Debbie Allen- My career
Debbie Allen 1980 to present day
The lessons I’ve learned from being in the Beauty Industry since 1980.
Yes, that does make me old, but with it I like to think, comes a certain amount of wisdom and a huge amount of relevant experience.
My Career journey started at Thanet Technical College in Broadstairs. My course comprised of a three-year, 5 day a week full on education package that covered everything from hairdressing and barbering to wig making, theatrical makeup, and beauty therapy. Business studies, chemistry, and biology were also a big part of our lessons, giving me a knowledge base that's a far cry from today's streamlined courses. The level of anatomy and physiology was certainly higher than the industry standards require now, but it also was less attainable for those that could not commit to years of full-time training.
Educational providers for this industry were few and far between. I had to hop on a train for an hour and then add a 20-minute walk at each end. And let's not even talk about the hefty price tag on uniforms and equipment. But it was the '80s, and I was an excited teenager ready to conquer the world.
On completion of my course, I gained my qualifications in City and Guilds hairdressing and barbering, wig making, theatrical makeup, IHBC Beauty specialist and Cibtac Diploma in Beauty therapy with Electrolysis and cosmetology. Plenty to put on my CV plus the experience I gained from a Saturday job I had in a local salon while training.
Fast forward to my career aspirations
I dreamt of being a makeup artist for television.
But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Instead, I found myself in a hair and beauty salon run by a Parisian trained French female owner, who had a very different way of working than the basic training I received at college. Working there knocked off all my rough edges, amped up my skincare knowledge, and saw me soon becoming fully booked every single day. I discovered I loved the diversity and variety of treatments I offered and no longer wanted to limit my services to just makeup.
The main client base was mature middle-class women, salons were few and far between and so there was far less competition. Product houses only supplied to salons and there was no online shopping. Being fully booked was the norm if you were a good therapist, not something we had to struggle with as can be the case now.
After gaining invaluable experience working for others, then came my leap into self-employment.
It was like diving into the deep end of the pool. In the late '80s, there weren't many salons, and the ones around were, in my opinion not keeping up with the times by offering treatments to attract younger working women.
With all my newfound expertise, I decided to spread my wings and fly solo to give me the space to run things my way. Becoming a business owner was a steep learning curve, there was no online help or guidance and I learnt though making mistakes. Although I was making a success as a salon owner my priorities changed again when I started a family.
The natural progression for me after a stint on maternity leave (shoutout to my daughter), was to step into the world of education and I was offered a job teaching in a local college of further education in 1993. I was part of a ground breaking pilot scheme, teaching the first batch of students navigating the new Beauty Therapy NVQ system. It was a game-changer, making beauty careers accessible to all.
Fast forward again to 2006 – I traded the comfort and safety net of being employed in education for the thrill of entrepreneurship once again.
I opened my first private training centre, wanting to offer more for adult learners, especially women seeking a career change. Back then, social media wasn't a thing, and I relied on good old newspaper ads and word of mouth. Luckily, I got a feature in Woman and Home magazine, about women proving that it's never too late to flip the script on your career.
I've seen my fair share of disappointments, felt disillusioned at times, noted a decline in standards, and raised an eyebrow at some not-so-ethical practices. Yet, in the midst of all that, there have been those moments, those shining beacons and good people, that reignite the spark within.
Currently, there's a positive shift happening. Therapists are being heard, and there's a move in the right direction. The government is recognizing the need for regulations to safeguard the public. It's an exciting step forward, and it's why I'm committed to staying in education – playing my part in elevating industry standards.
Having had a long career in this industry does also mean I’ve seen many economic downturns. Something our industry too often bear the brunt of. I've been through my fair share and learned that navigating recessions is an art. You've got to be ready to pivot, adapt your business plan, and uphold professional standards when others are cutting corners. It's about going the extra mile for clients without the hard sell, building trust and loyalty instead of pushing them into unaffordable purchases
Therapists are being heard, and there's a move in the right direction. The government is recognizing the need for regulations to safeguard the public. It's an exciting step forward, and it's why I'm committed to staying in education – playing my part in elevating industry standards.
People often ask me the secret to my longevity in this industry. I attribute it to resilience, a genuine passion for what I do, and the ability to educate others. Age has brought wisdom, teaching me that even in the darkest times, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I won't sugarcoat it – I panic, I stress when bookings are slow. But I've learned to sit tight, plan ahead, acknowledge what's beyond my control, and not fall for clichés like "work smarter, not harder." The put your prices up and do less clients mantra won’t work for all. There is no one size fits all strategy, and running constant offers rarely works and consistency is key.
In 2020, the year of the great lockdown, my husband and I, both self-employed, faced the terrifying unknown as our businesses were forced to shut down with no clue if there would ever be any financial aid. Amidst the chaos, though, I found a silver lining. I invested my downtime in personal development, becoming a clinical hypnotherapist, mind coach, and control practitioner. Quite a pivot from my TV makeup dreams, but it transformed my own mental health, equipped me with new tools for clients, and allowed me to work via Zoom when I was no longer able to see clients face to face for hands on treatments. It has taught me I’m capable of more than I think and enforced my view that a business plan must be adaptable.
It's crucial to find trustworthy allies in the industry and to support each other through challenges. Healthy competition keeps you sharp, and finding mentors that encourage and support you is pure gold. As I embark on a new venture at almost 60 during an economic downturn, I carry the lessons of resilience, love for my industry, and the unwavering belief that tough times are temporary.p
The best advice I would give to anyone in this industry is:
I always advise to resist the allure of quick fixes; they often end up costing you money on products or training unsuitable for your clients. Do stay informed about trends, but do your research well and be open to seeking advice.
Times are hard but if we pull together and support each other we will come through this with our careers and businesses intact and quite possibly even stronger than before.
Login