Owner/Creative Director
Debbie Dickinson
Debbie, you're the proud owner of Studio 11 Hairdressing- please tell us about your experience and where it all began.
"With a total of 29 years experience, i trained at Lincoln College whilst working in a salon in Saxilby- i was lucky to have a very forward thinking boss, she always encouraged us to use the latest techniques. I then moved to a salon in Lincoln City Centre, working as a senior Stylist. I loved it there too, it was refreshing to work with a new team and continue learning from others.
I left that salon to start a family, i had two children and got married. When my children were of school age i decided to challenge myself and go back to work but in a banking environment, working for Santander. I stayed for 6 years starting as a cashier progressing to customer manager. Working in a business environment helped me gain the skills i needed to set up my own salon- i missed hairdressing and knew this was something i wanted to achieve.
Which brings me to today. I have owned the salon for 12 years, renovating 3 times and building the business from only one stylist to employing 9 people. We have a very close team, there have been weddings, babies and everything in between, we have a wonderful team."
What are you're greatest achievements in life?
"It has to be my family, my children are my greatest achievements. I have a son and a daughter and i have already been blessed with 2 grandchildren, its wonderful! Of course there's always room for more grandchildren in our family!"
Who or what inspires you now that you're a successful salon owner?
"My colleagues inspire me, especially the young, budding stylists that are eager to learn and produce the same finish as a senior member of staff. I also thoroughly enjoy our quarterly training with the colour expert from Neal and Wolf. Hairdressing never stands still and there is always something to learn. I'm extremely proud of my daughter, who i work alongside. I have watched her grow from being our apprentice and winning The Apprentice Of The Year into a very talented stylist who is now my partner in the business."
Owner/Creative Director
Lauren Dickinson
Lauren, what inspired you to start hairdressing?
"I have always had an interest in hair, however i think the true passion began from the early days i would eagerly rush home from school to watch my mum hairdressing at home. I used to love watching my mum work and the social side of it too, chatting and having a laugh with her regular clients, it was always so lovely and relaxed."
Tell us more about your hairdressing experience ?
"I have 12 years hairdressing experience, 3 years of this training, 7 years as a senior stylist and 2 years as a partner of the salon. In that time i have managed to squeeze a lot in. I won Apprentice Of The Year in my second year of training. Then at the age of 18, i was the youngest person ever to get into the TIGI inspirational youth team- where i had 8 months of intense training and lots of trips to London, preparing for a show on stage at salon international, where i showcased my work. The following year at 19 years old, i was chosen for the GHD style squad. This was a year long programme where i worked in London at countless events with the prestigious brand. I continued on to work at London fashion week, styling the models hair for the runway. This brings me to 2 years ago, after years of hard work and gaining as much experience as i could, i achieved my dream of becoming a partner in the salon with my mum. We have always made a fantastic team and it felt like the perfect time to invest and become a partnership, we have always been stronger together. I don't know many people who could work with their mum, yet i wouldn't change it for the world, i love it. We enjoy every single day of running a successful business together."
What are your greatest achievements?
"My greatest achievement has to be finally marrying my husband last year. After years of delays and cancellations due to the pandemic, we finally got the day of our dreams followed by the most incredible honeymoon, roadtripping around the UK for 4 weeks. We are on cloud 9 as we are now expecting our first child together. I can't wait to see what the future brings and to introduce him to my work family.
Creative Stylist
Kerry Pearce
How many years have you been hairdressing, Kerry ?
"I got into hairdressing by pure chance, and i struck gold because i absolutely love it ! I've been hairdressing for nearly 25 years now."
How did your career begin ?
"I started hairdressing straight after school, worked in Lincoln for a year and a half before moving to Belfast. The 10 years i was there i loved it ! I started to miss England and made the decision to move back. I started at Studio 11 Hairdressing within the first year back and have now been there nearly 8 years (time flies when you're having fun)."
Who or what inspires you ?
"My Nanny- she was strong, loving and had all the time in the world for me (and the 34 other grandchildren). She showed me, with strength, what you could achieve. If i could become half the lady she was, i will feel like a very lucky girl."
What are your life goals?
"My life goal is to travel to Borneo and see the Orangutans."
What would be your favourite thing about being a hairdresser?
I love stories about people lives. So for me my clients are the best bit about my job ! Over the years I've been hairdressing not one person has been the same
Creative Stylist
Charlie Cook
What made you embark on a career in hairdressing, Charlie ?
"I have always wanted to be a hairdresser from a young age, as i always had an interest in hair, makeup and fashion growing up. I got my first job at the age of 14 where i worked in a salon, sweeping floors, making drinks and learning all about how a salon environment worked, and I've been in a salon ever since."
Tell us more about your hairdressing experience.
"I have been working in salons for 15 years now. 12 years of which i have been a fully qualified senior stylist, then 3 years of training. I was a hairdressing apprentice when i first started, where i learnt all my basic skills and over the years i have progressed to a senior stylist. I now have advanced skills and knowledge from the many seminars and practical courses i have attended,"
Tell us a bit about yourself and what are your life goals ?
