Name: Joanne Muscroft
Age: 21 years
Job Title: Senior Stylist

Tell us a bit about your background, why you got into hairdressing and where your career has taken you?
 I have always had a passion for hairdressing right from my early memories as a child. It is the only thing I can remember ever wanting to do. I did my work experience whilst at school in a salon and was working Saturdays in a salon in my last school year. On leaving school, I successfully gained an apprenticeship in the same salon as I work in today. My career over the last 5 years as seen me continually promoted from assistant level through to Senior Stylist. Throughout my career to-date I have gained many hairdressing accreditations and qualifications.

What’s the secret of your success?
I believe it as to be drive, motivation and always looking forward. I continual strive for knowledge and regularly attend training evenings at the salon I work in plus I’m encouraged to attend external training to update and develop my skills.

Do you still do training?
Training and continual development is essential to remain a creative and professional hairdresser. In this industry you cannot stand still because you will stagnate and then this will reflect on the clientele you attract.

Why is training important?
If you have the drive to become a hairdresser, you will want to maximise your potential. Training and updating your techniques allows you to do this. I am excited by the fact I have a career and to excel in this career I need to always push my boundaries.

What’s the most exciting thing that happened during your career?
I have completed my NVQ Level 2 and 3 which I was proud to have achieved; this then lead me to become a graduate stylist and the styling experience ‘live’ in a commercial environment for the first time was very exciting. I have then been fortunate to win several local competitions which was also very thrilling. And now I have been recognised as having potential to work with the Habia team which means I have many exhilating times ahead of me.

What advice would you give to someone just entering the industry?
Come with enthusiasm and a real passion for fashion as a whole, this will most definitely allow your creative abilities to reach their full potential. Always give 150% effort and opportunities will present themselves and then you learn when to grab these and make the most of them to further your career.

What do you feel you have gained from the experience of being a Skills Team Member and being involved in training?
It has given me a massive confidence boast and its rewarding to be recognised by Habia, the salon in which I work and the college I attended to complete my NVQ.  Now I am gaining experience of how to present my hairdressing knowledge to others and improve the skills I have to explain the hairdressing techniques I hold.

Why should someone book a Habia Skills Team Course?
In hairdressing, you need to continually develop or you go backwards. Booking a Skills Team Course is giving you exposure to new ideas and experiences.

What do you think makes the Habia Skills Team courses different?
A Habia course brings an element of fun to the day, whilst maintaining a professional educational environment, they are very relaxed and enjoyable at delivering the knowledge required.