I'd been quite satisfied with my salon and my work. In my salon, I and my staff enjoyed our work every day and I spent my free time updating my website. I'd never imagined that my life would be even more exciting than before.

It started with an invitation from Koko Promotions to take part in a special, order-made course at Vidal Sassoon. In the past, I'd taken Advanced Academy in London several times but in recent years I'd been too busy to find time to come over to the UK. The course sounded different and seemed like a good challenge for me. So I decided to take it.

The Specialised course was full of surprise. On this course you'll learn about how to teach others effectively. The curriculum involves demo and work sessions, Vidal Sassoon history and philosophy. The marking was tight and the critique was encouraging. And the demo by us, the students. I realized there was no end to leaning. What most impressed me (and made me nervous) was my teacher, a Vidal Sassoon Art Director, observed our work and our character and gave us valuable fedback. After the hard work throughout the week, I was both excited and content when I finished. I also decided to take this course again.

After I returned to my hometown in Japan, I was asked to carry out a seminar by the hairdressers who heard about my experience. In my hometown in Niigata, around 20 salons would invite a teacher to do a seminar for them every year. It was a fantastic opportunity to put what I'd learnt into use so I accepted.

I had 6 models for 1 hour seminar with 170 hairdressers. 1 model for cutting, 5 for the presentation. I felt this was the appropriate number to convey my skill and knowledge to the audience. If I hadn't taken the Specialised course, I wouldn't have been able to plan the seminar.

While preparing the seminar I had these points in mind:

*WHAT MESSAGE I WANT TO PUT ACROSS
*TRY TO GIVE SIMPLE AND CLEAR EXPLANATION
*TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

As well as technical details notes, I brought with me some information on courses in London, the trend in London and some advice for people who are intrested in studying in London. When I did the demo and talked about the presentation models, I tried to stick to the key points I learnt during the Specialised course. However, to keep it SIMPLE AND CLEAR was easier said than done and I spent more time than I inteded to. What was most excusiating was that nobody asked me a question. "Any questions?" I asked the audience and the answer was "...(silence)"

I expected it so I asked them some questions. "How long have you been a hairdresser? 3 years? 5 years?" "... (Resounding silence)." "What? 10 years?" "...(More silence)" Oh no, somebody get me out of here, I cried in my head. "Well, has any of you been abroad to study?" "...(Silence yet again)" I said "I feel lonely" which made them laugh.

The outcome of the seminar was that I was approached by products dealers to do seminars in other places. They also asked me to hold a hair cutting workshop. Looking back now, my professional life stated to change when I took the Specialised course. The course keeps improving and the critique has become more strict. These days, I work in my salon, so workshops and demos, and carry out seminars. It is challenging and I'm very happy.

Vidal Sassoon Specialised course, next date will be 2005. Please make inquiries and bookings to koko.chippy@virgin.net .