Yesterday I found myself leaning up against the wall of the studio and observing a beautiful thing. My youngest daughter was reluctantly sharing a piece of her art with my last client of the day, an art therapist who happens to be one of the most intelligent and eccentric people I've ever met. The scene will forever live in my mind...Sophie looking up at the art therapist and listening so intently to her wise words....."Tell me what you were thinking when you made this?", "What is your favorite subject to draw?", "What is your favorite tool to draw with, markers, paints?"
Sophie answered very quickly, "Colored pencils."
"Me too!", my client agreed. The door was opened! Onward a conversation between a 58 year old adult and a 7 year old child perpetuated. They were speaking the same language, each giving 50% to the sweetest dialogue about art and creating and imagination.
As I listened and absorbed this scene, amazed and proud, I was struck with a heartfelt gratitude. I was so thankful for Sophie, my family, the art therapist. I was appreciative for the clients of the day, the week, my business, the floor beneath my feet, even my damn blow-dryer. A crazy thing happens within these four walls here. We learn, and we are enlightened, clients, myself, and my children included.
So....Sophie woke me up this morning WAY too early asking to go to the art supply store for watercolor paper. Dreaming of coffee and still half asleep, I agreed.
"Mom, did you know that with watercolors, purple travels the fastest and yellow the slowest?"
Yawn..."Where'd you learn that, Soph?"
"The art therapist taught me that yesterday. Are you ready to go yet?"
To be a part of this network, this family, who contribute to and influence each member is a gift. Sincerest thanks. We learn from each other...about hair, art, health, and being human. Let us take these conversations and experiences with us, making us better, more tolerant and open, better friends, sisters, mothers and people.
So much love!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Root of It All...
Yes, I'm a hairstylist. But no, I don't want to discuss the latest trends, the best color shampoos, or styling products. On my computer are numerous drafts on these very topics, all having come to dead ends (no pun intended!). And then, just this morning, frustrated once again by "writer's block", I purposely asked myself why I love my job, and what do I want to celebrate in writing about it? That's when I demanded from myself an honest answer.
Without hesitation, that answer was PEOPLE. That's why I started this blog, and that's why I love my craft, this industry, and the reason I am grateful every single day.
We are all on this wild journey together. The best part about my job is working with people to bring their beauty to the surface on the outside AND on the inside. It is listening and learning about how people want to affect the world, what they want to be when they "grow up", books that have inspired them, how they raise their children. Many are waiting to launch these children into the world before jumping back into the workforce, and most are chomping at the bit to do so. Many are dealing with the ups and downs of marriage, aging parents, illnesses. As I listen to clients, I realize they are sharing their lives with me....that's HUGE. Sharing is brave, it requires trust. So I feel that giving them undivided attention is as much a part of my job as giving them great color.
In my future posts, I am going to focus on the connections and discussions that take place in the studio. (Of course, anonymously). I want to celebrate these brave people who are walking on the same earth as you and me, just on different paths.
And guess what...It doesn't matter if my audience is 7 or 7,000. What is important to me is conveying that no matter WHAT we do for a living or as a trade, we are all human first. Exploring and celebrating that commonality is what I get to do every day, and in my studio is where our paths come to cross.
Welcome!
Without hesitation, that answer was PEOPLE. That's why I started this blog, and that's why I love my craft, this industry, and the reason I am grateful every single day.
We are all on this wild journey together. The best part about my job is working with people to bring their beauty to the surface on the outside AND on the inside. It is listening and learning about how people want to affect the world, what they want to be when they "grow up", books that have inspired them, how they raise their children. Many are waiting to launch these children into the world before jumping back into the workforce, and most are chomping at the bit to do so. Many are dealing with the ups and downs of marriage, aging parents, illnesses. As I listen to clients, I realize they are sharing their lives with me....that's HUGE. Sharing is brave, it requires trust. So I feel that giving them undivided attention is as much a part of my job as giving them great color.
In my future posts, I am going to focus on the connections and discussions that take place in the studio. (Of course, anonymously). I want to celebrate these brave people who are walking on the same earth as you and me, just on different paths.
And guess what...It doesn't matter if my audience is 7 or 7,000. What is important to me is conveying that no matter WHAT we do for a living or as a trade, we are all human first. Exploring and celebrating that commonality is what I get to do every day, and in my studio is where our paths come to cross.
Welcome!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Life Lessons Behind the Chair
Growing up in suburban NJ in the 1970's, my friends' fathers had typical dad-like occupations. Engineers, accountants, insurance salesmen. They would leave for their 9 to 5 jobs carrying briefcases, having secretaries, riding in elevators with all the other dads in suits and ties.
Not mine...
My father was a hairdresser.
He permed his hair, listened to disco, and spent his days with a very colorful group of employees. He co-founded the most prestigious salon in the tri-state area of that time, grew that business, and moved on down the road....literally.
He has since developed and owned multiple salons in central New Jersey. Having experienced first-hand his life-long dedication to this profession we share, I have come to possess a certain conviction about the following lessons to live and do business by:
Not mine...
My father was a hairdresser.
He permed his hair, listened to disco, and spent his days with a very colorful group of employees. He co-founded the most prestigious salon in the tri-state area of that time, grew that business, and moved on down the road....literally.
He has since developed and owned multiple salons in central New Jersey. Having experienced first-hand his life-long dedication to this profession we share, I have come to possess a certain conviction about the following lessons to live and do business by:
- If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Keep positive chit-chat behind the chair, no negative talk. Not only is it a downer, but not-so-nice talk can come back to bite you.
- Less is more...
- It costs more to be "right" than to be "wrong". Unhappy clients, and unhappy people, are inevitable. Sometimes it's smarter and more profitable to let them go than to keep trying to please.
- Be grateful. Appreciate loyal clientele. And remember, a satisfied client is a potential source of referrals.
- Believe in your worth.
- Learn something new every day. EVERY day.
- Listen to your clients. Get to know them. When considering a new style or color, it's extremely important to consider lifestyle, maintenance, and other factors that could interfere with the her enjoying her new look.
- Enjoy coworkers, celebrate differences!
- Cut family members hair extra short so they don't return as often for freebies! (I had to include this one for fun!)
- "Whisper, Talk, or Scream" has always been the question my father asks his client during a consultation to help her describe how she'd like her color/highlight. I happen to think this is GENIUS and adopted it myself. My clients always smile when I ask the question because they can completely understand the language. As hairdressers, we talk in coppers and neutrals, strange letters and numbers. Using a language that the client can understand is key to finding out what she really wants!
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