Held at the Sydney Convention Centre early October, the Hair Biz Forum once again served a feast of life-changing knowledge and inspiring hair design for Aussie salon owners to take home, apply and make a difference to their personal and professional lives.
Dario Cotroneo sponsored by Cloud Nine
American motivational speaker Kurek Ashley was first brought to the stage by Lee Cohen – the American bred premier expert in self-development behind international best seller, How Would Love Respond.
The mental force travelling Australian golden girl, Natalie Cook to gold medal status on the beach-volley-ball field at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Kurek highlighted the 1/100th of a second that often separates gold from bronze, and explained how unbeknown to many people, only the slightest change or extra effort is required to conquer the next life and business goal. Kurek proceeded to point the finger at our inability to step outside the square as the curator of stagnant success.
“The challenge with this box we live in is we either evolve or dissolve. You’re either moving in one direction or the other – out there is where all the new stuff is, in here is where the stuff is that we’ve already mastered,” said Kurek.
“For all of us death will be inconvenient, so get out there and express your music,” he said.
Kurek went on to educate that the fortune is in the follow through before revealing the formula for all creation, “thoughts turn into actions then results, and everything follows this formula.”
Dario Cotroneo sponsored by Cloud Nine
The very formula used to achieve the most fulfilling dreams of all, Grand Dream Goals. Hair Biz attendees were then forced to distinguish their spot in one of two mental capacities: Scarcity Mentality and Abundant Mentality. The first is home to those who choose from the house or the car, and the latter is host to those who aspire for the house and the car. According to Kurek, the majority of society are huddled closely in Scarcity Mentality, and aren’t afraid to make anyone on the Abundant side feel bad about it.
“There will be the majority that try to knock you off your path or pedestal because you become confrontational to people, ‘I would rather pull you back into my hole.’ Anyone’s who successful is classified as the ‘weird’ one because they are not the majority.”
Kurek went onto to unveil anti-depressants as the most consumed drug on the planet before referring to the importance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health in the pursuit of happiness and success. The Buddha was coincidentally quoted, ‘there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.’
“Just ask Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson or Kurt Cobain, hugely successful individuals who had to inseminate happiness,” said Kurk.
“If happiness is the goal, why not just be happy straight away rather than rely on a car for happiness? Hang out with happy successful people and reward yourself for everything you’re doing which is approximately right.”
In the ultimate closing, Lee Cohen returned to the stage to thank Kurek - the man who taught him to recite ‘I’m Lee Cowen and I’m Australian Hairdresser of the Year,’ in pursuit of his Grand Dream goal.
“And in 2005, I stood on the stage and said, ‘I’m Lee Cohen and I’m Australian Hairdresser of the Year,” said Lee.
Sharon Blain was next to the Hair Biz spotlight with a series of Boudoir inspired creations that left no question as to why she is considered the Queen of up-styling. Working to a 1960s vibe yet representing natural, session style hair, backcombing, padding and the latch technique proved fundamental. Sharon performed six looks ready for the catwalk in record time – divulging valuable techniques between pins and padding.
Sharon Blain sponsored by Big Towel Company
“I can’t live without padding and the reason I use so much of it is because I like dimension in my work. The other option is to tease, but padding gives you something to pin into and add height without wrecking the hair,” said Sharon.
Unexpected accessories selected by Sharon in her Bridget Bardot inspired collection included plastic zigzag headbands and ‘little old fashioned hairnets’ perfect for moulding and holding hair in place.
“I’m getting a bit excited about headbands at the moment. The supplier said ‘why the hell would you want these headbands, they’re done, finished, they are so old fashioned.’ To which I responded, ‘I’ll bring them back!’ I don’t think you can have enough of them,” enthused Sharon.
Sharon Blain sponsored by Big Towel Company
Following morning tea Kym Krey enlightened the room on pure business before Dario Cotroneo executed a humorous presentation on his journey to success.
Greg Milner from Worldwide Salon Marketing next presented ‘Salon Profit Secrets’ with his insightful approach to the emotional aspects of marketing.
“People buy on emotion and your marketing needs to inspire people to buy. You need to know your business better than you know about everyone else in the industry,” Greg said.
“As a marketer you are often perceived as an unwelcome pest but if you consider the three key areas of the right message, your target market and what media you want to transport your message, you are much closer to success,” he said.
Greg used his no-nonsense approach to explain that as hairdressers you are selling hope, not just a service.
“There are two types of people in this world, your customers and the ones you haven’t met yet,” Greg said. Revealing several successful and easily understood campaigns as well as campaigns he believed were rubbish and told no story, guests were left with workable tactics to instantly implement in their salon.
“If the point of advertising is not to get customers then what is the point? We are in the business of getting customers, we love to buy things but we hate to sell – successful marketers overcome this,” he said.
Rokk Ebony Team sponsored by Sebastian Professional
The Rokk Ebony Artistic team entered the stage oozing their signature style of high-fashion colour and cuts for a commercial-cool clientele. AHFA Colour Technician of the Year, Marie Uva asked her Artistic team consisting of Helena Demetrious, Daniella Barca, Aaaron Chan and Anna Menzies,‘What inspires you?’ before they unleashed their skills on five models.
Rokk Ebony Team sponsored by Sebastian Professional
“Model selection is really important. If you have a great model you are 50 per cent of the way there,” she said. Judging by the girls and guys in the audience drooling over Rokk Ebony’s quality model selection and their signature styles, it’s no wonder this creative group is at the top of their game.
Faye Murray then chaired the Q&A Business Panel Discussion featuring Paul Foote and Paula Kelly from Sublime hairdressing as well as Carl and Belinda Keeley from Chumba concept salon. Each dynamic couple gave an insight into running a successful multi-salon business and creating a unique brand with some personal inferences thrown in as to what makes a successful personal and professional relationship.
Toni&Guy sponsored by Wella Professionals
Social networking and paperless salon became hot topics while salon promotions and giveaways that talked each brands’ unique language were revealed.
Toni&Guy sponsored by Wella Professionals
The day closed with none other than the iconic global community that is Toni&Guy. The Australian legend behind the brand, Dennis Langford opened the stage for what became a polished execution of fashion interpretations and inspirational avant-garde style.
Toni&Guy sponsored by Wella Professionals
“For 11 years Toni&Guy has been the sponsor of London Fashion Week. We are going to show you how we take trends and turn them into prêt a porter fashion,”
“During the next 50 minutes we are going to show you what Toni&Guy does. We are fashion interpreters, not fashion dictators. We are only ever limited by our imagination. If we don’t think outside the parameters our creativity is stifled but today we’re really going to show you both inspirational work and techniques to creating commercial viable styles,” he said.
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