Why an inclusive salon is good for the world, and good for your business

Diversity is the now and future. Inclusivity Training for salons and hairdressers goes far deeper than just pricing and removing men's and ladies' hair cuts off your service menu. The hair and beauty industry has always been considered a safer space for people within the LGBTQI community, but we still have a long way to go with education, acceptance, and understanding of how to make sure as an industry that works so closely with our community and clients that we continue forward momentum.

This podcast will help you with actionable steps you can take right now to make all folks welcome in your salon. 

Show notes for podcast episode 100

LET’S MEET OUR GUEST – Mary Haddock-Staniland

Mary Haddock-Staniland is about sparking positive change, in the corporate world as a highly regarded thought leader and in social spheres as a committed advocate. After a varied career spanning 20 years Mary was appointed, in 2020, as New Zealand's first Chief People & Inclusion Officer, now the role is known as Senior Vice President of Culture & Inclusion for global business management software company, Timely Limited. 

She has a track record of driving key operational policy and achieving tangible outcomes that benefit people first, and their workplaces second. Make no mistake, the two are linked – with one, comes the other. In addition to her role at Timely, Mary is an accomplished and highly sought-after keynote speaker, panellist and MC who brings the right balance of energy and insight to events of all sizes. She also holds a range of advisory and governance roles, and in 2017 was appointed an ambassador for a charitable trust, Lifeline New Zealand. Mary’s role at Timely as Global Senior Vice President of DEIB  (diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging) is a journey and inclusion for all minority groups and working towards bettering our industry. 

Mary and Kristina advocate important changes for inclusivity

Mary is passionate about bringing visibility to trans people and all members of the LGBTQI+ community. She is doing this work for people that need doors to be opened and advocate for trans awareness. Her story is her journey and she does not claim to know it all. She is here to make a change.

I am an advocate for the Dresscode Project Alliance, I am their appointed as the Australian Change Maker, and throughout my education, I share actionable steps for salons to take for inclusivity for LGBTQI+ clients with easy language changes, practical strategies for gender-free hair service menus and pricing and other messaging to create gender-affirming salon spaces.

Mary and I initially connected within a Timely business software team preparing to chat all things inclusivity for Sydney’s Hair Festival, but alas, covid related lockdowns pushed that back a year. We are thrilled to be finally working together on a few educational projects, including this podcast, plus a very exciting launch event in Sydney this month to share Timely’s new pronouns feature.

And to celebrate,

I love Timely and use the program to manage all my salon bookings & highly recommend them as the best booking software for salons. The link for the free trial is shared below this blog.

5 EASY WAYS TO MAKE ALL FOLKS FEEL WELCOME IN YOUR SALON:

• Use an inclusive price menu – you can charge by length, time or technique
• Have your pronouns visible – you can list these on your social media and website & you can get creative by wearing pins and name tags if you like with pronouns listed
• Display your decals in easily visible places if you are a Dresscode Project member or aligned with an organization such as ACON in Australia or similar LGBTQI+ organizations
• Use inclusive language – Using terms that are genderless during a client's service can help to minimise the possibility of micro aggressions happening or adding to any gender dysphoria
• Names and pronouns – asking for a client's pronouns and name during their visit and booking process to help create positive and gender-affirming services for everyone

Listen to learn more about the 100th episode of the Colour Kristina Talks podcast to find out why an inclusive salon is good for the world, and good for your business.