Category: Anne’s Secrets

It’s easy to be worried about the future. The future of hairdressing with the decrease in new apprentices coming through, the global shift to the extreme right in politics, the Russian invasion of Ukraine (who’s next if we don’t win?) and not least the breakdown of the planet’s life support system. Global heating and the destruction of nature. This latter, often termed “eco-anxiety” is enough of a thing for there to be specialist eco anxiety counsellors in our schools. So what is the best antidote to feeling helpless? The answer is ACTION. Do something.

Here we look at two responses: the first from our very own Anne Veck and the second by Grant Brown, founder of Happy Eco News.

ANNE VECK (adapted from the script of a presentation at Colour World, June 2024, in which she discusses fast fashion and eco-anxiety.)

In 2018, I created a film addressing the issue of Fast Fashion. It’s called Toxic Fashion.

The idea for this project had been in my mind for about two years. It all started after watching a program on Netflix called “The True Cost of Fashion” back in 2016. At the time I had lot’s of conflicting feelings after watching it as I am very much involved in Fashion. We all are in this room.
Fast forward and now we’re not just talking about Fast Fashion; we’re witnessing the rise of Ultra Fast Fashion.
What is UFF and what is the difference with FF. It’s the scale and speed of it. It’s a SOCIAL DISASTER.
Many hoped that the pandemic would make the fashion industry more sustainable. In reality it is the opposite. Instead of improving, the industry got worse. During lockdowns, online brands like Shein experienced explosive growth in popularity.
To put things into perspective, established brands like Gap introduce around 12,000 new designs a year, while H&M and Zara introduce about 25,000. In contrast, Shein, Temu, and Cider leave them right behind, by producing 1.3 million new designs in the same timeframe.
They don’t bother with the concept of seasonal collections. They Invent microtrends like Ballet-core, Barbie-core and even Mermaid-core. At the same time there is limited transparency or accountability around clothing supply chains and their impact on the environment and human rights.
The other aspect of these UFF is the overproduction. What happens to the clothes we throw away, sometimes practically new? What consequences do they have on the ecosystems and human right of the countries where they are taken for disposal?

I’m not here today to put these brands on trial, but more to talk about the impact it has on our emotional state. Personally, I feel like a victim of this phenomenon. The constant bombardment of ads and societal pressures has left me feeling brainwashed. Government, Big manufacturers, the corporate world, are very good at shifting the blame on to us: “consumers”.
If I buy myself a new garment Of course It makes me happy, But for 5 min, I then feel guilty, then I feel cross at myself because I gave in (I don’t need any new clothes really) then I feel real despair and frustrated at my inability to resist consumerism temptation.
I go through a whole rollercoaster of emotions and I’m sure many of us can relate to it.

And that triggers my ECO-ANXIETY!
Eco-anxiety aka climate anxiety is the worry and distress people feel about climate change and its effects on the planet and our lives. This is a very simple explanation of it. Eco-anxiety is complex, although painful and distressing, it is rational and does not imply MENTAL ILLNESSES.
Anxiety is an emotion that alerts us to danger, which prompts us to search for more information about the situation and hopefully find potential solutions.

Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed with anxiety and sadness, especially when I consider how my seemingly innocent actions, like buying new clothes, could contribute to the chaos in the world. It’s disheartening to think about the pollution of rivers, the exploitation of human beings , and the loss of biodiversity that can result from these simple actions.
On my worst days, I think of the changes I’ve made in my life since becoming aware of the fashion industry’s impact. At times, it feels like my efforts are insignificant and don’t make a difference.

So…what to do?
I have LEARNED TO SURF THE WAVE OF MY EMOTIONS. When we’re experiencing intense emotions, it can feel like we have no choice but to explode. But we can learn to regulate those emotions. Accept we will have good days and bad days. Develop a “feeling plan”!
Name your feeling. Try to be specific. I’m feeling Angry. I’m Worried. I’m Embarrassed. I feel ASHAMED. These are all legitimate emotional responses . They simply indicate you are a well-functioning person who understands the scale and impact of the challenges. Accept this feeling. Tell yourself that it’s OK to feel whatever emotion arises. Don’t feel bad about feeling bad!
Express this feeling safely.Talk about it around you, reach out to your friends, family or clients. You may find that these feelings are much more common in your circle than you previously realised, and you’re not alone.
Care for yourself.
What do you need in the moment? You might need to cry, take a walk, watch a silly video, or crawl under the covers. Have your hair done.
Be aware of climate burnout. Take a break from social media when you feel too down. Me, I go for long bike ride!

