The first ever Indie Empowerment Summit is coming to Hair Festival 2024, taking over Sydney’s ICC on Monday July 1 for a full day session sure to motivate, teach and inspire all independent – and aspiring independent – hairdressers, beauticians and wellness therapists.

The agenda will present an immersive and practical program featuring keynotes, panels and versatile workshops that you can choose between throughout the afternoon. The tickets include morning tea, a buffet lunch, networking drinks and a tour of Hair Festival, with limited spaces available. Natalie Anne Haircare, Unwritten and Seamless1 sponsor the event.

“Whether you’re a home operator, a mobile freelancer, a rent-a-chair professional, or a member of a shared workspace—or if you’re still considering the leap into independence—this event will support you in building and expanding a business that offers the freedom, flexibility, and financial success you desire,” the platform explained.

Here are five takeaways you can expect to leave this bold summit with.

Building Your Brand

Your brand and business are the centre of the Indie Empowerment Summit. Star presenter Osher Gunsberg will kick off the day with a session titled ‘It’s a Little Different When You’re the Product’, while Hayley Mears, founder and director of Six Underground Media, will teach ‘Building your Brand and Clientele Through Social Media’, putting your brand in the spotlight.

Financial Strategies

Financial specifics comprise other key focuses for the summit. Social media maestro Natalie Anne and Osher will dive into ‘How to Turn Your Passion into a Profitable Business’, while Zander De Klerk, Managing Partner of Xeta, will operate an optional workshop to ‘Know Your Numbers and Manage Your Finances’. Sammy Kennedy, a business coach and salon mentor, will educate on ‘How to Price Your Services for Profitability’. ‘The Power of Product – Pay Your Rent in Retail’ by Renee Meredith Day, Member Growth Manager of Salon Lane, will extend these lessons to important retail insights.

Processes

Everything from your internal processes to client facing systems will be covered in the summit. Starting with the ‘From Concept to Reality: Creating Your Perfect Workspace for Optimal Productivity’ workshop by Chloe Gal Morton, Founder & Principal Designer of Cloud Creative Co, all the way to ‘Navigating the Digital Landscape: Tips for Selecting the Ideal Booking & Payment System’ by Angela Rose Lindrea, Founder and Director of Indie Hair Academy, the day will answer any questions you have around building and sustaining a business.

Ambassadorships

Brand ambassadorships will also be a key tenet. The ’How to Become a Brand Ambassador’ panel, moderated by INSTYLE Creative and Editorial Director Cameron Pine, and featuring O&M Founder, Jose Bryce Smith, Director of Design and Innovation at Patricks, Patrick Kidd, CEO and Founder of INSKIN Cosmedics, Maria Cocciolone and Dr Naomi McCullum, Founder of The Manse Clinic, will cover this in full.

Empowerment

Attendees will be empowered by inspiring sessions and hearing from successful Indies themselves. In ‘Faces of Empowerment: Indies in Action’, moderated by prolific educator Dario Cotroneo, Katy Reeve and Martha Bedggood, alongside award-winning hairdresser, influencer and Seamless1 ambassador Sarah Emilia, will deliver a panel that motivates with their own experiences. Cait Muir, the Founding Director and Coach of Cait Muir Coaching, will offer a workshop entitled ‘Freelance Freedom: Empowering Your Own Empire!’, while Melanie Burnicle, an award-winning entrepreneur, makeup artist and podcast host, will teach ‘Journey to Success: Effective Strategies for Freelancers and Small Business Owners’.

Don’t miss your chance to take the leap into independent hair or elevate your existing entrepreneurship, as led by an array of significant speakers teaching the key tenets of succeeding solo.

For more information visit www.indiesummit.com.au