense Haircutters at their Queen st salon for the majority of my apprenticeship, which is best described as an up market
Salon. In truth, this for me was both fruitful and frustrating. I am now doing some part-time work with Elliot Beautiful Hair, which is located in South Yarra Melbourne. Which has been a refreshing and relaxing environment of which I haven’t experienced in a salon so far.

SS: Where did you start and why hairdressing?

HL: I started at Chisholm Institute doing cert2 coarse in hairdressing to make sure that it was a right fit for me, and also to have some basic skills for work in a salon.

I tend to get that question a lot, it’s a bit frustrating. I tend to say why not hairdressing? Visually I find hairdressing interesting and creative especially cutting! To see a client visually change from new style excites me.

As a career its always changing which is good as you will never get bored with your job an the industry will never die

SS: What are you working on at the moment?

HL: I’m not working for a salon as such at the moment, however, I am studying at Biba Academy for two days a week while I seek an apprenticeship with a salon, or I may continue at Biba Academy fulltime to get my Hairdressing qualification quicker.

SS: Top 10 products/tools in your kit and why?

HL: Tools-carbon comb create for men’s cutting, ghd’s for styling hairups, good set of clips is a must for cutting an styling, a wooden vented round brush great for blow drying. Fringe pins are a handy tool to have in your bag at all times for hair ups

Products-American crew styling products fiber/defining paste great for men’s styling, Aveada air control hair spray has great hold for hair ups and after blow dry. Kevin Murphy angel wash shampoo and conditioner great for fine and damaged hair.

SS: What has been your career highlight?

HL: To be honest with you my career has been not as fruitful as I would like it to be.
But the one thing that has stood out for me so was the opportunity to work, train and learn from stylists such as Jean-Paul Rosette who has been a great inspiration. He’s a unique individual like I am, so I hope that I can build myself a career around my personality like he has. And there are stylist like Ivan Constable an Daniel Ravech that have been in the industry a long time, I won’t say how long, but I was fortunate to work with these stylists very early on in my career and hope to match and surpass them one day!

SS: What are the biggest problems facing apprentice hairdressers today?

HL: Where to start with this question? Well, I was let go from my apprenticeship very suddenly and without any warning with a year and half left to go, it was very disappointing as I had invested good amount of my time an career with the salon in the hope of getting adequate training which turned out I didn’t get enough, of which is now hindering my chances of getting another apprenticeship with a new salon, as I am behind the eight ball with my training. I spent a good amount of time wining over the senior staff so I could blow-dry and style some of their clients in the busier days and nights. Then suddenly another 2nd yr apprentice was hired who had on-floor experience,, which was very disappointing. The one thing that has kept me seeking employment in hairdressing was the reaction from most the senior staff not to happy about me getting let go from the salon and a few of them have been in regular contact with me and making sure that I am pursuing hairdressing which has given me a lot of confidence that I can succeed in hairdressing as a stylist. So I think one of the biggest problems for apprentices is finding a salon that is committed to seeing you through the three years of your apprenticeship and the training that is necessary.
The one thing I noticed at trade school amongst the other
Apprentices, is they tend to bounce a lot between salons, moving from one job to the next. I believe this is not good to bounce around from salon to salon while you are trying to learn a skill set and a trade for a career.

For me the biggest problem as an apprentice has been getting a real chance to implement what I’ve learnt at trade school to work on the floor in a salon environment. I don’t know if that was just the salon I was working for, however I find that in-salon training is inadequate, as some owners don’t put in the time to teach me or other apprentices. Once a week training after hours on one model is not efficient enough.

I think employers just need to have confidence in their juniors as opposed to feeling like we cost the salon money. We (the juniors) are here to work

SS : How can we get in contact with you?

HL : There are many ways that you get in touch with me in the 21st century.
harlism@hotmail.com

Then there there’s Facebook,
http://www.facebook.com/people/Harley-Clinton-Lewis/646784047

And Myspace,
http://www.myspace.com/heardthatsoundamileaway

And at last twitter,
http://twitter.com/unclerev

Other Links

www.chisholm.edu.au
http://www.biba.com.au/

Shui Hairdressing Scissors Launches New Range

Professional hairdressing tools will never be the same again. Shui Scissors have launched there new range of professional hairdressing scissors. These scissors are amazing value and fantastic quality.

Pictured is the SK Series Free Form Scissor. This scissor is the most sort after tool in the Shui range. Ergonomic, offset, weighted and balanced this scissor turns hair to butter for both wet and dry blunt cutting, point cutting and all free form techniques it will never let you down.

The new range has been designed by hairdressers with comfort and quality in mind. Part of the Shui range is now available online at Scissors For Stylists. Express post service Australia and Worldwide. Sales representatives are visiting salons around Australia, New Zealand and America.

