Q&A – Sarah Martin, 2023 Industry Assessor of the Year

How did it feel to win Industry Assessor of the Year 2023?

It felt overwhelming, to be honest. I don’t like to be in the spotlight – but my team were all at the awards so it was amazing to be surrounded by them and their happiness for me.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in the hairdressing industry?

I’ve been in the industry for 30 years now, and in that time I’ve completed an apprenticeship, managed salons, I’ve travelled and trained, competed in hairdressing competitions and Industry Awards, mentored stylists, grown our salon and now employ 4 apprentices and 3 Seniors. I’ve found that the industry constantly challenges you and every day is different.

What advice do you have for apprentices sitting their final assessments?

Plan, plan, plan and practice, practice, practice.

Ask questions – your assessor is there to help make sure you understand what you need to do, not to catch you out.

KISS – Keep It Simple, Stylist. Don’t overcomplicate your day. Remember that if you aren’t successful in your first attempt it’s okay – you are closer than you were when you started.

Practice delivery on a mannequin, especially for a perm. Fashion perming often needs more thought and planning, even if you are in a salon that offers perm services.

Model choice – stop using family members. Most of the candidates I’ve assessed who did not achieve on their first try used a family member, and the hair just wasn’t suitable for the service they were being assessed on. Model selection is everything.

Why is being fully qualified important to you?

This is something I’m incredibly passionate about. I believe our qualification ensures our industry standard is met, and reassures clients that their work is being performed by someone who knows what they are doing. Similarly, I get annoyed at stylists who are unqualified putting down the work that those of us who achieved the qualification put into it because really, they are just too lazy to do Q by E or complete the paperwork that everyone else did.

If we can’t regulate our industry at least we can be proud to say that we finished and hold our qualifications up high. I wouldn’t want my doctor or builder to be unqualified, so I don’t understand why people are okay with their hairdresser not being qualified.