Take Action
As soon as you start to do something, bit by bit, the crisis starts to feel less like an apocalypse and more like something we can still solve.
This is an example of what I do …I try to reduce single-use plastic, I save water by taking shorter showers and turning off the tap while conditioning my hair, I buy my clothes in charity shops. I’ve drastically cut down on my consumption habits, and I closed my Amazon account. I cycle everywhere. I’ve ban the word CONVENIENT from my language.
Individual actions may seem insignificant, but collectively, they can have a substantial impact. A study by Project Drawdown found that implementing 80 existing solutions to climate change could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 82-92% by 2050.

To recap.
Re-direct your emotional energy into something positive. In the context of hairdressing why not down load SalonRE:Source our sustainable salon tool kit. Overflowing with things to do…bit.ly/SalonReSourceUK

And remember you’re not alone.

GRANT BROWN, HAPPY ECO NEWS 1st July 2024

When I started Happy Eco News six years ago, my intention was simply to help the people close to me. I wanted to show those in my immediate circle what I had seen from working in clean technology: many good people were doing good things to help the planet, and it wasn’t over yet. A dystopian future is not predetermined.
I wanted to persuade my friends and colleagues to take action. If the activists, scientists, and clean tech people have not given up, we should not give up either. We should help and support them instead.
The Happy Eco News concept works, as evidenced by the messages from the audience. Sharing positive news can make people feel better, even if only for a few minutes. But maybe that’s not enough. How can we inspire others to take the next step? To take tangible action and do something.

Eco-anxiety is not crazy; it is a completely reasonable reaction to existential threats like global heating. We have all doom-scrolled through endless news headlines about climate change, deforestation, or plastic pollution. Scientists are now screaming to be heard while oil companies lobby, politicians pander, and the planet and people suffer. We feel alone, helpless, and afraid. The anxiety can be so crippling that it often leads to asking, “Why even bother trying?” It creates inaction when action is the very thing we need to overcome the environmental crisis.

The traditional approach to environmental awareness often relies on bombarding us with negative data. The well-meaning scientists are freaking out, painfully aware of what the data shows. Logically, highlighting the situation’s urgency should inspire people to take action, but instead, it creates a sense of powerlessness that leaves individuals unsure of where to begin. This information overload, coupled with the lack of clear action steps, fosters eco-anxiety and hinders the action it seeks to inspire.

But what if there was a way to turn that eco-anxiety into a catalyst for positive change? In my years of talking to, writing about, and sharing stories of people taking action, I have noticed a common thread.
For some reason, the action-takers feel like they have the power to make a change, have hope for the future, and are not overwhelmed by eco-anxiety. The people most in the trenches, who are working to make the future they want to see, are the ones with the most hope and optimism.

Which came first? Are the people who have hope the ones who take action, or does taking action inspire hope and reduce eco-anxiety? Time and again, I have read about or met people fed up with feeling bad who decided to do something about it.

Taking action allowed them to move beyond eco-anxiety.
In order to move beyond environmental paralysis, you have to do something about it and for the planet. If you acknowledge the fear and make a few easy changes, your anxiety will reduce to a manageable level and maybe even go away completely.

I believe that if you want to get out of the cycle of eco-anxiety inaction, three simple things will change your life: 1) Find “The Thing You Do,” 2) Find the Others, and 3) Flex Your Power.

Find “The Thing You Do“. Climate anxiety feels so overwhelming because it is huge. Thousands of things need doing, but no person can do them all. This means you must pick one that is most important to you and focus on it. Personalizing and connecting the environmental challenge to your interests, values, or passions is the key. An environmental aspect can always be woven into a love for cooking, gardening, outdoor activities, or simply a desire to live a healthier lifestyle.

For example, foodies could focus on plant-based recipes that reduce their carbon footprint, gardening enthusiasts could explore permaculture and regenerative agriculture techniques, and outdoor adventurers could get involved with conservation efforts for their favorite hiking trails or regions.

You create a stronger sense of purpose and motivation by anchoring environmental action to something you already care about. It transforms an abstract, overwhelming issue into a tangible, personal mission aligning with your interests, values, and lifestyle.

Find the Others: We are social creatures, and there’s power in numbers. Once someone has identified “The Thing They Do,” the next step is to connect with others who share that same interest or cause. This could be through local community groups, online forums, social media communities, or even starting your own grassroots movement by “putting it out there” and seeing what happens.

Seth Godin, a marketing guru who emphasizes the power of communities, has an interesting concept. His oft-repeated phrase “people like us do things like this” means that people are unconsciously driven to act in ways that solidify their membership in a particular group. It’s about shared identity and reinforcing the norms of that group. Great things can happen when the group is aligned toward something good for the planet.

Knowledge and experiences are shared within a healthy community, and camaraderie will develop. Members will find support, encouragement, and a collective voice that amplifies individual efforts.

Suddenly, you’re no longer alone; you are part of a tribe working towards a common goal.

