NEXT EVENT
Salon Smart 2023
Monday 20 March, 9.15am-5.15pm
The Chain and Buoy Stores, London
Scroll for venue information
TICKETS
Single ticket £95 plus VAT
HUB subscribers receive a discounted rate (saving £15!)
Sign up for free HERE
What’s included:
- Access to the full business agenda (solo talks, panel sessions, live Q&A)
- Refreshments upon arrival and elevenses
- The Working Lunch (food, with a side helping of new business opportunities)
- Prosecco closing networking session
- Goody bag
- PLUS 24/7 access to our online, members-only business resource, the Salon Smart HUB*
Terms and Conditions apply > It is not possible to attend Salon Smart if you work for a brand or distributor unless you have sponsorship affiliation. We have the right to issue refunds for any tickets purchased by brands or distributors. Please call +44 (0)20 7324 7540 if you have any questions.
*You may unsubscribe at any time
… NOT SOLD YET?
What is Salon Smart?
Salon Smart is Creative HEAD magazine’s annual business networking event, providing a whole day of insight and inspiration, delivered by industry experts and innovators.
Who’s it for?
Salon and barber shop owners and managers, and their teams.
What’s the vibe?
Friendly and informal.
What will I learn?
Salon Smart 2023 will be packed with sessions delivering support, guidance, and fresh thinking on business, to help you build a better one. On the agenda, topics like finding drive and focus, creating a happier, healthier workspace, the art and value of client connection, structuring for success, and investing in future talent.
A taste of what’s to come…
ON THE AGENDA
9.15am: EVENT OPENS
Collect your Salon Smart pass, grab a pastry and a drink, and network until sessions commence
9.45am
Welcome
Creative HEAD editorial director Amanda Nottage
9.50-11am
Fighting fear and finding purpose – Darren Fowler
The art and value of client connection – Nicholas Nicola
Business bootcamp – Naomi Brooks
Anything and everything – Monica Teodoro
11-11.20am
Elevenses
Elevenses: tea, coffee, cake!
11.20am-12.25pm
Structuring for success – Joe Hemmings
Investing in future talent – Lee Stafford
The future of beauty and wellness: from service to experience – Nina Giglio
12.25-1.05pm
Panel talk: Workplace wellbeing
From re-evaluating work culture to implementing mental wellbeing practices and transforming management styles, our panellists will share insight and guidance. Hear from: Colin McAndrew, Beth Fuller, Danielle Garner and Subrina Kidd
1.05-1.15pm
Mental health
How we address this key topic in the industry today – with Ann Marie Humphreys
1.15-2.45pm
The Working Lunch
Tuck into a hot lunch, and meet the brands providing transformative business support and innovative products and services – including L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, AXA, K18, NHBF and Vish
2.45-3.40pm
Kaye Sotomi ‘F*%ked up… but fixed it!’
Stepping up sustainability – Anil Salhan
Team talk – with Adam Reed London
3.40-4.30pm
Ask an expert: Live Q&A
Need to solve a staffing issue? In a financial quandary? Want advice on growing your business? Put it all to our experts! On the panel: Maddi Cook, Jo Dyer, Edward Hemmings, Sally Montague and Steph Stevenson
4.30-5.15pm
Prosecco closer
After a busy day, soak up all the learning with a glass or two of bubbly and enjoy a moment of calm, before you head home.
5.15pm: EVENT CLOSES
Don’t forget your goody bag!
Timings subject to change – event open and close times should be unaffected
SPEAKERS
Meet the people set to deliver bucket loads of advice, inspiration, and fresh thinking, at Salon Smart 2023
More names to be announced…
Naomi Brooks – owner, The Hair Sanctuary
Having worked across a variety of areas within the industry, including in the salon, on stage and behind the scenes at film and photoshoot productions, Naomi Brooks finds education most rewarding. Being inspired by black hairdressers early in her career, she now designs stylist courses, product training and women’s business development coaching. Naomi loves sharing her insight, knowledge and experience, hoping to provide clear guidance and support to rising talents.
Maddi Cook – owner, Boss Your Salon
Maddi Cook set up Boss Your Salon to provide hair and beauty business owners with the right support, mindset and systems to realise their full potential. Maddi’s philosophy is ‘money is an amplifier’, opening the doors to opportunity and more awesome things, whether that’s putting more money into the hands of women, people from low-income backgrounds, marginalised groups or bosses who are neurodiverse, and queer, or changing how the industry values itself. So far, she’s helped over 15,000 professionals with the resources needed to unlock business growth.
Jo Dyer – co-owner, YOKE THE SALON
With a wealth of over 19 years’ experience in the industry, Jo Dyer is a skilled L’Oreal Colour Specialist. She co-owns YOKE THE SALON with her husband Steve, cultivating a purpose-driven culture in the exceptional and ethical space. Passionate to create an inclusive community, wellbeing is key to YOKE’s ethos and environment. Jo’s supportiveness towards her team and customers, extends to the society by hosting women empowerment activities and promoting charities or creatives in running health initiatives.
