@Sandy Chong brings 39 years experience as a salon owner to her current role as CEO at @The Australian Hairdressing Council. She's the current @cosboa #smallbusinesschampion and has multiple other board and advisory roles that involve advocacy and improving effectiveness for industry bodies.
Sandy sold her own salon during 2023 to focus on her CEO role. In that role she is actively involved in advocating for small businesses and shaping the future of the industry. Her extensive background as a business owner gives her valuable insights to guide those aspiring to venture into entrepreneurship and business ownership after completing their trade apprenticeships.
In our discussion we talk about;
- the crucial role industry bodies play in supporting and advocating for small businesses
- the importance of education and training in helping #apprentices become skilled professionals, and then business owners
- how vital apprenticeships are for the growth and sustainability of industries
- why small businesses, like hairdressing salons, have such a significant impact on the community and contribute to people's self-esteem and mental wellness
- nurturing and developing homegrown talent
- navigating the impact of Government Regulations on hairdressers
- addressing #skillshortages and Workforce Sustainability in trades
- what she learnt running a salon with up to 45 staff (all but 1 apprenticed by Sandy!) over 39 years
- shedding light on the unique challenges and opportunities within the hairdressing industry
- inspiring entrepreneurs in the trades industry
I think hairdressers often give back and I think that's one thing that really stands out for me, is they have really incredible business structures. They're incredibly generous to their staff, but it's the community generosity. - Sandy Chong
Visit the Australian Hairdressing Council website at www.ahc.org.au to learn more about the organization and its initiatives.
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:12 - Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
Michael Ker introduces the Small Business Banter podcast and its relevance to business owners, especially those looking to sell or buy a new business. He emphasizes the stress, emotions, and challenges involved in these processes.
00:01:21 - Sandy Chong's Background and Role
Sandy Chong shares her extensive background as the CEO of the Australian Hairdressers Council and her experience as a past salon owner for 39 years. She highlights the importance of developing relationships with clients and the unique challenges of the hairdressing industry.
00:07:20 - Career Opportunities in Hairdressing
Discussion on the potential career opportunities in the hairdressing industry, including the potential for financial success, international work, and diverse roles beyond salon ownership. Emphasis on the importance of education and training for career growth.
00:09:50 - Apprenticeship and Business Ownership
Sandy Chong reflects on her commitment to apprenticing her staff and the importance of finding the right buyer for her salon. She discusses the need for a pathway to guide talented practitioners toward business ownership and the challenges of running a business.
00:14:59 - Industry Support and Sustainability
Sandy Chong emphasizes the role of industry associations in educating and supporting business owners, particularly in navigating complex issues such as industrial relations and HR. The importance of belonging to an association for access to industry-specific information and support is highlighted.
00:16:25 - Migration Review and Industry Concerns
Sandy discusses the release of the migration review and expresses concern for the hairdressing industry's exclusion due to high sponsorship costs. She highlights the industry's need for sustainability and lower tismet.
00:17:37 - Challenges and Solutions for the Industry
Sandy addresses the skill shortage in the predominantly female hairdressing industry and emphasizes the importance of investing in apprenticeships and adapting to the changing preferences of younger workers. She also mentions the potential benefits of new jobs and skills councils.
00:19:38 - Encouraging School-Based Apprenticeships
Sandy discusses the potential of school-based apprenticeship programs and the benefits of group training organizations for higher completion rates. She also highlights the challenges faced by single operator salons and the financial barriers for young people entering the industry.
00:21:41 - Financial Management and Small Business Challenges
The conversation shifts to the financial challenges faced by small business owners, particularly in managing cash flow, profit and loss, and the complexities of industrial relations. Sandy emphasizes the need for education and support in understanding basic finances and business value.
00:32:01 - The Value of Small Businesses in Communities
Sandy and the host highlight the vital role of small businesses, including hairdressing, in supporting community well-being and mental health. They emphasize the personal and social aspects of the hairdressing experience, going beyond just a haircut.
00:33:05 - Passion for Small Business and Cosboa Small Business Champion Award
Sandy Chong discusses her deep passion for small business and receiving the Cosboa Small Business Champion Award in April. She highlights her role as an ambassador and her commitment to lobbying and advocacy work for small businesses.
00:35:36 - Driving Force behind Small Business Ownership
Sandy Chong shares her motivation for becoming a small business owner, emphasizing the inclusivity and culture of the hairdressing industry. She also discusses her desire to be a successful business person and contribute to the industry through education and training.
00:37:01 - The Mindset of Small Business Owners
The conversation delves into the mindset of small business owners, highlighting their humble beginnings, lack of strategic planning, and the drive to seize opportunities. The discussion also touches on the purpose, financial benefits, and challenges of small business ownership.