Flex Your Power: With a strong community rallied around “The Thing They Do,” the stage is set for impactful collective action. People like us do things like this, you know. Together with the strength of many, the group can brainstorm and organize initiatives, events, or campaigns that align with their shared mission.

This could involve hosting educational workshops, organizing neighborhood clean-ups or tree-planting events, lobbying local policymakers for sustainable changes, or launching consumer awareness campaigns to influence businesses.

The power lies in leveraging the community’s diverse skills, resources, and collective influence. Perhaps one member has event planning expertise, another is a social media whiz, and another has connections with local government officials. Combining these strengths can create a formidable force for positive change.

Collective action amplifies the impact and fosters a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. As you witness tangible results from your efforts, you reinforce the belief that your actions matter and inspire yourself to take on bigger challenges.

Moreover, success stories from these communities can inspire others to join the movement and replicate similar efforts in their regions or areas of interest.

By following these three steps – personalize the cause, build a community, and empower collective action – you can transform your eco-anxiety into a powerful catalyst for change. You will be part of a passionate movement fueled by shared interests and a collective determination to create a future we want instead of what the powers give us.

Following fast in the footsteps of our Nature Positive plan’s first annual review, here is the first annual review of Anne Veck Limited’s Carbon emissions reduction plan. Without the salons, our emissions are very small, hence Much ado about nothing. Perhaps more important, is that by sharing our plans we hope to convince others to take climate and biodiversity issues seriously and that writing these plans is straightforward, interesting and important.

ANNE VECK LIMITED AND THE RACE TO ZERO
CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN 2023-2030

Annual review 5/7/24. Targets for 2024/25 onwards need to be added.
For 2024/25 to 2030 this plan will be combined with the Anne Veck Nature Positive Plan to create an overarching sustainability plan recognizing the climate and biodiversity emergencies are one and the same. To be completed and published as a blog by 30/9/24.

Introduction

Up to March 2022 Anne Veck Limited (AVL) operated a hair salon in Oxford with annual Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel emissions) totalling just under 8 tonnes (reduced from 14 tonnes in 2012, certified by Carbon Footprint Ltd).
Since the salon was sold in March 2022, the business has reduced its activities considerably, to those carried out by the 2 remaining employees (directors).

Previously, only Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel emissions) had been measured and actioned. This updated plan now includes action for other Scope 3 emissions (value chain).

AVL has signed up to the U.N.’s S.M.E. RACE TO ZERO which sets businesses a target of net zero CO2 emissions by 2030. By offsetting, Anne Veck Limited achieved this between 2019 and 2022 for Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel emissions).

CO2 emissions will be calculated in house using the free Business Carbon Calculator provided by Carbon Footprint Ltd. or by independent body if possible (Net Zero Now, Carbon Footprint Ltd , BSI) starting again for 2023/24. By free calculator, Other options too expensive

The plan structure:

1. Measure emissions and set baseline
2. Set reduction targets
3. Take action to meet targets, record progress
4. Compensate for residual emissions
5. Communicate activity to encourage others to do same

1. Measure emissions and set baseline.

AVL has attempted to measure its current Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel) carbon emissions, using worst cases (i.e. maximums) estimated from 2020/21 emissions.
AVL attempting to measure other Scope 3 but this is reliant on data from suppliers.
Anne Veck Limited operates from Kelly’s Hair Oxford (KHO) and 77 Barton Road, Headington, Oxford (77BR).

KHO
Energy consumption by Anne Veck (AV) whilst hairdressing at KHO, generates CO2 emissions estimated at 1.6 tonnes p.a. Ecooffset.org advise that average F/T (5 days) hairdresser’s emissions are 2 tonnes. Inc. scope 1,2&3 travel, energy, suppliers, equipment. So 1.6 for Anne is definitely a worst case.
(10% of estimated total salon emissions of 15 tonnes, based on worst case of 2 X 2019/20 emissions of c.8 tonnes when ceramic fuel cell was operating and as a result emissions were low).

77BR
According to a 2022 EPC the property produces 3.6 tonnes CO2. So worst case 10% for AVL activity gives emissions of 0.36 tonnes.

AVL both sites and other
Travel by foot, bicycle, public transport whenever possible. Several long distance and short haul air flights each year. Business travel emissions @ around 2.3 tonnes, of which 1.7 is air travel.

Value chain (Scope 3)
Products and services from suppliers, from our products and services when used by customers. Not yet measured.
It has not yet been possible to persuade our major supplier to provide us with this data. However, research by L’Oreal and Net Zero Now strongly suggests it should be available.

