One drives a Porsche at 35. One earns £120,000. One has a three-bedroom house at 33

Ella Johnson, 33, lives in Dartford, Kent. she is a colour technician at Richard Ward hair and Metrospa in london and earns £80,000. she says: LIKE most of my friends after finishing my A-levels I went straight to university. At the time I was convinced I wanted to become a teacher, but after six months I dropped out.

It was my local hairdresser who advised me to think about salons in London where I’d get lots more experience and opportunities, too.

I’ve only ever worked at Richard Ward.

I’ve worked my way up to this position over the past 13 years.

I’m actually incredibly shy, but what is so great about this profession is that it’s forced me to come out of my shell.

I know I’m in the right job because I look forward to going to work every day.

Even though I have a commute and work 8.30am to 6pm five days a week, I often stay late and I also teach once a week, too.

My salary means I’ve been able to buy a threebedroom new-build end of terrace property in Dartford.

It’s a shame that people don’t realise how well paid we are.

While my mum is incredibly proud of me and loves telling people where I work, there is still the myth that it’s a lowly profession — when nothing could be further from the truth.

Quite simply, the money is there for the taking if you’re prepared to work hard enough and start at the bottom.

Joy McQuillan, 35, is single and lives in coatbridge just outside Glasgow. She is Salon Director of rainbow room international, in Glasgow and earns £60,000. She says: HAIRDRESSING is in my blood. My mum was one and, growing up, there was always someone at our house having a perm done.

At 14 I went for work experience at a Vidal Sassoon salon in Glasgow and I thought it was the most glamorous thing ever.

I was the only one in my group of friends to leave school at 16. But I was eager to become qualified and build my career.

I got lucky in starting out with the company I’m still with today, Rainbow Room International. They took me on as an assistant and I’ve worked my way up the career ladder.

You have to be dedicated and permanently cheerful — nobody wants a miserable hairdresser.

Discretion is a must too, as clients do confide in me, which I consider a privilege.

Over the past 18 years I’ve worked my way up to become a salon director. I’ve even won awards, having been voted Salon Stylist of the year two years running at the prestigious British Hairdressing Business Awards.

I work an average of 40 hours a week and I have the most fantastic lifestyle.

I drive a Porsche, live in a beautiful house and own a few flats I rent out, too.

The downside to hairdressing is that starting salaries are very low but, with dedication and commitment, it will pay off. Michelle Drurylopez, 42, is married to chef leo, also 42. She has two children poppy, 14 and eduardo, 7. They live in epsom Downs, Surrey. Michelle runs her own salon Mint, in oxshott, earning £120,000 a year. She says: WHEN I told my career’s officer at school I wanted to be a hairdresser she immediately said: ‘What about a proper job?’

Her view is still a widely held one and the image of the hairdresser as a ditsy airhead thrives.

But it’s not just about cutting and colouring hair.

Today, you need an understanding of chemistry to get the combination of dye correct, first-class people skills and, of course, financial acumen in order to run a business.

It’s been ten years since I opened my own salon and I employ four people.

Hairdressing is one of the few industries that has proved to be recessionproof because a good haircut is one of the things women just wo n ’ t scrimp on.

The advantage of this line of work is that three weeks after having my son I was back in the salon and he was with me.

If, on the rare occasion, the children are sick, they come to work with me.

Admittedly being on your feet all day is draining and being hands-on the whole time can be mentally exhausting, especially as I choose to work 50 hours a week. But this line of work ensures we have a comfortable life.

My business provides me with a great lifestyle and being my own boss means I don’t have to answer to anybody.