To the rescue
Queensland College of Hairdressing owner Dee Murphy trains her hairdressers in more than just cut and colour.
How did your hairdressing career unfold?
I started in Dublin and trained with the biggest hair icon at the time and still today, Peter Mark. I did my apprenticeship there and worked for them for another few years. I competed in competitions and won lots of awards in house. Then I moved on to a small salon and got the chance to participate in the European L’Oreal Trophy competition where I finished second. This was the most exciting, fascinating experience I could ever imagine. There were more than 500 competitors. I felt being second was better than winning. Nothing I could ever do could match that feeling. I moved to Australia some 20 years ago, stayed home with my three children until they went to school then gradually stepped back into the industry. I worked in Park Rd in Brisbane and became a stylist to TV celebrities, professionals and corporate companies. A few years later I opened my own salon and that was when my clients planted the seed about training and education.
How did you come to open ResQue Hair?
After arriving on the Coast more than two years ago I decided to have a point of difference — to rescue people’s hair from the sun, surf and the chemical products used to get that perfect look. Living on the Coast is so perfect but it does have its drawbacks. Slip, slop, slap is heavily advertised to protect our skin but our hair is forgotten about and in some cases used as protection against the sun on our necks and head. I was trying to come across as “lifesavers for hair”, but like our real lifesavers on the beach, only called on in an emergency.
What is a typical day like?
Hectic. Six in the morning is my time for me; walking, jogging, yoga and meditation. Then work from 8.30am-5.30pm, home, swim, spa and work on college administration.
What inspired you to open the Queensland College of Hairdressing on the Coast? The constant stream of applications from young people looking for hairdressing apprenticeships. Also, the need for qualified hairdressers. I believe it is really important hairdressers have the knowledge and skills to perform any task within the industry, or at least have the chance to upgrade them.
One of your curriculum strands is life skills. What prompted you to include them? Teaching hairdressing has been a real experience; seeing the challenges, the lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, and the major behavioral problems. Seeing young people suffering from depression, frustration and anger is just so sad. I introduced life skills into our training because I believe it gives them a sense of worth, knowing how to deal with situations, teaching them etiquette (general social and work), personal health/hygiene/fitness, self awareness, meditation/yoga, correct posture for the prevention of body injury and also skills such as business coaching.
What are your personal and professional goals for the next five years? My personal goal will be to further develop and grow within myself, learn from experiences and strive to help those who want to help themselves. Also to spend quality time with my children and take life a little slower. My professional goal is to raise the profile of our hairdressing industry, giving it the recognition and the status it so deserves.
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FAST FACTS
Name Dee Murphy
Role Owner/operator ResQue Hair and Body; owner/director of the Queensland College of Hairdressing
Qualifications diploma of secretarial studies; certificates III in hairdressing, business management; IV in workplace training and assessment
No. 1 tip for success Embrace each day with excitement and enthusiasm
Story: weekender Issue 630, June 10th 2010
Queensland College of Hairdressing owner Dee Murphy trains her hairdressers in more than just cut and colour.
How did your hairdressing career unfold?
I started in Dublin and trained with the biggest hair icon at the time and still today, Peter Mark. I did my apprenticeship there and worked for them for another few years. I competed in competitions and won lots of awards in house. Then I moved on to a small salon and got the chance to participate in the European L’Oreal Trophy competition where I finished second. This was the most exciting, fascinating experience I could ever imagine. There were more than 500 competitors. I felt being second was better than winning. Nothing I could ever do could match that feeling. I moved to Australia some 20 years ago, stayed home with my three children until they went to school then gradually stepped back into the industry. I worked in Park Rd in Brisbane and became a stylist to TV celebrities, professionals and corporate companies. A few years later I opened my own salon and that was when my clients planted the seed about training and education.
How did you come to open ResQue Hair?
After arriving on the Coast more than two years ago I decided to have a point of difference — to rescue people’s hair from the sun, surf and the chemical products used to get that perfect look. Living on the Coast is so perfect but it does have its drawbacks. Slip, slop, slap is heavily advertised to protect our skin but our hair is forgotten about and in some cases used as protection against the sun on our necks and head. I was trying to come across as “lifesavers for hair”, but like our real lifesavers on the beach, only called on in an emergency.
What is a typical day like?
Hectic. Six in the morning is my time for me; walking, jogging, yoga and meditation. Then work from 8.30am-5.30pm, home, swim, spa and work on college administration.
What inspired you to open the Queensland College of Hairdressing on the Coast? The constant stream of applications from young people looking for hairdressing apprenticeships. Also, the need for qualified hairdressers. I believe it is really important hairdressers have the knowledge and skills to perform any task within the industry, or at least have the chance to upgrade them.
One of your curriculum strands is life skills. What prompted you to include them? Teaching hairdressing has been a real experience; seeing the challenges, the lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, and the major behavioral problems. Seeing young people suffering from depression, frustration and anger is just so sad. I introduced life skills into our training because I believe it gives them a sense of worth, knowing how to deal with situations, teaching them etiquette (general social and work), personal health/hygiene/fitness, self awareness, meditation/yoga, correct posture for the prevention of body injury and also skills such as business coaching.
What are your personal and professional goals for the next five years? My personal goal will be to further develop and grow within myself, learn from experiences and strive to help those who want to help themselves. Also to spend quality time with my children and take life a little slower. My professional goal is to raise the profile of our hairdressing industry, giving it the recognition and the status it so deserves.
--------------------------------------------------
FAST FACTS
Name Dee Murphy
Role Owner/operator ResQue Hair and Body; owner/director of the Queensland College of Hairdressing
Qualifications diploma of secretarial studies; certificates III in hairdressing, business management; IV in workplace training and assessment
No. 1 tip for success Embrace each day with excitement and enthusiasm
Story: weekender Issue 630, June 10th 2010
