There’s something unique about the hairdressing industry, as identified by O&M Founder Jose Bryce Smith in our recent chat ahead of the 2024 Made For Originals event.
When asked about the tightknit, supportive community that O&M is so well-known for, Jose points to the industry’s willingness to come together, help and empower each other to be their best selves in their chosen craft.
From the inception of the CØR.creators program, to her commitment to clean, kind, and original practices, we speak with Jose about nurturing creatives and fostering a vibrant, interconnected community.
TJ: Can you chat us through the origins of the CØR.creators program?
JBS: Hairdressers are at the centre of everything we do, and they sit right at the core of the brand. As a brand, we started to notice that education was moving towards a more ‘independent’ format. We’ve always been a free-spirited company, and so we started to work with more independent educators and ambassadors. We see our ambassadors as creators, be it content or trends. And so that’s where that came from.
TJ: O&M is known for fostering a tight-knit and supportive community of creatives. What drives this brand dedication?
JBS: It really comes down to the love of the hairdressing industry. It’s actually quite rare that competing businesses hang out together, learn from each other and form friendships, which we just love about our community. We’re always looking for ways to bring them together, and we are constantly encouraging collaboration. We like to work with people that want to build other people up – sharing, growing and learning together.
TJ: Can you chat us through the ethos and values of O&M as a brand?
JBS: Our fundamental values as a brand are clean, kind and original – it’s been that way from the start. Our original mission was to make ammonia and PPD free colour. We recognised a problem – hair colour contained so many fumes, smells and toxic chemicals – and we wanted a different way. I think those brand values of clean, kind and original filter through to everything we do.
TJ: How do you and O&M support your CØR.creators?
JBS: We only work with people that genuinely love the brand and the product. Every single one of our CØR.creators was a customer first. There’s that authenticity, and a strong mutual support of each other. We get to know each individual and what’s important to them, understand their goals, and see how we can support them. We can see they’re amazing, and truly want to support what they want to do.
TJ: What do you look for in potential creatives looking to become a part of this community?
JBS: We get asked this a lot, actually! I’m excited to have launched our O&M BFF – Brand Forever Friend – program at the Made for Originals event. It’s for people that have smaller followings (minimum of 1,000), they’re posting their work at least a couple of times a week, and would like to get on the path to becoming a CØR.creators. There will be mentorship from our current ambassadors, events and products sent out to create with.
TJ: Describe the CØR.creators in three words.
JBS: One of the things that I really love about the CØR.creators is that they’re always so humble. Really successful people tend to be quite humble, and they’re always so giving. They are sharing so much of their knowledge. So if I had to pick three words to describe the CØR.creators? Humble, brave and always learning.
WHAT THE CØR.creators SAY:
“O&M really values me as a team member, rather than just a number. I always feel supported and know they genuinely want me to be successful.”
- Jaye Edwards, EdwardsAndCo
“O&M has been integral to my growth as an artist. They foster an environment where artistry is celebrated, whether it’s through training sessions or collaborations, which makes me feel truly valued as a part of their family.”
- Kindale Godbee, The Heir Salon
“It truly feels like a family where every voice matters, and together, we make O&M what it is. The sense of belonging and collaboration is unlike anything else, and that’s what makes it so special to be a part of.”
- Leanne Kay, Stevie English Hair
“What sets O&M apart is their dedication to innovation, clean ingredients, and the community they’ve built.”
- Kim Haberley, Boho Blonde