PB Archive: ManKind’s Paul Anderson

This article was taken from the Professional Beauty archives, and was originally published in August 2013.

Established 9 years ago by Paul Anderson, ManKind is a stylish male salon that fits right into the suburb’s creative and upbeat vibe, Nina Richards discovered.

In 2003, after working as a grip in the film industry, Paul wasn’t sure what career path to take. He took on a life coach for four weeks to work out the kind of industry he would enjoy. The key words which repeatedly came up for the industry he’d suit were “nurturing, feel-good and tactile.”

Having been a regular facial client he’d also always thought about the lack of quality men’s establishments in Sydney, so he put two and two together and started a business plan for ManKind: “I saw a demand in the market for a stylish clinic geared towards guys that offered exceptional service and quality treatments; the clinic was purpose-built with men in mind,” he said.

ManKind has achieved its aesthetic aim as a comfortable and masculine medispa that epitomises luxury male grooming. Extra-large massage tables, slick lines and large, sound-proofed rooms add to the enticing atmosphere. Although masculine at its heart, it is not just men who find it appealing, with about ten per cent of clients female.

The salon is a great achievement for Paul, who didn’t have any formal training or a background in beauty. He learnt quickly on the job and his enthusiasm and clear vision paid off. The first training he encountered was with Dermalogica which armed him with the basic knowledge he required to move forward. “Dermalogica spoke to me right from the start,” he said. “It was already a world leader in prescriptive-based skincare and covered all skin types. The packaging was also perfect for guys.”

In 2007, after ManKind had been running for four years, Paul decided to create his own skincare line, Kind. “Creating my own skincare line was an obvious next step to really progress the business and expand on what I was already offering clients. It was always part of my original business plan but the right opportunities presented themselves for development and production at this time.”

Being a passionate surfer and constantly exposing his skin to the conditions of the harsh Australian sun, he noticed a need in the market for an effective, botanical skin care range specifically targeted to men. “I developed Kind, an honest, high-quality skin care system using naturally derived Australian native bush essences and highly active ingredients to address the unique characteristics of male skin conditions without the harsh chemicals,” he said.

Paul has had great success with Kind and has picked up a number of international stockists; the range is now stocked in America and Japan.

In addition to Kind and Dermalogica, the salon has stocked Aspect for three years. Paul decided to incorporate Australian brand Aspect for its cosmeceutical nature and says their serums are active yet gentle on the skin.

ManKind is a result-driven clinic; Paul says he likes clients to arrive with a vision of what they want to achieve and after the treatment process leave with those results. Paul says this is paramount in ensuring return-clients as men like to see immediate results. To further encourage customer loyalty, they offer a points system for clients: once they spend $1000 they receive a complimentary facial.

The salon’s services are personalised to each clients’ needs, with clients being able to get anything from Botox to a back wax. Their most popular treatments are their signature face treatment, 45-minute deep-cleanse facial, 60-minute remedial massage and back wax.

Renowned for its unique attributes, the 60-minute Remedial Massage technique uses both light and deep massage strokes to treat areas of muscle tension and spasm within the body caused by stress or injury. The salon performs this treatment on a number of Australian sporting stars.

Therapists are fully qualified and accredited prior to starting at ManKind. All staff undergo two weeks intensive in-house training with their head trainer, learning the salon’s particular procedures and also retraining in waxing for men. Paul says, “We have a product training course which is required before therapists begin and then, once every two to three months, a day of training is offered in the areas of development where I think they’d benefit.”

ManKind is an innovative and forward-thinking salon offering the latest treatments delivered by some of the best therapists in Sydney. The salon’s success can be attributed to the fact it has a professional yet friendly nature and its fitting location, with Surry Hills being the perfect place to attract the typical ManKind client – a trendy and affluent metrosexual male.

Keeping the company moving forward motivates Paul each day; as well as being surrounded by an enthusiastic team. Looking to the future, he’s noticed a strong spike in men coming in for laser hair removal and anti-wrinkle injections and fillers; typical of the current anti-ageing trend. ManKind has proven the medispa is no longer a woman’s domain and, though it may have been one of the first of its kind, it surely won’t be the last.

ManKind, 425 Crown St Surry Hills (opp. Clock Hotel) Sydney, contact: (02) 9081 0222.

For more information visit http://www.mankind.com.au/

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