Sergei Nikitin: “We need to constantly learn and improve”

The article was first published in Your Hair magazine

Tell us how you got into the beauty business.

My story of starting in the beauty industry is somewhat different from the usual. I opened a beauty salon as a businessman and manager. When my project started working and its promotion became successful, I met my now friends from Intercoiffure. And immediately he literally became infected with hairdressing and began cutting hair with great pleasure, gaining experience in this, increasing his professionalism.

What does being a hairdresser or stylist mean to you?

Now that I have gained skill and authority, I have the opportunity to show my clients what they can be - new, attractive. After all, this is exactly what people come to us for – to change. Each person combines two “I”s – the external one, which we transmit to the environment, and the internal one, which is not always realizable. My task is to draw out this inner image, to show the client what he can be - perhaps this is exactly what the person wanted.

I have just such a relationship with clients: I get to know them, study them, gain trust, reveal and look for their image in a new color or with an unusual shape. Sometimes this doesn't happen the first time.

Society influences a lot - it is imperative to take into account where a person works, what his environment is like, the final result and an adequate image depend on this. A hairdresser is much more than a hairdresser. This is a very broad concept.

What do you consider the most important thing in your profession? How do these concepts resonate with the operating principles of Intercoiffure Mondial?

The most important things in my profession are professionalism, communication skills, and a certain openness. But professionalism has no limits, so you need to constantly improve - in your approach to your specialty, in working with clients, with colleagues, with staff.

You are the person who creates fashion - the very trends that become a model for the whole world. Aren't you scared?

It’s always scary when you work next to colleagues with world fame and authority! A very high degree of responsibility. But the process itself is simply fascinating. You create the product you strive for. Especially when you work on your own, it’s scary: will the collection work out, will the idea take off? When you work shoulder to shoulder with colleagues, you worry whether you will fall into the common rut and whether you will get a decent result. And most likely, we are not talking about fear as such, but about a sense of responsibility for one’s work.

But all the experiences are overshadowed by the thrill that I experience while working - both when I work myself and when I work in the salon with the team, with the members of Intercoiffure. And these experiences are no less important than other emotional components; the very hormones that are responsible for excitement and a high level of value of the result are produced.

How does your value system fit into the Intercoiffure structure?

It seems to me that my value system coincides with the idea of Intercoiffure. We, the members of this organization, in order to unite under the star, have traveled a certain path, achieved success and a high level of professionalism. And this difficult path has shaped us as individuals. A professional attitude towards work is very important to me. In addition, we are united by friendship and full support. We also trust each other, which is of great importance.

What contribution to the development of the beauty industry allows you to become a member of the International Organization of Elite Hairdressers Intercoiffure?

In order to become a member of an international organization, you need to make a significant contribution to the development of the beauty industry. It is necessary to constantly develop both professionally and morally. And it is important to have moral values. This life path (for some it is short, for others it is long) leads to success and membership in the International Organization Intercoiffure Mondial.

In general, the concept of success has a wide scope - you need to be so in your family, among friends, and in your hobbies. And then you can claim even higher positions, aspects of life.

Why was membership in this organization important to you? What was your path to Intercoiffure Mondial?

I am a workaholic who does what I love and is not afraid to declare my successes. I did collections and shows. I made mistakes, achieved success, gained a wealth of experience, demonstrated bright collections, put aside and perceived as experience unsuccessful, in my opinion, images. This is a long, interesting process. And to be interesting, you need to talk about yourself, show yourself. We, members of Intercoiffure Mondial, are ready to demonstrate our work, our skills. At the same time, we do not stop learning. Apparently, activity, the desire to announce my work and its level brought me to ICD.

Your wishes to the readers.

Don't be afraid of life! Be confident, courageous, focused. Be professional.