Five Minutes With Nicola
Get the lowdown on what makes Nicola tick. Our Chester salon owner on sharing tips as a Saks Artist and educator across our network, being a stickler in-salon standards, walking the woofster, punk rock and more.
So Nicola, what’s the most rewarding part of educating as a Saks Artist? Seeing the confidence that extra knowledge gives learners.
How do you balance representing Saks Artists with salon life? You mean there’s balance? I believe everything is possible with organisation and planning in advance. Every task has its time.
Backstage is fast and high-pressure – what’s your trick when the energy is intense? Staying calm. I think I perform better under pressure; I love the buzz.
Can you remember your first backstage gig for Saks? I think it was Clothes Show Live in Birmingham back in the day. I got to meet Peter Andre.
What’s something social media doesn’t show about backstage or education work? The hours of prep that go into creating a look or an education session. Education looks easy, but for the content to be engaging and relevant, there’s loads of prep.
For someone wanting to go backstage, what should they focus on building, e.g. skill, speed, mindset, organisation? Skills. You need to be confident in so many areas, and if not, you need the confidence to just try.
Anything about Saks that people might not realise, but really sets it apart? You get out what you put in. The more invested you are, the more return you get – on every level.
Share that one thing that you love in salon. Seeing happy clients, it never gets old.
A fave thing to do outside the salon? Walk the woofsters. Fight with a teenager to get them out of bed. Only kidding! Spend time with my family.
Dream travel destination? Japan. Ideally, in spring to see all the blossoms.
A fun fact about you? I did a charity motorbike and sidecar ride for Great Ormond Street. 1500 miles in three days. Raised around £3,000. Then sold the story to Prima magazine!
How do you unwind after a busy day? This is not a thing. I just keep going.
Who or what inspires you most in any aspect of life, and why? Has to be my family. I get up every day and do what I can, so they have everything they need.
Go-to playlist to add the vibe at work? I’m a stickler for clients having the right experience, so it’s easy listening, pop music. Outside the salon, I love punk rock – Bowling for Soup – or country music.
One thing that always makes your day just better? Family time and my doggies.
Comfort food after a long day? A shish kebab. With salad, so I can pretend it’s healthy.
If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who and why? Guy Martin. His motorbike riding is insane, and he’s nuts!
Nicola. YOU ROCK!