From Monday 29th to Tuesday 30th April, Kao Salon Division welcomed nearly 100 salon partners to the stunning Scottish capital, Edinburgh, for its much anticipated seventh HUB Network 2024. The exclusive annual opportunity for salon partners to fuel their salon growth, make lasting connections with other HUB salon business owners and ignite their salon business success.
This year held at the luxurious 5-star Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian – a former rail station, now a masterpiece of modern luxury and Victorian elegance, offering breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle – the HUB Network membership club is renowned for transforming the way salon professionals connect, exchange ideas, collaborate and excel in their craft to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving industry.
Julie Winchester, General Manager Kao Salon Division UK, Ireland said of the successful event: “Our annual Kao Salon HUB Network event offers our salon partners an incredible opportunity to come together as a community of creatives. It’s a chance to hear from some of the world’s best speakers about the latest business insights, tools and resources that they need to excel and thrive both in business and creatively in a rapidly evolving industry. We want to empower our salon community to reach even higher levels of success, supporting them in every way we can.
“The HUB Network is testament to our dedication to the success of our salon partners and our passion for driving both creative and business innovation in the industry. We hope all of our customers left feeling empowered, inspired and ready to put into practice the practical insights and inspiration from our amazing speakers to help support and grow their own salon businesses.”
The enriching two-day event featuring inspirational business presentations; insights and advice from expert speakers, also offered guests a luxury overnight stay plus an unforgettable evening including a sumptuous dining event and incredible entertainment.
Here is a little summary of the HUB Network 2024 event:
HUB Network 2024 Guest Speakers – Day 1:
Geoff Ramm – Celebrity Service ‘Discovering the gap in your service you never knew existed’: Geoff Ramm, a Forbes-lauded ‘Game Changer’ and award-winning speaker, is the creator and author of “Celebrity Service” and “OMG Marketing.” He understands that the key to attracting more customers is through creating jaw-dropping marketing, and the key to retaining those customers is by providing exceptional customer service. Geoff transforms touchpoints to illuminate your business, leveraging insights from global brands such as Emirates, Warner Bros., Specsavers, and McDonald’s. His electrifying keynotes and infectious charisma have earned him accolades as Speaker of the Year, establishing him as the go-to expert for crafting unforgettable customer experiences.
Segun Akinwoleola – Building a brand from Zero to Hero: Segun is the founder of The Gym Kitchen, a pioneering brand that offers high-protein, macro-friendly ready meals tailored for health-conscious, on-the-go individuals navigating today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Through The Gym Kitchen, Segun provides not only a range of nutritious food products but also invaluable fitness advice, empowering individuals to optimize their health and well-being. A first-class Business Management graduate, Segun boasts over 12 years of distinguished experience in sales and marketing across renowned brands such as Revlon, John Frieda, Up&Go, and The Black Farmer. In an industry where diversity remains underrepresented, Segun stands out as one of the few black entrepreneurs in FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods). His recent venture, The Gym Kitchen, has made significant strides by securing placements in major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Co-op, and Dunnes stores. Segun is deeply committed to entrepreneurship and advocates for diversity within the consumer goods sector, driving positive change and innovation in the industry. His journey exemplifies a steadfast dedication to promoting health, inclusivity, and excellence in every aspect of his business endeavours.
Lurata Lyon – Mental health, Human Resilience & Overcoming Obstacles: Lurata is a motivational speaker, public speaking, and presentation coach. At 17 years of age, Lurata fell a victim of kidnap by Human Trafficking and Organ Harvesting gang during the split of former Yugoslavia. With a story unlike any other, Lurata shares her journey of resilience and triumph, stemming from her own harrowing experiences as a victim of human trafficking and organ harvesting. Lurata opened up about her struggles, lessons learned, and the unwavering strength that carried her through. Her powerful message goes beyond mere storytelling; it’s a call to action. Lurata challenges conventional perspectives, urging us to see beyond labels and binary viewpoints. Discover the power of mindset, determination, and resilience as Lurata inspires you to tap into your own strengths, both personally and professionally.
HUB Network 2024 Guest Speakers – Day 2:
Jules Standish – How To Create A Unique Customer Color Experience: Jules, known as “The Colour Counsellor,” is a leading UK colour expert and Head of Colour at the London College of Style. She’s authored books including “How NOT to Wear Black” and “A Colourful Dose of Optimism,” an Amazon bestseller. Jules has appeared on TV shows like The Lorraine Kelly Breakfast Show and BBC Southeast 6 O’clock News, and is a sought-after expert in colour psychology for celebrities, royalty, and politicians.As a Colour Consultant and Personal Stylist, Jules works with diverse clients from TV presenters to industry leaders. She conducts workshops for retailers like Anthropologie and Swarovski and has collaborated with brands such as Kvadrat, HONOR, and Ridley London Fashion. Jules is passionate about helping women find confidence through the right colours that suit them most.
Arif Isikgun – Retail excellence and the power of storytelling & Power of storytelling workshop: Arif Isikgun has worked with giants such as LVMH, Guerlain, as well as many other well-established independents across the word. With over 17 years of immense experience working in all levels of beauty, luxury retail and spa, launching and educating brands globally. His vision was simple – “Always Innovating Beauty”, to innovate emotional connection and empower teams to support not only exceptional client services but brand service also, ensuring full company potential and growth.
Jaz Ampaw- Farr – Be 10% Braver: CEO and co-founder of Be Human First Ltd, Jaz Ampaw-Farr is a speaker and self-described ‘resilience ninja’ whose infectious enthusiasm is incredibly motivating. An award-winning speaker, Jaz seamlessly combines humor and storytelling to deliver transformative presentations that leave audiences inspired for real change.From her challenging childhood to her journey becoming a teacher, stand-up comedian, and international keynote speaker, Jaz embodies resilience in everything she does. Fearlessly challenging conventional thinking, she reshapes diversity and inclusion into genuine belonging, inspiring profound journeys of meaningful transformation.
Nina Giglio – Key Trends in Hair & Beauty: Nina Giglio is a São Paulo-born, London-based creative thinker and storyteller specialising in trends, branding and marketing. With over a decade of experience in the trends and beauty industry, she brings a unique mix of expertise to beauty trends, blending innovation with an understanding of consumer behaviour and market dynamics. Nina has worked in leading trend forecasters WGSN and beauty tech start-ups, honing her ability to anticipate and interpret emerging trends, helping brands navigate the ever-evolving landscape of beauty.
Join today to enjoy exclusive HUB membership benefits!
- ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE OF £350 – OVER £3,000+ VALUE
- Annual campaign of exclusive business building tools & opportunities designed to attract new clients, strengthen your business and incentivise your team
- Network with like-minded people – connect with salon owners and industry experts to exchange ideas and find solutions together in a vibrant community of like-minded individuals
- Influence the future of Kao by participating in salon owner think tanks and stylist workshops
- Receive ticket priority / discounts to the hottest hair events and access to exclusive HUB business networking events
- Be part of new product previews and sampling ahead of national launches
- To apply for membership, or find out more about upcoming HUB events and our business support tools, speak to your account manager or email theHUB@kao.com