Chrish shapes his own hairdressing career

“My two aunties are hairdressers and I’d always wanted to do something in the beauty industry,” Chrish began.

“I started teaching myself special effects makeup at the age of 14 while I was still in high school but, I realised that I enjoyed working with hair even more, so I applied for an apprenticeship and was accepted.”

“I will always be thankful for my TAFE Queensland educators — they really supported me and gave me ways to go around the obstacles and still keep my head in the game and persevere through hairdressing.”

Chrish's educators were active in helping him find the right salon that suited his personality and values, along with overcoming some challenges undertaking his Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416) apprenticeship.

His teachers also supported him to complete the learning materials and work throughout the requirements of the course.

“It didn’t work out with my first salon, however my TAFE Queensland teachers, Hayley and Cheryl, supported me to gain the Queensland Government’s ‘Help for cancelled apprentices or trainees’ while I continued a number of course units.”

“They also helped me to secure interviews at other salons,” Chrish shared.

Chrish realised after several interviews with local salons that he just wanted to do his ‘own thing’, and with the help and encouragement of his parents and brother, he was able to do just that all as a fourth-year apprentice.  

“My parents one day said ‘Well you know what? Let’s open our own salon’. That was very scary going in as an apprentice — not having a qualification but having a name on the business (Chrish and Co.) — but I was very open with my clients and it was the best way for me to express myself, and still go to TAFE Queensland,” Chrish explained.

“We were able to secure the lease for the new salon [now located on Russell Street in Toowoomba City] relatively quickly and developed our brand identity over the course of renovations which took roughly 6 weeks.”

Building a client base was the least challenging part for Chrish, as during his time at his first salon during his apprenticeship he was regularly ‘booked out’, and those clients went on to find him at his new salon, and join him there.

Chrish now employs his own apprentice — who he hopes to turn into a powerhouse stylist, and he’s also an ambassador and educator for ‘clean’ hair care and colour brand CPR. 

Reflecting back on his time at TAFE Queensland, he has many positive memories, and words of encouragement for prospective students, and for those enrolled in the Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416).

“Do it. I mean if you are thinking about it — just do it. There is no harm in trying, there are so many different courses at TAFE Queensland. I'm biased — I think everyone should do the hairdressing course, but that’s just me,” Chrish said.

“And don’t worry about not feeling like you’re confident — that will come. I got my confidence when I got my certificate, now that I’ve got the certificate I do know what I’m talking about. It’s a powerful thing to have,” said Chrish.