Skip to main content
Basket Preview
Your basket is empty.
Menu

Order within

for delivery on Wed 18th Jun*

  • Home
  •  
  • Blog
  •  
  • How I Got Here: Sarah Dixon
Back to Posts

How I Got Here: Sarah Dixon

Sarah Dixon - ghd educator

By Sarah Dixon, Key Account Educator at ghd

Ever wondered what it takes to become an educator in the hair world?

In this month’s edition, Sarah Dixon, a Key Account Educator at ghd, shares her journey from uncertain beginnings to becoming a respected voice in professional hair education.

✨ When was the first time you realised you wanted to work in hair?

I've always been creative, but I struggled to decide what to do after leaving school. My teachers encouraged me to go to university, so I chose fashion. But after completing my degree in Fashion Promotion, I realised that hair was going to be my creative career of choice. Even though I’m lucky enough to travel a lot for work, I'm a home bird at heart and hairdressing allows me to be creative while staying close to home.

💇‍♀️ What was your first job?

I did an apprenticeship at a local salon—there were only three of us working there. I completed my NVQ Levels 2 and 3, and then went on to study for my A1 Assessor’s Award. I’ve always loved teaching others and passing on my skills, so even during the early stages of my career, it was something I was passionate about.

🌟 What was the most valuable thing you learned from that role?

I started my hairdressing career a little later than most, so I was really motivated to learn, learn, learn! It wasn’t enough for me to just attend college once a week I actually asked for training courses instead of commission for my first year after qualifying. That decision was one of the best I’ve ever made.

🧠 Did you have a mentor?

I didn’t have a formal mentor, but my manager was fantastic. They were running a busy column, and I learned by watching and just having a go. I’m sure I made many mistakes early on, but they only drove me to improve. I eventually opened my own salon, and launching a successful apprenticeship programme was a top priority. I'm proud to say I've trained ten apprentices over the course of my career.

💪 How did you build your confidence?

I was lucky one of my colleagues went on maternity leave, and I inherited a full column of clients. It was a case of sink or swim, but that pressure really helped build my confidence. Later in my career, I had amazing training with Alan Austin Smith from The Fantastic Hairdresser. He explained that confidence isn’t a personality trait it’s something that grows when you have the knowledge and skills to succeed. I wish I’d known that from the start!

🚀 Final Thoughts

From hesitant beginnings to becoming a passionate educator, Sarah's journey is proof that with the right mindset, mentorship (even informal), and a hunger to learn, you can forge a fulfilling career in the hairdressing industry without losing sight of your roots.

New & Trending