BASELINE TOTAL CARBON EMISSIONS P/A
Hairdressing at KHO 1.6 tonnes
Hairdressing and other at 77 BR 0.36 tonnes
Business travel 2.3 tonnes
Value chain not known
Total 4.26 tonnes (Scopes 1, 2 & Scope 3 business travel only)

2, 3.Targets, action and progress
Scopes 1,2 & 3

Target Action

Reduce CO2 emissions by Anne Veck (AV)
KHO from estimated 1.6 tonnes to 1 tonne by 31/4/24 Anne to review personal practice (eg turn
77BR from estimated 0.36 tonnes to 0.3 tonnes by 31/4/24 equipment off, switch off lights, reduce hot
water)and identify further actions. Record
energy usage at both sites for conversion to
CO2 emissions.
. Progress
KHO CO2 emissions 0.71 tonnes
77 BR CO2 emissions 0.4 tonnes = increase

Reduce business travel CO2 emissions from 2.3 tonnes
( 2020/21) to 1.5 tonnes 2023/24 . No UK air travel. Avoided Europe air travel
where rail alternative e.g. Eurostar.
Reduced long haul air travel.
Reduce long haul air travel to 2 trips/year maximum economy
class (in total both directors) by 31/4/24.
Continue to use public transport and bicycle
whenever possible.

Progress
Business travel CO2 emissions 2.05 = increase
No long haul flights 2023/24

Reduce value chain CO2 emissions, including products List of suppliers & partners completed and
and services from suppliers and from our products and researched and/or checked websites for
services when used by customers. information and accreditations.

Researched Net Zero Now service for
calculating Scope 3. Only works for salons
so not suitable for our use. Researched BSI
& Carbon Footprint Ltd. Both offered
bespoke service, too expensive.

Help salon clients to reduce personal / household CO2 by 10%. Ongoing, in salon conversations by Anne

Progress.
No data received form suppliers to date so baseline and progress not yet measured. Some decisions made to change supplier following examination of their accreditations (or lack of) and/or rating by Ethical Consumer. No method of measuring clients’ downstream carbon emissions has been put in place.

REDUCE TOTAL CARBON EMISSIONS scopes1,2 & 3
(business travel) from 4.26 TO 2.8 tonnes by 31/4/24

Progress
Total carbon emissions reduced to 3.16 tonnes

4. Compensate for residual emissions

Buy nature based solutions CO2 credits to compensate for slightly more
than annual emissions from fully accredited, genuine brokers. Research and choice
By 31 August 2024 and 30 June following years. pending.

Progress
Not yet done

5. Communicate activity to encourage others to do same

Join at least 5 industry initiatives committed to CO2 emissions U.N.S.M.E. Race to Zero / UKBBF / Nature
Positive Business Pledge/ Sustainable Beauty
Coalition waste task force/ Business for
Nature nature strategy campaign.
Inform all salon clients Ongoing, in salon conversations by Anne

Promote sustainability and carbon emissions best practice SRS v 3 published December 23; Freelance
using social media, website, workshops, industry networking. version July 24. Developing new ways of
sharing the toolkit eg industry
influencers. Presentations at industry events
Hair Con x2 June, Colour World May
Salon RE:Source
2,000 downloads ; 600 sign ups to list
Progress
Each achieved except toolkit downloads @c.1,700 and mailchimp sign ups @550.

Get Nature Positive! Anne Veck Limited’s Nature Positive Business Plan.

Anne Veck Limited’s Nature Positive Business Plan was due for review after our 23/24 trading year end 30 April. We completed the review on 28 June. Some progress has been achieved but the overall position has not changed significantly. But we haven’t gone backwards.
What is interesting is that, in order to make targets SMART and to record actual action, we have identified suppliers and customers and have had to make a number of personal value judgements about them, especially regarding their nature positive status as suppliers. Much of this needs to remain confidential, partly to avoid embarrassment, damaging important commercial relationships and perhaps to avoid us receiving unwanted correspondence from our suppliers’ and customers’ learned friends!

We are very pleased to announce that in May 2024 this plan has been endorsed as a nature positive strategy by Business for Nature for its Now for Nature campaign. Anne Veck Limited is one of only 5 businesses globally to receive this recognition and the only SME.

If you would like to see a redacted version of the review please email keith@anneveckhair.com

We thought it would be a good idea to share our plans to reduce our impact on biodiversity. Both for transparency and to encourage others if they would like to take action but are unsure of what to do. So this is quite rough and ready but we hope it will help you and your business to be kinder to nature! For many more ideas do check out our sustainable hairdressing toolkit Salon RE:Source !

1. Commitment
Anne Veck Limited (AVL) has signed up to the Nature Positive Business Pledge. AVL aims, as much as a micro business can, to contribute to The Global Goal for Nature – to halt and reverse nature loss from a baseline of 2020, achieve net positive by 2030 and full recovery by 2050.
We shall report on progress annually (1streport due May 2024, after end of 23/24 trading year 30/4/24).

