G: Tell us about your business:
Kaizo is a hairdressing salon. Me and my business partner Lorenzo Comparelli have been hairdressing since young age so it was a natural progress to start our own business after years working hard for other companies. Our unique selling point is the quality of our service and the quality of our environment, we really focus on good consultation and we never rush. Salon has a minimal clean design and it’s bright and spacious. Kaizo Team is always friendly and helpful. We make sure that every client feels special from the moment he/she walks in to the moment they leave the salon. We have massage chairs on hair washing units, all our assistants are trained to do a good head massage. Our stylists are carefully selected and continuously trained to keep maximum standard.
G: What are the main challenges maintaining your business and how are you overcoming them?
Just like any other business, cash flow management is a big challenge. We plan ahead, budget ahead, try to stick to budgets, but above all, the communication between management Team is the key to keep a strong and clear business concept.
G: What would you say has been your most memorable experience while developing your business?
Taking on board a professional PR/Marketing company was a changing point in our business. We always have been very hands on in the business, but paying and allowing a third person to work on the business was very interesting. Not only made the salon turnover more steady, it gave us the opportunity to see the business from the outside. Sometimes we can get lost when we are immerged too much in it.
G: What were the funniest moments that happened while setting up/running your business?
The whole build up from the day we decided to start the business, to the actual opening day has been a really pleasant intense period, however I remember one night when we first drew our cash flow projection we where working on it until 3am and because we didn’t really know what we where doing we had a good laugh throughout the process.
Also our opening party was fun, cool night.
G: Tell us about DO’s and DON’Ts when running the company?
DO’s:
1) hold monthly staff meetings to ensure everybody is happy and the business run smoothly.
2) if more then 1 owner/manager, make sure you establish roles so you don’t step on each other foot.
3) keep tight control of cashflow.
4) identify your clients so you can target them.
5) work hard with passion but don’t get stressed about it!
DON’Ts:
1) Don’t try to do everything yourself learn to trust and delegate
2) Don’t start it without preparing yourself a business plan is more important to yourself than it is to the bank. Also read business books.
3) Don’t boss your staff around but lead them.
4) Don’t get too attached to your initial business model as the world change your business has to be flexible and change with it.
5) Don’t make your goals too big or too small, be ambitious but realistic.
G: Why do you choose Shoreditch to run your business?
Shoreditch is a unique creative area situated in Central London that hasn’t still be affected by High Street Brands; therefore it gives us Independent Shops the chance grow. The people working/living in Shoreditch are mostly from creative industry, between 25-45years old, they have a reasonable income and they do have taste/style/curiosity. 
G: What this community is still missing?
More independent shops, not only offices and Art Galleries. Quirky small friendly concept shops.
G: Who are your favourite CEOs/Businesses in Shoreditch?
Paul Daly from Zigfrid and Road Trip was a good inspiration for us.Also James Goff from Stirling Ackroyd estates because it has become a landmark in the east London scene.
G: What are your favourite places in Shoreditch?
Dining: definitely at Vietnamese Cay Tree or cheap and cheerful Thai food at Busaba.
Hanging-out: Book Club, Breakfast Club or Shoreditch House.
Going out: Cocktails at Kalooh Kallay, it’s lots of fun.
G: What does the future has in store for Shoreditch?
Shoreditch will grow even more within the next 5 years, it will always attract stylish creative people that want to discover the next new design/trend. Hopefully won’t become too over exposed by aggressive marketing companies, coolness lies in its honest originality.
Find us on:
Website: www.kaizo-uk.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook/kaizohair
