About Hatch PR
Hatch PR Founder
Ann Higby
Hatch PR is a beauty public relations firm located in Chicago. President and Founder Ann Higby grew up in the industry and loves talking about it to this day. She started the company in January 2006, and continues the legacy her father hatched in Where The Girls Are (WTGA) Salon near Milwaukee almost four decades ago by working with entrepreneurs to bring forth their vision for beauty.
Experience
Ann Higby’s career highlights include the following:
- Co-Regional Director of Fashion Group International (FGI) of Chicago from 2005-2007. She currently serves on the Board of Directors.
- Team leader with business development and supervisory experience for Vi Nelson & Associates, Chicago, a niche marketing communications agency serving the professional salon industry. (2000-2005)
- Directed a strategic public relations campaign and media tour to deliver new scientific information to salon professionals and industry influencers for P&G Beauty's Head & Shoulders brand.
- Contributed to design and implementation of a 28-page Show Daily newspaper distributed to 20,000 salon professionals for the Chicago Midwest Beauty Show, managed by Smith Bucklin & Associates, Chicago.
- Developed strategic marketing plan to build brand identity and awareness of the largest cosmetology association in the world using trade, consumer and salon industry outlets for the National Cosmetology Association, managed by Smith Bucklin & Associates, Chicago.
- Served two-year term as account executive responsible for development and delivery of public relations programs for the Leukemia Research Foundation and its 22 chapters.
- Director of Education for Professional Salon Concepts (PSC) Chicago, a leading haircare distributor and salon education company founded by Steve and Terri Cowan. (1993-2000)
- Designed and implemented a company-wide system for growing the education department including: staffing, marketing, operational integration and measurement of return.
- Researched the business concept and directed the launch of PSC-THE SPACE, an advanced training academy for salon professionals. Established the education infrastructure to service nearly 25,000 salon professionals annually in four locations.
- Prepared event calendar and directed Event PR and Marketing, including model calls, hands-on workshops and photoshoots on behalf of PSC and professional haircare brands: Paul Mitchell, ARTec, Textureline, Brocato, American Crew and Modern Organic Product.
- Assistant Vice President in Product Marketing for Harris Bank, Chicago (1993)
Hatch Beginning
Birds of a feather I learned the beauty business from my father, but it was my hairdresser who taught me about beauty, how a hairstyle could change your life! –Hatch PR Founder Ann Higby
The story of Hatch beauty dates back to 1971 when Ann Higby was recruited to help grow the family business. Ann’s Dad loves to tell her that the salon made a profit on opening day with the seven original WTGA beauticians. Her first appointment as a client of this grownup, family-owned salon was in 1973 when she was 10 years old. It was then, that this "hatcher" began to discover the thrill of sitting in the hairdresser’s chair and talking through the mirror about what was going on in her life. Well, all that was translated into the hairstyle of the times, and her first and favorite beautician was Sandra. Sandra made it easy to talk about likes and dislikes and because of her positive attitude – "let’s just try it! She would say" – Ann experienced a ton of cool styles (like the Dorothy Hamill wedge) and a few too-curly-for-me permanent waves. Ann was inspired by the industry at an early age, and knew she would find a connection one day. WTGA stayed opened until 1998; a 27-year history of hair care.
For the launch of HatchTalk, Ann Higby reconnected with Sandra Scheibe, one of the original 7 Girls from Where The Girls Are, because she just had to know, "Where is this girl and what is she doing!
Read more at HatchTalk.