Winnie Loo, the renowned founder of A Cut Above Group of Salons & Academy, is our woman of the month for JULY!
"I'm blessed with someone who cares for me, helps me to realize that I was actually able to work hard and do something for myself. "
You may recognize this petite lady as the founder of the very famous salon - A Cut Above. But Winnie Loo's success not only lies there, she is also the author of the "True Grit & A Pair of Scissors" book and the creator for The Hair Book "The Trend Journey".
"I have proven a lot of people wrong..."
Her hardwork and determination has earned her numerous awards including Master of the Craft New York City 1997, MIFA Best Hairstylist of the Year 2003, Stylo Industry Award by Mercedes Benz 2008, Best Overall Chinese Woman Entrepreneur of The Year by MCA 2007, Ernst & Young Woman Entrepreneur of The Year 2010, Brand Laureate Special Award for the Best Brand in hair Services 2011 and the list goes on...
"Don't allow the people or the naysayers to disturb your dreams."
the opportunity to sit back and have a very cozy tête-à-tête session with her about the journey she had gone through from friendships to love and many other things...
WoM: You have successfully brought the art of hair design in Malaysia to another level with A Cut Above Salon & Academy. Briefly share with us the journey you have gone through to open up this astounding company.
Winnie Loo: At a very young age (23 years old), I knew what I wanted. Of course, being young has its advantage, if anything goes wrong, you can always re-climb the ladder - as people always say it. But it was also very tough because work-wise, it was a rough ride and it has its disadvantages because people just think you are too young, not wisdom enough and at the same time, when you're younger, when things don't go the way you wanted, you tend to be upset. But I'm quite blessed in a sense that when I started the business with a business partner at that time, who was my client, at least I have someone who is already in the business to guide me just a bit. But the fact of having a business partner who was always too busy was an extremely difficult journey, because I find that I have to make an appointment with someone who is to me, as busy as the prime minister! So that made me feel "Am I having the right business plan to begin with?", fortunate enough, I met my husband shortly after I started the business, and he was quite the shoulder to cry on... somehow I think it was just meant to be. Apart from a partnership which went not the perfect journey that I wanted, I met my boyfriend, now husband, who journeyed with me and became my business partner. He took over my business partner's share. So I was quite blessed in a way that while I was searching (soul-searching, partner searching) and everything else, I found a boyfriend who was actually very keen to support me. Financially he came in, at the same time he was giving me quite a fair bit of advice here and there, so that gave me an advantage over things, the journey was a bit tough of course, because he was not keen in hairdressing, but at least I found love, that helps, when you found someone and when your life is a bit more stable, because I always find in business, when you are disturbed, up and down in life, that is very tough. I'm blessed with someone who cares for me, helps me to realize that I was actually able to work hard and do something for myself.
WoM: What makes you want to name the company "A Cut Above"?
Winnie Loo: "A Cut Above" was a name I wanted so badly even when I was studying in London. When I was reading a lot of journals and even the newspapers back then in the UK, they used this caption "A cut above", the shoe was "a cut above", the diamond was "a cut above", and I felt this name was so unique. The caption itself catches me, I just love the name.
WoM: Being so successful with all the achievements you’ve raked in these past few years (Ernst & Young Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, World Master of the Craft by Arts & Fashion Group New York City 1997 and Master of Her Craft by Malaysian Tatler's 2010), was there anything or anyone in particular that has motivated you to come this far?
Winnie Loo: My husband, as a boyfriend (at that time)... and my late father I must mention. I look at him (the late father) as a man full of perseverance, very wise, and I look at him as a good example of life. He came all the way from China at a young age and he had nothing, (but) he can be someone way back in the 60s. So I really think that it's very important that you have good genes! My dad was really a great influence in my life, apart from my husband.
WoM: If hair design was not your destiny, what other path would you go for?
Winnie Loo: Fashion design was my first choice at that time, jackets and blazers are my favourites. I love fashion design. But maybe because I was not sure what was best for me. At that time, I could have went to a dressmaking course easier than a hairdressing course because there was no hairdressing course. But I was really curious about hair at the same time. For me to wrap it up that I was going to do a hairdressing course was because when I was about 15 years old, I've already took fashion design during my year end holiday (around) 7 weeks. Fashion design in London was 3 years, but this one (holiday crash course) I could get a diploma in fashion design in 8 and a half months. But the thing is, I was already into things that I love at that age, but my dad did not allow it. I went for business before any other thing. I took a diploma in London Chamber of Commerce before hairdressing because my dad said "Whenever anything happens, you got something to fall back to".
