Month: August 2019

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creatin...

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Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

There are plenty of event planning tools available to support you when planning your event from project management tools to managing lists of attendees. But what is the right tool to make you more efficient when organising an event?

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1) Asana

Asana is a great tool for managing team projects and tasks. So, if you need to keep track of your team and the tasks that they are completing, this could be ideal for you. Its easy to navigate dashboard means that it is easy to see what has been completed and what tasks still need focus.

2) Basecamp

Basecamp enables you to create to do lists, assign tasks and set due dates. It is less visual than others and is based on a series of lists. Although you can try it for free, there is a charge for this tool, but the charge is based on unlimited users and usage.

3) Caterease

Caterease is a great tool for managing the catering for your event. The wizard-driven booking and drag and drop functionality makes building menus for your event really easy! Attendees can enter their own food selections enabling you to see quickly and easily what food and beverage requirements there are.

4) Cvent

The Cvent event planning tool allows you to automate many event management tasks from small events to larger conferences. It offers a complete event management solution including venue finding, building a website, managing registration, room blocking management and much more!

5) Eventbrite

Eventbrite is a great event planning and management tool to enable you to manage list of attendees, the registration process as well as getting the word out about your event. So, no more endless excel spreadsheets and inputting lots of data, this tool means that inputting and managing the data is a lot less time consuming!

6) Eventopedia

This is a great website which enables you to find, compare and review suppliers and venues. They have developed a network of trusted event suppliers to create an easy to use directory taking some of the pain out of searching for the perfect team for your event.

7) Hootsuite

This is a great tool for scheduling your social media posts. So,you can plan key posts in advance and then schedule them to be posted at a specific time and date, meaning key opportunities don’t get missed!

8) Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a fairly well known email marketing tool, but as it is a free tool (up to 2000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month) then it makes it a very cost effective way of managing email distribution, invitations and newsletters.

9) Pinterest

Great for collating ideas and inspiration, Pinterest enables you to manage your ideas by pinning them to different boards. So, you could have a board for each event or even a board for different sections of your event. It’s free to sign up and is a handy way of managing those creative ideas!

10) Top Table Planner

11) Eventbrite

12) Bizzabo

Through this app you can create an event website, manage registration and lists of attendees, distribute tickets and even measure the success of your event.

You might only need a tool to search for venues, manage registration and invitations or you might be looking for a tool that will support you in managing the entire event from start to finish.

It is worth spending the time finding the event planning tools that is right for you, but it is worth knowing that some are free to use!

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.

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Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

Do You Need a Licence to be a Hairdresser?

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

21 August 2019

•

3 mins read

Contributors

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creatin...

Get hairdressing insurance from Protectivity

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

If you are solely a mobile hairdresser that visits clients in their home to cut hair, it’s unlikely that you will require a licence.

However, if you are operating within a commercial premises, or have clients come to you, it may be necessary to register your hairdressing business with your local council. The specific requirements may vary depending on your local area.

It is therefore worthwhile getting in touch with your local council to find out what needs to be done. You can also find out what is required in your local area on the Gov.UK website.

What requirements are there to become a hairdresser?

It is likely at the very least that the council will need to be aware of the business that you are running and check that it complies with health and safety requirements:

1. Cleanliness – Your premises are required to be clean, safe, well-lit and well ventilated.

2. Risk of Infection – You will also need to show that you take all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection or contamination.

3. Training – Your staff should be adequately trained, work hygienically and use equipment efficiently.

4. Insurance – As with most businesses, it is necessary to have a suitable hairdressing insurance or barber insurance policy in place.

Having Public Liability cover will protect you if a third party should make a claim for compensation and legal costs for injury or damage while on your business premises or while you are working on their premises. So, for example if a client has an accident as a result of a spillage of hair products, they can claim against you.

It’s also worth checking that having professional treatment risk cover and products liability in place too. This will protect you if a third party makes a claim against you due to your negligence. So, for example if your client’s hair is permanently damaged due to a mistake you made with the hair products that you used for them, you could face a huge legal bill. With cover in place, the costs are covered.

Certification

A representative from your local council will come and inspect your premises and check that you have all the necessary procedures in place. They will then issue a certificate and is a requirement that this is displayed so that it can be clearly seen by your customers.

How much does it cost to register my business?

There is no charge for registering a hairdressing business.

What hairdressers would not need to register?

If your business provides hairdressing services to people in their own homes or residential accommodation (for example, a care home), then you are not required to register your business in this way as you do not operate from business premises.

So, for example if you are a mobile hairdresser cutting your clients hair in their own homes you would not need to register in this way or hold a hairdresser licence.

