25 Years of Motivation: Creating a Culture Where Stylists Shine

By Scott Sloan

After 25 years in this industry, one truth has never changed: no two people are motivated the same way. What lights up one hairdresser might leave another flat. What pushes one team member to grow might overwhelm someone else. And that’s exactly why, as salon leaders, it’s our responsibility to build multiple pathways for growth and creativity so no one gets left behind.

Motivation is all about finding the spark in each person and giving them the space and support to let it burn. At Sloans, that’s taken many forms over the years, but all of them are rooted in one idea: if you create opportunities worth showing up for, people show up at their best.

Over the years I have learnt through trial and error some of the most effective ways to motivate and drive the Sloans team to new heights which I run through here.

Supporting Our Team to Enter Awards

From editorial styling to client transformations, every team member does something incredibly well and I am dedicated to making sure that can be seen. That’s why I’ve always encouraged our team to enter both creative and business awards, not just for the win, but for the experience.

Awards are a huge motivator when done right. The process pushes you to look at your work critically, articulate your vision, and own your strengths. We support our stylists and colourists through the whole journey: brainstorming, concept, shooting, submitting.

Watching someone pour their heart into a collection, then have it recognised on a national, or even international, stage? That’s the kind of motivation that lasts. We have had 9 team members win multiple industry awards over the past 5 years alone, not to mention all the Finalists’ nominations.

These achievements build a culture where excellence is celebrated and personal ambition is supported. It tells your team that we see your potential, and we’ll back you to go after it. Plus, it builds money can’t-buy credibility for the salon with that high level of industry endorsement.

The Sloans Creative Team

One of the best initiatives we’ve implemented is our Sloans Creative Team which was created back in 2014. It’s a hand-picked group of our stylists who get to push boundaries, collaborate on editorial collections, and work on creative shoots and fashion campaigns. This team provides a chance to step out of the usual salon flow and dive into high-concept, high-impact projects.

We kicked this off when we had the opportunity to present at the Hair Expo Gen Next Gala with a show entitled ‘COME ON, VOGUE’. This gave us as early chance to fuse our love of high fashion with a hair showcase that acted as an ode to the runway and supermodel era. Being part of the Creative Team builds pride and ownership. It creates a sense of belonging to something exciting. But just as importantly, it becomes a mentoring space where experienced stylists work side by side with emerging talent. It’s an incredibly powerful way to bring a team together.

The energy that comes out of those sessions carries straight back into the salon. It fuels innovation, keeps trends alive on the floor, and deepens the team’s confidence in their own voice.

Fashion Weeks Around the World

There’s nothing quite like Fashion Week! The pace. The pressure. The artistry. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on shows across the globe, and one of my greatest joys is bringing some of my team along for the ride.

I remember bringing some of my team along with me when we worked on the CHANEL Spring/Summer 12 show and their eyes all lit up the moment they stepped backstage. The experience opened their perspective on what was possible in their careers- the same way it had done for me the first time I was backstage. After these experiences we all come back to the salon completely re-energised for client work. These experiences aren’t moments of transformation. Take that same feeling to Paris Fashion Week and even I am not immune to feeling the creative magic. When a team member sees their work contributing to the global fashion conversation, their self-belief goes through the roof. It’s motivating in a way no workshop or coaching session can replicate.

Education, Leadership & Mentorship

Not everyone wants to be backstage or on stage and that’s fine. Some stylists are born educators. Some are nurturers. Some find their fire in helping others grow. That’s why I have created dedicated internal pathways for leadership, education, and mentoring at Sloans. We encourage team members to step up as in-salon educators, lead training sessions, or mentor juniors. These roles build leadership skills, deepen technical understanding, and create a culture of learning that benefits everyone. One of the most motivating things you can do for a team member is say ‘I trust you to lead’. That trust builds loyalty, pride, and a powerful sense of purpose within your salon brand.

I’m passionate about developing the team’s educational skills, working closely with them so they can one day step onto the platform themselves if that’s a path they choose. Whether it’s to build their personal brand, represent Sloans nationally or internationally, or work with product companies as guest artists, the goal is to give them the confidence and expertise to excel. We also collaborate closely with our product partners to ensure we’re not only receiving world-class education, but also nurturing the next generation of educators who truly understand their products and innovations.

Mastering What You Stand For

Beyond the big-ticket opportunities like Fashion Weeks or Awards, true motivation is built in the day-to-day. It’s in how we talk to each other, how we celebrate wins, how we give back.

At Sloans, we focus on creating a culture where feedback is constructive, communication is open, and every team member feels seen. We’ve implemented regular oneon-one check-ins, team development days, and peer recognition systems. Small things that add up to a big sense of belonging. We celebrate our diversity and even created a complete recruitment campaign based around embracing and celebrating these differences.

We also actively create our own initiatives to give our team members who thrive more on client and community interaction the opportunity to shine beyond their day-today salon duties. We want to engage the wider community but also give them opportunities to give back to things that matter to them.

Activations like our unique ‘Lane Cove Night Out’ event to celebrate and champion local CBD businesses, or our work with Starlight Children’s Foundation creating Pop Up Salons to brighten the lives of children and their families in hospital. The best part of my job isn’t running a successful salon. It’s watching someone start as an apprentice, then become an award-winner, an educator, a leader, an inspiration. And knowing I had a small part in helping them believe in what they could be.

HOW YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN DREAM SALON CULTURE

• Recognise individual motivators: no two stylists are driven by the same thing so build flexible paths that cater to different ambitions and talents.

• Encourage industry recognition: support your team in entering awards, not just to win, but to grow through the process and build profiles.

• Build a ‘Creative Team’: develop a platform for stylists to collaborate on high-impact projects outside of client work to fuel inspiration.

• Open doors to iconic experiences: explore game-changing opportunities like Fashion Week and extra-curricular activities to build excitement and think outside the box.

• Build leadership from within: empower team members to take on roles in education, mentoring, and leadership.

• Foster a culture of motivation: make motivation part of your everyday salon culture through regular check-ins, open communication, recognition, and celebration of diversity.

• Champion community and connection: encourage your team to give back. Creating purpose beyond the salon walls strengthens culture and reinforces shared values.

So, if you’re a salon leader wondering how to keep your team motivated, start by asking what would make them feel proud. Then build it with them and watch them thrive. Create space for every stylist to shine and watch them become more motivated than ever.