Darrel Starkey started his hairdressing career 17 years ago as a 17-year-old apprentice. After an initial setback when his first salon went bankrupt, he left the industry for a period, feeling devalued with only a Level 2 qualification. He later returned, completing his Level 3 qualification and opening his own salon, Taylor's Salon, named after his son.
Starkey faced the challenge of rebuilding trust with clients due to previous salon owner changes. He actively engaged with the industry, joining the FAME Team and attending awards to build his profile. This led to opportunities like a milk_shake brand ambassador role and branching into education.
During lockdown, Starkey developed a successful online wig education platform that evolved into a three-day course, the Wig-Torship Weekender, aimed at providing exposure and opportunities to underrepresented individuals. He notes self-doubt as a persistent challenge, advising others to focus on their own career direction rather than comparing themselves to peers.
A significant achievement for Starkey was winning a British Hairdressing Award sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional in November. He described the win, after six years of trying, as a validation of his persistence and a lesson in being humble enough to take steps back to achieve future progress. His salon is now celebrating 10 years and undergoing a revamp, with Starkey also planning his wedding.