2. How can a hairdressing business be nature positive?
As a service provider (hairdressing, presentations, shows, training courses, campaigning, consultancy), AVL’s impact is mainly about indirect impact drivers rather than direct impact. E.g. reducing amount of paper used is a driver for reducing deforestation which is a driver for reducing biodiversity loss. Reducing colour chemical waste is a driver for reducing ocean and freshwater pollution which is a driver for reducing aquatic wildlife loss.
Or another way of addressing this, is that sustainability, climate and biodiversity are interacting, holistic, part of a whole global crisis, with negative and positive circularity and feedback loops. Biodiversity and climate change need to be tackled together. Arguably the biggest positive impact on biodiversity the business will have, will come from reducing its CO2 emissions.
(Anne Veck Limited has also signed up to the U.N..Race to Net Zero and has a Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan).

3. Baseline.
AVL has attempted to identify the impacts it has on nature and biodiversity, in order to set baselines from which progress can be measured..
Anne Veck Limited operates from Kelly’s Hair Oxford (KHO) and 77 Barton Road, Headington, Oxford (77BR).

Direct impacts on site:
KHO is a ground floor retail unit. There are no opportunities to change legacy direct impacts.(e.g. destruction of nature when site built on) or do anything significant new.
77BR is a residential bungalow with a 500sq/m back garden and 100sq.m front garden. Front and back are gardened mainly for wildlife with no artificial inputs to soil for at least 30 years. However there is no additional positive action for nature and biodiversity by AVL, because this would take place anyway by the householders (who are the directors of AVL).

Indirect impacts from site:
KHO
Water from roof drains to general sewage.
Water use in salon involves chemical waste from hairdressing products into sewage. Most but not all chemicals are organic.
Grey and black water to sewage.
Water used by AV whilst hairdressing at KHO, estimated at 20m3 p.a.(salontotal 276m3).
Chemicals waste generated by AV whilst hairdressing at KHO = approximately 310g per day.(measured using Vish software).
Energy consumption by Anne Veck (AV) whilst hairdressing at KHO, generates CO2 emissions estimated at 1.5 tonnes p.a. (10% of estimated total salon emissions of 15 tonnes, based on worst case of 2 X 2019/20 emissions when ceramic fuel cell was operating, resulting in low emissions.)
77BR
Grey and black water (inc. business use for refreshments and washing towels etc.) goes to sewage.
Water used by AV whilst hairdressing at 77BR, estimated at 3m3 maximum p.a.(house total 136m3).
No paper used for communications with customers, education materials, brochures, etc., except Salon RE:Source/Green Salon Collective flier. 100% recycled paper, non toxic ink. Approx.100 left.
Paper based system for books and accounts.

AVL both sites and other
Travel by foot, bicycle, public transport whenever possible. Several long distance and short haul air flights each year. Business travel @ around 2.3 tonnes CO2 emissions p.a. of which 1.7 is air travel.
B2B awareness raising: Campaigning, educating, presentations, toolkit (SalonRE:Source) may have some positive effect. 80% users of toolkit report positive benefit (surveys 2021, 2022) but small sample (10 each time ).
AVL campaigns continuously for sustainable hairdressing including nature positive actions.
Including sustainable hairdressing training course which will be delivered minimum 5 times in 2023.
Website & social media features UK Business & Biodiversity Forum, Nature Positive Business Pledge, Oxfordshire Nature Recovery Network and rewilding.
B2C awareness raising: customers’ awareness, understanding and engagement with nature not assessed but conversations with clients about nature and sustainability are frequent. Also impact of website & social media.

The value chain: supply chain/upstream
This data is missing for now.

4. Plan
AVL believes that taking action on nature makes business sense. In particular for a service based micro business, being seen as nature positive (integrated with sustainable and ethical values) attracts and retains customers both B2C and B2B.

The Mitigation Hierarchy and Smart Targets
Action will follow the mitigation hierarchy,in other words, in order of importance:
Avoid negative impact/ Reduce negative impac t/ Restore nature/ Compensate and offset residua limpacts.
Targets are Smart, that is they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound.

Direct impacts
Direct impacts on site.
Actions: continue as currently doing at 77BR.

