Enter or Mentor
“When you stop learning, you stop growing, and then the end is not far off from there,” says Fay Linksman, the Artistic Director/Educator at P & H Salon and Spa in Toronto. “Our industry is constantly evolving with new trends and new technology, and, with social media and the Internet, our clients are taking on a more active role in the consultation process. If you aren’t in touch, or actively seeking ways to keep up with trends and changes, you will inevitably be left behind.”
And Linksman is certainly not one to be left behind. Her desire to always learn and grow, along with a belief in the “Enter or Mentor” philosophy, led Linksman – who had not previously competed – to enter the Sebastian Professional What’s Next Challenge last fall. She had started down a road that would lead her to Vegas in July, and she was hooked. “I’ve been active in the industry for so long and in so many ways – serving as a mentor to younger stylists, platform work with Sebastian Professional – but for some reason I had never competed before,” she says. “Our sales rep told me about the TrendVision seminars through our Wella head office, and that was the tipping point. I made a promise to myself that this year would be about expanding my portfolio by doing more photo shoots and entering competitions.”
And she hit the jackpot in Vegas in her first big competition, taking home the gold for Canada at NATVA in the color category for her interpretation of the Allegra trend, of which she says, “Making it to the National level was a dream come true, but winning Gold was beyond my wildest dreams!”
With a big win checked off of her pretty robust list, Linksman thrives on the opportunities for growth and connection that come with being part of the Wella family. “#WellaLife really cultivates our industry into a community, but on a global level, and connects the stylist directly to the brand and to other stylists who are passionate about the brand,” she says. “These connections constantly push me as an artist to create with no limitations on my imagination.”
And that’s a wrap folks. Take it from Linksman, not only must we set our sights high and learn everyday, it is possible to teach a ‘well established and experienced stylist’ a new trick!
