Hairdressing Training. College or in Salon?

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

                         Training your team home or away?

A much discussed topic. A subject with so many choices. How does someone make a choice of best path to get well trained. make those right career decisions.

As a Salon owner or manager. How do you decide the best way to train and attract new staff and offer them the best training one that will benefit both the salon and potential trainee.

As someone with a focus on self employment maybe home based business. Maybe your mobile freelance or chair renter,

How do you decide on the best place to train and up date those skills stay current and up to date with products techniques and all matters pertaining to our industry.

With so many Academy's. Colleges. Hairdressing Schools. How do you the salon compete to get apprentice's and trainee's?

These institutions especially the private enterprises are designed to teach but more importantly to them  they are a business and so they have to make money. They do this by charging the students and charging the models a perfect equation. They also get discount from the large colour Companies to promote their products.

 As stated a Contentious subject.

The standards taught in many of these establishments can and does vary considerable many of the tutors left salon work for personal reason then decide to teach what they know. My question is did they ever really it make it the salon ! Do they really care or is it just a job with the title Teacher!!

My experience with Colleges and Academy's has been rather dulled by lack of commitment attitude poor standard lack of knowledge. They have just been doing the same thing term after term year after year and are out of touch with reality and products. How they work they don't prepare their students for the real world they leave college with a huge attitude fake it till you make it.  Newly qualified and think they know it all the reality is they have very little salon real life experience need help extra training not that employable. [ oh but they do have NVQ level 2]
I am aware that many who teach are very committed and that hands are tied by legislation and paper work. Passion commitment must be instilled in these young creative minds.  Bodies such a HABIA do and offer so much but always they are limited by funding and so staffing Ideally they should be regional however good a travelling road show is, how exciting and creative and talented they stylist's and educator's there is only so much they can do at an event! it not enough.
                                                                
                                                                        http://www.habia.org/

As a home based business or mobile stylist if qualified you owe it to your self and your clients to keep your self current up dated and educated stay current. If your goal is to become self employed or mobile then just as important to seek out the best training possible and commit to up dates training days. Working alone can be very lonely and uninspired so keeping in contact with fellow stylists is key to success. Look at what training update your local distributor is putting on take advantage of courses being run.

As a Salon owner/manager you owe it to yourself your salon and staff to offer the very best standard of education service half in salon with days release or do you take it as a salon owner to build and train your team this takes work and commitment can be so rewarding to both you staff and clients alike. Your other option being day release farming the training out an option but leaves little control of skill or knowledge being taught or eventual standard.

To train your own team takes planning hard work commitment but the rewards are huge, so lets take a look at how huge a task is it to train in house.

Planning this coming up with syllabus a realistic time frame to cover all the topic's to cover all the different skills and tasks to reach the various levels of NVQ qualification.

Having a schedule that works for the salon in the salon for both staff and trainee and Clients, yes get clients involved they are a great source for models and encouragement Remember this is a two way commitment you get the new enthusiastic willing to learn trainee who wants to learn works hard for your part you have to train a share knowledge educate and are responsible to train this person to the highest of standards.

I would suggest targets laid out and agreed upon as training standard to be agreed by all parties laid out weekly, monthly with reviews along the way.

For the help the staff get in the Salon they have to be committed to be part of this exercise to share knowledge, educate to be part of this salon experience part of building the team.

Staff should commit to model nights if any given stylist has a skill or is more qualified in any given field [e.g maybe hair colour] then use this encourage staff to do training updates to get involved as Educators platform artists do in house and out source training.

All of this is great for business staff talk to clients clients share with friends and family that their salon do so much on the education front.

Have clear goals and standards cutting you have to teach the student has to master basic's before moving on every one learns at a different pace but clear defined levels to ability to achieve should be laid out and agreed upon.

The same should be said for colour and perming. note that with these two subjects both carry great deal of technical information that must be learned chemistry and understanding as well as safety.

