Renowned hair artist and educator Najeeb ur Rehman, along with his wife Asma, Makeup Artist, Beauty Therapist, and Hair Professional, has launched Najeeb’s Academy and Canvas Salon in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad. In a candid conversation with Vidhi Arya from Professional Beauty India, Najeeb speaks about his journey from an educator to a salon owner.
Canvas Salon, spanning 2000 square feet, offers world-class training to budding hairstylists. The salon features a hair area for services like cutting, colouring, rebonding, and hair spa. It also has dedicated zones for soothing beauty treatments, including laser hair reduction and aesthetic services. Furthermore, it boasts a bridal room, a nail section as well as two beauty rooms, one specialised in aesthetic treatments.
Najeeb’s Academy, equipped with a smart board and tablet access, accommodates up to 25 students and provides hands-on training directly from Najeeb in a simulated salon setting. This comprehensive academy curriculum is designed to cover the latest hairstyling techniques and trends, preparing students for real-world success.
As Najeeb takes the milestone step, let’s hear from the expert himself about how his journey has panned out and what lies ahead.
What inspired you to launch the Salon & Academy, and what are the next steps for you in this context?
Training has always been my passion right from the beginning to date. It’s very satisfying seeing hairdressers, who I have associated with, do well. So, teaching freshers and training professionals was already happening till now. However, I always thought I could do a lot more with the new breed of hairdressers if I had more time for training. Consequently, now I have courses which go on for 3 months, followed by an internship. Now, I can share all I have in my knowledge pool. I want to call students and hairdressers from all over India and I want to share everything I can for their successful careers.
For the next steps, I want to call trainers, visiting faculties, as well as specialists —- the best in the Industry in India and abroad — to my academy and share their knowledge. This will allow the students to get a larger perspective on hair, beauty, and make-up.
With so many hairstyling trends emerging, how do you aim to keep the curriculum updated to ensure students learn the most current techniques?
Yes, students need to learn the latest trends and techniques. We know for a fact that the components of hairdressing remain the same but the new ways of haircuts, colours, and styling will keep emerging. I am involved in trend predictions and how to use them commercially. This involves brainstorming how we can bring a new trend to life. So, I plan to learn them and tweak my curriculum every year as per International trends predicted globally in the professional haircare industry
Canvas Salon offers a wide range of services, according to you, what sets the salon apart from others in the industry?
The idea behind Canvas Salon is affordable luxury, wherein we use world-class products and the latest services at a very affordable price. We want to offer a vast variety of services. From the latest in hairdressing with regards to cuts, colours, form and finish to the latest aesthetic gadgets for skin and the best brands in makeup. And, we want our customers to experience it all in a very soothing environment
As someone who has mentored many, what advice would you give to aspiring hairstylists who are just starting out?
The hair and beauty Industry is ever-evolving, I think the thing which keeps you on top is passion for hair and an ever-learning attitude.
Moving forward, how do you plan to balance your roles as a hairstylist, educator, and entrepreneur while continuing to innovate in the beauty industry?
The task is getting bigger for sure. While I have ample experience as an educator and stylist, I know being an entrepreneur is something new to me. But at the same time I believe, I am a good learner. With the help of technology and a few new business courses, I think I will manage.