00:40:38 - Small Business Heroes and Inspirational Figures
Sandy Chong mentions several inspirational figures in the hairdressing industry, recognizing their ethical standards, charitable work, and community generosity. She emphasizes the impact of these individuals on the industry and their ability to inspire the next generation of small business owners.
00:43:22 - Reaching Out to Sandy Chong
Sandy Chong provides information on how to reach out to her as the CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council and the current small business champion. She encourages individuals to visit the council's website and emphasizes her accessibility for inquiries and support.
Thanks for listening. Visit the Owner To Owner Podcast website to subscribe, listen back, or check out any resources or information mentioned on the show.
Search @ownertoownerpodcast on your favourite podcast player to subscribe and listen to the episodes.
Reach out to Michael Kerr via the website if you need personal assistance or advice for your small business.
michael.kerr@kerrcapital.com.au
www.ownertoownerpodcast.com.au
[00:00:00] Hi, it's Michael Kerr here presenting Small Business Bantar.
[00:00:12] Welcome to the Small Business Bantar Podcast.
[00:00:14] I'm Michael Kerr, your host, and I'm also the founder of Kerr Capital, where I work
[00:00:18] day to day with business owners.
[00:00:21] The Small Business Bantar Podcast is edition number 136. Sandy Chong joins me today. Big welcome, Sandy. Thank you for having me. Sandy is, there's a few things I want to read out about, Sandy,
[00:01:41] but she's the current CEO of the Australian Hair Dresses Council. She's been a past director business owner or a business owner up until very recently, but you're in an executive role with an industry association. And I want to talk about your take on the future of small business, what industry bodies can do about it, your personal experience as an owner. And critically, the pathway from
[00:03:03] being an employee to being an owner, because there had a really big career when it comes to my business and me personally, especially in the industry. I've been, I guess, a keynote speaker and presenter nationally as well as internationally where I've developed workshops on business. And most of those messages there were all about engaging staff and how to keep staff.
[00:04:23] I think probably one thing that was unique with my business, except for one girl who And the OHC was first developed because we really didn't have voice to the government, we really didn't have a voice that represented us. And being hairdressing, we're sort of part of the arts, if you were going to explain what part of the trades do we represent and we go under the arts. And sometimes the arts or creative industries can get a bit overlooked by the government
[00:05:41] or dismissed by the government or even seen Their marriages their you know the grandchildren. So we develop these relationships That's one thing that I certainly loved about my three
[00:07:01] But the thing is I can still walk in the front door say hi to everyone sit down in my office like now
[00:08:05] their own education training, you know what it's picked or you know others to be responsible for that on their own. But I think if you really take on that accountability then there's
[00:08:10] huge opportunities there. Now bear in mind you can be a cellan owner in hairdressing. Yes
[00:08:14] you could work with someone and to earn very good money, if you're a productive hairdresser.
[00:08:18] That means you've got a really good clientele but also too you know I've worked all around
[00:08:22] the world and when I lived in Canada I'd cut hair interest, contact me, Michael Kerr, or book one of the three 45-minute diagnostic calls. Now, let's head back to the podcast. So you took on the role of apprenticing a lot of your staff.
[00:09:40] I think just about everybody except someone that came from the UK,
[00:09:44] which is an extraordinary commitment.
[00:09:46] Is it a three-year apprenticeship? and no one really suited, but last year, really good friend of mine, one of my best friends in fact, passed away unexpectedly. He was the CEO of Turning Guys. So Turning Guys, a global company and in Australia, Dennis Langford was the CEO of the Australian, he was the Australian fan, and I saw he passed away and, you know,
[00:11:02] that was really devastating for me,
[00:11:04] but I kept in contact with his wife every week
[00:11:07] and just to check in on how she was. they'll sell or not, is the business going to a good home? That's right. And I've turned people down before because I didn't like them. I knew that they did not have my staff's interests at heart. And I've been offered a lot more money, but in the end, it was my... Who's been a aircraft to my team and turning guy
[00:12:21] in our peer education and training or bike.
[00:12:23] So, you know, it was...
[00:12:26] And it was sort of like, I the AHC actually was developed was we created accreditation processes that recognize ethical business practices. And a whole part of that is going through a checklist, but we supply a lot of resources and support.
[00:13:41] When it comes to our trade and many others,
[00:13:44] we may have some excellent hairdressers
[00:13:46] and they're also very good on Instagram. and make sure that they do have HR advice or that type of thing. I would suggest to anyone in business to make sure that you belong to an association because it's the information that you can receive from that association that is specifically representing your industry. I think that's important. Yeah, it's a really lonely place being a niner out there.
