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Chris Moody


Occupation/Job title (other than Habia Skills Team member): Hairstylist, platform presenter and facilitator.

Tell us a bit about your background, why you got into hairdressing, and where your career has taken you?
I started hairdressing when I was 16 years old. Having always had a love of art, design and all things creative it was a natural progression for me to move into hairdressing.

My parents and my brother were all hairdressers so I knew a lot about all sides of the industry from salon life through to all the shows and classes that take place as well.

I found the variety and vibrancy of the industry fascinating and still today, 25 years later, I believe I have one of the most varied and exciting jobs it's possible to have.

I'm very lucky that I travel a lot with my work, about 60,000 miles a year.

I've flown the UK hair flag in most places such as Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Russia, Canada, USA, Mexico and Brazil. I spend a great deal of time teaching classes, about 60 days a year, mainly between two academies in London and New York. I still do clients in the salon and value my time behind the chair.

What's the secret of your success?
I think you have to stay true to your values. I really love teaching and coaching, I get a huge buzz from seeing light bulbs flash on in people heads! I believe the secret to success is not to seek it. Just focus on being the best you can and doing the best job you can, remember it's not about you, it's all about them, the client, the student. Don't believe your own PR, stay humble and whatever you do, do with a good heart.

Do you still do training?
Yes, of course, it amazes me how few hairdressers do. I take any opportunity I can to learn from people who are better than me at what they do and I always ask for coaching from people who can mentor me. Furthermore I practice, seriously, you should practice! It's amazing how many hairdressers work all day, but never practice. Imagine if a professional musician did that? When you're in the salon what you're doing is work, when you have free time practice your craft so you are better when you work.

Why is training important?
Repetition builds habits, habits create strong beliefs. Unless we train, take risks, expose ourselves to new experiences, good and bad, our belief system will become so strong that it will prevent us from ever opening up to anything new. It happens with new technologies all the time. We stagnate and things move on without us, we become old and obsolete. Wisdom is good, but wisdom and knowledge is better!

What's the most exciting thing that happened during your career?
A show in Las Vegas in front of 1700 stylists. It was a “makeover” type show, unique in that we wanted to use more mature women who had not had the opportunity to visit a salon for a long time. The women told their personal story on video, then their hair, make up and clothing were changed live on stage. They only saw the result, live on a big screen, at the same time as the audience. Many of these woman had very hard stories to tell, the emotions we got from the women and the audience, the reactions, the empowerment, was really awe inspiring. It reminded me and everyone else, what an amazing and powerful effect our skills can have on the lives of ordinary people. These women went from feeling no self worth to feeling self confidence, joy and elation right there on stage. It was a very humbling experience for me.

What advice would you give to someone just entering the industry?
Stay focused on what you're doing now. Don't worry about fame, fortune and success, concentrate on doing a fantastic job whether it's cleaning a salon or styling hair. Get yourself a mentor, someone who will help to nurture you and coach you, right now it's much more valuable than money.

Finally, understand that anything worthwhile takes a lot of time and anxiety to learn. Stick with it on the days you feel stressed out, we have to go through Chaos in order to get to Clarity.

What do you feel you have gained from the experience of being a skills team member and being involved in training?
The opportunity to work with people who have become true and lifelong friends, who share common goals and passions.

Great advice and coaching from people in the organisation much smarter than me.

A chance to touch and affect people in a positive way to become the best they can be.


Promoting Habia Courses

Why should someone book a Habia Skills Team course?
It's all about the skills. No hidden agenda, no products to sell, just a desire to help you understand and develop your skills. All delivered by a group of people who do it not for money and fame but out of passion and belief.

What do you think makes the Habia Skills Team courses different?
Habia is the only not for profit organisation that delivers education right across the board to all levels of all skills. That puts a unique dynamic on the programme. The teachers are real hairdressers working in salons like the students, skilled people who want you to succeed.

For more information on training with Chris, please contact a member of the sales team on 08456 123 555 or email sales@habia.org.