Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Honour helps Ryan realise his life-long ambition
IAN BUNTING
A Coatbridge salon owner proved to be a cut above the competition as he scooped a top prize recognising his creative flair alongside a very special collaborator – his mum.
New College Lanarkshire student Ryan Robert McGill and mum Marian were presented with a GOLF award ( giving, opportunity, leaping, forward) which included funding to invest in Ryan’s business, R M’S Hair Salon “A crown of Glory”.
The joint prize was a fitting reward for Marian after she attended the college with Ryan to support her son in mainstream education following his time at additonal support needs schools Drumpark and Buchanan High.
Ryan, 22, completed a hugely successful four-year spell at the college’s Coatbridge campus which saw him secure NQ levels five and six, SVQ level three and HNC in hairdressing.
He told the Advertiser: “My mum attended college to support me in my move into mainstream education.
“I was so nervous of being around other people as I came from a additonal support needs schools, along with being expected to do all of the hard theory work.
“I was so nervous on my first day; the college had split us into two classes as they thought I would settle in better that way.
“During our level three year, my mum and I were given the GOLF award based on the recognition of our hard work and effort we had both put in staying behind late at night to get our work done in time.
“The college recognised how I was shy with others and had bad anxiety; after I completed my SVQ level three, I was given the opportunity to go to Murcia in Spain for two weeks to learn about the Spanish hairdressing experience.
“I came on a treat and the thought of being part of a mum and son team was phenomenal.
“I completed my HNC on my own and I achieved an A for my graded unit; I was so happy that my first ever grade was an A.”
Ryan already had a taste of the salon experience before opening his own business, as he explained: “I worked in TownHeads hair salon on Sunnyside Road with my boss Patricia Boyle and gained valuable experience and knowledge of working in a salon.
“I’ve always said right from the beginning that I would like to own my own salon one day and thanks to the GOLF award funding, I was able to buy furniture and equipment to start up my own salon.”
Business Gateway Coatbridge also played a crucial role in allowing Ryan to start up R M’S Hair Salon “A crown of Glory”, based on Higherness way in Kirkshaws, and he and Marian wasted no time in spending the GOLF award funding.
Ryan said: “We already had one chair, one mirror and one back-wash sink in the conservatory at the back of our house.
“But the GOLF award allowed us the chance to buy another mirror and chair, along with trolley tools and electrical equipment.”
Despite his award and impressive qualifications, Ryan isn’t resting on his laurels as he aims to be the best hairdresser possible.
He said: “I have enrolled in an SVQ level two in barbering at New College Lanarkshire.
“I decided to return to studying as there were no male grooming units taught during my hairdressing years and I felt that having the gents’ industry experience was just as important.
“This way I can offer all kinds of services for both genders.
“After Christmas I am going to return to Buchanan High and hand over my graduation photograph.
“I hope my story appearing in the Advertiser can act as an inspiration to others; just because you come from an additional support needs school doesn’t mean you can’t go out into the world and embrace mainstream surroundings.
“I have become a new person and I’m so proud of my mum and I.
“I would like to thank all of my lecturers, family and models who have supported me throughout my journey for all of their invaluable help.”