Wednesday Nights Are Where The Magic Happens

Training has always been part of Mien.

On Wednesday nights, the salon changes gear. Models arrive. The music stays on. Everyone loosens up a little and we get the opportunity to experiment, discuss ideas and work alongside each other without the pressure of a fully booked salon day.

It’s part classroom, part workshop and part creative session.

Last week we added something else to the mix.

Instagram.

Our developing Stylists were working on their models while learning how to create their own Reels.

Not just pointing a phone at the finished haircut.

The idea was to tell the story: the starting point, consultation, technique, work in progress, styling and finally the reveal.

Because there's another skill a young hairdresser needs today.

They need to learn how to build a clientele.

Great work deserves to be seen

The old model of hairdressing was pretty simple.

Get a job in a busy salon. Stand behind the chair. Wait for clients to be sent your way.

That's changed.

A young hairdresser today can start building a reputation from the moment they hit the floor.

If you create a brilliant haircut, show it.

If you've learnt something interesting, talk about it.

If you've developed a particular style, let people see it.

Instagram shouldn't replace good hairdressing — good hairdressing gives you something worth putting on Instagram.

That's an important distinction.

We're teaching our young team to build their own identity and clientele while also contributing to the culture and reputation of Mien.

When they grow, we grow.

Stylist. Senior Stylist. Top Stylist.

Our pricing levels at Mien are also career levels.

A developing hairdresser starts by reaching our Mien Stylist standard.

From there comes Senior Stylist, and eventually Top Stylist.

Those titles aren't simply about how long someone has worked here. They're earned through experience, education, consistency, professionalism and the ability to build relationships with clients who want to come back.

And that takes time.

The exciting thing is watching it happen.

You see someone become more confident in a consultation. Their timing improves. Their finishing gets better. They stop concentrating so hard on the individual steps and start seeing the whole haircut.

Eventually, their own personality starts coming through in their work.

That's when things get really interesting.

We're not trying to make everyone the same

There is a Mien standard.

But there isn't a Mien mould.

We want excellent fundamentals, great service and professionalism from everyone. After that, we want our hairdressers to develop their own strengths.

One might become obsessed with precision cutting. Another loves colour. Someone else discovers they're brilliant with curls, short hair, styling or transformations.

That's how a great salon team develops.

Different people. Different strengths. One standard.

And right now, we're enjoying watching this new generation find their feet.

So if you're following Mien on Instagram, keep an eye out for some new faces and some beautiful work.

The next generation of Mien is coming through — and they're looking pretty good.