Month: February 2020

As always, I love to point out the ever so obvious in our line of work. Does it kill people to say, “Hey, Great Job!”

Recently I caught myself on repeat, saying, “It’s important to lift other hairdressers and praise them.” My girls at the shop roll their eyes so hard I’m surprised the darn things drop back into their rightful place. They are tired of hearing me say it, and I don’t blame them. Understand this about me; I always root for the underdog- still have always will. When I see a hairdresser posting less than stellar works to display on their photo album I have to remember this is her journey – and she is proud. Sometimes I follow them so it gives me a better perspective as to Where my girls are –

I want to make the girls at my shop see the best in everything. Honestly, I do, and I’m not going to lie, it’s hard.

The glee in their eyes when they discover ungodly displays of hair trash is a hard attitude to change- without a smirk. I suppose knowing you’re not alone in our super sucky starts makes us feel better. Not because we are becoming more empathetic in our field,  no our glee stems from knowing better than to post anything that came out looking remotely like that trash she dared  TO post.

Hairdressing is a very competitive field, and sometimes the only thing that will separate you from the crowd will be the attitude. I  want the girls who work with me to be better than the rest by not bashing other girls’ work. I think it’s pointless. It’s inevitable in our line of work to hear girls talking trash about another hairdresser, but I swear to you – people are watching, and I, for one, find it reprehensible to speak of other professional stylists work in such a manner.

Just kidding- we all do it—

There is a Redken rep out there that I adore watching on Instagram. She recently did a perm with what I call “a kinda tutorial” on perms. She had no clue what she was doing and had no problems sharing her lack of knowledge on the video. The hairdresser proceeded to read out loud, in front of the client -ON the main salon floor the directions to said perm. This is after – I repeat after openly admitting to her client she hadn’t done one since hair school!

It gets better, and she would read a sentence, pause, look at the hair talk about the wrap. She was touching the hair like it was a foreign object; she was nervous. It was raw talk – and I died laughing. I wasn’t making fun of her, oh no quite the opposite I’m laughing that Finally, we have someone who doesn’t KNOW IT ALL! It was such a breath of fresh air! Every second, people watched her most vulnerable moments unfold, and I, for one, was impressed. Young hairdressers who attended her video pounced on her every wrong turn, some lifted her with encouragement others, offered praises of you can do it!

My God, how awesome was of her to post such raw moments. I was throughly engaged in the fact, no matter what the hundreds of people say to her, she keeps posting hilarious “Uh-Oh” moments. Good news though, she is getting better- and that is where the game changes. You see, it’s inevitable that that raw, uncensored hairdresser will become an amazingly talented artist.

How so? You ask – Because she is not afraid of your wild, whimsical stabs at her approach to hair – no- she keeps on chugging. I would bet for every stupid comment put on her site she received ten more, ‘Great Job!’

And That my friends are what keeps hairdressers moving through the sludge of updo horrors and perm failures. Encouragement 

I’m here to tell you – give it – give it as often as you can. It’ll make you look better. I can tell you that much.   

This wonderful girl is showing how we can benefit from developing new skills through experimentation.  We all start from somewhere – and sometimes it’s the bare basics. SO great job, kiddo! 

Hair Salon Owner rooting you sloppy first timers out there the best of luck!

BookPressed.com Owner– Heather Lea

When you first begin your journey in Hairdressing, you are going to run into some fascinating people. Not all of these clients will tickle you pink; no, some clients will exhaust you.
Can I get an Amen
Your first few months on your own as a hairdresser – expect a select few clients not to LOVE what you have done to their locks. It’s the nature of the beast- this business is all about making people love what they hate daily. Finding a way to make people love their hair for more than a week, may take an act of god for some clients. During this baby step learning time, you’ll need to find your comfort zone- begin to pay attention to the types of personalities you acquire – and start learning!
My advice for each personality
1.) THE OLDER CLIENT
Scenario—-
A much older woman is sitting in your chair. You are like 30 – 50 years younger. Don’t freak.
You have tons in common!
Ok — I’m lying- I wanted you to feel better- I’m sorry- However, what you do have in common is style! She wants to look good, and she’s in luck – she has you!
You need to understand; it doesn’t matter the age he/she is. We all want to look our best! Take the focus off the apparent age gap and show them you are a professional! Talk to her about what she likes and doesn’t like, really listen to her, pay attention to where her fingers stop when she is describing where it’s too long. This is easy – you’ve got this- talk about baking- flowers- poems- books!
Ok now here’s where the exhaustion may come in
For some reason – he/she is repeating themselves like Rain Man – they say the same thing over and over like what they just said was not absorbed by you. You have just lost 30minute of your life to a discussion about her damn bangs!
Ok —deep cleansing breath—now here’s what you do and don’t do.
*Do repeat back what the client has just said to you, by doing this you are showing her you were listening and comprehending her bang trivia.
*, DO ask if she feels comfortable enough for you to make that cut.
*Do remember her name so you can give her to the next girl in line because I am not teaching you to be a fool- move her on down the line till she finds her perfect, ‘get along with’ hairdresser- but feel better in knowing it damn well won’t be you!

