Ruby Jo Lomax is the founder and owner of RJL Education. She is a successful female entrepreneur who is passionate about pioneering others’ success within the hair and beauty industry, especially when it comes to education, training, and upskilling. Lomax believes that many hair and beauty students do not qualify with the right amount of practical training, a belief that has inspired her to open her own education centre. Her learners qualify from their courses ready to seamlessly transition into their chosen profession, whether that is working within a salon, in their own business, or in education. Lomax also runs her own successful salon, so has significant experience in a huge variety of techniques, ranging from basics to advanced. She has also been nominated for multiple industry awards, including the Women in Hair 2022-2023 Award, and the Outstanding Female Entrepreneur 2022-2023 Award.
Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?
RJL Education is a private training facility for adults aged 16 and above, who are looking to expand their career skills in a much shorter time frame than any ordinary college. We specialise in hair and beauty education, offering courses as wide ranging as aesthetic augmentations, hair extensions, general hairdressing, and semi permanent makeup.
Escape hairdressing and beauty is a salon which has successfully been trading for 12 years, which I started at the age of 22. I have a team of 8 employees.
How did the idea come to you for the company?
I realised that salons were hiring college leavers who did not have the practical experience to confidently step into a new role within the hair and beauty industry. Not only that, but it usually takes years to complete National Vocational Qualifications, which isn’t always practical. I decided to open RJL Education to allow learners an education that isn’t available at colleges, one that delivers NVQs at a fraction of the time, and with supplementary extra business modules that actually translate to the real world.
Throughout the years of running my own salon I have taught others who are now successfully running their own businesses. I knew I had a strength in delivering training and wanted to use it to help more people achieve their goals.
How did you achieve awareness?
I am constantly thinking of new ideas, developing new courses, and grabbing at all opportunities to attend networking events. I also use social networking sites to reach out to other professionals such as LinkedIn & Instagram.
It’s always been important for me to make the education journey efficient, and to learn exactly how my organisation operates the best and what makes the business successful.
How have you been able to gain funding and grow?
So far I have received no funding, it has been a sole investment. However I am in the review of two funding applications.
When it comes to our growth, I have used one of the best web developing teams in our area and invested in a digital marketing team that has built up my website’s google performance with the aim to eventually skyrocket RJL Education nationwide.
What were/are the main challenges you have faced and how have you overcome them?
Building the brand and its name has been the hardest challenge. Courses that cost thousands of pounds can be difficult to sell when you are a new business, as having no brand presence, testimonials, or trust signals available meant that people were hesitant to enrol. Developing this brand process was difficult. However things snowball once you get past the beginning few conversions, and your reputation grows and grows. The key is always patience and consistency.
What are your plans for now/for the future?
We have bigger units next door to the education centre so I aim to grow big enough to expand into them, allowing the business to cater for more students. I would also love to franchise RJL Education around the UK and overseas. It’s very early days but the opportunity to grow in education is endless.
What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?
Find your market and understand it. Take your time, plan and aim big. If you’re not pushing to be at the top then you’re doing it wrong. Be prepared for sleepless nights and stepping out of your comfort zone. If you are passionate, obsessive and believe in your next move enough then every step you make will count.
Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Plan to win!
Be prepared to learn, communicate, sell and strategize but most importantly remain focused on your goals. Then you become obsessed and all you strive for is profit.
What are the 5 people who inspire you most and why?
Roxi Nafousi – I first heard about Roxi after listening to a podcast conversation between her and Jay Shetty. She reminds me a little bit of myself and I really absorbed her energy and found her really interesting to listen to. I started to write affirmations, and I read her first book ‘Manifest’ and started to manifest my goals more and more.
Karen Brady – a lady who chose to not go to university and yet is a multi millionaire and renowned for numerous awards and accolades not least being named one of the most powerful people in sport, business woman of the year and most influential people in business in the UK. She is also Alan Sugar’s trusted adviser on The Apprentice – a show I have followed since it first aired on tv. Karen has discipline combined with a sense of humour which I believe is a good balance when leading a team.
My daughter Rosie – My greatest gift, she smiles and laughs everyday! I can’t have a down day around her. She lifts my mood no matter the weather, she’s oblivious to the pressure I put on myself to succeed, yet when I am around her I remember there is more to life than worrying.
Steven Barlett – I love how raw, honest and emotional the Diary of a CEO podcast episodes can be. I have read his book, attended his tour and often listen to his podcast interviews with other inspirational entrepreneurs. Steven is a self made multi millionaire with a chain of successful businesses, he is young, humble and very inspiring to me. I often watch him on the bbc show ‘Dragons Den’
Deborah Meaden- another star of Dragons Den’ whose net worth is over 50 million. She started with one business which she sold for 33 million and is now an investor who has profited individuals like myself with up to 2 million pound businesses. I aspire to be this successful.
What are your favourite inspirational/motivational quotes?
Nothing is impossible
Don’t settle for average
Win in your mind and you will win in reality
Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to help you grow!
What’s growing around you is what you planted, therefore if you don’t like the plants change the seeds
What are your instagram, facebook, and linkedin social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you (
Instagram – Rjl_Education
Facebook – RJL Education
LinkedIn – Ruby Jo Lomax
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