Indirect impacts.
Actions:
Reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by Anne Veck (AV) whilst hairdressing at KHO. Anne to review personal practice e.g. turn equipment off, switch off lights, hot water use) and identify opportunities for action, then implement.
Target: from estimated 1.5 tonnes to 1 tonne CO2 emissions by 31/4/24 .
Continue to source electricity and gas from renewable suppliers. (Ecotricity at SHO, Good Energy at 77BR.
Offset carbon emissions annually (May, after year end measurement).
Reduce chemicals waste generated by AV whilst hairdressing at KHO. Use Vish software to measure reduction.
Target: 50% reduction(from10.6 to5.3%wasteby31/4/24).
Reduce amount of water used by AV whilst hairdressing at KHO. Anne to review personal practice e.g. turn taps off,use of ecoheads, and identify other opportunities for action, then implement.
Target: from to 20m3 to15m3 by31/4/24.
Water use at 77 BR at 3m3 is insignificant but action as at KHO.
Reduce all business travel CO2 emissions.
Target from 2.3tonnes (2020/21) to1.5tonnes by 31/4/24
Avoid UK air travel and travel by train instead.
Target:avoid 100% by31/4/24
Avoid Europe air travel where rail alternative e.g.Eurostar.
Target:avoid 100% by31/4/24.
Reduce long haul air travel. Avoid unless business opportunity is compelling. Target:2 trips/year maximum (in total both directors) by 31/4/24.
Fly economy.
Target 100%all flights by 31/4/24.
Avoid paper communications with customers,education materials, brochures, etc.
Target: zero paper used by 31/4/24 including all existing fliers used up.
Avoid paper book keeping and accounts. Change to software e.g. Xero.
Target: in place for 2024/25.
Deliver sustainable hairdressing courses to salon owners and hairdressers.
Targets: 5 in 2023/24; 7 in 2024/25.

Action in the value chain: supply chain/upstream
Investigate if our suppliers take nature positive action. Do our suppliers compensate for/off sett the residual, unavoidable impacts on biodiversity caused by operations, to ensure at least a no net loss of biodiversity and, where possible, a net gain.
(Can we use their data? Do they hold nature positive certifications,such as RSPO for palm oil,FSC for card and timber) To what extent are these certifications credible?)
Investigation to include indirect impacts such as product content, packaging, cruelty,human rights, energy use, compensation/offsetting and direct action to restore nature.
Depending on results of investigation, AVL will retain or change to other more nature positive suppliers.
Target: Investigation complete by31/12/23.Any changes required by 30/4/24.
NB results of this investigation may need to be confidential

Action in the value chain: services/customers/downstream
What impacts are there by our customers when using our products and services? Work out what this means and what we can do. Target 31/12/23

Compensate and/or offset residual impacts
Investigate what is possible, e.g.buy CO2 offsets with certified biodiversity positive or biodiversity credits? If possible to be targeted to locations from which the raw materials are sourced. Target 30/9/23

Done 11/10/23
According to a research paper in Plants People Planet July 2023 called “Towards a co-crediting system for carbon and biodiversity”, there is currently NO co-crediting system available. The paper argues in favour of them.
However, there are several (numerous?) CO2 offsetting products available which emphasise their nature friendly nature. (in contrast for example to CO2 offsetting schemes which involve planting trees in plantations with chemical fertilisers).
Examples of “nature friendly” CO2 offset products are offered by
Carbon Footprint Ltd, EcoOffset, Ecologi , to give just 3 examples.
HOWEVER many offsetting products involve “afforestation” which means planting trees on land without trees. Unfortunately some times this land can be more valuable for CO2 sequestration before the tree planting than after AND the process of tree planting can damage biodiversity. So it is important to take great care when choosing how and where to offset. Most of the websites of consultancies offering CO2 services provide very little detail on exactly where and how they offset. AVL used Carbon Footprint Limited 2019-22 and they continue to provide clear and comprehensive information on their offsetting options.

Awareness raising to contribute to nature positive action in society
AVL will use our company network and wider sphere of influence to support and acceleratenature positive action in society. AVL encourages other SMEs in our network to join us by taking the Nature Positive Business Pledge.
Target: promote at events, www.anneveckhair.com, social media, Salon RE:Source tool kit & e- newsletter at least 6 x p.a. by 30/4/24
Collaborate with other businesses .Action:Keith Mellen is active (director) in the UK Business & Biodiversity Forum CIC. Target: continue this until end of director term (October 2025) at least.
Engage with government and NGO programmes such as the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Network. Target: participate in 100% events organised by its business group during 2023/24.
Share our story by getting recognized for our work and by inspiring other SMEs by sharing our examples of nature positive success in the media and awards.Target::3 features about business & nature in hair & beauty media and 1 award final in 2023.

Investing in nature
AVL Directors have invested dividends in a nature positive project (rewilding NGO in Portugal).Invest further as required and requested, subject to affordability by 30/4/24.
Nb for tax purposes it is better to invest personally rather than through the company.
AVL has previously sponsored BBOWT, the local wild life trust. Considerdoing again. Encourage SHO to organise volunteering day(s) for BBOWT.

Keith Mellen Director Anne Veck Limited 17/8/23

We asked Anne Veck about trends in the global hairdressing industry over the next few years. This are her forecasts, including her vision of an AI, robotic salon experience! Do you agree?

1. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices. There has been a growing emphasis on sustainability within the hair & beauty industry, including the use of eco-friendly products and adopting practices that minimize environmental impact. Many salons and stylists are incorporating sustainable approaches into their businesses. At Anne Veck, we refitted both our salons to be more planet friendly between 2013 and 2018 and we have created a sustainable hairdressing tool kit “Salon RE:Source” (get it here bit.ly/SalonReSourceUK ) It has been downloaded over 1,600 times.

2. Wellness and self-care. Haircare is being viewed more holistically as part of overall wellness. Salons are offering services that promote relaxation and stress relief, tying into the broader trend of self-care. Hairdressers are caring people, they care for both their clients’ health and the health of the planet (see above).

3. Inclusivity and diversity. There’s a move towards more inclusive representations of beauty. This involves celebrating diverse hair textures, styles, and colours that reflect a broader range of cultural influences. It is now generally unacceptable to say “we don’t do your type of hair” and there is a growing demand from hairdressers to invest in training to fill this skills gap. To meet this demand, Anne Veck offers an “Introduction to Textured Hair” workshop, which she delivers in the UK and France.
Texture embrace. There’s a celebration of natural hair textures, with a move away from excessive heat styling. Embracing and enhancing the natural texture of hair has become a significant trend.

4. Natural and organic Products. There is an increasing demand for natural and organic haircare products, reflecting a broader consumer interest in clean beauty. This impacts the way we professionals approach haircare by incorporating more environmentally friendly options into our offerings. This demand is having a major effect on manufacturers who supply salons.

5. Radical new products. Multi-functional styling products are offering multiple benefits, such as volumizing, texturizing, and holding properties all in one, are gaining popularity. This is streamlining the styling process for professionals, allowing for versatility in creating different looks.
Colour-protecting Formulas. With the growing popularity of vibrant hair colours, colour-protecting shampoos, conditioners, and treatments are essential so that we can apply these products to maintain and enhance our clients’ colour treatments.
Dry Shampoos are gaining momentum, providing a quick solution for reviving hairstyles between washes and extending their longevity. Good for reducing water , energy and carbon emissions too.

6.Skill shortages and apprenticeship and training programmes. In the UK at least, initiatives to provide hands-on training and nurture new talent are confused and not communicated effectively. Apprenticeships (based in salons with a combination of practical skills and theory) are the favoured route into the industry by employers. However, the public (that is, parents and young people themselves), the education sector and politicians, favour higher education and thus the college route. Recent campaigning by industry bodies has resulted in the college based “T-level” (t =technical) for Hair and Beauty, having the hair component removed. There is now no T-Level for hairdressing . Whether or not this helps drive more young people into the apprenticeship route, remains to be seen.

7. Technology’s role. Technology has significantly transformed the hairdressing industry as follows: Online Booking: Simplifies scheduling through salon management apps and salon management software. Has been available for at least 10 years but uptake by salons has been slow. Unbelievably, in the UK some salons continue use paper based booking.
Social Media Impact: Influences trends and serves as a marketing tool, especially on platforms like Instagram & tiktok.
Virtual Consultations: Allows remote client consultations via video conferencing tools or salon-specific apps. This was popular during Covid and this has remained.
Salon management software and apps are enhancing business operations through platforms including client communication and loyalty. Digital payments ofcourse.
Smart Tools and Devices: Enhances styling precision and efficiency with smart hairdryers, straighteners, and colour mixers.
AI and robots. AI for personalization, tailoring services based on client preferences with AI-driven software. Plus other benefits such as virtual try-ons, enables clients to visualize hairstyles/colours through augmented reality features. And, yes, robots will replace human hairdressers for some simple functions and maybe completely. It’s already happening and if robots can carry out heart surgery then can definitely cut hair! There will always be a demand for the human touch but this may become a high end VIP luxury.

8. Industry collaboration. We are seeing early moves by manufacturers globally to address shared sustainability issues, mainly around carbon emissions and plastic. This work is usually carried out in a “pre-competitive space” and can involve all parties signing NDAs ( non disclosure agreements). So there is
(we hope) more happening than we are aware of. One great example is the Hairstyling Tools Collective, launched in London in October 2023. “A collaboration to lessen the environmental impact and increase the sustainability of hair tool products and to jointly support organizations, activities and endeavours that will help achieve these aims” .Hairstyling Tool Collective. — Hair industry sustainability (hairtoolcollective.com). Founded by Denman International and Olivia Garden, UK hairdressers Anne Veck and Melanie Tudor are their Sustainable Salon Champions and other manufacturers are invited to join.

So there you have Anne’s assessment of where the hairdressing industry is going. More sustainable, more diverse, more collaboration for the common good? Will a robot be cutting your hair in 5 years’ time?

There are some fabulous hair events coming up later in the year and I hope to see you all at them!

