The Stylist's Champion: Harry D. Wood

ST: YOU STARTED A REVOLUTION USING THE IPAD FOR CLIENT CONSULTATIONS. HOW DID THIS IDEA CROSS YOUR MIND?

HDW: Well, consultation is the most important part of getting started with a client, and I was tired of cutting out pictures of what I thought people wanted. The very first day the iPad came out, I saw the potential and started to use it. Since I’ve always been a little bit of a “techie,” it started to make sense to change the experience for the client.

ST: SO, HOW DO YOU USE IT DURING THE CONSULTATION?

HDW: I use the internet to Google images and videos of current celebrity hair styles as well as the type of age-appropriate styles for every demographic and then save those images in my portfolio. For example, you can Google long-layered hair styles for women over 40 and it will provide you with thousands of looks to choose from.

ST: HOW DOES INCORPORATING AN IPAD INTO THE APPOINTMENT CHANGE THE WAY STYLISTS INTERACT WITH AND ENGAGE THE CLIENT? HOW DO YOU THINK IT SHAPES THE CLIENT’S PERCEPTION OF THE STYLIST?

HDW: I think it’s a smart new way of doing business. I think clients feel like we are keeping up with current trends and styles. You can even help them make dinner reservations on apps like Open Table or they can read the Wall Street Journal or even current digital issues of magazines.

ST: DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN COLLECTIONS ON IT THAT YOU SHOW FOR INSPIRATION?

HDW: I use the camera to capture a client’s exact style for duplication next time, they love it! I can also pull up product knowledge videos, and use YouTube to help people find tutorial videos of different ways to wear their hair. Then e-mail them the video so they can watch it over and over until they get it. It also helps with things like braiding hair and quick updos they can do for themselves on the ‑fly.

ST: IS THIS SOMETHING YOU’VE COACHED OTHERS AT VAN MICHAEL OR OTHER SALONS TO DO?

HDW: Absolutely, in my salon most people are using them now and my mission is to continue to coach our staff on how to maximize the client experience and reinvent the service we deliver by using this technology. During the past two years it’s been a pleasure to watch and deliver this information to the industry so we can raise our standards and incomes in the industry to six figures!

Harry Wood on stage.

ST: TELL US MORE ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND INTERACTIVE DIGITAL EDUCATION BOOK—WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE THIS FOR YOUR NEXT EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE?

HDW: Well, my ­first goal was to continue to pursue a completely green and paperless education. Most people take a class and leave with a workbook full of useful information that sits in a drawer somewhere.With digital they can have it anywhere. It also has video built into the book and video tutorial lessons on how to create the ultimate portfolio. Paper is expensive, we want to create the next level of learning and make it real for the industry.