The hands on application of product the mixing the timing it goes on and on.

the good news is there is a wealth of information available to us either on line or books that can be purchased to build up a library of knowledge and place of resource,

As we know as hairdressers we don't like study or reading but to succeed knowledge and education are key.

 Examples of the art of hair colouring real hair colourd to look natural from very blonde.

            

                        Below Example of colour match for the pre coloured hair extension:

                                                                 The Team building 

This exercise of getting qualified staff involved in training also deals with problems of not sharing being  a team player issues of EGO a thing that is prevalent with us stylist.

This ego issue can also become an issue when self employed it's a natural way we can convince our selves that we are good enough know enough not to bother with up dates  a dangerous path to allow ourselves to go down it will eventually effect business and client retention be honest with your self  stay connected with other stylists.

In case of ego it's a safety barrier we project to hide insecurity or lack of knowledge and or skill so the in salon training helps with these issues.

The incentive for qualified staff involvement could be the salon contributing to training events partially or fully encourage all levels of  entering competition both for the individual and for the salon.

All of the above is possible not over night but over time the rewards are huge both in time and money not to mention how proud you will feel when that kid you took in is a busy successful fully booked stylist on the salon floor.

Nothing is easy this all takes lots of planning it will have its pitfalls and challenges but its a journey an adventure you and your staff your team can take together.

Do not get lazy and abuse this agreement as cheap labor it does and will come back on you and ultimately damage your Business and staff relations.

For my part with many years and a great deal of experience I would be happy to work with any one thinking of embarking on this in house training scheme.

With so many options and choices when it comes to training and updating skills  how do you decide where to get the best training the best value for money?
I think any newly qualified stylist should think very carefully about going directly from college into any self employed homes based situation.Get some salon experience.Some client experience. Some service experience. some team commitment.

Option's. Through your distributor and in conjunction with one of the major professional companies?

Is it courses seminar's

Saving money for ticket's to go see the odd platform artist.

Maybe you just don't bother you know it all you know enough many stylist have this view done my training don't need any more.

We should never stop learning and challenging our selves and their are so many avenues to explore not just your hands on skills

What direction would you like to see your career going in.

Platform work, Artistic team member, Technical educator, Salon owner, Teacher, maybe your passion is competition work, maybe something more down to earth successful and busy we all have different goals dreams aspirations.

What ever it is with help you we can only improve with help and sharing experience with each other

with so many products on the market offering new improved chemistry we must have the knowledge and understanding of them to decide if they are what we want do what we require.

In this economy the challenges of building up a successful clientele are more demanding. We have to have a edge we have to be able to justify why what we offer what we do is much better that that home colour application we have to be able to explain why.

We have to have the people skills . The service skills .The consultation skills . The communication skills,

do you have all these are you at your best all the time?

When we see in the new's for the most part people rate happiness as 5.4 that's plain sad is your glass half full or half empty we are in the business of filling that glass of helping people feel and look better

can you do you do that?

I have spent many years having lots of training my goal is to share that with others who would like to learn and share my experience both technical hands on . But also the personal.The people skills. The salon skills. Those things that make clients want to come back the things that make the salon run smoothly a great place to work create and have fun yes fun  hairdressing has to be fun!!

So often we get lost in just trying to busy you should not have to try! If you are on top of your game doing a great job being creative offering great service  you should not have to worry about that appointment book your client retention and so your pay packet.

Having the Skill the knowledge being up to date with products both for professional salon use and retail recommendation , Having an understanding of how over the counter colour works being able to explain this to clients all key to that success. having your NVQ qualification is a great start but it is not enough it's a starting place a foundation from which to grow

Having a salon  but not staying current not inspiring your team will in the end lead to decent.thinking your busy enough and know everything is frankly dangerous and driven by 'EGO 'not a healthy place to be.

