Considering he’s only been in the industry for 5 years, Paul Watts has certainly achieved great things. He has his own salon in sunny Kettering, has been part of the Colour Mastery Programme, has worked as an educator for L’Oreal Matrix, launched his own product range and won colour genius and style innovator 2011 in the Redken New York City Hair Competition.
Paul took some time out from his extremely busy schedule to tell us about how he got started in the industry, what he has learnt, and what is coming up next.
View Paul Watts Hairdressing’s listing on bookacut.com or visit their home on the world wide web at www.paulwattshairdressing.co.uk
What inspired you to get into hairdressing?
The inspiration behind me getting into hairdressing was the swagger of a Mr Lee Stafford. He seemed like a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by women. I saw him as something new, and something I could relate to a lot easier than other hairdressers in the industry at the time of deciding my future.
What were your other career options?
I used to be a footballer at a high level. I played for Aston Villa for 8 years when I was younger until I tore my hamstring which sidelined me for 2 years. I have studied creative design at university, and that was an area I thought I would like to go into, but as a creative person it didn’t deliver what I wanted. So finally I studied the art of hairdressing at a local college and haven’t looked back since.
Did you expect to get so far in hairdressing as quickly as you have?
From the day I qualified it has been a bit of a whirlwind. Within the first days of qualifying I started my own business “house of hair” which after 6 months had a client based to be proud of especially as I was so new to the industry. I then joined a local salon in 2008 and this is where the real fun began.
Within 10 months of qualifying I was doing my colour mastery degree, I was then offered an interview with L’oreal to become and educator for their brand Matrix, which I did for just over a year. The next year I won colour genius and style innovator 2011 for my region.
At the end of 2011 I was offered to buy the salon I’d worked with for nearly 4 years and I jumped at the chance. I’ve now had the salon for nearly 5 months and all is going great. I introduced our own signature product range just before Christmas which has been a real hit, having only had it a month it has sold out twice, with requests from customers on Facebook asking us to reserve some more for their next appointment.
What is your favourite thing about being a hairdresser?
My favorite thing about hairdressing is the relationship created between the hairdresser and the client. Nothing beats having happy clients leaving the shop.
You also use Redken products in your salon, what do you like them?
Redken products suit the way myself and the team work. They give effortless style condition and shine. I couldn’t create what I do without the help of Redken products. I love them, the team loves them, and clients love them. We also use Redken colour which is just amazing for an ambitious colourist. You can create anything when you have a product and company dedicated to creating the best.
Apart from scissors what are your top three tools and why?
My Valera hair dryer with rotocord, stops my wire from getting all tangled. My Cloud 9 straighteners, and of course “The O” by Cloud 9, no salon should operate without one! It gives effortless curls body volume, think Kate Middleton everyday. Just gorgeous hair.
Are you a cat or dog person?
I am a dog person. We have a 2 year old black French bull dog called Coco, she is lovely.
What is coming up at Paul Watts Hairdressing in 2012?
2012 is the first full year we will be operating, so I expect it to be very busy. We’ve got photo shoots planned, competitions, fashion shows and also adding to our signature hair care range. In March we are adding a hair spray, argan oil, thickening cream treatment and a dust wax for body and texture.
