Kiki Cavie

Although I only started doing the very basic jobs like making refreshments making sure the salon had enough clean towels and sweeping the floor, I was always really busy and learning lots of new skills by watching all the stylists.
I started my NVQ full time upon leaving school in 2002, I couldn’t wait to get trained and become a successful hair designer. Throughout my training, I was always inspired by learning lots of new things and would always be the first to book to go to shows and training events.
When I completed my NVQ level 2 alongside the Topknots in-house training program the following year in 2003, I was very excited to build up my clientele and do the best I could for my guests. That year I was very proud to receive the Topknots Student of the Year. After a year in the salon in Heathfield working on the Graduate level, I had built up a good client base and was promoted to the Hair designer level.
Shortly after this Gary suggested I join the Paul Mitchell Artistic team which he is a part of, The team educates for Paul Mitchell at events around the UK teaching other hairdressers new colour, cutting, and styling techniques. To join the team we had to learn everything about Paul Mitchell’s colour and take-home products, after which we went on a two-day training and accreditation course in Aylesbury. This is where I learned how to educate and present to others at the end of the two days we took an exam on Paul Mitchell’s colour, products, and the chemistry of hair.
I passed my exam and became a senior associate with honors. Over the time I have been working as an educator for Paul Mitchell I have always wanted to improve my knowledge and skills every year and have had a lot of opportunities on the journey to becoming a platform artist and working alongside Gary and the rest of the senior team. I have also been fortunate enough to have training and coaching from the American Paul Mitchell Art directors who are very well known in the hairdressing industry.

Over the years working with Topknots I have used the knowledge & skills I learned with Paul Mitchell in the salon with my guests to help them get the look they want and to manage their style at home. In 2006 I won designer of the year and in 2007 won star of the year of which I was very proud.
In 2007 the owners of Topknots Ian & Gaye retired and sold the company which soon became the ‘Great Hairdressing group’ which it is still known as today. I continued working for the new owners and continued to enjoy my work rising up through the promotion levels in the salon.
In 2008 I moved to the Eastbourne Salon on the Sovereign Harbour as I moved house to Eastbourne. I was lucky fortunate that a number of my Heathfield guests followed me to the Eastbourne salon. The following year 2009 I was given the opportunity to manage the salon in Eastbourne, which was something I really wanted to do. I managed a team of 10 and learned a lot from the experience.
In 2011 I felt I had accomplished all I could with the Great Hairdressing Group and it was time to move on to what I know will be an even more successful future at the Grove Experience.
Since joining the Grove Experience team I have completed two years of 365 business courses which I really enjoyed getting to learn more on the business side of the hairdressing industry.
After having two years out of the Paul Mitchell Artistic team to complete my business courses, I really couldn’t wait to get back into the team and start doing some show work again. I have completed my Paul Mitchell Prev-you training which is where we get assessed on colour and cutting techniques and styling looks which we will then be educating in the shows.
I enjoy learning new skills and have learned how to do Hot towel wet shaves which is another service I am now offering my male guests.
I have also learned Threading which is a technique using thread to remove hair, It was originally used on men to remove mono-brows but is now used on ladies as well to remove unwanted hair and reshape eyebrows.
In October 2015, I started volunteering at St Wilfred’s Hospice cutting and styling hair for patients and their family’s. I really enjoy giving back to my local community.
IN 2016 I won the salon designer of the year, and then again in 2017.
I have recently completed a course at the London School of barbering to upgrade my shaving skills and gain an NVQ level 3 in Shaving.
In October 2019 I took a trip to Africa with a charity called the Coco’s Foundation. The aim of the trip was to build a house for orphan children living with HIV. During our trip, we got to meet the family that we were building for and to see the conditions in which they live. We also got involved with other projects the charity fund, such as breakfast and after-school clubs, when the children receive food to help them through the day. We also took a group of children to buy school uniforms.
All of this is made possible due to kind donations made from some of our salon guests, friends and family. On reflection of my trip and coming home to the UK it has made me appreciate where i live and what we have.

2020: Well this year we all can remember when covid hit, During the lockdowns, I choose to see it as a opportunity to expand my knowledge, luckily there were a lot of online courses. I did a barbicide course which helped me prepare on returning to the salon and working in covid times.

2021: Won designer of the year!
In the future I would be interested in having or running my own branch within Experience Hair design, I would also like to get into more Media work with Paul Mitchell doing photo shoots for magazines.
I currently live in Eastbourne a short walk from the salon with my dog Ernie.
I am lucky to have a great group of friends which I enjoy spending time with my family have always been a great support network for me from when I started my training right up to now and are always keen to see me doing well in what I enjoy.
I look forward to welcoming you as a guest at the Grove Experience soon.