Chantelle: Capital & Me, my self-employed journey & the importance of networking
Introducing Chantelle, a talented beautician, hair extension specialist and proud owner of ‘Chantelle’s Beautique’. We sit down with Chantelle as she tells us how she started out in the industry, her top tips for becoming self-employed, struggles she faced and overcame along the way and her favourite products that she can’t live without!
Hi Chantelle! Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about your business and the services you offer?
My treatment room is based in my garden at home and I offer a full range of Hair and Beauty treatments specialising in skin care, brows & hair extensions. My clients love my set up and really appreciate the little touches like being able to park with ease and having more of a cosy experience away from the hustle and bustle of a busy salon. As well as running my own business at home, I also enjoy teaching others on their journey starting out in the trade with my own accredited courses at home as another branch of my business called ‘The Hair and Beauty Training Beautique’. You may also see me in your local Capital Hair & Beauty as I also tutor for one of their training providers ‘Face Forward’ offering brow lamination and lash lift and tint courses.
It must have taken you on quite a journey to get to where you are today? How did you do it and what is your advice to anyone looking to get started?
I started out in the hair & beauty Industry at just 14 years old when schools were allowing students to swap a GCSE with a BTEC from a local college. In all honesty I only chose hair & beauty because my friends did, but once I stepped inside the industry walls I realised how amazing it is! 18 years on - apprenticeships, college courses and MANY accredited courses later - I am still just as hooked. I love educating and my advice to anyone thinking about getting into is - it is much more enjoyable when you are doing something you love. Don’t feel you need to jump in and know everything about everything straight away. This may take time and sometimes takes patience but you will find the area and treatments you enjoy most, then learn all about it. When you are passionate, your clients will see this, and it will make you stand out from the rest.
We love that advice! So we can catch you educating in one of our local stores but we really want to know what’s in your basket on the way out and why you choose Capital Hair & Beauty as your wholesaler of choice!
I love so many of the products in store but if I had to narrow it down, my top 3 favourites in my basket are always the +Maskology Face Masks, as they have an option for all skin types and concerns and the perfect finish to my skin care treatments. I also use them on myself weekly. Closely followed by the Strictly Professional Creamy Cuticle Remover which is such a game changer! It makes what can be a tough job super easy! And I wouldn’t be without the Hi Brow Lamination Professional kit, it’s one of my most popular services and I love how easy the treatment process is and the results it gives. I shop at Capital as it’s so well laid out and the products I need are easy to find. There is always someone on hand to ask if I need help and whether I am visiting a store to stock up or as an educator, I have always had a great experience!
As someone who is self-employed, what is your advice and top tips for going it alone and staying up to date with the latest trends and knowledge?
Firstly, social networking is key. Become familiar with your local area and don’t be afraid to talk to locals and businesses. Shout about your business at every opportunity! It may take time but word of mouth is the best way so just keep going. I enjoy learning and I like to be able to pass that knowledge on to my students so I stay up to date by booking myself on to a course at least a few times a year and researching across the internet, hair & beauty magazines, trade shows, forums all help.
Are there any challenges that you have faced in the industry and what strategies have you implemented to overcome them?
I was only in the industry for 5 years before deciding to go self-employed so a lot of what I’ve learnt about running a business I’ve had to research and workout for myself. I have moved counties a few times due to my husband’s commitments meaning restarting my business 4 times as well as having some of my own health conditions to contend with. There have been times my business has been very stop and go but the most important thing is to keep going, keep working at it and stay passionate.
Any final words to our readers?
Remember to love what you do and most importantly look after yourself first! You cannot offer the best service to others if you are not looking your own wellbeing.
Book an online or in person course today by visiting www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk/training or to find out more about Chantelle by visiting her Instagram @Chantelles_beautique www.chantellesbeautique.co.uk. Don’t forget to follow us over on our socials @capitalhairuk and @capitalhairireland as we celebrate our 70th anniversary shining a spotlight on our store team, products, customer favourite products and more!
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
Introducing Chantelle, a talented beautician, hair extension specialist and proud owner of ‘Chantelle’s Beautique’. We sit down with Chantelle as she tells us how she started out in the industry, her top tips for becoming self-employed, struggles she faced and overcame along the way and her favourite products that she can’t live without!
My treatment room is based in my garden at home and I offer a full range of Hair and Beauty treatments specialising in skin care, brows & hair extensions. My clients love my set up and really appreciate the little touches like being able to park with ease and having more of a cosy experience away from the hustle and bustle of a busy salon. As well as running my own business at home, I also enjoy teaching others on their journey starting out in the trade with my own accredited courses at home as another branch of my business called ‘The Hair and Beauty Training Beautique’. You may also see me in your local Capital Hair & Beauty as I also tutor for one of their training providers ‘Face Forward’ offering brow lamination and lash lift and tint courses.