In summary, before you set up as a hairdresser, contact your local council and they can advise on the requirements in your area. Then, make sure that you have all the necessary training, certifications and insurance in place to run your business with peace of mind.

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12:37:17 GMT • 14 November 2024

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

How to Become a Hairdresser

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

19 August 2019

•

11 mins read

Contributors

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creatin...

Get hairdressing insurance from Protectivity

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

If you’re wondering how to become a hairdresser, then the first thing to know is that while the best stylists make it look easy, it can be much more complex than you might think.

Bringing somebody’s hair to life takes skilful use of equipment. You’ll need an eye for style and creativity, a passion for the profession, and a commitment to good old-fashioned hard work. If a career in hairdressing is something that’s always interested you, this might sound like a long and arduous process… but the financial and creative rewards being a professional hairdresser can often make it all worthwhile.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics you need to know when considering how to become a hairdresser professionally. We’ll look at the ideal first steps, potential qualifications and training options to pursue, how to continually develop your skills in the future, and the different business models open to you.

Whether you’re still at school and looking at how to break into the industry when you leave, or you’re looking at hairdressing as a career change, the information below will help you start your professional hairdressing journey on the front foot.

What are the first steps?

The first step is to do as much research as possible into the kind of styles that are popular and how they can be created: YouTube videos are a good starting point for this kind of information.

On a more practical level, you should consider applying to work in a salon in an entry-level position, or even just as an intern or work experience placement. You’ll get the chance to see first-hand how salons operate day-to-day, and get to know the basic duties like helping out on reception, shampooing hair and keeping a tidy working environment. If you can make a good impression on the people you work with, then you’ll be in pole position to take on greater duties and move onto the next stage as and when an opportunity arises.

If you’re still at school and looking towards a career in hairdressing in the long term, then aiming for a grade C or above in core subjects like English and Maths is important. While it won’t completely make-or-break your prospects if you don’t achieve those grades, getting them can be a big advantage when employers are looking at taking on new staff.

What qualifications do I need to be a hairdresser?

Unlike many other professions, there are no qualifications that are legally mandated to become a hairdresser by trade. However, it’s strongly recommended to get at least some qualifications, as they can demonstrate that you possess some of the skills needed and give you a better chance of landing a job.

There are several different options for you to explore, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Hairdressing and Barbering – more on this in the training section – and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). There are also a range of different courses and certifications you can pursue in more formal educational settings, from short-form courses to full-length university degrees.

What types of training are required?

The NVQ in Hairdressing and Barbering is one of the best ways to pursue a career in the sector because it gives you the opportunity to learn on the job, and to progress your skills over a period of time. You can start the course even if you have no experience in the industry whatsoever, and follow it all the way through to the skills and credentials needed to be a senior stylist.

The NVQ is made up of three levels:

Level 1 covers the basics of day-to-day work, both in terms of styling and being in a customer-facing business environment. You’ll learn how to shampoo, condition and blow-dry hair, how to prepare and maintain a working area, and how to develop working relationships.

Level 2 allows you to learn more advance techniques and skills, such as consulting with clients, treating hair and the scalp, and other optional units such as perming, plaiting, twisting, and running a salon reception.

Level 3 brings in more advanced techniques, such as detailed consultation services, applying creativity to treatments through a variety of techniques, and being able to colour hair. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about how salon businesses operate from a financial standpoint and gain an understanding of how to market and promote a salon operation.

How long does it take to become a hairdresser?

There is no fixed timeframe on how long it takes to become a hairdresser. Some people come into the industry earlier than others, and while some stylists may have a natural talent and flair for the jobs, it’s also perfectly acceptable to build up your expertise more gradually and academically.

In the case of the NVQ mentioned above, it can take as many as 1500 hours of on-the-job to complete all three levels and receive the full diploma; this may take you a number of years to complete.

But in any event, the world never stops and there isn’t a hairdresser in the world who knows absolutely everything there is to know about the profession. Those who are the most successful never stop picking up new information about styles, techniques, products and equipment, so you should adopt an attitude of continuous learning and upskilling throughout your career.

What else can I do to improve my skills?

Connected to the previous point, there are many avenues to explore if you want to expand your skills and knowledge outside of formal qualification frameworks. That can start by simply asking local salons for some of their time and expertise, so that you can understand how to develop both your styling skills and your business acumen.

If you want to stand out from the crowd and build a reputation for yourself, then it may be worth channelling your energies into specialist areas, and becoming known as a great stylist for a particular type of treatment. These can include (and not necessarily be limited to): colouring, hair extensions, weaves, perms, straightening, hair extensions, braiding, scalp treatment, glossing and many more. If you can develop a high level of proficiency in a few of these areas, then that can make you more desirable to salons who are looking for specific skills to complement their existing roster of stylists.

