Kerry Cash Salon Director

Kerry decided after having a work experience placement from school at Henlow Grange Health Farm she wanted to pursue a career in beauty therapy.

In 1990 she was accepted for a two year trainee programme at the health farm to work towards her diploma. This involved having a college day once a week based at the health farm and hands on experience for the rest of the week to help develop her skills. During her second year she also decided to enrol onto a sports therapy course on her day off. After the two year training course she gained her qualifications including City and Guilds, IIST, IHBC, IFA, Henlow Grange Diploma and RSA the certificate to be able to teach exercise classes and work as a gym instructor and personal trainer. In addition she was nominated and won “Trainee of the year” award and as an incentive for winning the award was given a placement at Springs Hydro for a 3 month stint to improve her knowledge and skills.

After four years at the health farm she decided to go it alone and opened her own beauty business based within a hair salon in 1994, at the same time she wanted to keep up the fitness side of her career and continued to help teaching classes at Henlow as well as starting up her own aerobics class based at a local fitness centre.

In December 1997, at the age of twenty three, Kerry opened the doors of 5th Avenue in Bedford town centre. At the time of opening she believed that there was definitely a gap in the market to be able to offer hair and beauty services under one roof with opening hours including late evenings to ensure that it would cater for everyone’s needs.

Starting out with a team of three including herself today she has built a large professional team of beauty therapists, stylists, juniors and front of house team who boast a wealth of experience. Training is extremely essential for each and every member of the team and Kerry believes that we can all continue to learn. She has a good relationship with the local college and local schools and has helped to give students their first step on the ladder by offering training and experience within the salon. 5th Avenue is proud to be a support for school extended work experience programmes. This involves students coming along to the salon to learn at least one day a week.

In November 2007 5th Avenue was nominated and short listed to the final four businesses in the annual Bedfordshire Business Awards for the training category. Kerry has developed a training scheme within the salon to ensure that all staff members have regular appraisals and in salon training as well as external training to further everyone’s knowledge.

Kerry has also continued with her studies and has gained an NVQ level three and NVQ level five in business studies and has completed her A1 assessors award to enable her to assess business admin, business management, team leading and beauty therapy. She now operates a programme in salon for staff members to gain extra NVQ qualifications..

In addition she has attended business trips in Reykjavik, Iceland and Las Vegas and enrolled on several other business day courses and seminars.

In May 2008 she decided to go out of her comfort zone and enrolled on a 1 day hair cutting course for beginners based at Redken head office. When she can create some spare time she hopes to practice and learn a little more about the hair side, so watch out 5th Avenue!

During the time the salon has opened she has given various career talks at schools and colleges and has been invited to judge at the yearly hair and beauty show put on by Brooks College on several occasions.

In June 2008 the salon was approached to take part in a risk awareness week based at Bedford County Council and by Bedford Bid to take part for the second year running in their Beautiful in Bedford Campaign.

In December 2007 it was the salons tenth anniversary and to celebrate Kerry organised a charity ball that raised around £7000 for St Johns Hospice. Kerry has also taken part in a sponsored waxing event and in May 2009 donated 800 gift vouchers for the participants in the Midnight Walk to raise more funds for the local hospice.

In May 2009 Kerry was nominated and short listed for Pride of Bedford Awards and won overall Adult Achiever award at the annual ceremony.

Kerry believes that nothing should be taken for granted and each day should be a new day of challenges and goals. At 5th Avenue it is important to keep understanding our clients and continue to work well and happy as a team. What’s next???..... Watch this space!