In this episode, Nathan is joined by Jayne Lewis-Orr who is, quite simply, a hair industry icon. Her passion for the industry over the last 25 years as the executive director of the Hairdresser’s Journal is why Jayne is so well respected by every hairdresser.
There’s a slight audio issue on this one that we just couldn’t work around, but I’m sure after a few minutes you’ll tune your ears to it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I was set on becoming a journalist in the hair and beauty industry and I was really fortunate to land a role on hair and beauty and, frankly, I’d have taken any role on that. I didn’t have a background in hairdressing, mu Auntie was a hairdresser, but that was it really. When you work in a publisher with all different titles you could tell the people that were coming in to see the Hairdressers Journal team, they were vibrant and fun and enigmatic and I thought “that’s going to be a cool place to hang out” and I’ve never gone away! I started off in the sales team in an admin role and moved into an editorial role eventually becoming the editor-in-chief.
• The pandemic has changed the way people want to work and that’s fine. But, one thing we have to do collectively and as a united front is make sure that people know that hairdressing is a fantastic place to work. The opportunities in the industry are second to none. You can travel the world, you can be self-made, you can be successful, the only thing that limits you is your own imagination, not age, sexual preference, anything. But it is hard, hard work.
• Hairdressers are with you through the best and worst times of your life. They’re there when you get married and have a family, they’re there when your hair falls out because you’ve had a baby, they’re there when you lose a relative, they’re a constant. I tell my hairdresser more than I tell anybody else. Hairdressers have amazing empathy and that skill can make people feel great.
• We’re only as good as the last magazine we put out or the last event. Whilst we are the market leader, I never take that for granted. It’s getting people to understand how passionate this industry is about their own craft. Like at this event, people are supportive of other people winning, even if they’ve lost themselves they are genuinely supportive of other people winning and that’s a cool place to be.

BEST MOMENTS
‘Whilst, obviously, you have to have a commercial aspect to the magazine, we’re recognised by our partners for writing for our readers, that makes it authoritative, independent and honest.’
‘The only good thing to come out of Covid was that hairdressing became recognised as a fourth emergency service.’
‘I love this market, it’s my preferred child… my sons are actually here, so I probably shouldn’t say that but it really is.’
‘I’m hugely passionate about extolling the virtues of the craft and why it’s such a good place to be.’
ABOUT THE GUEST
Jayne Lewis-Orr started her career as a junior assistant in the Hair & Beauty Group at Reed Business Information and worked her way up, having qualified as a journalist, to become Editor-in-Chief of the portfolio. She is now Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Group that includes the Hairdressers Journal International, Salon International, Professional Beauty and Aesthetic Medicine brands.  All of these have a multi-channel approach to their content with events, awards, print, online and social media channels.
Actively involved in the hair and beauty industry for 30+ years, Jayne is an effective member of industry associations and bodies and is a director of the industry charity.
ABOUT THE HOST
Welcome and thank you for reading this, I’m Nathan Plumridge salon owner and Hair Stylist. I’ve been in the industry for nearly 30 years and have been a salon owner for 23 of them. I have been fortunate enough to work and learn with some of the biggest names in the industry and this has given me the experience and drive to now be here with you sharing my experiences.
CONTACT DETAILS
www.hairlifeshow.com
Instagram is @nathan.hairlife
Email me at nathan@hairlifeshow.com