INTUITION THE ART OF HAIR: GROWING TALENT, ELEVATING INDUSTRY

By Anthony Gray – MIG Training

In the heart of Mackay, sits a salon that’s quietly redefining what leadership, education, and culture look like in the Australian hair industry. Intuition The Art of Hair is not just a destination for beautifully executed blondes and lived-in colour—it’s a blueprint for building high-performing teams.

Led by founder Victoria Rushby and her leadership partner Kate, Intuition has grown into a nationally recognised brand. It’s not just the technical work that’s earned accolades—it’s the business model itself, rooted in mentorship, mindset, and the belief that when you invest in your people, everything else follows.

“I didn’t just want to run a salon,” says Victoria. “I wanted to build a space where hairdressing was a fulfilling career—where people could grow both professionally and personally.” She purchased Intuition at just 23 years old. Eight years on, it’s now home to a 14-strong team, seven of whom began their careers there as apprentices.

From Apprentices to Industry Assets

The salon’s growth story is inextricably tied to its commitment to education. Victoria and Kate have designed a custom training pathway under the “Intuition Training Academy” banner, in partnership with MIG Training. The goal? Turn raw enthusiasm into commercially competent, confident stylists - fast. Apprentices begin by mastering foundational skills: consultations, basin work, blowdries. As they demonstrate competency, they advance to colour, men’s cutting, and eventually full colour services and restyles. Time trials are used to build speed and confidence, and each skill milestone is signed off only once the apprentice feels genuinely ready.

“There’s no conveyor belt,” explains Kate. “We check in regularly to ensure they’re not just technically capable, but mentally prepared too.”

At the 2.5-year mark, apprentices graduate to the “Emerging Stylist” level—a vital transitional phase that blends responsibility with support. They begin working with clients, managing columns, and earning commissions—giving them hands-on experience while still under the watchful guidance of mentors. By the time they reach full qualification, they’re not just “qualified” on paper—they’re contributing to the business, financially and culturally.

Education Beyond the Chair

While technical development is essential, what truly sets Intuition apart is its commitment to personal development. Every Wednesday morning, the salon closes for one hour of dedicated education, covering topics that range from balayage and cutting to mindset, confidence, posture, boundaries, and emotional regulation.

From yoga and chiropractic sessions to workshops on victim mentality and goal setting, no topic is off-limits. The goal is simple: support the whole person, not just the stylist.

“Without mindset, the technical skills don’t land,” says Victoria. “You can’t pour into someone who’s burnt out or doubting themselves.”

The team also has access to EAP Assist, offering counselling sessions when needed—just one of many wellbeing touchpoints that foster safety and openness in the workplace.

Team Culture That Sticks

In an industry known for high turnover, Intuition boasts unusually high retention. Stylists stay for years—many for their entire careers—thanks to a leadership style built on honesty, transparency, and shared vision.

Every year kicks off with a “brand identity and goals” meeting. Team members help shape the year ahead: what kind of reputation the salon should have, where skills need improving, and what personal goals each stylist wants to pursue. This buy-in creates ownership.

“When people feel heard, they stick around,” says Kate. “They’re not just working for us— they’re working with us.”

That sense of shared purpose extends to financial transparency. The team is taught how the business runs: overheads, budgets, profit margins, and even seasonal fluctuations. They help track salon expenses and are rewarded when the business hits targets. There’s even a whiteboard “goal tree” in the back room that grows when budgets are met.

Performance with Purpose

Intuition’s incentive structure isn’t about pressure—it’s about empowerment. Stylists are rewarded not just for productivity, but for consistency and alignment with team values.

New KPIs were introduced in 2024 after Victoria and Kate shadowed Perth-based salon leader Sharlene and revamped their systems.

“We realised we needed a model that worked not just for the business—but for the team’s personal goals too,” says Victoria.

Since implementing the new structure, every stylist has hit their bonus at least once. The commission model is tiered and transparent, giving everyone a clear view of what’s achievable. Stylists know their numbers, understand how to work smarter, and celebrate one another’s success.

This clarity has translated into the salon’s most profitable month to date. But more importantly, it’s created a motivated team with high morale and a shared desire to push forward together.

Chelsea’s Climb: From School-Based to Star Performer

One of Intuition’s standout stories is Chelsea, who began her journey as a school-based apprentice. From the beginning, she stood out for her work ethic and drive. Supported by both the MIG training model and in-salon mentoring, she moved swiftly through her practical milestones, transitioning through her apprenticeship.

In 2023, she represented Queensland at the Australian Training Awards—a career-defining milestone and a testament to what’s possible when education is structured, consistent, and personal.

“Chelsea’s journey is the result of a system that works,” says Kate. “We knew she had potential, and the structure helped her unlock it.”

Scaling Sustainably in Regional Australia

What makes Intuition’s story even more compelling is that it’s unfolding in the regional centre of Mackay and not in one of the larger capital cities where hair education and opportunities are concentrated and often more easily accessed.

Intuition proves that success doesn’t require a capital city postcode. With intention, mentorship, and innovation, regional salons can be just as competitive—and often more supportive.

“We’re showing that excellence can happen anywhere,” says Victoria. “You don’t have to be in Melbourne or Sydney to run a world-class salon.”

The team’s success is attracting attention: job applicants now cite Intuition’s strong culture and Instagram presence as their reason for applying. Some even say, “I just want to work somewhere that feels like that.”

Eyes on the Future

With a recent lease renewal and plans to build a larger premises, Intuition is already planning its next chapter. In the coming months, the team hopes to welcome two or three new apprentices, expanding their training pipeline and opening up more opportunities for senior stylists to mentor and lead.

That growth is exciting, but for Victoria and Kate, it’s also deeply personal. They want to raise their families while growing a business that reflects their values: sustainability, empowerment, and education.

“We’re not gatekeepers,” Victoria says. “We share everything we’ve learned because we want to see the whole industry rise.”

A Model Worth Following

In an era where staff retention, mental wellbeing, and training outcomes are front and centre, Intuition The Art of Hair is proving that these challenges aren’t unsolvable—they just require intention.

By focusing on people over profits, and systems over short-term solutions, Victoria and Kate have created something rare: a salon that doesn’t just teach hairdressing—it teaches leadership, selfbelief, and the value of long-term vision.

“We’re not just building hairdressers,” Victoria says again, this time with a smile. “We’re building futures.”

@intuitionhairmackay @mig_training