My love of hair goes back to when I was 4 years old. My neighbour was a hairdresser who had a salon at home and when Mum couldn’t find me – she knew the first place to look. I would be in the salon playing with the rollers and rods and inhaling the lovely smells that only a salon knows. At high school, we had work experience and I got my first taste of working in a real salon. I did this for 2 years and ended up with a part-time job as a shampoo assistant, hoping like hell I would get an apprenticeship there. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.
After knocking on many doors, trying to get a firm break into the industry, my lucky day came. I began working full time with Grant who had been trained by Peter Zidich – at that time he was NZ’s only world cup winner in hairdressing. I was really lucky in that he believed in getting me trained and on the floor quickly. Instead of sweeping floors for 2 years, I got to apply a colour in my first week, then perming and then cutting after only 6 months.
At the 6 month mark, a trichologist, David Salinger, came to NZ for a one day course. The boss said I should know about the scalp and so I went to the course. This is where my love of the scalp first developed. Psoriasis and hair loss were the two main areas that really interested me.
From here, I would continue learning my craft, but in my spare time I would read anything I could about the scalp – quite difficult then as there was no internet.
After only 2 years of hairdressing, I had developed a small clientele. Grant had some personal issues to deal with and it was time for me to find another salon to work from. I chose a bigger salon with more staff as I still had a lot of learning to do.
Donna, the owner, was very focused on retail and she sent me on a retail course for 2 days and I never looked back. I loved sending my clients out with beautiful products to look after their hair. I believe it made my job easier to cut healthy hair and the clients were able to manage their styles better.
After about 3 years here, I was qualified and I happened to meet Tracy who offered me a job in her salon on a commission only basis. It took me 2 years of working with her to save enough money and buy my own salon.
I ended up buying a huge salon in an industrial area. The salon was struggling and therefore it was cheap. I was 21 years old and full of spirit – I knew I could turn it around – and I did.
During the time in this salon, a new product came to the market and I was asked if I could help launch it and do any technical work (training etc.) My salon was ticking over nicely and when I heard that the range had been developed by a trichologist, I jumped at it. Launching De Lorenzo into NZ is one of the highlights of my career – I received full training on the scalp as well as the products and it was amazing to be involved in the process of launching a new brand.
I would have loved to remain on the team, but it really needed a full time person and as I had the salon, I had to step aside. I did however keep using De Lorenzo in my salon. At the 2 year mark, I sold the salon for $40,000 more than I paid for it and bought a house.
After taking a month off, I went to work for Marlene part-time, for about 1 year and then did a complete change and did Real Estate for about a year (but still did some hairdressing from home). I couldn’t stand being away from the hairdressing industry and so I bought another salon – small with only 2 staff.
I remained here for nearly 5 years and moved on after having my first child. I needed to work part-time, so I joined a friend of mine in her salon. It was here that I was first introduced to a product called Nioxin, which was for hair loss.
During my training with the technician, she mentioned that they could do with someone like me working with Nioxin. I thought about this for awhile and then set up a meeting with the owner of the distributorship in the hope of working with the brand. This was when I met Geoff Grace.
At the time they were looking for a colour technician for Kadus brand which was being re-launched into NZ. I took that position so that I could stay close to Nioxin. I received full training on Kadus. They sent their international technician from Germany to train me on the full range and I was able to fully up skill on all levels of hair.
After 8 months of working with Kadus, a position became available with Nioxin and I began my career in hair loss. I made it a personal mission to enlighten and assist people with this problem and using Nioxin made a difference in their lives.
After 3 years working exclusively as a technician, I was given the opportunity in a sales capacity as well as technical. Although a little nervous to begin with, I have found sales to be the greatest foundation for what I love most – helping people.
Again I was able to up skill with lots of sales training which allows me to help the salons I meet with, grow their businesses. After 6 years of working with Nioxin, I was sent to Atlanta, Georgia, USA for an intense training and to meet the founder of Nioxin, Eva Graham. This was a true highlight of my Nioxin career. I continued to work for a further 4 years with Nioxin and was devastated when the new owner Proctor & Gamble.
We had another brand called Scruples, beautiful brand made in the USA that has amazing colours, perms and a full retail range. I had never had much training in this brand other than what I’d read – so next thing I know, I’m on a plane to Minnesota, USA for a very intense and advanced training with Scruples – Brilliant.
Immediately after arriving back in NZ, I was presented with a new brand called Mediceuticals, also made in the USA. I was intrigued yet sceptical when I first looked at this brand as this was going to replace my beloved Nioxin. After reading all the literature, I started using the products on myself. I was totally sold – first shampoo! My hair felt truly nourished and was shiny and healthy and that was after only one treatment. I couldn’t wait to try the rest of the brand.
I was also very excited as this is the only range that I’ve come across that covers ALL aspects of scalp disorders and also focuses on female hormonal hair loss separately from other types of hair loss. Every single product not only did what it said it would but also exceeded my expectations. I am truly excited to share this brand with as many people as I can.
Note: During my time at all of the salons mentioned I have completed colour/cut/perm courses with L’Oreal, Wella, Schwarzkopf, Matrix and De Lorenzo.
Personal Info:
Karen Leigh Dawson, born Auckland NZ 1967. Married with 2 children. Love spending time with family and friends. Enjoy traveling, Creative Memories photo preservation and cross stitch (when I get time)