Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

How did you come to be involved in the world of haircare? I was looking to change careers and my friend John Capra worked for an employment agency. He told me to check out a sales position in the professional beauty industry. He said it didn’t pay much but the opportunity was unlimited…and he was right. When did you realise you had a unique talent for sales and business? When I entered the professional industry, I really loved what I was doing. And like anything else, you develop a talent for anything you really like doing. Have you ever had a lightbulb moment? What was it about? Yes. When our initial backer pulled out, I said to Paul (Mitchell), “Let’s do it anyway and we will make it happen somehow,” and we did. Was there amomentwhenyou thought…“I’vemade it”? Yes, it was when John Paul Mitchell Systems had been in business for two years and we were finally able to pay our bills on time and have $2,000 left each…we were so happy. Describe an average day in your life. There is no average day, other than calling foreign countries because of different time zones. I incorporate my philanthropy, business and personal life together. Tell us about some of your favourite celebrity clients… I’m lucky to have many celebrity friends. Since I’m not a hairdresser, none of them are clients – just pals. What do you think is the most timeless or suits-all hairstyle? For men it’s a ponytail, and for women long hair. What Paul Mitchell product can you not live without? The conditioner, and my current favourite – the newmarula shampoo. How important is being cruelty-free in your ethos, and how does this manifest itself? When I worked for a major professional company, I went into a room they were testing in. They had little monkeys called marmosets, and I felt so sorry for them in their little cages in a little room and not being able to go outside. I asked why we couldn’t test the product on ourselves, and the answer was “It makes us look scientific”. I thought that was so senseless and irresponsible. I then vowed if there’s anything I can do to stop this practice in the future, I would. Fortunately for me, I started my own company and did it. At Paul Mitchell we make products for human beings and we test them on ourselves. We make products we can all use, and we are proud of it. What is your newest release and what was the inspiration for this line? Marula oil is extracted from the fruit of the marula tree (a vital resource for the people of southern and eastern Africa), and it has long been used to work wonders on skin; now we’re bringing this skincare-inspired ingredient and benefit to haircare. Anyone who uses our new marula shampoo and mask will see these kinds of results in minutes. The marula oil shampoo and other products will help reduce split ends up to 80%, while and shine is dramatically boosted, also up to 80%. What is your greatest personal achievement? My greatest achievement was receiving the Horatio Alger Award at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court in the United States – the only award ever given by a Chief Justice.\ Do you believe in destiny? Yes, beyond any question of a doubt. What do you think is the biggest mistake people make with their hair? Not using Paul Mitchell haircare products. If they did, they wouldn’t have to change products every few months. If you could go back and change anything in your life, what would it be? I would probably change several things, but perhaps those were learning lessons to get me where I am today. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your work? Realising I am doing a lot of good for a lot people. Does what we eat affect our hair as it does our skin? If so, what should we look to consume? Yes, it really does. Simply eat healthily, whatever works for you. Each person is different. Can you forecast and imagine where the future of hair styling is going? It will continue to be a personal service performed by humans and I don’t see machines taking our place. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? Be prepared for a lot of rejection because if you are, it will be less of a problem when it happens. Who have you met that has surprised you the most? I was helping fit a prosthetic leg on a landmine victim. We were adjusting it on his limb and when we turned around, the person was gone. When they finally found him down the street, he didn’t realise we were trying to adjust it and give it back to him. He was so afraid of losing that leg, but he came back and we adjusted it and let him keep it. Where are you based and what do you love about it? Austin, Texas. We decided 15 years ago to raise our son in the country with good family values, and it worked. What would you tell your younger self, if you could? In the end it’s all going to be ok. More than your dreams! What do you think the secret to happiness is? Love what you’re doing, who you are doing it with, and don’t let others tell you that you have to do it their way. And know that you are not hurting others. 2 4 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I