#LifeLessons - Catherine Hawkes

NAME:  Catherine Hawkes

AGE: 41

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @catherinehawkes  @salon971dxb

JOB TITLE: MAD (Managing Artistic Director - Very fitting)

Cat Hawkes is a mum of three whose kids are aged 21, 16, and 2 —so, she describes life as a bit of a juggling act! Cat is the owner of the popular and Award Winning Salon 971 and is proud to be a hairdresser through and through, driven by her passion for creating. She is also part of the Schwarzkopf regional artistic team, which lets her teach and do hair shows, keeping the creative spark alive.

Cat's journey has been anything but linear, balancing motherhood, business and art. When she's not working, she recharges by diving into a great book on her Kindle or Audible—it’s her escape from the everyday whirlwind.

Today Cat shares with us her 3 biggest life learnings:

#LIFELESSON – 1: Don’t worry about what others think.

I’ve spent so much of my life worrying about what people think of me—whether I was smart enough being “just” a hairdresser, or if I was a good enough mum, having my daughter at 20. Even whether I was really in love, meeting my now-husband when I was only 14.

For years, I was embarrassed to call myself a “hairdresser.” Not because I didn’t love what I do—because I do. It’s all I ever wanted. But I’d avoid the word, saying “hair stylist” instead, or making sure to mention that I own a salon. But now? I proudly call myself a hairdresser. This job has paid for my children’s education, our family holidays, and sustained our life in Dubai. It’s something I’m genuinely proud of.

Having a baby so young, I spent years trying to prove myself. Looking back, I think I was way too strict. Now, almost 20 years later, having another baby at 39, I really don’t care what anyone thinks about my parenting skills. There’s so much freedom in that. It lets me focus on giving all that extra love, knowing firsthand how fast time flies with kids—and you don’t get it back.

We were told we didn’t know what love was. But after three kids and 22 years of marriage, I think we’ve built something strong. I know I couldn’t do it without him.

#LIFELESSON – 2: Take time for yourself and truly listen.

As a mum of three and a business owner, I know how hard it is to pause and focus on the present. I’m always thinking ahead, planning for what’s next, and rarely in the moment—unless I’m doing hair, where I lose myself in the craft. But earlier this year, I went on a retreat just for people in the hair industry, and it became so much more than that. It was a spiritual journey that brought me back to myself.

I learned the power of slowing down, giving myself space to think, and really listening to what my mind and body were telling me. That short break shifted everything. My mindset changed, and so did my business. I realigned my thoughts, and suddenly, things started to fall into place in ways I never expected.

#LIFELESSON – 3: Take that chance.

I’ve always been a risk-taker, and not every risk has paid off, but I know that if I hadn’t taken those chances, I’d be left wondering “what if?” My first big risk came when I was 21. I had just become a mom and decided to buy my first salon in London, searching for some stability. It was the best decision I could have made. I made countless mistakes, but I learned from every single one of them.

My next big leap was buying my second salon. I expanded too quickly and got myself into serious debt, all while raising my second child. That period was one of the hardest struggles I’ve ever faced, but somehow, it led me to where I am today. By 25, I had two salons and had won a Young Entrepreneur Award in London. That same year, I met a successful businesswoman from Dubai who asked me to come over and help her set up a chain of salons.

So, I took another risk and moved to Dubai. There were more challenges, and more lessons learned along the way, but honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Those chances I took, even the ones that seemed like failures at the time, shaped who I am and brought me to where I am now.