This is not a lecture just some honest sharing  some insight from many years in our ever changing ever challenging industry it is driven from wanting to share wanting to see the standards be high remain

high for us all to be professional creative and passionate about our work our profession what is a huge chunk of our lives.

interested lets chat and take a journey together many ways to connect.  The ways you can learn to stop looking for new clients and cherish the ones you have.  It is a fact that 50% of new clients to a salon never return thats' a great deal of lost business.
A long article but so much to discuss.

Mike B2MR    http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

          

High fashion Red heads, Vibrant coppers,

                                                Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

                                                  Regular postings of fresh new topic's. 

Hot reds, rich coppers always lurking just waiting to jump back into the pages of fashion magazines vibrant alive. Yet as a colour and shade it scares so many. So when celebrity suddenly comes out with a new look heads turn trends are set.    

Is it  a seasonable trend? Reds do go in and out of favor but also the type of shade changes with the seasons. Cool reds or blue reds tend to work better in the autumn and winter months the hot vibrant shades coppers and bright reds are more summer colours.
As we discuss this topic. The model in all cases below is the same model I have showed this to prove that change is possible.

When we think of reds there are so many shades to choose from warm even hot reds true reds! Copper shades all the way through to cool blue Mauve reds.

Reds are the Shade that can be the hardest to get to last keep that rich true colour choosing the correct shade is just the start of the colour equation. To achieve a real rich vibrant colour three main things have to be considered. the clients Natural hair level Ideal shades N5 to N7 the correct level of peroxide and right choice of shade.
Why levels 4N to 7N because these are the best levels to retain red and orange pigment after lift.Level 4 through 6 ideal for reds 6N THROUGH 8N as we lift the copper shades will be more advised.  all good food for thought and consideration.

We also need to consider the formulation for root application. This will also take some consideration namely the percentage of Grey? The amount of Grey dictates the amount of N series required in the formulation . As well as target colour and desired level of peroxide.  the way to assess this is take a section and 2inches long a see what percentage is Grey! if 25% then that would normally be the amount of N series required.  Without N series you may end up with hot roots! After root application colour balance with desired target colour formulation .

Hot or bright roots seems to be a huge problem so please do consider your formulation when dealing with Grey coverage.

The two shots above below are pre root application and then colour balanced final colour.

With these examples of Red I have tried to show that it is possible to change shade in this case red without damaging or causing stress on the hair.

As you can see the different shades chosen are all in the same colour family. Red. Red Copper,  Copper Red. Red brown.  They all work with skin and eye colour of the model.

                                                 

The Key to switching colour and shade is to do it in stages working up and down the shades slowly going from lighter to darker is easy tone on tone.

To go darker to lighter the key is to use the natural pigment  in the hair you are lifting. Don't try for to many levels at once. Remember it's an ever changing journey not a race. Using this method you can constantly suggest new change with compromise. As you can see from the model shots same model different shades.

A colour client will stay with you as long as your doing a great job so take your time explain what's possible both short term and long ! have fun.

Always consider the environment you are working on. This includes all history of of previous colour application. consider and plan colour goals for coming months so change is possible with out over processing and or a poor job!

Have some fun enjoying some warmth for the summer months. Reds can and will tend to fade as can the copper shades . By retaining and working with the natural pigment. Choosing the correct formulation  then recommend good products  and care routine. Good products and sound advise will  keep that rich colour alive and healthy.
Reds fun Vibrant never dull but always a challenge! Mike B2MR

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?homeNewMember=&gid=3162242&trk=eml-grp-sub

This linked in group is starting to grow in interest and discussion.

Hairdressing tips and tricks.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

 A place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

What does this mean exactly? For me it's sharing anything and everything.It's not about short cuts or breaking rules! It's sharing all those things that we learn and experience along the way. Those things that could save you from a pitfall or at least help you get out of one!

What does it cover ?Anything and everything. All that is us. All that make us stylist, salon owners, business owners, it covers skill knowledge, both technical and practical, life skills, people skills, business skills.

None of us are perfect. None of us know everything. But some know more than others, I'm not talking qualifications I'm talking about experience those skills we have learned along the way.Thus allowing us to share what we have learned along the way.