Salon of the Month

West End Hair – Chapel Street Windsor

Olga Sutcliffe, owner of westendhair is heading off to London for December, such is the demand for her services on the international scene. Olga will be based in London and able to travel for hair extensions for clients and training courses.
Olga is a hair extensions professional that has catered for a number of both international and Australia celebrities. Check out her site for specials and a look at some of the celebrities she has worked with. Who would have ever thought we’d be calling Kate or Jamie celebrities.

West End Hair featured in the Vogue May 2006 issue which featured  the ultimate hair salons across Australia. Olga has not rested on her laurels and has driven westendhair to new heights. Specialising in hair extensions, but also offering a wide range of other services including cuts, colour and dreads. Makeovers and specialised makeup courses are coming soon.

The West End Hair site is full of great ideas for your clients or your own hair. Whether your thinking a clip in for a wedding or a permanent weave, you’re sure to find something you love.

Back to the 70’s wearing clip in hair extensions and styled into a funky afro. Curls and waves are back!

Olga styled Ashley’s hair with a GHD. Ashley is wearing her clip in long 70’s era Eurotexture clip in hair extensions.

Olga clipped in 3 layers to Ashley’s natural hair and styled them out into a 70’s look (as seen here), a loose but classic hair up an asymmetric loose cocktail wear and a cute pinned pulled back pony tail.

Carbon Fiber Combs

Carbon fiber combs and why everyone is raving so much about these little beauties!

Well I’ll tell you, that sagging comb with to much wet hair weighing it down becomes a thing of the past. That plastic or acrylic comb is no longer the professional’s tool of choice.  The new alternative, carbon fiber combs, don’t flex. They stay nice and rigid holding the hair with clean even tension. Even that really thick, heavy, wet, hair is easy to control with no flex .

As Michael Gordon founder of Bumble and Bumble salons New York says carbon fibre combs can last a lifetime.

Leader Carbon Combs are the first choice for among professionals. Their elegance, refinement and quality are all indications of a first rate product. A quality Leader carbon fibre comb can last a lifetime. They are the ultimate top quality carbon comb from Japan. The combination of carbon fiber and nylon results in a super strong, lightweight, anti-static and chemical resistant comb.

Scissors for Stylists now sells carbon fibre anti-static Leader combs for the special introductory price of $17.95.

I asked Jeremy Hoolihan the owner of Scissors for Stylists what makes these combs so special and whether I should buy one for my kids hair. He said Carbon Fibre Combs are a tool. A professional quality tool that can last a lifetime. He suggested all I needed for my kids was a plastic comb, the inner stylists within me felt crushed. Seeing my disappointment he suggested a Leader 270 would be best for use in the bathroom to comb conditioner through my kid’s hair.

There are different sizes and number of teeth on the combs. Jeremy said the finer the teeth the more tension. While I was trying to put the phone down Jeremy continued to effuse.

“I was very attached to my fantastic plastic, but now my carbon fiber comb is my trusted work mate. I have a new control over hair, one of precision and strength. After ten haircuts in a day, in and out of hot water, bleach, tint, nothing no stains no damage still with its nice smooth teeth solid rigid back. Yes this will be in my kit next to my Shui scissors for years to come.”

The Shop is Yours! What Next??

Opening a Hair Salon Part Seven The Space

Ok you’re getting there. You’ve got that key and the rent free period. You’re still working and not telling a soul at work what you’re up to. Good.

Draw a plan. Grab some graph paper, measure out the dimensions of the floor plan and make lots of copies. You’re going to need existing plans and plans of your layout which in turn gives you your list of equipment.

You now have 2-3 weeks to get open!!!!!

Put newspaper across the windows, you want people to become curious. This is one of your first marketing tools.

Need to get your electricity connected, gas, and that new business phone. Sometimes your utility provider will want security deposits this usually comes in your 1st bill.

Competition Launched

The first Style Street competition is now officially launched.

As already announced we’re giving away a pair of Shui Scissors. Style Street’s first sponsor, Scissors for Stylists, has now delivered a pair of Shui Scissors as a give away. The first hundred people to sign up at the forum or register for eNews will go in the draw for a pair of Shui Handcrafted two piece forged premium hairdressing scissors. The 99 runners up will all receive a 20% discount voucher on any product* at Scissors for Stylists.

edward beale or another hairdressing legend will draw the winner at the Style Street launch part on October 21. [Update: the response to the competition was poor. As we didn't get the minimum 100 entries, the drawing will be postponed until the 100th entry is received.]

Hurry register now or sign-up for our eNews & Updates.

* Except Joewell Scissors

Slash your Advertising Costs

Style Street is getting dressed. A key feature is our free employment advertising for all salons. Check out our hair and beauty jobs section now. Our developers and designers are still putting the finishing touches on our self serve job advertising, but you can already list jobs. Do It! Enter a job now!