[00:15:04] You could be in the shopping centre amongst hundreds industry is at, what it needs to do as an industry to sustain it so people can be a short of a
[00:16:22] quality haircut for the next. what happens is we have a school shortage because they have babies and stay at home and they may come back but if they do it's part-time so you know we become an under-productive industry we always have that school shortage. I think investing in apprenticeships is important and growing your own. It is an investment of time, money and your energy and do they all stay and the answer is no. You know
[00:17:43] time's very different to 10 years ago and do a course and switch between trades. It says that they're
[00:19:04] interested in acquiring some skills and maybe they're going quite know how that works. As you said, it can be a disruption when you've been worrying about all the of education that can be done and good on you. Another industry body is for doing that, just to make owners more aware of the basic finances of a business. Cash in is not what you, to necessary take out.
[00:21:44] We all want to have cash flow is a great that, then we'd get it straight away. Yeah, that's right. And I think there's some fantastic accountants doing some great work, explaining to owners what the bottom line is and what you should do
[00:23:02] to make it better in value for a buyer. So yeah, that's education. With your role, you, Cosboa, you had six years and that's one of the
[00:24:21] premier small business advocacy organizations and is that a role that you let go only just recently?
[00:25:25] So being able to attend, I'm on a lot of committees, so I should say that I may not be on the board but on their education training, the VET committee.
[00:25:29] I'm on a whole heap of other committees, the shadow economy advisory forum, the ACCC committee
[00:25:36] on small business, green washing.
[00:25:39] I don't know, I'm on a whole lot of different committees that come under Cospo, the migration
[00:25:44] committee, that come under Cospo anyway, which is the backbone. And we're so dominated by a small number of big companies. And we can argue about all the value contributed and the dollars of, but there's a lot of small businesses and a lot of employees employed by small business.
[00:27:00] The one sort of point that keeps making me feel a little But that's the one thing. And I think a lot of personal services type businesses, hairdressing, barbering, would come under that. So they need to get more of a credibility, more focus. Yeah, we do have a single operator. And that also goes through the checklist.
[00:28:22] We have things available for that 70% many operators, who are single operators in our industry. The flexibility is one. And the flexibility is one. And it's really difficult with the government and with industrial relations. That doesn't permit the flexibility that staff demand and want. And if you're not going to give it to me,
[00:29:40] I'll go out on my own.
[00:29:41] That's one.
[00:29:42] Having families, again, the flexibility.
[00:29:44] But the sound owners and industrial relations
[00:29:47] have made it really hard to buy a business. They can't afford to live in houses as well. Maybe it's a choice between a house and a business.
[00:31:01] But that's compressing the incentive. I think the consumers the customers clients look forward to that debrief as you know as well as a haircut and yeah it's a vital it's a vital role and socializing and having someone that you know that you're so up close and
[00:32:24] personal with you know two three hours away getting a haircut yeah so I agree cause Boa Small Business Champion Award. So is that, can you just tell us a little bit about what that involved? Is it, do you be like an ambassador for the year? Is that and go out and talk about small business in that role? Yeah, I think it's to do with your lobbying
[00:33:40] and the advocacy work that you do.
[00:33:43] And Bruce Wilson is the small business
[00:33:46] and family enterprise on Richmond. when it comes to any aspect, any part of our industry, I guess I sort of know. And if I don't know, I'll go and source what I do need to know. But I think I was recognised with that award just quite simply because my face is always in their face. But mind you, Cosmo has been really generous in making sure I'm included in a lot it was just exciting to me. But as far as opening my own cell I worked for someone who wasn't a good business person and I wanted themselves mainly as a business owner. Yeah, it's always deeply fascinating and a lot of cases are doing a Sunday and a Monday and that's pretty excited to get two days off in a row. But yeah, look, small business people, they do work hard and they often don't have a strategy in place and I was one of them. I had no plans except to open those doors. And I guess from an ad
[00:39:01] seat perspective, we try and capture those new business people so that we can And if things go wrong, then come to us and let us know that time. Yeah, excellent. Sandy, I was going to ask just to close out for back. And you know, like I think that that's one thing that really stands out for me is they have really incredible business structures thated in small businesses is really enlightening and enjoyable. So thank you. Thank you for having me. in you getting the most out of your small business ownership. To subscribe or listen back or to check out any of the resources or information we talked about today, head over to the website smallbusinessbantar.com.au or if you want, search
[00:44:25] up Small Business Bantar on your favorite podcast player.
