Listen in on episode three of THE TALK – exclusively on Salon Smart HUB
Grab your headphones and tune into Salon Smart HUB’s podcast THE TALK – a series of probing conversations between industry pros, exploring and deliberating key business topics pertinent to the environments in which they operate. Episode three is here – let’s hear it!
For episode three of Salon Smart HUB’s podcast, we invited YOKE THE SALON into our remote recording studio to have THE TALK – about ‘employer, employee relationships’. From team dynamics, encouraging creative talent, salon hierarchies and unpacking the topic of self-employment – YOKE co-owners Jo and Steve Dyer didn’t hold back in their chat with employee and Creative Director of the salon, James Holroyd…
Opening in 2018, YOKE is an ethical hair salon based on the Devon coast at Plymouth’s historic Royal William Yard. Despite only being open for just three years, YOKE has already been featured in The Sunday Times Style 2021 best salon guide and The Telegraph’s top salon guide in 2020 and 2021. Jo and Steve accredit this success to their modern, thoughtful, and creative approach to the business. With non-hierarchical structures, bespoke training plans for the team as well as a passion for the local community, YOKE represents a stand-out example of what a modern, local, community-minded salon can be. But does long-standing employee James agree? Listen in on this frank conversation between Jo, Steve and James as they delve into all matters of employee, employer relationships.
Grab a cuppa because it’s time to spill the tea…
Fact File! Learn a bit more about our podcasters…
Jo & Steve Dyer
- Married co-owners of YOKE, Jo and Steve opened the salon together in 2018
- Jo has over 15 years industry experience – in salon, on set for fashion editorials, hair competitions and catwalk shows
- Steve specialises in precision cutting whilst Jo is a colour specialist
- Steve has over 20 years’ experience as a hairdresser – working across leading salons in the UK and Australia
- Jo has assisted at numerous London and Sydney Fashion Weeks – now she prefers to focus her time at YOKE
- Steve’s wealth of experience includes Oribe Atelier session styling and cutting – securing him national finalist spots in the L’Oreal Colour Trophy competition in 2001 and 2005
- In 2016, Jo qualified a L’Oreal Colour Specialist
- Today, Jo works in the L’Oreal ID artist team and trains with L’Oreal as part of their Colour Specialist Connective team
- Both have been trained by top industry experts, including: Errol Douglas, Charles Worthington, Trevor Sorbie, Eugene Souleiman, Zoe Irwin, Rudi Lewis and the Vidal Sassoon art team
James Holroyd
- Over 10 years’ experience in the industry
- Creative Director at YOKE
- Holds the coveted Creative Cutting Diploma from Vidal Sassoon
- Became a ghd Brand Warrior in 2019 – working with ghd art team (including mentor Zoë Irwin) to teach new trends to other stylists across the South West.
- Recent member of the L’Oréal ID Artist team
- Assisted backstage at the 2019 Central St Martins White Show
- Worked alongside incredible industry leaders including Jamie Stevens and Neil Moody
- As part of the team at YOKE James has enjoyed semifinalist status at the L’Oréal Colour Trophy in both 2019 and 2020
- Achieved all levels of L’Oréal Colour Keys courses