- 21 July 2026
With a distinction, full marks in her End-Point Assessment (EPA) and a growing clientele already under her belt, Maisy Smart has achieved an impressive amount since starting her apprenticeship at H2O Salon in Essex. But her love for hairdressing started much earlier.
We caught up with Maisy to hear about the milestones she's most proud of, the advice she'd give to future apprentices and how her Kleek apprenticeship helped shape her career...
"I've always known I wanted to be a hairdresser."
Where did your passion for hairdressing begin?
"I’ve always known I wanted to be a hairdresser since I was little. I grew up braiding all my family’s hair and practising on them, and I started as a Saturday girl whilst I was still in school, which made my love for hairdressing grow even more."
Photo: Maisy receiving her Distinction certificate.
Celebrating the milestones
In just a few years, Maisy has gone from apprentice to graduate stylist, building her own loyal clientele while picking up some incredible achievements along the way.
What are you most proud of?
"Some proud moments from my career would be becoming a national finalist for the UK Hair and Beauty Awards, and also starting in a new salon where I’ve built my own clientele and grown from an apprentice to a graduate stylist! My proudest moment would be achieving a distinction and full marks on my EPA!"
Advice for future apprentices
Stepping outside your comfort zone can feel daunting, but for Maisy it's been the key to building confidence and developing her skills.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about a hairdressing apprenticeship?
"My advice for other young people looking to get into the industry is go for it and don’t let anything stop you!! It’s the most rewarding feeling once you’ve accomplished it all. I would say to throw yourself in the deep end, the work I’m most proud of is the ones I was most nervous about, but you’ve got to push yourself and you’ll smash it 🫶🏻"
Photo: Rich copper-toned balayage by Maisy Smart
Supported every step of the way
A successful apprenticeship is about more than learning technical skills. Having the right guidance and encouragement can make all the difference.
What was the support like from your Kleek Educator?
"My support from my Kleek Educator was amazing. Claire supported me from the beginning to the end and never failed to show up for me when I needed a hand! Her way of teaching is really effective and made me feel confident in myself professionally and mentally. Everyone at Kleek was amazing throughout my whole journey; I couldn’t have done it without them!!"
Life after qualifying
Qualifying marked the start of an exciting new chapter for Maisy, who is continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
What's next for you now that you've qualified?
"Now that I’m fully qualified, I've been working in my salon as a graduate stylist, building my clientele and continuing to grow my confidence. I’ve been fortunate enough to be fully booked most weeks, and I’m beyond grateful!"
Photo: Maisy during a training session at Kleek Academy Colchester.
Inspired by Maisy's Journey?
From discovering her passion as a child to becoming a fully booked graduate stylist, Maisy's story is a brilliant example of where a hairdressing apprenticeship with Kleek can take you. With such a strong start to her career, we can't wait to see what she accomplishes next!
Register with Kleek today to start your hairdressing journey.