It is my opinion that however good we are. However much we know. What ever skills we have if we do not share it pass it on use it to encourage others then it's all rather pointless.

To keep it to your self to have bragging rights to crow about how good you were are !! That's all Ego and a waste of time. Giving back sharing is key to personal growth and greater success.

With all the blogs and articles I post my one goal is to share both experience and skill and knowledge.

I have been so fortunate in all the hairdressing industry has afforded me . The experiences I have had. The opportunities I have had. Some of the amazing people I have met and had the good fortune to work with.

I would very much like an opportunity to share this with as many stylist as possible to encourage mentor to challenge them to push themselves. 

To salon owners to encourage them to work with staff and team members. To share and discuss what a salon is and should be. How to get the very best from your en-devours. How to offer the highest of standards of service skill to your clients. whilst increasing sales and client retention.
I had  a young stylist write to me today asking for advise . Having left college wanting to build up a clientele get busy. Yes as we all know it's not easy it tales commitment and hard work, However i do feel that Salon owners and managers have to help the new stylist who is committed to working hard. A guaranteed basic wage for a given period. Also a new stylist should be given all new clients to the salon for an agreed period. This shows both support and commitment. After agreed period the stylist should have proved a good client retention level and indeed added to it through recommendation.
If this is not the case the stylist has to take responsibility for both standard of work and service offered.  

In these challenging economic times. Having a few skills, refusing to constantly assess, honestly reflect on how things are.This a very dangerous path to walk. 

The salon is a place that is unique as are the people who work in it. As are the clients we attract. But the list of what a salon is. What it has to do to run smoothly is huge. It truly is quite a complex structure built of relationships ,honesty and trust.

Appearance, atmosphere, Image, reputation,

Staff, skill education, knowledge, people skill, passion, motivation, service, team players, dedicated. humility. sales through knowledge, respectful, caring.

Owners. Managers. Organisations. skills. Fair firm. Visionary. Sympathetic. Articulate. Service. People skills driven focused. Passion commitment. Knowledgeable . Skilled adviser. Respectful Caring,

Products: knowledge. Sales. Technical skills. On how to use products. Understand use and application.

These are all parts that together make a salon work and be successful can you tick them all off? Maybe most but a few need some attention. I think in most cases we would all be able to add to the list but also circle the need attention items. The million dollar question is Do you want to address those weaknesses!!! either as a salon owner or as an individual do you want to invest a little time and little money to reach new levels have higher standards reach new heights.

Tips and tricks is me offering to share with you all that I know and have experienced from. Salon ownership and management. To platform work. Education and sales. Artistic team member. Successful busy stylist. Communication skills. Consultation skills.

Hands on technical skills from cutting to hair colour to updo's what do you need help with.

From one on one to small salon groups what are your needs.               

Contact me to start investing in your business your self your future. With my skill experience and knowledge and connection with other like minded professionals help is close at hand.
I can connect you with an online support program for you and your salon. So what are your needs?  

Mike B2MR

                             http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/


                             A useful link for material that can be of so much use to both salons and stylist's                        
                                     http://www.karendavidintl.com/index.asp?pageID=2145887365

The salon growing your business. Recommendation. Retention.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

Regular postings of fresh new topic's

As Salon owner's and Manager Stylist's.

We all have one major things in Common. Do you know what that is ? We all work in the service Industry. It is our job to offer the highest standards of. Service and Consultation.

This is a team effort an experience that starts as the client walks through the door and is greeted by receptionist and salon assistance. As stylists to offer the best advise supported by knowledge and skill.

On going training product knowledge updates are all key factors to staying current and on the cutting edge of our industry.

It is a know fact. That 50% of clients that visit a salon for the first time do not return! Why is this? What is going wrong? We all spend so much time money and energy trying to get new business. We forget about the existing business. We forget to live in the now! Striving and Trying to build up a strong clientele. But constantly driven to look for new clients new ways to attract clients.

