In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Loyal Wooldridge
What do you always find yourself saying?
Know who you are – OWN IT!
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Lady Gaga – Her influence in supporting everyone to live their lives with authenticity and own who they truly are. Her continual efforts to use her celebrity status to empower others and launch her ‘Born Brave Foundation’ inspired our ‘I AM ME Campaign’. Our voices are so powerful when they scream the message of inclusion and acceptance and we become stronger when we stand for a positive movement rather than fight against something that is negative.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I honestly do not have my eye on an award. It will fill me up to see my organization be recognized for any of the work we do to better our community and world. An award is a great honour to remind ourselves that the work we are doing is worth while and recognized as such.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Walt Disney- The ultimate of innovators of all time who started an empire with a mouse. Walt Disney demonstrated to the world that you can create an ultimate experience that can transport the most serious of adults to a different world. The attention to detail of service that is projected from so many Disney products is unparalleled and unmatched even today. Disney would most definitely be asked numerous questions in how his philosophies could be adapted to the Loyal Hair experience.
Who inspires you?
My husband – Ian Roth. I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by my biggest cheerleader, supporter and confidant at home. We accent each other so well because our outlooks are the exact opposite of one another. He has a way of bringing me back to Earth and empowering me to always see the other side of every situation. Recently, in a moment of self-doubt he said to me: ‘You’re never dealt more than you can handle – go for it.’ Four months later, we opened our second location Loyal2.
What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Fly on a private jet – I love to travel and doing it in the privacy and comfort of a jet would be next level!
2. I AM ME on Ellen – I would love our empowerment campaign to be broadcast on Ellen for more exposure and to generate more funds for charity.
3. Round the world tour- For one year to travel the world extensively with little or no responsibility and experience the best corners of the globe.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
‘Gratitude’- every experience we have in life is a gift both the positive and negative. If I would be so fortunate to have a yacht it would be surrounded in gratitude for the opportunity to be blessed with it.
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
It is not a day but a life. In the future we will build a life of freedom which will allow us to benefit community, live without worry or expectation and travel the world. From experience I’ve come to appreciate the value in appreciating the miracles in every achievement rather than one single day.
What are you passionate about?
Empowerment. To see the transformation in anyone who discovers more about themselves to change their behaviours to live in a more positive way. This happens from a simple haircut, a break through of one of our Team Members or participants in a seminar to who discover new levels to their potentiality. When people live an empowered life their energy vibration raises to new levels that inspire me deeply.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Ascension to Love! That was what Ian and I named our favourite day which happens to be our wedding day last September 12 at 50th Parallel Estate Winery. It was a day crafted especially for us where we had the opportunity to feel special and live like movie stars while celebrating with our closest family and friends.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Having our team being recognized as the Corporate Community Leader with the City of Kelowna for 2012. Community has always been at the heart of everything we do at Loyal Hair and it was an honour to have our team being recognized for all the efforts that we have put forward.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Quail’s Gate Old Vines Restaurant – I’m a service fanatic! Not only am I a bit of a foodie it is the experience that always reins supreme for me. Old Vines restaurant always delivers a fantastic meal, paired with delicious wine and service that is both accommodating and intuitive. My favourite item on the menu are the Truffle Fries….I’m a ‘frite’ addict!
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
Okanagan Pride – Every summer an ambitious team of men and women come together to organize a week of festivities to elevate the level of acceptance we have in our city. Since 2003 it’s been wonderful to watch the festivities grow from exclusive dance parties to daytime family festivals, wine tasting and boat cruises. It’s an obvious reminder of how a small center can evolve into a growing vibrant community.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Loyal Hair & Loyal2
What does your business/organization do?
Empower everyone to discover and own their true beauty while giving back to our community. We do this by offering a menu of full service hair services with Experts that train extensively in L’Oreal Professionnel Hair Colour & techniques, ongoing Mastery Training and our exclusive Intern Stylist Training Program. Our philosophy is to elevate the standards of our industry through continual development in technique, service and guest experience.
Where can people find you or your business online?
Loyalhairtherapy.ca
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Loyal Hair Therapy
What is your Twitter account?
@loyalhair
What is your mission?
To empower everyone to discover and own their true beauty while giving back to our community. We believe fully in giving back to the community that supports us whole heartily.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To coach and mentor our team members for them to have the knowledge and expertise to feel confident in their technical and intrapersonal skills become market leaders in the hairdressing industry. In short, I want to help the young talent of tomorrow to become millionaires in owning salons.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
In five years our vision is to have a repeatable, sustainable and exciting salon brand that will continue to evolve in franchise by empowering our most powerful leaders within our organization. Expansion is about inclusion and collaboration which will be achieved by dedicating our time and energy in growing the new talent of today to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Vidal Sassoon – Through his innovation and dedication to his philosophy and vision he became uncompromising in his values. By doing this, he created a culture of quality hairdressing that has become a pillar of excellence within our industry. Leaders like Sassoon are unwavering in their approach and although it may seem ‘rigid’ or ‘challenging’ the true measure is found in the sustainability and suitability of their methods. This can be demonstrated by a frontrunner in a chosen field.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Acceptance. Integrity. Team Success.
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for your trust, dedication and passion to rise to greatness together.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
Our aim is to benefit the community through varying avenues to help as many people as possible. Primarily our team gives support through our time and craft. In addition our empowerment campaign: I AM ME raises money through t-shirts and pendants with all proceeds benefiting Canadian Mental Health – Kelowna. We are involved in shows such as Swinging with the Stars for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association, Kelowna Chamber Wedding Show and coming soon Opera Kelowna’s Enchanted Event. Through these fundraising events we provide styling and make up to take the entertainers to the next level.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I would love being trapped in an elevator with the leaders of Starwood Hotel Properties and the Disney Corporation to discover what innovations can be created within an organization to elevate the standard of service. Experience is everything and it is fascinating to understand what great brand leaders do to make it unforgettable. Maya Angelou said ‘People will forget what you’ve said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’
If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Diversity – We’ve come a long way since I moved here in 1993 and I’m so PROUD! As we continue to grow as a community I know that we will continue to blossom in a diverse and accepting community that we are meant to be.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The vineyards, the lake, the fresh air and the people. We live in a small city that is forever evolving to become better without losing it’s soul. It’s such a privilege to live and work in a community surrounded by such natural beauty…accented by the work of our team at Loyal Hair!
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Colin Ford of FORDMomentum
Some general comments I would like to share are:
We are all striving for greatness in our own way. When we come together and expand our vision to be inclusive of others we will open ourselves up to unlimited and unparalleled success. Only when we live small and protect our limiting beliefs do we stunt our learning and growth. During this past year, I’ve been faced with some of the most amazing and memorable moments of my life along with some of the most challenging years professionally. What I have learned is that there is evolution in all of it! What cannot be lost is the essence of the positive reasons of WHY you are on this journey and how you benefit the people around you. I’m so very grateful for everyone who I am close to for their love and unwavering support that makes this journey so worth while and rewarding. Never lose sight of your urge to push further into that crazy idea to take a chance on something that may seem impossible. You biggest victory is hiding just beyond your comfort zone!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
