Ross Miller
How did you get into hairdressing Ross?
I wanted to be an architect from a young age but it's a seven year course at university.
My mum and dad had a hairdressing salon but I had never thought about being a hairdresser in my life. One day, I said to mum I quite fancied giving it a go. My mum decided to take me to Salon International in about 1990. After that, I fell in love with hairdressing and decided this is what I wanted to do. The architecture thing had given me an interest in design, shape and creativity. I didn't think hairdressing would be academic but I soon realised you have to be academic your entire way through hairdressing. By 25, when I would have finished my architecture course, I already had a career going. It's great that you can express yourself and get a career going quickly. Where is your career now then?
I've been working for 18 years in a hairdressing salon environment as a stylist and a trainer. I have also worked for other training and extension companies, and the Habia Skills Teams. I am always improving my knowledge through videos and books, and practicing. Recently I've concentrated more on the business.I still do training, we focus on that anyway in our salon .I still get involved myself and I'm still running my column on top of all that. I work all across the board but I enjoy it, I enjoy the challenge. It's about looking after staff, everyone, not just yourself.
So whats the secret to your success Ross?
My mum, Anne Miller, always had a big thing about training, regardless of what age you are. It's important whatever stage you are at and it's
continual. You have to keep working on it. It can be hard at times. When you are young, sometimes don't won't to work hard, stay back late and sweep the floor. As you get older, you appreciate these things are part of the industry. It's important to grasp that when you are young, so that you know that you need to absorb everything – read, watch, go to shows like Salon International and the Fellowship. The only way you will get on in hairdressing is to have a positive attitude to it, as it will make or break you. Integrate that with the hairdressing skills that you have, and can always improve. With the right attitude, good skills and commitment to learning you can be a very good hairdresser. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There are quite a few. The chance to work with a hair extension company that I enjoyed. Delivering training. Being asked to join the Habia Skills Team. Getting recognition for what I can do. I'm still learning how to present and communicate. Probably the biggest thing though, is that the salon has been in business for 40 years. I've not even been around that long! But I'm part of it and the achievement is a big highlight for me and my family. It's so nice to be part of that and see the team I work with growing. We have staff who have been with us 25 years. It's incredible. Some clients have been there since 1969. The anniversary is May 2009 and we are planning a big celebration.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in hairdressing?
I said to one of our young trainees the other day – who has done Level 2, nearly done Level 3 - this is a critical time for you. It's easy to say you are a hairdresser, but you're not. I wouldn't even class myself as that. I have clients, a salon, training, the skills team – but I'm not a complete hairdresser yet. Look at big names like Trevor Sorbie, they are still learning and developing. You need to have the right attitude. Skills will come if you want them to. But if you don't have the right attitude, put the time into training and learning, accept that it will be like this for the rest of your career – because it is a career and not a job. A career is much more fun, there are more opportunities. If you want it, you'll get it. It's as simple as that. Attitude is much more important to me – you can develop the skills. For more information on training with Ross please contact a member of the sales team on 08456 123 555 or email sales@habia.org.
