I’m already beautiful – I just need a hair cut!

Ingrid Marsh experiencing Nan s magic at Mayne Cuts by Terrill We

If you want to make Nanette Johnston’s day, walk into Mayne Cuts and say “I know I’m already beautiful.  I just need a hair cut!” Then ask her how many times she has heard this in her career as a hairstylist. “Not often,” Nanette (or Nan to most of us) will reply. Such declared self-appreciation by women getting their hair washed, cut, blow dried, coloured, streaked, curled, straightened (and other kinds of things I am just not familiar with) is rare – really rare. This breaks Nan’s heart because “most women are so beautiful but they just don’t know it.” Nan has concluded that enhancing women’s already naturally-beautiful selves is her signature style. She sees herself as an artist bringing out the feminine beauty and vitality of the women who come to her shop. Being that Nan was schooled in New York at Vidal Sassoon, where runway models were her training ground, she could give you the trendiest of the trendy cuts – but it is not her first love. Her aim is more about your hair expressing you, than giving you the latest flip or angle cut. She knows what her gift of seeing, cutting, colouring and shaping can do for you, and if she has the opportunity, she puts her gift into practice. Nan is all heart and frank perception. She is a self-described romantic hairstylist! This is what I love about how Nan steps into her leadership as a hairstylist, as a business woman and as a community member.

Nanette Johnston in her shop at Mayne Cuts by Terrill Welch

Nan was one of the first women leaders I have had the pleasure to get to know on Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada. I trust her to have her way with my hair, and I follow her guidance as to having it just a little shorter, a bit more layered and with the bangs shaped differently. As long as it’s wash and wear… I’m in! Of course those of you who know me or have ever seen a picture of me know that fussing with my hair is way down low on my priority list. I am a minimum personal maintenance kind of gal. Fortunately, Ingrid Marsh volunteered to be our poster woman and allow us to see Nan in action! I was honoured to be able to click away with my digital camera while Ingrid perched comfortably in the salon chair for some final touches of Nan’s magic.

For Nan, hair is a blessing and a curse. She has always known that she wanted to be a hairstylist. When she approached her parents with her desire to go to Vidal Sassoon in London, England, upon completing high school in Belgium (where her family was living at that time), well they responded as parents who love us usually do: “That is very nice dear. We would like you to have the best opportunities possible. Get your university degree first and then if you are still interest in hairdressing school, by all means do it then.” So Nan, seeing the logic of their wisdom completed a fine arts degree at Carleton University and then immediately registered for Vidal Sassoon – at their new school just open in New York. The rest we can say is leadership history. Why might we say that it is leadership history? Well, I define leadership as discovering your core passion, and then creating and living a vision that fully expresses what you love most. That is also why Nan describes hair as both a blessing and a curse. It is something that she simply cannot help doing, thinking about, dreaming about and persistently practicing every day. Styling hair is Nan’s art and her most precious gift to the world.

Though hair is her first expression of her passion, Nan has other loves such as singing, which is often her way of giving back to the Mayne Island community that has welcomed her and supported her through difficult times. She feels that Mayne Island is home! Also, Sarah and Tarot must have mention. These two lovely big dogs greet every customer at the driveway and can be seen keeping Nan company on walks around town and down to the beach.

Nan arrived nine years ago on Mayne Island possibly like many others have – by accident or synchronicity. She was following love and once here has never left. Starting with a bicycle and a pair of scissors, her business became known as “scissors on wheels.” Shortly thereafter she rented a sink and styling chair in a small space available in Bennett Bay. As her business has grown so has her shop, which is now located in Miner’s Bay at the most recent “old post office” – you know: the yellow building on the left as you enter Miner’s Bay from Village Bay road. (Since I am relatively new to Mayne Island, I didn’t know where “the old post office” had been, but it is a common landmark for people with longer tenure and for those with even longer tenure it is the most recent “old post office”).

Mayne Cuts by Terrill Welch

Being part of an Island economy is not always easy. However, with business thriving and having had one of her best winters ever, it seemed right to ask Nan what she thought was next. Nan responded easily to my question with humble appreciation for both her clients and the community. “I have a lot of mentors here. Women who come to see me share a lot of information and wisdom,” she replied. “I feel like I am part of a big extended family, and that is the most important thing to me about life and business here.” Having spent many years of her childhood in Nova Scotia, with summers on Prince Edward Island on Canada’s east coast, it is easy to imagine why these are the most import aspects of Island life to Nan, and why she has made Mayne Island her home. Nan’s vision is that her business will grow with Mayne Island and be part of it. Maybe a new sign on the road with shop hours, and maybe more gardening, and possibly a place where her work is separate from where she is living – but these are tentative thoughts that will mature if nurtured by the flow of island life. For now, Nan is grateful to the women that come and grace her salon chair, share their wisdom and allow her to do her magic with love, talent, and humble respect for their natural beauty. If you happen to be on Mayne Island and would like to experience Mayne Cuts and Nanette Johnston’s magical abilities call 250-539-3445 for an appointment. And remember to say “I know I’m already beautiful.  I just need a hair cut!”

This article was published in this issue of Island Tides (August 21 – September 3, 2008 Issue page 7 &10) 

Terrill Welch
Executive Leadership Coach

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© 2008 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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