‘Raising the bar for our industry is a must’

A salon owner has decided to give back to the community by teaching other young women all about hair.

Kidist ‘Pinky’ Emery is the owner of Salon Pink on Parliament Street. She decided to start an apprenticeship programme and run her business as a training salon.

The programme runs for two-years and has been designed for apprentices to be trained at an international level.

It combines on and off the job training with work-based qualifications and classes at Bermuda College.

Emery said the idea came about when she decided she wanted to learn how to teach.

“I have always loved the thought of giving back to my community as I have been very blessed in life and felt the need to pass on my priceless fortunes.

“From that day on my dream was to always come home eventually and open a training salon and train young Bermudians to become world renowned stylists.

“With that said, I did feel the need to work abroad first and take in all I can prior to returning home.

“I knew that opening a training salon wasn’t going to be easy because hairdressing is not just about doing hair it’s about giving the client the full package.

“I also knew Bermuda’s community wasn’t receptive to having apprentice’s work on their hair, however I was up for the challenge.”

Salon Pink has had one apprentice complete the programme, Chelsea Nelmes and there are two more currently enrolled, Megan Teixeira and Rinelle Elizabeth.

Asked what she hopes to accomplish, Emery said: “Salon Pink hopes to firstly change the community’s perception of trainees within the hair industry, with community encouragement and support we will be that one step ahead.

“Raising the bar for the hairdressing industry in Bermuda is a must on our list as well, doing so by bringing the local apprentices trainers with immense overseas training, here locally in Bermuda.”

She continued: “We intend to train well rounded internationally qualified stylists that will go on to have successful careers, locally and internationally, to one day open their own lucrative businesses and hopefully give back in the same way they had received.

“Salon Pink intends to instill integrity, loyalty, respect, passion and the highest standards in hairdressing and life through our programme.”

Emery is on the fence about if she would have liked a similar programme when she was younger.

“I have always been very adventurous and extremely curious toward the world so going over to England was of benefit to me.

“I do believe that some young adults can’t for one reason or another further their education overseas so I believe my programme will benefit them.

“In saying that, Salon Pink participates in a number of out of the box events inclusive of team building exercises throughout the year that help broaden one’s mind.

“These adventures help keep young adults thinking outside the box and give them a better glance at the world at hand.”

As for what she looks for in an intern, the words loyalty, integrity, respect, responsibility and passion came to mind.

“To enter Salon Pink’s apprenticeship programme all trainees undergo a rigorous interviewing process, this ensures we are undertaking the right candidate for the salon and the right salon for the individual.”

Asked why the programme is important to the community, Emery said: “I believe if you never give back, you never prosper.

“There is no point complaining about the problem if you aren’t willing to be part of a solution.

“The community needs individuals and establishments to care and give back to help shift the negative energy at present.

“The community will benefit from this programme as we not only provide training but we mentor these individuals in life that come through our doors.

“I always follow the saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’.

For more information on Salon Pink, call 295-7465.