Kay and the team kicked off mcIntyres’ celebrations with a day out in Edinburgh making cocktails, dancing and drinking in the first of an ongoing series of celebrations and events planned highlighting 30 years in business.
Kay McIntyre has achieved this incredible milestone through starting her salons in Perth Road and then Union street, Dundee.
Winning Scottish Hairdresser of the year 3 times attracting global manufacturers through mcIntyres salon business and creativity, opened the door to education for me, creating the opportunity of being paid as a guest artist, educating in some of the finest salons across the UK, progressing as Nioxin and ghd’s Ambassador was a mark of the creative success achieved.
Launching new products on stage to stylists or judging international hair competitions, Kay says it’s always exciting and being paid for it for me was incredible and a labour of love, winning over the hair industry press by showcasing new technology or brand innovation is also a big part of my journey, travelling across Europe, gaining experience in every area of the industry.
There is a friendly rivalry at the very high end of the British hairdressing awards which for many years was my focus, winning Scottish Hairdresser of the Year 3 times, getting into the British Hairdressing ‘Hall of Fame’ was a really memorable time in London, great exposure, high stakes, suspense, thrills and a relief for me just to do it, and as the first person from Dundee I was proud of mcIntyres and Dundee hairdressing, knowing our clients friends, family and my other team members were willing me on was incredibly supportive.
Being honoured in Edinburgh by The Fellowship of British Hairdressing was also another career high since it’s your peers, but mostly my time is spent nurturing and mentoring my own team, bringing everything achieved back to reality and our regular clients, sharing any creative success with them, making our teams and clients feel included in our drive and enthusiasm keeps our salons fresh, inviting and friendly to keep delivering the best hairdressing in our salons has always been a top priority for me. Reflecting back, knowing I’ve contributed to so many careers, over the years is rewarding.
I’ve always had a genuine interest and passion for helping others creatively and to get on and to see them win competitions or push themselves is just so fulfilling, We have safety in numbers now and at one time we had over 50 staff, once you reach a certain size and have the backing of all the very best suppliers there is some protection and if you look after your team both creatively and financially then they have trust, you get loyalty back, we have many team members who have been with me over 25 years, many since leaving school and keep turning out some of the finest work day in day out, now that’s what drives me on, I’ve always said working with my own team members, is my greatest motivation, knowing our strength and depth and having new talent coming through is also refreshing for everyone in the salons!
Down the years mcIntyres has trained hundreds of stylists and so many people often tell me mcIntyres is one of the best places they have worked, it’s created so many lifelong friendships, so it’s nice when they are appreciative and show gratitude for the creative platform, training and opportunity we had to work so hard to provide and particularly satisfying when previous stylists you have trained want to come back.
mcIntyres are also trying increase stylists overall remuneration, with flexibility and conditions hairdressing has been so under paid for years and now through the pandemic we really seen our worth evolve, hair stylists need to charge more, to keep pace with other industries to reinvest in education, mcIntyres long term commitment to continued professional development and training is reflected in the 500 five star reviews, we would like to thank all the staff and clients that have supported the business over the years
mcIntyres achievements and accolades 1993-2023
- Scottish hairdresser of the Year winners 2000, 2010,2012
- Inducted into British Hairdressing Awards ‘Hall of Fame’
- Honoured by the Fellowship of British Hairdressing
- Wella Trend Vision Award UK treble winners
- L’Oreal Colour Trophy Regional Winners ( several)
- Regeneration of Scotland Award (Union Street)
- UK Salon finalist Customer Service
- British Hairdressing Business Award winners