Q&A with Jade Scott of Vivo Tory Street (Apprentice of the Year) | The Industry Awards 2018

Jade Scott, from Vivo Hair & Beauty Tory Street, chatted to us about her win at The Industry Awards 2018!

How does it feel to be the Apprentice of the Year?

I’m absolutely stoked! It was such an honour to be acknowledged amongst the industry’s top artists, stylists and business people.

What do you attribute your success to?

I’ve had a massive drive towards the goals I set out to achieve, but also a willingness to get stuck in and take every single opportunity that was presented to me.

There’s a village of people who have helped pave the way for me as well.

What motivates you personally and professionally each day?

People really motivate me, I love making an impact on the lives of others I encounter.

My children inspire me to be the best version possible of myself. I come from humble origins and statistically I look like I sit within a box. I want to prove to my children that when you set your heart on something, you can achieve it.

Where to in 2019? Where do you see your career heading in the future?

Prior to starting my apprenticeship I wrote a five year plan. I’m currently in my second year and have already achieved a lot more than I anticipated. I’m fortunate enough to have a team that could see how hungry I was to achieve my goals and  helped me to become a junior stylist at the start of my second year as an apprentice.

One of my next big goals is to qualify. Everything I do in the salon and my KPIs are not only to make myself into the stylist I want to become but also to set me up so my assessments go really well.

I’d love to compete on the stylist spectrum, not just in creative competitions but in business events.

Being the 2018 Apprentice of the Year means my platform has widened to make a difference in our industry and it really excites me to pass on all the tools I’ve been given to other apprentices so they too can experience the success I’ve been honoured with.

How do you feel entering the awards has helped you as an apprentice?

It’s really easy for us as apprentices to see qualifying as the goal line, but there’s so much more to it than that. I feel like the awards enable us to look bigger and think bigger, review our portfolios and think ‘How can I make the most of my apprenticeship in every single area?’. I think HITO are fantastic at giving us the opportunity to do just that.

No matter what their style, every apprentice should apply because it’s great process of growth, a chance to sit back and reflect on what we have achieved, and to also be proud of what we’ve achieved.

What advice would you give to other apprentices who want to achieve the same success you have?

Take every single opportunity presented to you and network. Networking is one of the most amazing tools. If you’ve got people you admire on Instagram, contact them and ask them how they achieved what they achieved, then find ways to either follow in their footsteps or create or your own pathway.

How have you been supported in order to achieve what you have?

There are so many people that have helped, I like to call it my village. I think my key supporter is my Vivo family and it’s quite a wide network – it isn’t just limited to the salon I spend my time in.  My mentor is Cathy Davys and she’s incredible. She has listened, heard what I want to achieve and gone out of her way to make everything possible, to connect me with the right people, to ensure that my skill level sits where I need it to and also to push me into deep water.

Through HITO events I have had mentoring from Sara Allsop and Michael Beel. I’ve also had support from the team at Zibido in Hamilton who I met at other industry events.

I feel pretty blessed to have who I have backing me!

Jade and her mentor Cathy Davys

What advice would you give to other apprentices about the entry process?

I recommend finding ways to communicate who you are as a hairdresser. Trust that your story is something many people will want to hear. Try to ensure your entry is polished and easy to read too.

I’d also like to let everyone know that I’m more than happy to help anyone wanting to apply!