Profile of a mobile hairdresser: kirsty fraser

I did two weeks work experience in a salon at the age of fifteen and was offered a Saturday job as a result. Having finished school I studied hairdressing for two years, gained a distinction and then went back to the salon.

After a few months at the salon I found I had an ever-growing demand for mobile hairdressing. This mobile client base, which began as friends and family, soon grew through word of mouth. After a discussion with my boss later in 2008 I decided to become self-employed and now, almost 4 years on. I run a successful freelance business with most of my work in mobile hairdressing.

I have kept up a couple of days in the salon but this is because I enjoy working as part of a team, it gives me a bit of variety in my working week and I like the new inspiration I gain from the salon.

In my freelance work have not really needed to advertise myself and have found that simply handing out price guides and business cards to my existing clients is by far the best idea. A happy client is more than happy to hand out my cards to up to 5 or even 10 of their friends and that is how my business has snow-balled over the last few years.  Nothing happens over night though, so expect it to take a while to build up regular clientele.

Many people felt I would not make a particularly profitable business when I set out in mobile hairdressing, but they were very wrong. I believe without becoming self-employed I would not have been able to achieve what I have today and last year, at only 20, I bought a house in Basingstoke with the money I saved from my business for the deposit.

My top tip for freelance hairdressing is organisation. Always be a little too organised with a bit more with you than you may actually need (even if you leave spare stock in the car). For instance, you have to almost predict that your client at the last minute may want a complete change from their usual colour so have that extra option with you, just in case. Also, make sure your diary is well organised with accurate predictions of treatment times (time is money after all!). I have even invested in a brilliant app 'My Chair' for my iPhone which is fantastic for organising my diary,prices and record information.

Kirsty Fraser, Basingstoke, Hampshire