In particular, you mustn’t miss Colour World and the Alternative Hair Show. Bookings are open for both right now!

Colour World UK is a 2-day gathering for colourists held in a London Victorian warehouse, on Tanner Street – a short walk from London Bridge station. Come to immerse yourself in colour and come and see me.

The venue is deliberately chosen to encourage creativity in an atmosphere of artistry and excitement. One of my favourite events, its also seriously sustainable! Bring your own water bottles/collapsable cups which can be refilled at the bar and your own cloth bags for any takeaways. Green Salon Collective will be on hand to ensure as much waste as possible is diverted from landfill.
So put Sunday 19 May and/or Monday 20 May in the diary now! Tickets here.

The Alternative Hair Show is my favourite hairdressing event, a riot of fantasy and avant-garde talent from all over the world and all for the purpose of raising funds to help kids and their families affected by leukaemia and other blood diseases.
I missed last year but I’m thrilled to be back for the eleventh time for the 2024 show! Get your tickets here.

Anne Veck has once again been selected as a Pre-Nominee for the International Hairdresser of the Year title.

It is the third time in five years that multi-award-winning Anne has been shortlisted for the accolade – the top honour of the International Hairdressing Awards 2024. Entry into this category is strictly by nomination only, with those selected representing the crème de la crème of international hairdressing. Criteria for selection includes previous awards success, as well as quality of photographic work, and educational and artistic work during the last year.

Anne’s hat trick of nominations for the same prestigious title is confirmation of her influence as an artist and an educator, not just in the UK, but on an international level. Her enviable track record goes back beyond 2016 when she was crowned Winner of Global Style Master by Revlon Professional.

Anne is now required to submit a photographic collection of four images, as well as a detailed dossier outlining her professional activity from July 2022 onwards. Finalists for the category will be announced in February 2024, with the awards event itself taking place next May.

The news follows Anne reaching the finals of the Live Fashion Hair Awards, in the Creative Colourist of the Year category. Anne’s ‘Mondrian’ collection has been shortlisted and she will now compete for the title against ten of her peers at the event in Tenerife later this month.

‘I’m incredibly honoured to be nominated for two such exciting awards’ says Anne. ‘The shortlists include so many talented stylists and it is a privilege to see my name alongside some industry icons. In the last twelve months, I have worked hard to launch my new education programme and am dedicated to bringing my training to an international audience, so this nomination feels very timely.’

Designed to eliminate the restrictions of online training, Anne Veck Education offers ‘real life, hands on’ education, encouraging participants to engage and interact with one another at a venue of their choosing.

Comprising a total of 13 courses, Anne Veck Education offers options for all levels; from apprentices to NVQ Level 3, as well we those returning to the industry after a break. Featuring six categories covering a breadth of hairdressing skillsets, each course promises to deliver Anne’s expertise and experience gained over a thirty-five-year hairdressing career, breaking down the creative and technical skills that have helped her secure multiple high profile awards and a reputation as one of the industry’s most talented hair artists.

Anne is also offering bespoke packages, collated to target specific training requirements at the request of the participant.

‘These courses have been designed to demonstrate the intricacies and technical details of hairdressing up-close, allowing participants to be hands-on with their learning, and to ask questions and interact to facilitate a truly 360-degree learning experience. Whether you are looking to fine tune your hair-up portfolio or wish to build confidence in working with textured hair, my education will provide the practical and creative know-how required to enhance your expertise and attract new clients and opportunities.’

Anne already has eight confirmed bookings in France for spring 2024!

More information on the courses and how to book can be found at anneveckhair.com or by emailing anne@anneveckhair.com

And for further information on Anne Veck or Anne Veck Education, please contact louise@lwpr.biz

I have taken my years of education experience – both in the classroom and online – and created a programme of ‘old school’ face-to-face education. I invite you to escape the restrictions of the digital world and join me in a real life, hands-on educational experience. Engage and interact with other hairdressers at my workshops, seminars and shows, at a location that suits you – your college, salon, academy or venue of your choice.

I love creating those timeless styles from the roaring twenties and I would like to share my passion with you on my new course “VINTAGE ESSENTIALS!

Classic vintage styles are always in demand. Learn how to create authentic finger waves and revisit traditional setting techniques to achieve hair looks influenced by the past – all with the help of modern tools and products.

Who is the course aimed at?
Hairdressers at all levels, plus stylists and make-up artists.

What should I bring?
Brushes, combs, sectioning clips, hairdryer and heated tongs/curling wand,
plus hair grips, pins and hair elastics.

If your education requirements are more specific, I can create a bespoke package
to suit your needs – simply contact us to discuss.
For more information and all bookings call Keith Mellen on 01865 744612 or email
anne@anneveckhair.com.
To keep in touch with me for news and updates about my education and shows,
subscribe to my e-newsletter here!