Darren Fowler – chief executive officer, Fowler Hair Group
Darren Fowler’s signature ‘Creating Characters’ ethos has earned him, his team and his Fowler35 salon business multiple awards, while his creative vision sees him regularly booked for magazine editorials, advertising campaigns, television and film productions as well as on his own coaching platform. Honest and welcoming, Darren maintains an enviably loyal clientele at his salon in London, and is an ambassador for established brands including L'Oréal Professionnel Paris and Kérastase.
Beth Fuller – founder, Beth Fuller Wellness
With a decade of experience as a teacher and mentor, Beth Fuller was no stranger to mental fatigue. After her own burnout-induced breakdown in 2019, she trained in yoga, pranayama, meditation and life coaching to support others experiencing a similar struggle. Her background in educational research has resulted in a pragmatic approach to wellness, specialising in sustainable practices that allow time-poor people to nurture their nervous systems and realign with their values again.
Danielle Garner – owner, Wildflower
From the young age of 15, Danielle Garner has been working behind the chair, on editorial shoots, at Fashion Week shows and at many weddings, too! Her skills and passion developed into the birth of Wildflower in Dublin – a unique, award-winning salon, where workers are responsible for their own hours and free to take proper time with clients, and which operates a 98 per cent capacity rate. The space encourages people to “grow in their own right”, cultivating individuality and creativity amongst staff and clients alike.
Nina Giglio – head of brand, Fresha
With a background in branding, content and trends, Nina leads the brand, content and localisation teams at Fresha. With over eight years’ experience in marketing and visual design roles, Nina’s expertise in consumer behaviour and insights translates into engaging storytelling and strategic positioning for leading global businesses. Before joining Fresha, she has worked at WGSN, the world’s leading trend forecaster, Vice Media, design studios and advertising agencies.
Edward Hemmings – creative director and director of education, Alan d Hairdressing
Switching banking for hairdressing back in the 90s, Edward Hemmings is respected not only for his passion and expertise in his long-standing roles at Alan d Hairdressing, but also as an advocate for apprenticeships and supporting young talent into the industry. He has held shows and led seminars and workshops worldwide, and has appeared on many radio broadcasts, including the Victoria Derbyshire Show and Sky News. Edward is also one of the four team members behind the Salon Employers Association (SEA), campaigning on behalf of industry employers for parity across the sector’s business models and for reform on fiscal and tax matters.
Joe Hemmings – founder, Bloggs Salons
In business since 2010, Bloggs Salons founder and award-winner Joe Hemmings has a passion within hairdressing to influence others’ lives. He sees his leading independent salon group as a creative platform and treasures the loyalty of his team and clients to sustain a community he has fostered, and is proud of. Joe's passion for wellness and sustainability is evident within the work he creates and the client experience he offers. He also holds mindfulness events to enlighten others to live a more comfortable lifestyle.
Ann Marie Humphreys – general manager, L’Oréal Professional Paris UK & Ireland
Ann Marie Humphreys is the general manager at L’Oréal Professionnel Paris UK & Ireland, and for almost two decades her work has been rooted in marketing, strategy, consumer behaviour and advocacy. Passionate about building a brand that supports all hairdressers, Ann Marie strives to offer 'best in class' education and business support alongside truly innovative professional products – all built on solid consumer and business insights.
Subrina Kidd – owner, SKH
With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Subrina Kidd has an undeniably diverse skillset, most notably acclaimed for textured-hair work. Last year she launched her own beautiful private hair studio, SKH. Subrina splits her time between countless projects, from teaching and working with global hair brands like Aveda and L'Oréal to editorial shoots and commentary for publications like British Vogue and Vanity Fair. She also collaborates with high-profile clients like Lemn Sissay OBE, Emma Dabiri and Jennifer Hudson.
Colin McAndrew – managing director, Medusa
Colin McAndrew is the managing director of Medusa – a six-strong salon group and academy in Edinburgh. While demonstrating strong leadership in education work, he enjoys working alongside his team and endeavours always to inspire. Colin's creativity has resulted in successful brand reinventions, including the company's image and profile, online presence and widened clientele. Known for his charity work and championing a more altruistic industry culture, Colin has been involved in Support Local campaigns, like providing free haircuts and treatments for the NHS.
Sally Montague – director, Sally Montague Hair Group
Company director Sally Montague runs a seven-strong salon group in Derbyshire, with two locations in Derby city centre and an award-winning purpose-built flagship salon, town spa and yoga studio in nearby Ashbourne. Still growing and expanding, her business has been offering premium hair and spa services and experiences for four decades. Passionate about team development, Sally is dedicated to fostering young talent and maintaining high standards through her respected apprenticeship programmes and continual salon education.