Sophie gained a wealth of experience working in the industry from her background working in prestigious 5 hotel & spa and salon settings which lead her up to starting a business of her own. We talk about all things beauty and the curved tweezers that she can’t live without!
Hi Sophie, tell us a little bit about your journey and how you go into the industry and what lead up to starting out on your own?
I gained a lot of knowledge from working in different settings from working with a big teams in a 5 star hotels and spas to smaller beauty salon environments. I gained so much knowledge from working in both settings and although it was hard work and long hours.
I started out by working in a few different 5 star hotels with spas and a salons where I gained all my knowledges and experiences from each one to put together for my own business! It was hard work and long hours all the practice paid off. It was actually one of my clients I saw regularly in the salon I worked at that said I should set up on my own and gave me the confidence to go self-employed and I’ve not looked back since!
As professionals in the hairdressing industry, we're well aware of the constant innovation occurring in our field. Our clients love to dramatically alter their look with the ever-changing trends and we do everything we can to prioritise the health of their hair. Bond-building treatments have long been a staple in salons to address this need. However, allow us to present the latest advancement: biomimetic hair science and K18!
Understanding the Future of Haircare: From Bond Builders to Biomimetic Hair Science
For centuries, the haircare industry relied on cosmetic chemistry to conceal damage. Historical solutions like oils and conditioners were designed to sit on the surface of the hair, providing a temporary fix by improving its appearance and manageability. However, these solutions fell short of addressing hair's health at its core.
Learn how to leverage K18 products in your salon services to reverse damage, fortify hair and enhance salon results all whilst boosting your salon profits. Discover our step-by-step instructions for every treatment, from lightening to styling in our handy salon go-to guide!
Following the natural structure of hair, the biologically active peptide is considered natural. Unlike traditional bonding agents, it is not rinsed away by water or shampoo, making K18 a genuine and enduring remedy for damaged hair. Healthy hair originates in the salon, and K18 believes its influence starts at the salon chair and radiates outward. While K18 is suitable for all hair types and services, the most significant improvements are seen in damaged hair.
Have you ever noticed how closely linked your mind and body are? It's like they're always communicating, even when we're not tuned in.
And when stress creeps in, it's not just your mind that feels the burden – your skin and hair can take a hit too. Stress, whether it's a short-term or a long-term problem, can be detrimental to your body's health.
In fact, a recent survey by the UK’s largest independent supplier to hair and beauty professionals, Capital Hair and Beauty, revealed nearly half (42%) of the nation believe that stress has had a negative impact on their skin and hair health!
Last year, Brits faced their fair share of hair and skin woes.Topping the list was the recurring issue of dry skin, affecting a significant 29% of the population. Not too far behind was hair thinning/loss, troubling over a fifth (22%) of us, while acne and breakouts are also a cause for concern, affecting 19% of survey respondents. And let's not forget about skin inflammation (12%) and eczema (11%).
Does the bob ever go out of style? Short answer: No. The reason for the evergreen appeal of the bob is because, depending on the length, it’s a look that can suit any face shape or hair texture. Right now, it can be anything from a short and swingy French girl bob, a luxurious long bob, or a razor-cut curly bob. For Tori Kiff, it’s about keeping things fresh with the addition of a fringe.
“I love updating a classic curly bob with a fringe, especially as so many of my curly clients seem to think it’s a style they shouldn’t have. I’ve managed to show so many clients that it’s all down to fear and that actually, a curly bob is so flattering and easy to style; I advise them to use their fingers to curl their fringes or to use a brush when styling,” shares Tori.
Of course, the most modern way to wear a bob is the Bixie, a hybrid of the bob and pixie; think classic bob updated with a fringe or micro bangs, or you could play with the Butterfly Bob. RUSH Creative Director Andy Heasman’s a fan.
If you ever spend time on social media, then you'll definitely have heard about skin cycling, or skin fasting. During the pandemic, this three-step regime rose to popularity as many of us had more time to spend on pursuing our 'perfect' skin. Read on to find out the what and why of skin cycling and how you can build it into your beauty therapy menu.
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This privacy policy sets out how Capital Hair and Beauty Ltd (CHB) uses and
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CHB is committed to protecting your privacy. If we ask you to provide
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When you shop on this site or in one of our stores, personal information such as your name, email
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Personal data collected is used in the processing and delivering of orders.
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We require this information to provide you with a service (processing
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This data will be processed when your order is picked, packed and
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Any user specific browsing data will be retained for 26 months after you
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This policy was last updated on 23rd May 2018
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