• Don’t look at your watch- remember I said you are a beginner- where the hell are you going to go? You know your next client isn’t for another 2 hours relax Vidal you won’t run behind.
• Don’t act like she is lucky to be with you- I promise she is giving you money, now earn it.
• Don’t belittle her and tell her what you want to say.
  “Stop showing me the picture of you when you were 18 – grow up – stop – pissing me off, let’s do this, Becky!”
  2.) I WANT TO LOOK LIKE THIS PICTURE CLIENT
  Scenario—–The client in your chair wants her hair to look exactly like the picture. This BonJovi look is not what you visualized on her—ever—. This is not only a problem; this is a real problem. She has convinced her no makeup, sweatsuit wearing, never wash her hair self – that THIS LOOK IS GOING TO CHANGE HER!
  Ok, —- You know in your heart of hearts – this won’t work. You first will need time and a glass of wine. Second, you need to get the client to see her for HER! Most of the compliments clients receive are because they found a hairdresser that gave them the best look for THEM!
  You see, your client has no neck, yet the picture is a girl with a freakishly long swan neck.
  *Do point out to her in the mirror where the hair falls.
• DO let her see that same length would fall about 4 inches shorter on her.
• DO point out if the picture has a different hair color than hers.
• Don’t laugh and show the other stylists the audacity she has bringing in this picture.
• Don’t tell her in a French voice- “NO! You are not a swan! You will get a bob and be happy!”
• 
  3.) I WANT A DISCOUNT CLIENT
  These clients are pro’s they can smell your enthusiasm a mile away. You’ll hear about everything wrong in their lives so you’ll feel bad and you’ll give them a discount. I’ve been known to help a client here or there.
  There are two types of clients – one’s who appreciate the kindness and don’t expect it every time, and then there’s…Becky.
  Becky works at one job sometimes- because you know she has one child and a husband deployed, and she can’t make ends meet.
  Here – I’ll finish the sentence for her—they don’t make enough money to buy everything they think they deserve.
  Don’t you dare help her! QUICK! Look at her nails! Her purse! Her Car! Listen to the story about the trips she took – to get away from it all!
  The answer is, “NO, I can’t help you; there are no coupons- and don’t think about bouncing a check.
  *Do not let people take advantage of you.
  Next
  Believe it or not- in a few years, you will be able to tell how a client will be with you by merely speaking to her for 5 minutes. You’ll know when to talk about religion, babies, boyfriends, parties.
  Best of Luck- Don’t let the crazies ruin your day- You Keep chugging along-
  Heather Lea Owner of Hair Loft on Linden and BookPressed.com

“What you are teaching your hairdressers today will stay with them their whole career.”

BOSS TO GIRLS/GUYS CHECKLIST FOR A PRODUCTIVE HAPPY MEETING.

I’m giving you a quick guide to help with a fun, healthy shop meeting- do not make the shop meeting long – they will hate you. This meeting is for you, the BOSS only.

After the meeting, when you have heard all their voiced concerns – ideas make it a point to tell them you will have a follow-up meeting in one week.

In that week of reflection, you, the boss, will then give them WHAT you got out of that meeting. You will also have a plan as to WHAT you will be doing for all the things you have learned.

Ex. you have placed all of you in a ‘Color Run’- you are closing the shop for a teaching day. I am giving you this sheet to be PROACTIVE!

Make notes and listen – do not say a damn word and scare them.

You need a way to communicate with your girls/guys in a way that they can answer freely without thinking they are going to piss you off or another girl/guy in the shop. 

Question for your shop from the boss

1.) When you have heard through the grapevine about our shop, people will say-

A.) Snobby high priced

B.) They don’t hear anything because we work and go home.

C.) What have you heard?

What this question is doing is breaking down, ‘HOW’ the girls perceive the shop through the town -industry – to other people. Perception is incredibly essential. This question allows the girls to tell you what the bigger picture of your salon is. Maybe you need to consider becoming more involved with your community – give back –

We do a polar plunge – zombie makeup day- I started a ‘Wine about your hair day.’

2.) Give them a sheet of paper – have them write down the three top hairdressers they are following on Instagram- Facebook- town.

Listening to your girls/guys gives you the chance to see WHO is involved in the most with up to date events – styles. Have everyone talk about what it is they like or dislike about who they are following- maybe make sure they are all following a stylist.

How can this be implemented in your shop? If you see something you like, have a ‘stay in’ shop class and talk about how they did what they did.

3.) The question, if one of you had to give an IN-SHOP class – What would you do? Cut – Perm – Color?

The answers provided will indicate each stylist’s comfort level. Make notes of these comforts then shake it up later. EX. I do not push cuts on the girls who love cuts –I throw perms at them. Your job will be to FIND the classes around that have what they are not comfortable in and pay for that class. Don’t be a cheap owner. They must grow! Invest in them- 

4.) Look at the person to your left- What do you like about their work? What do you wish they would stop doing? Now ask the stylist who got to voice their pet peeve – ‘How they can help them to grow?

You can only bitch about something for so long until you find out how to fix the crazy shit.

5.) Give them a piece of paper – write down three charitable events that have meaning to them, and why?

This question allows you to see what is important to them- maybe if you could give back – how would you approach becoming involved – perhaps offer a free haircut day? Fun Hair play day? Basket give away. Ask your stylists, ‘How’ you can become more ACTIVE with your concerns and the community.

All these things require you the BOSS to make this happen- do not ever give my sheets out unless you intend on following up. You are a pointless fool if you think these girls aren’t telling you these things in HOPES that you can become more active, and DO what you say.

BE that BOSS who makes Better stylist- Remember you are the EXAMPLE!

NEXT BLOG I WILL GIVE FOR THE STYLIST TO THE BOSS.

BUM, BUM, BUM!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone can use these except for my girls— your opinion is always expected and loved.

Heather Lea Owner of a crazy shop Hair Loft on Linden

Owner of BookPressed.com