Interview with Laura Procter - HJ's 2012 Franchisee of the Year

Laura Procter - HJ's 2012 Franchisee of the Year

Laura Procter of Westrow, West Park talks about the winning formula that made her HJ's 2012 Franchisee of the Year.

Tell me about your career with Westrow before becoming a franchisee.

I joined Westrow in 1999 as a stylist at its Victoria Quarter salon in Leeds. I was there for a year before moving to the salon at 2-3 Thornton's Arcade, Leeds, where I was assistant manager for two and a half years. I then moved to 18 Thornton's Arcade in 2003 where I was manager for three years, until I opened Westrow West Park as a franchise in 2006.

What attracted you to the brand? 

I was instantly attracted to Westrow as a brand - the staff looked cool and I loved the creativity of the business and the buzz of the salon. My interview was with director Steve Rowbottom who was so genuine and talked passionately about the future. I had a gut feeling about him and the company. It's opened a door that I can't ever see closing. 

Why become a  franchisee?

Directors Steve Rowbottom and Marc Westerman have always instilled a passion before profit approach to business and chose a sustainable business model within a field that they are both incredibly passionate about. I loved the ethos and as a result I have adopted the same discipline to my business.

Why do you think you were awarded HJ's Franchisee of the Year?

I am strategic in my development of the business and my team and constantly encourage people to reach their full potential. To flourish as a business, it's imperative everyone works together to accomplish the same end goal. I am truly motivated by their success. Cultivating a winning team is good for Westrow as a business and great for West Park as a franchise. 

How does being a franchisee have an advantage over being a totally independent salon?

Running my own business was always my goal, but running it within the Westrow framework has offered me measurable systems and training to ensure I have the tools to run it successfully. After 26 years of experience, it's a proven, award-winning business format with tried-and-tested systems of operation. 

What plans do you have for the future of the business?

Our salon's win at the 2012 L'Oréal Colour Trophy was the result of months of hard work, dedication and discipline that will pay huge dividends. 

At present, I am looking for the right unit to open my second franchise in Street Lane, an affluent suburb in North Leeds. After that - the sky's the limit! 

WAVE MACHINE

WAVE MACHINE
We're head over heels with the latest offering from Babyliss PRO. Its revolutionary Perfect Curl ensures you can effortlessly create long lasting curls at the touch of a button. Ideal for mid-length and longer hair, it boasts 3 heat and timer settings and a curl direction control, while its auto curl function alternates the direction with every section. Wave goodbye to curl dilemmas forever!
Our salons are offering demo's in salon, please feel free to call one of our salons to book your free demo.
Watch the video of the Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl in action:

Call one of our Westrow salons now at:
HARROGATE 81 Station Parade Tel: 01423 522666
ILKLEY 3 Station Road Tel: 01943 600091
LEEDS 4-6 Thorntons Arcade Tel: 0113 2456948
LEEDS 18 Thorntons Arcade Tel: 0113 245 6220
WESTPARK 253 Otley Road Tel: 0113 274 0999
WETHERBY 28 Market Place Tel: 01937 588 777
YORK 31 Swinegate Tel: 01904 629 991

The Fabulous Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl

Have you seen the Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl,the revolutionary new curling system?
If not check them out at Westrow.
Our salons are offering demo's in salon, please feel free to call one of our salons to book your free demo.
Watch the video of the Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl in action:

Westrow salons at:
#LEEDS STREET LANE Tel: 0113 2692919 

 #HARROGATE Tel: 01423 522666
#ILKLEY Tel: 01943 600091
#LEEDS Tel: 0113 2456948
#LEEDS Tel: 0113 245 6220
#WESTPARK Tel: 0113 274 0999
#WETHERBY Tel: 01937 588 777
#YORK Tel: 01904 629 991

  Also available online at Westrow Shopping.
Shop BaByliss Pro Perfect Curl Here: http://ow.ly/kdpJq

House Rules-The Westrow Academy

HOUSE RULES
Westrow directors Marc Westerman and Steve Rowbottom – 2012 Business Directors of the Year – were celebrating this month after completing on the 5,000sq ft building that is home to the new Westrow Academy. Called Westrow House, it is set to become a centre of educational excellence in the North of England, boasting dedicated training facilities that will offer hairdressing apprenticeships NVQ Level 2 and 3 alongside bespoke creative and business courses. The academy is set to open in summer 2013.

