HJ's Business Boardroom programme has relaunched for 2026, partnering with Sean Hanna and L'Oréal Professionnel. Eight business owners will receive dedicated mentoring from Sean Hanna, focusing on strategies to advance their businesses.
The programme tackles common industry challenges. Participants openly discussed daily operational issues, business acquisition, and the realities of self-employment versus running a team. Despite varied clienteles and business models – from solo practitioners to small teams, and specialist services – the core concerns remained consistent: financial understanding and balancing multiple roles as owners and employers.
Sean Hanna, with 50 years of salon ownership experience, highlighted that many business owners become so consumed by day-to-day tasks that they neglect strategic decision-making. He shared insights from his own successes and failures, noting that fundamental business challenges persist despite industry changes. The programme aims to provide practical, real-world systems and strategies that mentees might not have considered.
Initial discussions explored the motivations behind entrepreneurship, including personal growth, empowerment, and financial independence. Hanna emphasised that building wealth as a business owner often requires a deliberate focus on profit generation to fund investment, growth, and personal financial security. Understanding how to design a business for realistic profit was presented as a crucial first step.
The curriculum includes exercises focused on business planning, profit margins, and cash flow management. Hanna stressed that profit is essential not only for owner remuneration but also for reinvestment in training, expansion, and weathering unexpected difficulties. Former Business Director of the Year, Salv Mule of Academy Salons, also contributed insights into managing a large salon group.
