Australian Hairdressing Council

Big decisions. Tough days. You’re not alone. 💬

Running a salon or barbershop is better when you have a community behind you.

With an AHC membership, you get access to our private member forum, connecting you with hundreds of salon and barber owners across the industry, 24/7.

Ask questions, share experiences, swap ideas, get advice and learn from people who understand the business because they’re in it too.

Join the AHC and be part of a community that’s here when you need it. 🤝

BY POPULAR DEMAND. 🔥

The Australian Hairdressing Council presents: REAL CONVERSATIONS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - A six-week live online leadership intensive with Mitch Wallis

You were trained to master the craft. But nobody trained you for the difficult conversation, the team conflict, the performance issue or the moments when everyone looks to you for answers.

Real Conversations is about changing that.

Across six online sessions, Mitch will build practical skills to help you:

→ Connect and communicate with confidence
→ Handle hard conversations
→ Strengthen retention, performance and culture
→ Support your people without trying to fix everything
→ Set boundaries and lead without burning out

INCLUDED:

✨ 6 live online sessions + optional Q&A
✨ Replays of every session
✨ Real Conversations book, workbook + pocket guide
✨ Diagnostic + optional capability certificate
✨ 12 months of Real Conversations Academy

EXCLUSIVE TO AHC MEMBERS

⏳ EARLY BIRD $497 + GST (Ends 11:59pm, 30 September) — then $597 + GST.

🗓️ Dates ranging from: October 12th - November 23rd

One time only. Limited seats available! Book now: https://ahc.realconversations.info

Not an AHC member? Join today to access the series.

R U OK? Day reminds us that connection starts with a conversation. 💬

But asking the question is only the beginning.

In an industry built on caring for others, it’s easy to overlook the people behind the chair, across the salon or beside us every day. Starting the conversation matters, but so does what happens next.

💛 Listen to understand. Being heard can matter more than having the perfect solution.

💛 Make space for honesty. Follow up, check in again and create an environment where people feel safe to speak openly.

💛 Recognise the signs. Changes in behaviour, withdrawal, stress or simply seeming “not themselves” can be a reason to check in.

💛 Build the skills to respond. Knowing how to listen, respond and follow up is a skill that can be developed.

At the AHC, we believe stronger workplaces mean looking beyond the question and focusing on what happens after it’s asked.

We see you. We hear you. We’ve done something about it.

COMING SUNDAY… Stay tuned for the announcement!

R U OK?

THE FINALISTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED! 🏆

Congratulations to all of the incredible finalists in the 13th Annual ANZ Hair Industry Awards 2026 – Business, presented by Mocha Hair 👏🙌

With more than 300 entries from across Australia and New Zealand, being named a finalist is an incredible achievement and recognition of the businesses making their mark across our industry.

We’re particularly proud to see so many AHC members among this year’s finalists — there are simply too many to name! It’s fantastic to see our members being recognised for the work they’re doing not only behind the chair, but in building strong, successful and sustainable businesses.

When our industry businesses thrive, our industry thrives, and we’re proud to support members who continue to invest in their businesses, their teams and the future of hairdressing.

Congratulations to every finalist on this well-deserved recognition. See you in Brisbane on Sunday 18 October at the gala, where this year’s winners will be announced.

Good luck! ❤️

Welcome to our AHC member spotlight... Beyond the Chair.

