Salon Success! FG Nantwich's BHBA Finalist Jill Carey shares her Secrets
Home / Awards / Salon Success! FG Nantwich's BHBA Finalist Jill Carey shares her Secrets
04 Sep Salon Success! FG Nantwich's BHBA Finalist Jill Carey shares her Secrets
Posted at 13:03h in Awards	by	Francesco Group Hairdressing
SALON SUCCESS
FG Nantwich's BHBA Finalist Jill Carey
Shares her secrets
Training originally as a hairdresser, Jill went on to achieve a qualification in fashion and was a Franchisee of a Body Shop store. She then attained a degree in Sociology & Criminology, which led to her working as a support worker for many years.
This diverse array of talents made her the ideal choice when her husband Matt Carey, Franchisee of Francesco Group Nantwich, needed a new Salon Manager.
Jill relished the opportunity and in the last two years she has taken on-board every bit of advice and opportunity available to her, which has resulted in a very forward-thinking Management style that has reinvigorated her team.
This dedication has been rewarded with a nomination for Manager of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business Awards, which celebrates the creativity and passion of hair industry individuals from all across the UK.
We caught up with Jill and asked her to share the secrets for a successful, happy salon!
I've done a lot with the training courses that Francesco Group offer and it was the perfect opportunity to put everything that I'd learnt to the test
Why did you decide to enter the BHBA's this year?
Jill – I went last year with Pam & Jacky from FG Hanley, as they were both nominated for awards. It was such an enjoyable evening and when the process started again for 2019, I just thought 'I could apply for that!' We haven't won anything as a salon for a while and I thought that I needed to lead the way; I can't encourage staff to enter competitions and put themselves out there if I don't do it myself! I've done a lot with the training courses that Francesco Group offer and it was the perfect opportunity to put everything that I'd learnt to the test. I've changed the salon a lot since I began my journey with FG and I thought that everything I'd worked towards to get the salon to where it is today would make for a really interesting story for the judges.
What is one thing you wish that you had been told before embarking on a professional career managing your own salon?
Jill – Don't make any judgements. Make sure that you get to know people before you make any decisions about who they are and what they are capable of. I'd also say that you have to be prepared to tread on a few peoples' toes and possibly upset people when you make changes; but how you handle those situations reflects on how you'll be perceived and eventually grow as a manager. I'd also reiterate how important it is to have the right team around you, it's the key to a successful salon.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Jill – I love the social aspect of it. In my previous job I was tucked away in an office with only one other colleague, whereas now there is always a lot of mingling and people to bounce off. I really thrive off that.
My application was completely focused on leadership skills, team building and my ideas for moving the business forward
Matt & Jill Carey, Francesco Group Nantwich
What would be your primary piece of advice for someone wanting to enter the BHBA's next year?
Jill – One of the things that originally put me off applying for the awards was the idea that it was all about figures and profits, but that's not the case at all. My application was completely focused on leadership skills, team building and my ideas for moving the business forward. Don't be intimidated or put off by the idea of it; if you have an idea you'd like to share, go for it!
Everything can be a learning curve if we facilitate that atmosphere; every mistake is a lesson, not something that needs blame
How do you keep your team happy?
Jill – Biscuits! Joking aside, you've got to create an environment that's friendly, and where it's ok to make mistakes. One of our mottos as a team is 'It's ok to have conflict, it's how you deal with it'. If something goes wrong, we don't look towards who did it, we just look at a way we could do something differently next time, to ensure that it doesn't happen again. Everything can be a learning curve if we facilitate that atmosphere; every mistake is a lesson, not something that needs blame.
We're very open with our team, we care about and really appreciate them, they are an asset and we are well aware of that. When you've got the right team, you need to look after them; one of the ways that we do that is finding what inspires and encourages every member of our team. It's not always money, so it's important to grow and support your team members as individuals, making sure that you can provide an environment that they are happy to come to every day.
What makes a successful Manager?
Jill – Before you can manage you've got to be able to lead. Leadership is getting it right and Management is doing it right! In my opinion, management is all of your systems and procedures, whereas leadership is looking after your team, making sure you've got the right team in place and giving them an environment that supports and motivates them.
FG offers lots of great opportunities and it's about us being savvy and embracing them. They are a really forward-thinking company if you grasp everything that they can offer you to better your business
What do you do that sets you apart from other salons?
Jill – I would say that is the time we put into our team building. I've taken on-board every course that has been offered to me by FG and brought everything I've learnt back into the salon and embedded it into the salon culture. I'm constantly reinforcing everything that I've learnt and using that to maximise the salon team and create a more enjoyable client experience.
Before coming to FG I didn't have any expectations, but they have given me some really interesting and brilliant opportunities; I'm grateful for all of the experiences that they have given me. I think the passion that I have to facilitate and implement these changes makes us unique. FG offers lots of great opportunities and it's about us being savvy and embracing them. They are a really forward-thinking company if you grasp everything that they can offer you to better your business.
We wish Jill the best of luck at the 2019 ceremony, which takes place on Monday 9th September in London.
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