Inside the Hairdressing Industry: Advice from the Professionals Who Know It Best
- Nedine Stroebel
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
What does it really take to build a career in hairdressing?
Hairdressing is often seen as a creative and glamorous career, but there is much more to the industry than beautiful hairstyles and colour transformations.
We spoke to Frieda Willemse, who has spent 26 years in the hairdressing industry — from working behind the chair to training students and marking trade tests. Her experience has given her plenty of insight into what it takes to build a successful career.
It’s About People First
While hair is at the centre of the profession, Frieda believes that great hairdressing is ultimately about people.
Listening, empathy and making clients feel seen, confident and valued are just as important as technical skills. Hairdressers often become trusted confidants and an important part of their clients' lives.
For anyone considering this career, loving hair is only part of the equation. If you genuinely enjoy working with people, you already have an important quality for the industry.
Passion Requires Persistence
The finished result may look effortless, but there is plenty of hard work behind it.
Hairdressers can spend long hours on their feet, manage busy schedules and deal with the physical demands of the job. Frieda's advice is clear: passion needs to be matched with persistence, resilience and a strong work ethic.
Never Stop Learning
Passing your trade test or earning your qualification is only the beginning.
Hairdressing is constantly evolving, with new trends, techniques and products emerging all the time. Successful professionals need to stay curious, practise their craft and continue learning throughout their careers.
Master the Fundamentals
Creativity is an exciting part of hairdressing, but Frieda emphasises that strong technical foundations come first.
Understanding hair structure, chemical safety and precision techniques gives professionals the confidence to develop their creativity. Master the fundamentals, and you earn the freedom to explore.
Why Frieda Is Passionate About Hairdressing
After 26 years in the industry, Frieda's passion goes far beyond cutting hair or creating colour formulas.
For her, one of the most rewarding parts of hairdressing is the ability to change how people feel. A great hairstyle can give someone renewed confidence and a stronger sense of self.
As an educator, she also loves seeing students discover their potential. One of her favourite moments is watching a student struggle with a technique, work through the frustration and finally experience that “lightbulb moment” when it clicks.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
If you have a passion for hair, enjoy working with people and are willing to put in the work, hairdressing can offer a rewarding and ever-evolving career.
At Qualitas Career Academy, you can develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to take your first steps into the industry.
Ready to explore a career in hairdressing? Click here to book your free campus tour.
