Q&A with Natasha Bird (Industry Trainer of the Year) | The Industry Awards 2018

Natasha Bird, the 2018 Industry Trainer of the Year, has been hairdressing for 24 years and has been involved in training since she was an apprentice herself. She's owned M>PHOSIS Hair Studio in Hastings for seven years and currently has three apprentices on her team of five staff. We caught up with her about her recent win.

How does it feel to be Trainer of the Year?

I couldn’t be more excited, it’s amazing. This is by far the best thing I’ve ever won, because it’s about giving back – I love it. Someone took the time and effort into training me so I believe it’s important to give back to the industry and training is one way of doing that. You’re helping to shape the lives of future hairdressers which is amazing.

What do you attribute your success to?

Hairdressing is my world – it’s my job and my hobby. I love everything it’s got to offer. When I’m not at work I still like researching hairdressing. It’s great for me to share that passion with the team. I love watching people grow!

What advice do you have for other trainers?

If you empower the team to help and mentor each other, it’s going to make everything stronger.

Never underestimate the power of teaching your apprentices a really good consultation. Every time they work on a model, I get them to treat the model like a client so that when they are serving paying customers it feels natural.

It’s important to share the business side of the industry with apprentices - I want them to understand the impact they have.

We have an ‘Emerging Style’ programme where trainee hairdressers offer discounted services to local secondary school and tertiary students.

What advice would you give to others thinking of entering this award?

Just do it because it’s a really good chance to stand back and look at what you’re doing, determine if it’s enough. Even if you don’t win it’s worthwhile - I put together a better entry this year because of what I learned entering last year.