We caught up with the beauty industry expert who’s pushing the boundaries of creativity.

I recently had the pleasure of talking to Lauren Hanlon. Lauren is the Director of Bolt Salons Colour, a Colorzoom UK Gold Winner, and a Global Stylist Award Winner, making her an inspiring figure to delve into the secrets of how to become an expert in your field.

Lauren is at the top of her career when it comes to all things hair colour, especially finding creative ways to keep her customers happy!

For those that are unfamiliar with Lauren’s work, you seriously need to check out her Insta feed @lauren_roma_hanlon. It’s a delicious feast for the eyes, she has an extraordinary ability to colour-match each post with its connection to beauty in nature.

Her creativity has no limits, I could scroll through her feed forever!

Being a huge admirer of her work, I was stoked when Lauren agreed to share with me her tips and advice for becoming an expert in the field.

Looking to take things to the next level? This is for you…

What does it mean to be an expert?

To have extensive knowledge in a certain area in my field of work which for myself is colouring and vivid work. To hone and carefully develop a skill can take a long period of time, educating yourself with different techniques is important.

How do you establish yourself as an expert in your field?

As a hairdresser, we work with a variety of different clients to improve the look, style or health of their hair.

For me, I’m a people person. I love making any guest in my chair feel as comfortable as possible and feel the best version of themselves! Social Media plays a very important part in how you’re presenting yourself to current and potential clients.

If you take pride in how you present your work on socials, it will give clients the confidence that their service will be the same!

Why is being an expert important in the service you offer?

People come to me I think because I love my job and it shows through in my everyday work! I’m not afraid to try something new. I love playing around with different colours, styles and techniques!

Lots of people don’t specialize in vivids, so I think I get a lot of people who come to me for fun colours.

For someone wanting to specialize in a particular area, what advice would you give?

My advice for this would be not to rush! Take time and develop!

Rome wasn’t built in a day and perfection takes time! Learn to love every aspect of the job you’re doing and constantly learn new things! You’re never too old to learn something new and anyone who says they know everything is lying haha.

As a highly regarded professional in the salon industry, your business needs to look and feel like the business of an expert i.e. slick branding, admin, great booking process etc. How do you manage this side of the business?

To manage a successful business in the current climate, you need to be organised and adaptable. Finding an effective system that works for you ensures your business runs smoothly. Time management, a strong brand ethos and a great team are essential.

How has online booking helped you streamline your business?

We have used Ovatu's salon online booking software since we opened in 2015. It cuts down time spent on booking in clients, whilst being super convenient for them. The marketing, financial reports and roster facility help us to run our salon smoothly and efficiently.

Takeaways!

Identify what you're interested in
Invest time and effort
Educate yourself
Get confident in presenting yourself on socials
Find or create an environment for practice
Test yourself often
Offer fantastic customer service
Invest in a good online booking system like Ovatu's online booking software for salons to streamline your business needs, save time and look like a pro!

Conclusion

Becoming an expert requires continuous learning and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Yet, it's not just about mastering a craft; it's also about understanding the importance of a well-run business.

The seamless integration of innovative tools like Ovatu's online booking platform plays a crucial role in streamlining operations, saving time, and enhancing client satisfaction. By embracing these elements, you are not only paving the way towards becoming an expert in your field but also building a successful business that stands the test of time.

Lauren's journey serves as an inspiration, reminding us that with dedication, hard work, and the right tools, the journey to mastery is indeed a rewarding one.

A massive thanks to Lauren and Bolt Salon for taking the time to share this valuable feedback. If you get the chance please pop over to Bolt Salon’s Instagram page and see the awesome work they do @boltsalonsbarry

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Q&A With Lauren Hanlon - Hair Colour Expert.