How much do you spend a month on advertising for employees for your hairdressing or beauty salon. $200? $500? $2000? That is crazy. Hair and beauty professionals can slash their advertising costs by using the Style Street Employment Free Listing.

Enter a job right now! It’s free. More hairdressers and beauticians are setting Style Street as their homepage every day. Join the revolution. Help build our industry portal and reduce your advertising and recruitment costs.

Productivity Places Program

The Productivity Places Program has been under fire lately. edward beale steps up to defend the program and tell why edward beale training has joined the government initiative.

edward beale responds to Industry Alert article which appeared in HAIRBIZ Aug/Sep edition
Productivity Places Program
Threatening the hairdressing industry
By Ruth Brown

Let me say after 50 years in the hairdressing industry, the only thing threatening the future of hairdressing is the hairdressers themselves.

Firstly the government should be congratulated by taking the initiative and making funds available for training.

Ruth’s claim that PPP is aimed at job seekers is probably correct but why not? School leavers are not actually flying through the door looking for apprenticeships and as the price of a course can be as high as $20,000 for a Cert 111 it is out of reach for most, who cannot find a position as an apprentice.

Another point Ms Brown made, was that the hairdressing industry has not been considered or approached. Well that’s probably a good thing, or we would most likely still be discussing it when the next election comes around, waiting for hairdressers to agree.

She also states the funding is capped at $5000 is the reason the high profile providers have not been accepted into the program. This is not true, I have trained literally thousands of hairdressers over the past 35 years and cost has never been a factor. If Ruth chooses not to take up the opportunity the government has offered, that’s fine but don’t condemn those that have. I have always said, he or she who charges the price is the one taking the risk, whether it is high medium or low. However I do agree you can’t train someone in 650 hours. I will be applying the full 1650 hours for Cert 111. Ruth suggests this is a short-term stopgap approach which will have devastating long term consequences. However, it could also mean a future in hairdressing for many who normally would not get the opportunity. You don’t need a high level of education to enter hairdressing. The PPP is open to all over the age of 15 who have not completed year 12. Year 12 is form 6 in old terms which is much higher than what was the norm 15 years ago.

If you take Ruth’s advise and visit www.productivityplaces.deewr.gov.au you will find the name edward beale and many other reputable names, her reference to this as a race to the bottom (lowest common denominator) is an insult to myself and others who have entered the Productivity Places Program. To conclude high quality standards in training in the hairdressing industry also depends on the commitment and dedication of educators and the student alike not necessarily resources.

Yours truly,

edward beale

Writers Wanted

Style Street is looking for writers to author articles relevant to the hairdressing and beauty industries.

Style Street is dedicated to the hair and beauty industries. Focusing on everything that is central to hairdressing and beauty professionals. Including; employment, education, events, latest fashion styles, salons, stylists, products, tools and equipment. Our members and visitors are also mostly hairdressing and beauty professional or individuals looking for hairdressers, beauty therapist or products to use at home.

The articles will be published on StyleStreet.com.au with selected articles featured on the homepage and included in our Ezine.

Writing articles is a great way to share your thoughts on our industry, products or services that you use and like. Write one column or ten, it’s up to you, there are no deadlines. If you are a hairdresser or beautician writing articles will help you to build reputation and grow your business. If you are new to the industry Style Street is a great place to get you name known.

Benefits of Writing for Style Street

• A short bio of the writers will be attached to each of their articles. If preferred links to their sites will be included in the bio.
  After five articles your name with links to your articles will be permanently featured on our homepage.
• You will automatically be entered in to our regular competitions.
• You will receive discounts from our sponsors allowing you to buy tools and equipment below wholesale prices.

If interested, please contact us or reply to this.

Opening a Hair Salon Part Six The Buck$

How much cash do you need saved up to open your own hairdressing studio? Less than you’d think. I’ve opened five hairdressing shops and never once has it cost me more than $20,000.

One of my hairdressing salons only cost $5,000 to get in the door and I borrowed every single cent of that money.

• Stay working at your day job and don’t tell too many people yet that you are striking out on your own.
• Setting up shop can be stretched out a bit which is a good thing so you have time to find the money.
• Money, Money, Money. So now you have to ask family or maybe a few friends to help this dream come true. You know how much money you need. If you can find the right space, it’s fantastic if you can live at the premises as it makes life very cheap and interesting (:
• Bank loans should be considered as a last resort. An overdraft facility can be considered, but you must not think of that as your money! It is for emergencies only.
• Do not use your plastic. Credit cards charge ludicrous interest rates. You don’t want to be working for the banks!
• Get a bank account open, look at charges some banks are better than others and be careful of eftpos charges it all adds up.

To help get you in your own studio grab a copy of this Free Excel Spreadsheet for managing you initial start-up expenses and capital. Provided by Scissors for Stylists.

Also see Step One: Getting the Cash Together

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