Another important area which often gets overlooked is to ensure that your appearance and people skills are the best they possibly can be. Many people pay good money to not only get the style or cut they want, but to get a friendly, enjoyable and stress-free experience when they visit a salon. A big part of that is to ensure that you look clean, healthy, stylish and professional whenever you’re working, and have an outgoing and welcoming attitude at any time that you deal with customers.

What types of hairdressing jobs can I pursue?

Media

First of all, while the majority of hairdressers start out working in a salon, it’s important to remember that it’s only one part of the hairdressing industry. If you’re creative or have some specific career goals, then you could explore offering hair styling services for a number of other industries, such as fashion, TV, film, advertising and marketing. It’s in these highly specialised areas where the biggest money is often made.

Weddings

Whilst wedding work tends to be seasonal, having a stylist is usually a must for any bride. This will often involve several hours work styling various members of the wedding party including the mother of the bride, bridesmaids and of course, the bride. You may even be needed to provide a practice session with the bride before the big day. Bookings like these can be a full days work for just one group, read our blog on how to attract wedding clients.

Salons

It’s also worth remembering that you also have a range of options in terms of the business model you want to pursue. Many stylists like the consistent earnings and the security that working full-time for a salon can give them, especially if they have a family to support or other financial commitments to fulfil.

Freelance

However, if you prefer to do your own thing and have more of an entrepreneurial spirit, then you could alternatively pursue self-employment, once you’ve gained enough experience and developed a strong CV. You could operate as a mobile hairdressing service in customers’ homes, provide freelance salon services in a number of different applications (including the industries mentioned above), or simply rent a chair in a salon and operate from their facility.

Theoretically, this means that the sky’s the limit in terms of your earning power: how much you can make is directly linked to how talented you are, how hard you work, and how good your business decision-making is. However, on the other side of the coin, you won’t necessarily have a guaranteed income, and you’ll also have to pay out for overheads like equipment, transport, chair rental and insurance. You’ll also need to develop a sound understanding of the hairdressing market in your local area, so that you can price your services right and ensure you gain enough clients to keep you busy, without underselling your abilities.

What else do I need to know?

Away from the excitement of applying your creativity and forging a successful career, there are a number of other considerations to take into account if looking at hairdressing.

The first is to say that if you’re looking for a steady nine-to-five job, it’s going to be very difficult to find one in this industry. Many clients will be looking for styling appointments that fit around their working lives, which means evenings and weekends. You should be prepared to work a range of different times of day and week on a regular basis, especially in the early stage of your career when trying to earn yourself opportunities.

Another area to take into account is salary: the starting salary in this line of work can be very low for a beginner. According to the National Careers Service, salon-based hair stylist salaries can range from £14,000 a year for those starting out to as much as £30,000 a year once you’ve gained more experience. If you’re taking a position as an apprentice, most salons tend to offer an annual wage of £10,000 a year. Please note that these figures can also vary substantially, depending where you live in the UK: salaries will be higher in London and the south-east of England to match the higher cost of living there.

Make sure you take your personal finances into account when starting out, and make sure you can balance your own books in the early stages before your earnings start to rise later on.

Get your hairdressing insurance from Protectivity

If you’re operating as a self-employed hairdresser – either on a freelance basis, mobile or even if you’re renting a chair – then taking out comprehensive insurance cover is an absolute must.

Accidents and mistakes can occur, even to the most proficient and experienced of stylists. If somebody doesn’t get the style they want, is accidentally hurt during one of your sessions, or something else happens beyond your control, then they could launch a claim for compensation against you. You could be personally liable for settling the claim if the decision goes against you, which could cost you thousands of pounds and cause significant and long-lasting financial hardship.

Those worries go away if you’re properly insured, and at Protectivity, we’ve been insuring hairdressers just like you for many years. Our cover includes public liability, cover against professional negligence and other protections that give you peace of mind to be creative and grow your business with confidence.

Our cover is available from as little as £3.76 a month and can be paid for through flexible payment plans, helping you stay covered without breaking the bank. Take a couple of minutes today to examine our affordable hairdressing insurance options in more detail.

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Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

Your Quick Guide to Event Licences

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

19 August 2019

•

4 mins read

Contributors

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creatin...

Get event insurance from Protectivity

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

So, you are organising an event and the venue and entertainment are booked, the food and drink is ordered. But, have you thought about what event licences you might need?

This will all depend on the type of event that you are organising, if you are serving food and drink and where and when the event will be held. Check if the venue that you are using already has in place the licences that you need.

Do I need a licence to be able to serve alcohol?

If you are holding your event at a venue which doesn’t already hold a licence to serve alcohol, or you are serving drinks after 11pm then you will need a Temporary Event Notice for events attracting less than 500 people. For larger events you will need to apply for a Premises Licence.

