Top names to host Sunday evening soirée

One of Salon Smart’s fortes is the platform it provides for salons owners and speakers alike together to share and learn from their own business experiences, and the Meet & Mix soirée is a key opportunity to do exactly that!

This Sunday evening session is a Salon Smart favourite. Hosted by creative and business innovators and served with bubbles, it’s a unique opportunity to discuss your own challenges and goals with a host of hairdressing heroes. This year’s Meet & Mix is packed with red-hot gurus.

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First up is award-winning stylist and salon owner Sam Burnett. Having recently opened the doors of his first salon, Hare & Bone in London, Sam has grasped business by the horns and is revelling in it – while somehow managing to juggle his role as UK ambassador for KMS California, and stay on top of his session styling career (his work has appeared in Elle, Vogue Ukraine and Id-Online). The former artistic director of UK salon group, Rush, Sam’s skills are far-reaching – from product development and educational media to platform work and creating brand imagery. What’s not to learn?

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If you’re considering a salon redesign, want to reignite your men’s services, or  simply to enhance your client experience, bring your glass to Andrew Cannon’s table. Winners of two Most Wanted awards: Best Salon Experience in 2014 and Best New Salon in 2013, the Ruffians brand is the talk of the town when it comes to men’s grooming – from providing ‘what a guy wants’ at every appointment, to getting every detail right (even down to a refreshing glass of water, which is served in milk-style bottles with a foil lid and straw to keep out stray hairs) guys are in for a treat thanks to this men’s business kingpin.

Karine-landscapeSalon owner and organic colour advocate Karine Jackson is also signed up as co-host. Originally from Australia, Karine cut her industry teeth at her parents’ salon before heading to London to progress her career. It didn’t take long for hairdressing legend Charles Worthington to snap her up, and she worked at Charles’ flagship London salon for five years. Now, as owner of her eponymous salon in Covent Garden (which opened its doors in 2003), not only is Karine admired for having crafted an eco-friendly colour range, which more than 95 per cent of her clients soon switched to, she’s a bridal hair specialist and has appeared at the National Wedding Show.

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Following a hugely successful talk at last year’s event, general manager at HOB Salons, Sean Dawson, returns for 2015 as a Meet & Mix co-host – ready to chat to delegates about team management and development. Responsible for the smooth running of HOB’s 24 salons, Sean’s motivational techniques, career progression programmes and relaxed and charismatic management style make him a driving force when it comes to getting the best out of people.

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Finally, back by popular demand, eduction director at business coaching organisation, 365 Hair, Ken West, returns to offer his invaluable experience and advice on all things finance. A brilliant chance to discuss your own fiscal matters with a man who’s more clued up than most about money, time to probe, people!

Five amazing names, and you can meet and mix with them all!