Meet Issabella Hu of Issabella Stylist in Camberwell Junction

Hair stylist Issabella Hu is passionate, well-trained and creative, but above all, she is client focused.

And these values underpin her business Issabella Stylist, which is based in the Camberwell Junction precinct.

“Staying up to date with trends and techniques is very important but so too is understanding a client,” she said.

“A hair style or hair colour must suit a personality and fit a lifestyle, and I always keep that in mind.

“There is no point in me giving you a style you can’t then manage by yourself.”

Following a passion for hair

The hair stylist knew as she finished Year 11 at school that working with hair was what she truly wanted to do, and she has followed that calling.

“When teachers were talking to us about choosing VCE subjects and thinking about what we wanted to do, I knew I wanted to work with hair.

“I loved it, and it drew out my creativity.”

A salon job with a year’s apprenticeship proved she not only had a passion for the work but had the confidence to learn new skills and improve.

Following that year she took jobs at other salons, always finding ways to upskill and broaden her approach.

“I bounced around salons for a while and it was a great way for me to see the industry in a variety of settings and learn not just cutting and styling but colour, too,” Ms Hu said.

“I never wanted to be put into the cut or colour corner. I feel it’s great to know both. Moving salons helped me not to stagnate but keep learning.”

Building a business slowly and sustainably

Ms Hu said she always feels a responsibility to stay up to date with trends, techniques, and colours.

“In a creative profession like this, I don’t think you should just rely on what you knew at the beginning. We should always stay abreast of changes and grow our skills and knowledge.”

As an independent hair stylist, Ms Hu puts all of that into practice.

“It was daunting going alone at first,” she said.

“But a loyal clientele followed me and I am slowly growing that. I love giving the best service possible to everyone who comes to me.

“Building my business is a like nurturing a baby – caring for it, growing it in the best possible way.”

Going it alone has proved to Ms Hu that hair styling isn’t just a job.

“I absolutely love what I do. I don’t see it simply as a job to earn money. I see it as a creative outlet and I am passionate about what I do.”

Ms Hu said she also has a new understanding of the business side of the industry.

“My plan is to grow slowly,” she said.

Merging passion and business

Ms Hu’s parents came from China to Australia in the late 80s and, she said, sacrificed a lot for her.

“My decision not to go to university was a bit of a shock for them but my dad is an entrepreneur and he, I think, understands my passion and drive,” she said.

“When I began learning all I could about hair styling he said ‘I support you but work towards having your own business’. And I have.”

Now Ms Hu is a sole trader, renting a chair in a salon on Burke Rd.

“I really like it here. I love the area and the salon is clean, simple and modern – and it’s soft, not cold and clinical,” she said.

“While I hope someday to open my own salon, I am enjoying this business venture and I am totally focused on my clients.

“When a client comes to me, I want to give them a style or colour that totally works for them. I want them to be happy they came to Issabella Stylist.

“That makes me happy.”

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