Tracey Hughes: Hairdresser

A cut above the rest
Tracey Hughes
Age: 37
Industry: Hospitality and Personal Services Tracey Hughes is an inspiration. Her plans to become a lawyer changed overnight at age 16 when faced with the prospect of lengthy study and little creativity. She now owns a hairdressing salon in Melbourne with 12 staff and has travelled to every corner of the world as an educator and sharing her love of the hairdressing trade.

Growing up in the UK Tracey Hughes was a confident, opinionated Grade A student who loved debating and politics. A career standing up in court as a barrister and arguing seemed like a natural pathway.

But when she looked around and saw her friends doing various trade apprenticeships, it dawned on Tracey that she did not want to be stuck studying and without a real life for ten years.

"It was like a bolt of lightning. I just followed my instincts, and from the day I started hairdressing I knew it was what I was born to do."

Chasing a dream
Her headmaster, however, had other ideas and sent her straight to a careers advisor to try and talk her out of a trade.

"It's very disappointing. I think careers advisors need to be more educated about pointing students in the direction of trades, because there are is such a wide range of amazing opportunities out there."

Fortunately, Tracey had enough determination and landed herself a three-year apprenticeship at a highly-regarded salon, Christopher Boynton, in the UK.

"Apart from a fantastic standard of training, they also nurtured my career in other ways, and at 19 despite no experience in public speaking I gave my first hair presentation."

Opportunity knocks
At 21, Tracey took the well-trodden path to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, secure in the knowledge she would be able to find work easily.

"One of the best things about my trade is that I can take it anywhere and never have to worry about finding work. A trade is a trade for life."

Tracey worked at various high-profile salons as a colourist and stylist and in 1996 opened her own salon Mieka Hairdressing in Melbourne. She also works as an educator for the international company Wella.

"Wella send me around Australia and the world to put on seminars and shows for other hairdressers, to break down cuts, teach creative techniques and give them fresh inspiration."

The awards soon started to pour in for Tracey and as her profile grew so did her business. For the past seven years she has won Victorian Salon of the Year and has also won several personal awards, including Australian Educator of the Year.

Staying inspired
Tracey believes reeducation is key to being a good hairdresser and spends a lot of time mentoring her own staff and ensuring they are all motivated. It is wise advice for all aspiring hairdressers.

"Immerse yourself in your career," says Tracey."Put in extra training hours, go to shows, read magazines, enter competitions, seek out constant inspiration and reeducate yourself. "

Tracey attributes her own success in part to her capacity to staying self-motivated, pushing boundaries and having her finger on the pulse.

"I get a lot of inspiration from my clients -- they are the most important. If they don't walk out happy every day then I haven't done my job properly."

Best part?
The travel. I've got to see the world and learn about other cultures and it's been an amazing experience.

Hardest part?
The flipside of the travel is that it can be quite exhausting and not always glamorous.

What personal qualities do you need?

• You must be able to communicate with people. Listen to your clients, get to know them, their lifestyle and develop a relationship with them.

• Be interested in the big picture, like the fashion industry. Be a team player. It's not just about you and your career.

What is the biggest myth about your trade?
That you can't earn any money and that hairdressers aren't smart.

Greatest achievement?
Winning Australian Educator of the Year - that means the most to me because I want to give something back to the industry and help the next generation coming through,

Advice?
Do an apprenticeship and gain hands-on skills in a good supportive salon environment that suits you.

Where do you see your industry in 10 years time?
I would like to see us come together more as industry to try and increase public awareness and to address the skills shortage issue together.