Zoe

School: Stratton Upper School

Employer: Mobile Hairdresser

Job Title: Hairdresser

Qualifications:

• NVQ level 2 Hair and Beauty Therapy
• NVQ level 3 Beauty Therapy

Profile

Zoe is a self-employed hairdresser. After leaving Stratton Upper School in 2004, she went to Bedford College for 3 years to train to become a hairdresser and beauty therapist. During her third year of college, she applied for a Saturday job in a salon for extra experience. Once she had completed her qualifications, she was offered a full-time position in the salon where she worked for 7 years. She left to go on maternity leave and on returning to work she found that mobile hairdressing suited family life better, being able to choose her own work hours. Starting her own business was challenging in the beginning, however a few of her clients from the salon followed her journey and via Facebook advertising and word of mouth recommendations, she soon built up a solid salon base and is still enjoying mobile hairdressing 8 years on.

Advice to students

Stay in education as long as you can while you are young and if you are passionate about something don’t be afraid to go out on your own and follow that path. Always ask for advice or guidance if needed, to keep you on track.

Some advice I would give to my younger self, would be to not be so hard on myself. Being my own boss is hard and sometimes you have to learn to say no, you cannot please everybody but there’s nearly always a solution.

Additional Resources