Salon Stories: Fiona Gainfort – Building an Industry Legacy
In this episode of Salon Stories, I sit down with someone I truly admire, the incredible Fiona Gainfort, President of the Irish Hairdressing Council and an absolute icon in our industry.
With nearly 40 years in the business, Fiona owns three hugely successful companies – Gainfort Hair & Beauty Supplies, Gainfort Salon Design, and Gainfort Academy – and her passion for the industry shines through in everything she does. We chat about where it all began and the early days of building her business with her husband Michael.
Fiona opens up about the lessons she’s learned, the importance of setting boundaries, and how she balances running multiple businesses while staying grounded and connected to her purpose. We talk honestly about navigating challenges, the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and why people skills, networking, and resilience matter just as much as raw talent.
Fiona also shares her thoughts on double-booking (a hot topic in the industry!), how to create strong, supportive teams, and what really makes someone stand out – both behind the chair and in business. Whether you're just starting out or decades into your career, you’ll take something valuable from Fiona’s story.
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