WoM: You have successfully brought the art of hair design in Malaysia to another level with A Cut Above Salon & Academy. Briefly share with us the journey you have gone through to open up this astounding company.
Winnie Loo: At a very young age (23 years old), I knew what I wanted. Of course, being young has its advantage, if anything goes wrong, you can always re-climb the ladder - as people always say it. But it was also very tough because work-wise, it was a rough ride and it has its disadvantages because people just think you are too young, not wisdom enough and at the same time, when you're younger, when things don't go the way you wanted, you tend to be upset. But I'm quite blessed in a sense that when I started the business with a business partner at that time, who was my client, at least I have someone who is already in the business to guide me just a bit. But the fact of having a business partner who was always too busy was an extremely difficult journey, because I find that I have to make an appointment with someone who is to me, as busy as the prime minister! So that made me feel "Am I having the right business plan to begin with?", fortunate enough, I met my husband shortly after I started the business, and he was quite the shoulder to cry on... somehow I think it was just meant to be. Apart from a partnership which went not the perfect journey that I wanted, I met my boyfriend, now husband, who journeyed with me and became my business partner. He took over my business partner's share. So I was quite blessed in a way that while I was searching (soul-searching, partner searching) and everything else, I found a boyfriend who was actually very keen to support me. Financially he came in, at the same time he was giving me quite a fair bit of advice here and there, so that gave me an advantage over things, the journey was a bit tough of course, because he was not keen in hairdressing, but at least I found love, that helps, when you found someone and when your life is a bit more stable, because I always find in business, when you are disturbed, up and down in life, that is very tough. I'm blessed with someone who cares for me, helps me to realize that I was actually able to work hard and do something for myself.
WoM: What makes you want to name the company "A Cut Above"?
Winnie Loo: "A Cut Above" was a name I wanted so badly even when I was studying in London. When I was reading a lot of journals and even the newspapers back then in the UK, they used this caption "A cut above", the shoe was "a cut above", the diamond was "a cut above", and I felt this name was so unique. The caption itself catches me, I just love the name.
WoM: Being so successful with all the achievements you’ve raked in these past few years (Ernst & Young Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, World Master of the Craft by Arts & Fashion Group New York City 1997 and Master of Her Craft by Malaysian Tatler's 2010), was there anything or anyone in particular that has motivated you to come this far?
Winnie Loo: My husband, as a boyfriend (at that time)... and my late father I must mention. I look at him (the late father) as a man full of perseverance, very wise, and I look at him as a good example of life. He came all the way from China at a young age and he had nothing, (but) he can be someone way back in the 60s. So I really think that it's very important that you have good genes! My dad was really a great influence in my life, apart from my husband.
WoM: If hair design was not your destiny, what other path would you go for? Winnie Loo: Fashion design was my first choice at that time, jackets and blazers are my favourites. I love fashion design. But maybe because I was not sure what was best for me. At that time, I could have went to a dressmaking course easier than a hairdressing course because there was no hairdressing course. But I was really curious about hair at the same time. For me to wrap it up that I was going to do a hairdressing course was because when I was about 15 years old, I've already took fashion design during my year end holiday (around) 7 weeks. Fashion design in London was 3 years, but this one (holiday crash course) I could get a diploma in fashion design in 8 and a half months. But the thing is, I was already into things that I love at that age, but my dad did not allow it. I went for business before any other thing. I took a diploma in London Chamber of Commerce before hairdressing because my dad said "Whenever anything happens, you got something to fall back to".
WoM: Lastly, is there any personal message or advice that you would like to share with all the young women out there in Malaysia?
Winnie Loo: Well, I personally felt that after I won the Ernst & Young Women Entrepreneur of the Year (2010), the award which I would only dare dream, I always tell people there's no way that a hairdresser would win it. On the stage at that night when I received the award, I gave a very emotional speech, I told the audience, "I have proven a lot of people wrong, if you dare to dream, anything is possible". And to the young entrepreneurs, especially the lady entrepreneurs, I don't care whatever business you are doing, just keep working hard, be diligent about what you do, focus on it, be passionate about it, and most importantly, never give up, don't allow the people or the naysayers to disturb your dreams.
Photographed by: Nick Dorian (Candid Photography)
Wardrobe by: Madukara Suteramas
Make up by: Jaja Radzwan
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