From Precious
April 10, 2008
Harriet Kessie | Leisure
Harriet Kessie Salon
www.harrietkessie.comPrecious: What was the route to your business?
Having developed a passion for hairdressing from a very early age, I had a clear focus of what I needed to do to achieve my ambitions of establishing and managing a chain of salons. Following my GCSE’s, I undertook NVQ courses in Hairdressing whilst working part time in a salon environment. On completion of my course, I was offered a full time position and progressed to the level of Senior Stylist. My dream of owning a salon was realised in May 2001 when the doors of the salon were opened to the public (www.harrietkessie.com). My ambition now is to create the first national chain of Afro hair salons in the UK.
Precious: Describe a typical working day.
I’m usually up at about 7:00am to arrive at work at 8:30am. To ensure that staff are fully aware of the client’s requirements, the first half hour of the morning before clients start to arrive at 9:00am is spent going through the history of the clients on the computer system and reading up on any notes made from previous visits. The staff come in at 8:45am and there is a short team meeting to discuss issues from the previous day and targets etc. My receptionist who is also my PA takes over all admin for the rest of the day and informs me when I need to get involved. Each day is different and throws up different challenges and opportunities relating to marketing, the press or suppliers. I normally leave at about 7:00pm on a weekday after checking and rectifying the day’s transactions.
Precious: How do you relax?
With most of my time spent on my feet, soaking my feet in a foot spa is the perfect tonic. My weekends are spent going to the cinema or socialising with friends or family.
Precious: What are your career ambitions?
To establish a national chain of Afro hair salons that has a reputation for excellent service, value and meets the needs of its clients.
Precious: What do you love most about what you do?
My greatest satisfaction is seeing the satisfaction on my clients’ faces after styling their hair. I also love the fact that the business is a unique opportunity to make a real mark in the industry.
Precious: Is there anything that you really dislike about it?
One of the reasons clients come to us again and again is we don’t keep them waiting through our effective appointment booking system. A late client disrupts all other appointments. My other dislike is clients who fail to call if they can’t keep their appointment as this means other clients can’t be booked in their space.
Precious: Any advice to those wishing to follow in your footsteps?
Have a passion for what you do or wish to do. It’s the only thing that will keep you going.