What is a Temporary Event Notice?

If you’re organising a temporary event and want to serve or sell alcohol, provide late night refreshment, or put on regulated entertainment at a non-licensed premises then you will need to complete a temporary event notice (TEN).

For the purpose of a TEN, a temporary event is a relatively small-scale event attracting fewer than 500 people (including staff) and lasting no more than 168 hours.

Do I need a licence to be able to play music?

This will very much depend on the venue, the numbers attending and the time that you will be playing music. The venue that you are using might already have a licence that covers your event requirements but if it doesn’t then you should check what is required through your local authority.

Do I need a licence to put on a play or show?

If the performance takes place between 8am and 11pm and involves fewer than 500 people, then you don’t need a licence. You may need a licence in other circumstances. This licence can also cover alcohol requirements for your event.

Do I need a licence to screen a film?

You do need a licence to show a film or exhibit moving pictures. Exemptions are made for places of worship, church halls, Education and television broadcasts. You will need a ‘non theatrical’ film licence for events such as film clubs, one off events, screenings in common areas for residents or passengers.

Do I need a licence to put on a sporting event?

You do not need a licence for most indoor sporting events held between 8am and 11pm and with less than 1000 spectators. If an event is to be held after 11pm, involve a larger number of spectators or includes boxing or wrestling then you will need to apply for a licence.

So, identify what your event will involve, timings and number of attendees and this will help you to identify the event licences that you will need. Most small events of less than 500 people can be covered with a Temporary Event Notice.

If your event takes place after 11pm or attracts more than 500 people you will need a licence to cover your specific event requirements.

Get event insurance with Protectivity

Whatever type of event you’d like to run, there is always something that can go wrong that is completely unforeseen. Whether it’s damage to someone’s property, injury to a person attending, or event cancellation due to forces outside your control, it’s easy for even the best-planned event to be left substantially out of pocket.

Because of this, no event should run without good-quality insurance cover in place, and this is exactly where Protectivity can help. Our specialist event insurance policies include Public Liability insurance, insurance for event cancellation, protection for equipment, and Employer’s Liability if you’re hiring staff to work on your event. That way, even in the worst-case scenario, you can be sure your business and organisation is protected from a financial standpoint.

Take a look, to find out more about our flexible and affordable event insurance policies.

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Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

Why a Multi-Event Insurance Policy Could be for You

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

14 August 2019

•

3 mins read

Contributors

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creatin...

Get event insurance from Protectivity

Bee Ingram

With a focus on producing high-quality, consistent content across multiple platforms, Bee is committed to creating engaging and effective messaging that aligns with the brand’s voice and strategy.

If you run several events or exhibitions during the year then switching to a multi events policy could save you time and money.

A multi-events policy is a single events insurance policy which will cover each of the events that you organise during the year. This means that instead of setting up a policy each time you set up an event or exhibition, you just take out one policy that will cover everything that you organise during the 12-month period.

Well the first benefit is that setting up one policy instead of several will save you time and is one less thing on your ‘to do’ list! The second benefit is that you are likely to see some cost savings as a policy covering several events is likely to be a lower total cost than all the separate policies you have taken out.

What does a multi events policy cover?

Our multi events policy offers the same cover and peace of mind as our One-off Event Insurance policy, it just gives you the flexibility to stretch this protection over all your events with a single policy. Cover includes:

– Public Liability – This will protect you if a third party makes a claim against you for injury or damage as a result of your actions. For example, if there is an accident where a visitor trips over some unsecured cables at your event and is injured, you could be sued, and Public Liability insurance would protect you and cover the costs as a result of the claim.

– Employers Liability – This will cover you if one of your employees makes a claim against you for injury. For example, if one of your catering staff at an event you have organised trips over a box which has not been put away properly and is injured as a result, there could be a claim made against you. With Employers’ Liability in place, you are covered for the costs of defending yourself and any subsequent settlement.

– Equipment Insurance – This offers protection if equipment used for an event is damaged. For example, if you are having a live musical performance at your event, it is likely that you will be using a large amount of amplification equipment, not to mention lighting and the instruments themselves. Having Equipment Cover on your policy will protect you if, for example, any of these items were damaged during the set-up or over the course of the event.

How do I know that a multi events policy will provide the cover I need for all my events?

Our multi-events policy has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of a busy events organiser and is designed to provide you with the cover that you need to cover several events, giving you the peace of mind that each of your events are protected.

You can select to cover up to 15 or 45 events in any given year and we will give you a quote to protect all of them.

Call one of our UK team on 01494 887909 to discuss your requirements or get an instant quote for your Event Insurance today.

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