 Westrow Salons at:
HARROGATE Tel: 01423 522666
ILKLEY Tel: 01943 600091
LEEDS 4-8 Thorntons Arcade Tel: 0113 2456948
LEEDS 18 Thorntons Arcade  Tel: 0113 245 6220
WESTPARK Tel: 0113 274 0999
WETHERBY Tel: 01937 588 777
YORK Tel: 01904 629 991

FAME Team update with Mathew Sutcliffe..A Day With Akin.

FAME Team update with Mathew Sutcliffe..A Day With Akin.

Venue: HOB Academy -Camden
Mentor: Akin Konizi

As always the HOB academy in Camden was buzzing with excited students of all ages and nationalities anticipating their courses with various members of the HOB educational team. For the F.A.M.E team it was our time to meet and spend the day with Akin Konizi - 3 time hairdresser of the year.

Akin was quick off the mark with a prompt 10am start. The main premise of the day was to work on platform skills and how we communicate to our audience whilst on stage.

First- Akin wanted to do a full analysis of our presenting skills, so we were asked to tell everyone a bit about ourselves. This was really interesting because we were then given feedback which was then translated to constructive criticism. I think this was a great way to not only learn more about ourselves but to also find out more about our team's strengths and weaknesses for forthcoming events.

After break - Taking the advice that we had been given beforehand we were then asked to present back to the team using the tools we had learned. For me personally,"I believe it was a great way for me to understand how I want to be perceived and to understand how important our job roles are as individuals and as a team."

After lunch the team were subjected to a live hair cut demo with Akin. Akin talked about how he believes the industry is changing and how hair has become looser and less structured. "this echoed what we all spoke about in our previous meeting." so, he set about creating something as in his owns words was 'out of his comfort zone'; an extremely texturised short layered haircut- leaving external length throughout the sides and back and finishing with a short cropped fringe. The finished look was effortless styling and had a 70's, wiggy feel to it.

I liked it. Good work. :-)

As always a great day. Akin knows how to get the best out of people and the knowledge he's shared with me today I will try to emulate to my best advantage.

ghd Style Sqaud Shoot with Westrows Lucy and Eboni

ghd Style Sqaud Shoot with Westrows Lucy and Eboni

Well done to Lucy and Eboni from Westrow-18 Thorntons Arcade on Monday's shoot with ghd.
As part of the ghd style squad they were invited to the ghd Eclipse shoot at the village in Shoreditch. Eboni said "I was super excited as I have never been to a photo shoot before. When we arrived at the venue I was amazed...it was really urban and cool. The music was blasting out from the DJ area and the vibe was unreal. I started watching and assisting different stylists including Lucy from Westrow (who was also there). I was amazed when watching Kenna. He works with the hair so effortlessly and was never short of ideas. He was so friendly and I learned a lot of new techniques.I would love to work with him again."

FAME Team update with Mathew Sutcliffe..A Day With Richard from Saco-London.

FAME Team update with Mathew Sutcliffe..A Day With Richard from Saco-London.
Venue: Saco Academy, Goodge Street, London.

When arriving at the Saco Academy we were greeted by Brett- one of the senior educators at Saco. Brett is from the Gold Coast and is an ex-FAME Team member from nearly ten years ago. After briefly talking to Brett, naturally everyone felt at home as there was common ground between us (everyone shared the same interests and passions).

We were then taken down in to the main seminar and educator area and asked take a seat. A short video of Richard and Saco's work was played before Richard made his entrance with two stunning models.

After introducing himself, Richard and Brett showcased some of the best cutting skills I've ever seen!

On Richards model he wanted to create a strong online with disconnection- resulting in a multifunctional haircut.

Brett worked a short bob with a fringe that enhanced her natural features.

Their style of work is more about the suitability to the client/model and how each element of the haircut works with the natural features and hair textures.
This is a great rule at Saco and you can see it throughout all the work they do.

After a short break we were introduced to Richards second model- a long dark haired girl. He demonstrated how haircuts can be incorporated in to longer hairstyles without having to do a generic layer that is mostly commonly found in salons.

Sam, the colour specialist, then set about colouring Brett's first model. Stating that the same rule applies when working with colour; 'style is suitability.' Sam is very articulated in his use of words with her descriptions of colour being like poetry. It is obvious her knowledge of colour is second to none.

We worked on one model each in the afternoon. (supplied by Saco) Not only was this a great opportunity to work with Richard and his team but to also see where were with our own team and see where we wanted to take our forthcoming shoots, shows and seminars.

This was one of the best days of my career! Richard and Saco know their shit!