Who: Mariana Ibrahim
Where: House of Metamorphisis | Byron Bay, NSW

🌟 What inspired you to pursue a career in the hair industry?
It was in the family. I am a third generation hairdresser and simply there was no other vocation for me to follow other than hair. It was in my blood. 🫂
🌟 One piece of advice for someone starting out in hairdressing?
Make sure that you understand the interpersonal aspects of our vocation alongside learning to become an artist in the industry. 💯
🌟 What’s your go-to song or playlist that gets you in the zone while working in the salon?
I love listening to all types of music depending on my mood and why I need it for. I see music as a medium to inspire, uplift, contemplate and reflect about my day, and my life. 🎶
🌟 Fun fact people might not know?
I love to dance. 🕺🏾
🌟 Top tip to stay motivated during busy or tough times?
Love what you do, with all your heart and soul. Never compromise your wellbeing for the wellbeing of another. Your health is the priority. Exercise everyday. Eat healthy unprocessed foods, and go to bed early. 🍀
🌟 If you could style any celebrity’s hair for a day, who would it be and why?
Sophia Lauren. Because her beauty is timeless and really it wouldn’t matter what you did to her, she would always look graceful. 💋
🌟 What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
The Evolve Curriculum: I wish I studied and learnt more about the soft skills of the industry to support myself and my clients in an ethical and responsible way. 🤔
🌟 What key lesson have you learnt that transformed your business or mindset?
Becoming a therapist. Knowing that 99% of what I do with people is build relationships. Knowing how to conduct ethical and boundary filled conversations with my clients has seen my work soar and also seen people come into an empowered state with owning their reflections. 🤗
🌟 What do you love about being part of AHC?
Community. Being a part of likeminded people that love supporting and transforming people for a living. 👏

❤️

🎤 Drum roll please… our September Monthly Mentor is Luke Reynolds!

We’re excited to announce that Luke Reynolds of Luke Reynolds Hairdressing, Brisbane will be joining our AHC members for September’s Monthly Mentor session – and it’s set to be a good one!

Luke will be getting real about the challenges of running a salon and sharing practical lessons from his own journey, including:

✂️ Getting out of the chair – how Luke stepped back from being the main revenue driver while doubling the business
👥 Team & retention – hiring, training and keeping great people in a small salon
💰 Pricing with confidence – reviewing your prices and having those conversations with long-term clients
🔥 Real salon challenges – an interactive session where owners can share problems, ideas and solutions with each other

Our Monthly Mentor sessions are designed to give AHC members practical advice, fresh thinking and access to experienced industry leaders – every month.

And the best part? They’re FREE as part of AHC Salon Select & Barber Select membership. 🙌

📅 Monday 21 September
⏰ 1pm AEST
📍 Online

Members – keep an eye on your emails and the AHC Member Facebook Group for your registration link.

Not an AHC member yet? This is just one of the many valuable opportunities included in membership. 👀

Learn more at:
https://theahc.org.au/membership/

With World Mental Health Awareness Day approaching, we’re shining a light on mental wellbeing across the hairdressing and barbering industry. 💛

Long hours, busy environments, client expectations and the emotional demands of the job can all take a toll, contributing to stress and burnout.

That’s why having the right support in place matters. Through Before Blue, AHC Salon Select and Barber Select members can provide employees with access to confidential mental health and wellbeing support — giving salon owners another practical way to
look after the people behind their business. Eight sessions are available for any team member who needs them, free and included in your membership.

Let’s recognise the signs, start the conversation and remind our teams that they don’t have to navigate it alone. 🫶

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Cindy! 🎉

This month, we’re celebrating a very special AHC milestone - 10 years of Cindy King!

Since joining the Australian Hairdressing Council in 2016 (and first connecting with the AHC as a consultant in 2015), Cindy has been an incredible part of our team and a familiar, trusted face to so many of our members.

From member support and onboarding to accreditation, engagement, education and events, Cindy has worn many hats over the years, always with the same genuine passion for supporting our members and the hairdressing industry.

Reflecting on her decade with the AHC, Cindy says:
💬 “What has remained constant throughout my time with the AHC is my passion for our members and for the industry we represent. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built, the people I’ve been able to support, and the contribution I’ve been able to make along the way.”

With more than 40 years of experience in hair and beauty herself, Cindy brings an incredible depth of industry knowledge, experience and, most importantly, care to everything she does.

Congratulations on 10 years, Cindy! ❤️
Thank you for everything you do for our members, our team and our industry. We’re so lucky to have you!

Here’s to the next chapter! 🥂