Nicholas Nicola – founder, Allertons
Nicholas Nicola is the founder of Allertons – a full-service salon in four locations, including two John Lewis sites, offering comprehensive hair and beauty treatments to leave clients feeling utterly pampered. With his wealth of experience beginning in beauty counters and agencies, Nicholas has cultivated a passion to be people-oriented in the beauty and retail industry. Empathy, listening, respect and innovation are vital at Nicholas’ curation, and wellbeing of colleagues, clients and partners are in his skillful hands.
Adam Reed – founder, Adam Reed London
Adam Reed, founder of the 'curiously creative' East London salon, is known for his passion, charisma, and genuine humility. Always busy backstage and on set, and in his role as global ambassador for brands like L'Oréal Professionnel Paris and ghd, he demonstrates endless styling possibilities in the work he creates and has transformed his mental health issues into power and innovativeness to produce masterpieces in hair. Honesty and openness matter most to Adam, to maintain a happy, healthy team at work.
Anil Salhan – owner, BLACC + BLOND
Barber Connect award-winner Anil Salhan owns BLACC + BLOND, a highly sustainable salon in Birmingham. With over ten years of barbering experience, he successfully runs the beautifully curated space, which promotes a healthy balance of wellbeing, positivity and individuality. From the hardware he selects to the work policies he implements, Anil lives by his green commitments and a sustainable-first philosophy.
Kaye Sotomi – co-founder and director, Chop Chop London
Kaye Sotomi is an established entrepreneur on a mission to make a difference in the industry. Successfully setting up three inclusive salon spaces across London, Kaye's Chop Chop group provides a unique experience to its customers, delivering exceptional and efficient services that respect individuality. They practice exceptional gender-neutral pricing structures that charge by time and sustainable measures, from reducing water consumption to using biodegradable materials in the salons’ furnishing.
Lee Stafford – founder, Lee Stafford Education
Educator, product guru and hairdresser Lee Stafford built his career from humble beginnings into a global brand and a leading not-for-profit education foundation – recipient of the 'Education Expert' title at the Most Wanted 2022 Awards Expert. Lee creates a colourful platform to shine a spotlight on hairdressing’s future generation, sharing outstanding determination, passion, curiosity, and a phenomenal work ethic. His efforts contribute to a thriving, reignited learning community.
Steph Stevenson – founder, HNB Salon & Spa; founder, Kaikura; founder, Jetstyle
Steph Stevenson found the award winning HNB Salon & Spa in Poole. With the wealth of skill and knowledge, she designed future-proof business strategies and is passionate to share her success with others. This includes her personal development app, Kaikura, assisting hair professionals to achieve goals. Steph also has extensive experience working with global brands, including the development of Living Proof’s education team.
Monica Teodoro, general manager of education and professional development, L’Oréal Professional Products UK & Ireland
Monica Teodoro is the general manager for education and professional development at L’Oréal Professional Products UK & Ireland. With a career rooted heavily in the hairdressing industry and a passion for supporting its future evolution, Monica has become an established and trusted voice within the industry. From how hairdressing can be pushed forward through education to talent nurturement and online offline strategies, she is dedicated to paving the way for the next era of hairdressing.
VENUE AND LOCATION
THE CHAIN AND BUOY STORES
Situated on the banks of the River Thames in East London and connected to London’s only Lighthouse, The Chain and Buoy Stores are Grade II listed Victorian buildings featuring high ceilings, basking in natural light and connecting to a private adjoining riverside terrace, providing fresh air on tap and affording stunning views of The O2 and Canary Wharf.
Far from the traditional conference-style setting, we’re excited to welcome you into our refreshingly informal space, within which we hope you’ll feel relaxed and re-energised, as you soak up a whole day of business insight and inspiration.
And don’t let the postcode fool you – our Salon Smart home for 2023 is well connected to public transport links!
The Chain and Buoy Stores
Trinity Buoy Wharf
64 Orchard Place
London
E14 0JW
GETTING TO THE VENUE
Canning Town Station (Jubilee Line): 10-15-minute walk (five stops from London Bridge; seven stops from Waterloo)On the ticket concourse level at the station, take the first exit on the left after the ticket barriers, go through the double doors and up the circular stairs towards Bow Creek/City Island. Outside on the towpath of the river, cross over the red pedestrian bridge and walk through City Island until you get to Orchard Place. Keep walking under the overpass and all the way to the end of the street which includes a dog leg. Follow the blue signs for Trinity Buoy Wharf. Google Maps walking route here.
East India Station (DLR): 10-15-minute walk (four stops from London City Airport; six stops from Bank)
Do not walk over the footbridge at the station, instead use the stairs to the south exit opposite Nisa Convenience Store. Outside of the station turn left and follow the blue signs marked either Trinity Buoy Wharf or the Bird Sanctuary. Carry on following the route round the East India Dock Nature Reserve down to Orchard Place and turn right then walk to the end of the street which has a dogleg.
Parking: There is no on-site parking.
For more information click here.
