At 15, I left school to pursue my passion for hairdressing, little did I know that this decision would lead me on an extraordinary journey....

 

Initially as I embarked on the challenging path of entrepreneurship, I was pregnant with my first child and without any staff, building a successful and thriving hairdressing business from scratch. For almost 24 years, I poured my heart and soul into every aspect of it, from the initial concept to its eventual sale in 2023. 

 

For me it wasn’t just about profits and bottom lines - it was all about people. During the last decade of my tenure in the hairdressing industry, I shifted my focus to what truly mattered: the soft skills that underpin any thriving team. Emotional intelligence (EQ) became my secret weapon—a skill set that elevated our stylists’ performance, created industry high team retention, fostered seamless collaboration, and ignited motivation. 

 

Here’s how it unfolded: 

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Conflict Resolution: Armed with emotional intelligence, our team navigated conflicts effortlessly. Instead of discord, we found common ground, turning disagreements into opportunities for growth.

Motivation and Energy: Our stylists weren’t just employees; they were passionate artists. By nurturing their emotional well-being, we unlocked their creativity and enthusiasm. They arrived at work energised, ready to create magic with every client.

Minimal Recruitment Costs: Happy, motivated stylists meant lower turnover rates. We didn’t constantly need to replace team members, saving us recruitment expenses and valuable time.

Soaring KPIs and Profits: Our commitment to emotional intelligence paid off. Key performance indicators (KPIs) skyrocketed, and our profits followed suit. It was a win-win for everyone involved.

Word got out. Other business owners sought my advice on replicating our success. I gladly shared my insights, emphasising the power of emotional intelligence. And guess what? When they implemented these strategies, they saw remarkable results too.

I am so passionate about this because I believe that when people feel great about themselves, they perform at their absolute best. As a small business owner, I’ve witnessed firsthand how a positive, emotionally intelligent workplace fuels growth. It’s not rocket science; it’s human connection.

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So, here’s to defying odds, nurturing soft skills, and building thriving businesses—one emotionally intelligent step at a time. 🌟

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