While he originally hails from New Zealand, Colin’s career path has seen him rack up the air miles and build a wealth of global experience. He is an experienced brand director with over 50 years of working in the industry. Working as the Education Direction for L’Oreal Professionnel (13 years as the Director of Education and Events for L’Oreal Professionnel Canada in Montreal, followed by two years as International Director of Education, L’Oreal Professionnel International, Paris France).

After a career spent globetrotting, Colin found himself thinking of home during a visit to Kelowna. There was something about the rolling hills and mild climate that reminded him of his native New Zealand. Before long, he’d made the big move and hasn’t looked back.

Colin’s career highlight thus far was joining the New Zealand Team and representing New Zealand at the World Championships of Hairdressing and coaching twice. As well as becoming the International Director of Education for L’Oreal Professionnel in Paris, France. The City of Lights is about as far as a person can get from rural New Zealand (both literally and figuratively,) but it had always been Colin’s dream, and to achieve this was no mean feat.

Though Colin specializes in the fundamentals of hair care, he’s equally at home crafting a stylish makeover, updating an existing look, or even creating something new when it’s time for a change. Building relationships with his guests is always important to him, “as you need someone’s trust to truly discover their true personality and to have them trust to give them what I know to be the right look and colour.”

When Colin is not in the salon he loves to dance as well as get out into nature. Walking through the trails in Rose Valley Regional Park, which is minutes from his house, allows him to constantly reconnect with nature. And of course, there is no better activity than spending time with his three grandchildren.

Favourite wine: “Californian Zinfandel”

Favourite song: “Ordinary Human, OneRepublic”

A moment where a service noticeably empowered or boosted the confidence of one of your guests: “Many women feel that as they get older that they are a lost cause, especially if they have recently gone through a separation/divorce. Last year, I took a woman who had long grey curly hair and did a makeover. Shorter, a new colour, she looked 10 years younger and the positive feedback from her family and friends made her feel attractive again.”