Finding Her Niche

KLEEK AT 25: IZZY WARREN AT CLAIRE FRANCIS HAIR ZONE, WEST MERSEA

Izzy has now completed her Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship with Kleek. We caught up with Izzy to discuss her achievements, her plans for the future and any tips for aspiring hair apprentices.

Building Confidence With My Apprenticeship

"I am 19 years old, and I have been enjoying hairdressing for 3 years now. I don’t know what I would do without it. Three years ago, I was a very shy and unconfident 16-year-old who was too nervous to speak to anyone. Now, my apprenticeship has made me confident, and I love the interaction with clients. I have really found my passion in life. After leaving school, I pursued a career in hairdressing. I've always been passionate about hairstyling and attended a 5-week taster course at 13, which gave me a glimpse into salon life that I loved. When I was 15, I started my first job at a salon. I was later offered an apprenticeship, which was my goal. The apprenticeship has provided me with numerous opportunities. I have been able to experience real day-to-day salon services, observe and learn from my colleagues, and enhance my skills and confidence.

Finding My Niche

Blondes and bouncy blowdrys are my niche – I could do these every day, and they’re the reason I love working with hair so much. I enjoy making clients feel good about themselves and seeing their newfound confidence. In addition, I enjoy using social media – to help me gain so many wonderful clients, but also as it allows me to look back at how far I have come and all my hair goal achievements!

Tips and Tricks

The advice I would give to anyone looking to get involved in an apprenticeship is to focus on the moment; you don’t have to achieve everything at once, take your time, it will come, and you will flourish. Another helpful idea is to create a mood board with all you wish to accomplish in the next 10 years! In the future, I would love to become a blonde specialist and also train in hair extensions, as this will open up so many more opportunities and add another string to my bow – these aspirations motivate me.

Career Goals

Furthermore, my passion is to grow my social media brand, sharing my tips and tricks to assist other new stylists starting out and provide a community for clients and stylists. My favourite styles and creations are definitely blondes because there is always something to learn and improve upon. I also love trying out new techniques and styles that are ‘trending’ on social media. As a hairdresser, my end goal is to one day open my own salon and create a luxury space to inspire other hairdressers. My other aspiration would be to create my own education system ‘on blondes’, hair extensions and bouncy blowdrys to inspire others in the industry."