"I love spending time with my family and friends, i have recently got married and me and my husband went away on our honeymoon to Rome and Venice, we absolutely love to travel and we had a fabulous time.
My goal is to go through life making the most of every moment and to be happy. "
Creative Stylist
Lauren Cook
What hairdressing experience do you have and why hairdressing, Lauren?
"Being a hairdresser is something i wanted to do from being a young girl, me and my friends used to always play hairdressers at any opportunity. I started hairdressing as an apprentice aged 16 in a town salon. I now have 13 years experience and made the move from the high street to Studio 11. The surroundings are beautiful to work in and despite being a village salon, we have clients of all ages and backgrounds which is fantastic as a hairdresser to constantly be creative."
What is your best achievement ?
"I have a gorgeous baby girl, i feel so lucky. Any spare time i have i spend with her. I love to take her on days out as a family. I also have some friends who have started a family at a similar time, so we all have little ones. Its lovely as we all meet up for a catch up and the kids love to play together too. "
What are your life goals ?
"Without a doubt, my goal in life is to be the best mummy i can be to my little girl. To always be able to provide for her and be there no matter what. As long as she's happy then i will be.
I really enjoy my job and no day is ever the same. I look forward to many more days and laughs in the salon with my lovely colleagues."
Creative Stylist
Becky Paffett
Becky, tell us a bit about your hairdressing experience and what made you want to become a hairdresser.
"I have been in the salon environment for 7 years now. I have worked at Studio 11 for the entire 7 years. The first 3 years were working towards my Level 3, which i completed June 2018. I am now thrilled to say i am a fully qualified, experienced hairdresser, running my own busy column in the salon as a Creative stylist. I wanted to become a hairdresser from being 7 years old so I'm so excited to have reached my goal."
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time ?
"I like to go to the gym on my days off and keep fit. I also enjoy catching up with friends and going out for cocktails and family whenever i get a moment. ."
What do you like most about your job ?
I really love to make people feel great about themselves. I'm also a sponge, i soak up all the information and training that i'm lucky enough to have from my colleagues. I regularly have advanced colour training sessions and hair up training. If there is anything i lack confidence in, i can always approach the girls and they will talk me through it and do demos for me to help me learn.
Stylist
Kirsty Breese
Kirsty, how and why did you want to become a hairdresser?
Hairdressing was never something I had considered doing until, just by chance, whilst I was doing my A levels at school I got a Saturday job working in a salon. I knew straight away that it was what I wanted to do as my career, I absolutely loved it! I did my level 2 straight away, which unfortunately got delayed by covid, which meant it took an extra year to get my qualification. I haven't let that stop me though as i am currently working towards my advanced level 3 qualification whilst i am working full time in the salon.
What is the biggest achievement in your life so far?
It has to be moving into my own home last year, it made me grow up a lot and has taught me a lot about balancing life.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like to spend time with family and friends, I feel very lucky to have so many amazing people in my life to make great memories with. I also enjoy going on a daily walk round the nature reserve close to my home. My life goal is to travel to as many countries as I can to experience different cultures, see beautiful places and try lots of foods (I’m a huge foodie)!
What do you like most about your job?
My favourite part of my job is working with people. You never have 2 days the same, and it means a lot when clients choose to share the ups and downs of their life with you. It’s amazing how strangers can become friends in such a short space of time.
Stylist
Jess Miles
What is your experience in hairdressing and what made you want to become a hairdresser?
I have worked in a salon since I was 13 and been training for 4 years. I am currently working towards finishing my level 3 this year. I was able to complete my apprenticeship after leaving school and i am now furthering my education by doing an advanced level 3 qualification whilst working full time at studio 11. I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to embark upon, so when i found a Saturday job in a salon I felt so fortunate to have finally found something I was passionate about and wanted to continue with.
Jess, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Outside of work, I love to spend time with my friends, family and boyfriend. I love music, travelling and going out making new memories. My life goals are to continue to be happy and content in and out of work.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I see myself being hugely confident in my knowledge as a hairdresser and I hope to have a secure and loyal clientele in which I can create some of my best work.
Trainee
Molly Holroyd
Molly, when did you start hairdressing and what made you choose hairdressing?
I started hairdressing a year ago as I just left school, I have wanted to become a hairdresser from when I was younger as I’ve always had an interest in doing hair, so i am very excited to be started my career.
What is your biggest achievement in life ?
My biggest achievement in life so far is getting a job in hairdressing and finally getting to start on the career path I want. I worked in my dad's fish and chip shop from a young age which was fantastic experience and preparation for my future.
I love my job and the thing I enjoy most is spending time with all my work colleagues. I particularly enjoy when I have trained a technique and i have the opportunity to put it into practise on a client.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now ?
I see myself fully qualified with my level 2 diploma and i will have achieved my advanced level 3 diploma. I hope to still be enjoying working at Studio 11 as much as I do now and running a busy column with my own clients.
