Mentorship-Driven Apprentice Training to Support Salon Owners

Why Having a Coach for Your Apprentice Just Makes Sense (and Sanity!)

One of the things I’ve noticed over the years, and I know so many salon owners and senior stylists will nod along with this, is that sometimes our apprentices treat us like we’re their mums.

Not the “respectful, I’ll-do-anything-you-say” kind of mum. No. The “I’ll roll my eyes, ignore your advice, and then go and listen to someone else who says the exact same thing” kind.

Sound familiar?

This is just part of the learning curve for many young apprentices, especially in those first few years of becoming a hairdresser. They’re trying to figure out who they are in the world while also learning how to section, foil, mix colour, communicate with clients, and turn up on time. It is a lot. And as their boss or educator, it’s easy to slip into that parent-like role without even meaning to.

Here’s the thing. This is where having a coach for your apprentice can completely change the game.

A Coach Creates a Healthy Buffer

When emotions get tangled, as they often do when you’re both teaching and managing someone, it can be hard to separate what’s business and what’s personal. A coach acts as a neutral middle person, someone who can take your expectations as the employer and echo them to the apprentice in a way that feels supportive, not disciplinary.

They can say the things you’ve been trying to say, but in a fresh voice with a fresh dynamic. Sometimes, that’s all it takes for the message to finally land.

Apprentices Need More Than One Voice

No one learns in isolation. We all benefit from having different mentors and role models along the way. Having a coach gives your apprentice someone they can feel safe asking the “silly” questions, someone to hold them accountable each week, and someone to help them process feedback without taking it to heart.

It doesn’t replace you. It supports you.

Let’s be real. Sometimes it’s just easier for an apprentice to hear, “You need to practise your basin work every day this week” from a coach rather than from the person who signs their payslip.

You Deserve Support Too

Running a salon is no small thing. Training apprentices on top of everything else you do can stretch your time, energy, and patience thin. Having a coach in your apprentice’s corner means you’re not carrying the full load on your own. It means you’ve got someone reinforcing your salon culture, backing up your standards, and tracking your apprentice’s progress with you. Not for you, but with you.

A Win for Everyone

I’ve seen the magic that happens when an apprentice has a dedicated coach. Their confidence grows, their skills develop faster, and they feel like they’re truly part of something. Employers feel more relaxed, more supported, and more hopeful about the future of their team.

It’s not about outsourcing responsibility. It’s about creating a team around your apprentice to help them thrive.

Because when they thrive, your whole salon does too.