We need to take an honest look at what is going wrong. This has to be done both as. A Salon as a team and as an individual.

Clients leave for many reason's. Poor service. Bad job. Personality issues. Pricing. Oh and a friend telling them about the new wonder salon down the road. That being everything yours is not!

In all of the above instances the only one person who cannot be blamed is. The client. It is our job to cherish care and build up a trusting honest relationship. One that comes for giving the ultimate service.

Change improvements. Salon service. Image. Increased business all possible but it does take. Hard work, Humility, Honesty and caring.

Here is a little personal reflection. But it get's a point home.

I recently lost my dear life friend my dog Zip. Stay with me there is a point to this! He was almost 10 years old. 3 years ago we moved to the Uk from Canada leaving my clients and hair business behind.

I have stayed in touch with many of my clients will still chat stay connected. It's easy! How? With so many Media tools available to us. Well I learned a huge lesson in Zip's passing sad as it was. How loved and how many clients remembered him. The salon. The service. So many postings with messages from people who's hair I have not done for three years. But they still care they still remember the time we spent together.  They left message s reflecting on this time spent. Why? Because they wanted to. Because they cared. Because we had built up relationships still strong today.

Service Consultation the key.

We get so wrapped up in booking. Being busy. Fitting in as many clients as possible. That we forget that the person that client in the chair is the most important thing. Think less about the money more about the service for one takes care of the other.

Look after that client give the most attentive service make them feel special she will tell friend and so it builds.

Easy just repeat the same system over and over treat every client the same every time as if it were a first visit and they are really special. Fool proof!

Service .Consultation. Communication. Professional product advise. note not sales advise educate the product it will sell it self.

Do you take the time to really listen and give honest advise?

Would you suggest a different look ? If what was being requested would not look good?

Would you suggest not doing a chemical process if you thought condition to poor?

Would you stay late working with a client until happy?

Have boundaries a 15 min rule for lateness no exception ! why it's easy the knock on effect over the day creates you running late others being effected.

You see both clients and us as stylist have to be accountable for our actions. Make a decision live with the consequences. Mutual respect. Open lines of communication.

Give sound solid honest advise even if it's not what the clients wants to hear. Do not take on work that is not represent your own high standards and explain why?

More to follow on this topic but enough to digest for now.

For further places to research on going help and advise some very useful links below online support program for you your salon and team.

  

Some useful tools.
                                                                                                    

http://www.karendavidintl.com/index.asp?pageID=2145887365
                                                           

 http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

 http://www.salongroove.com/                                                       

 http://www.doubleyoursalonsales.com/

As always  hope this is useful and is useful food for thought and personal growth.Mike B2MR

Ombre hair colour.The latest innovative fashion colour

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

 Regular postings of fresh new topic's.

                                          

Ombre Colour a technique of going from dark to light.

This new colour sensation has evolved from women wanting or letting colour grow out creating a root issue that needs to be addressed.  However it does seem to that allows for the roots to be blended in to some degree. More importantly getting away form a need for such a solid and in some cases over processed look.

How can one create this look?  Well firstly I have to state it is dependent on the history of the hair that is being considered for this look.  So it's back to that consultation or being honest with yourself if doing it as a home project.

There are many formulations that one can explore and experiment with. But one has to consider both target colour and effect required. The tone and shade being used.

Lets use a example of level 6 Natural Dark Blonde. One with previous colour history. One with virgin un coloured  or never processed hair.

The Look tends to be a graduated hair cut works well on longer hair.

In the event of previously coloured hair one would expect to see light ends dark roots, for the sake of this lets not go to complicated. So we will presume grown out Highlights and low lights. This look really does create a grwon out look going from darker to lighter.

One formulation that will take care of any unwanted shade or pigment from previous colour would be

to highlight maybe slightly thicker than finer.

I would suggest using on our pre-coloured hair  three different levels of Bleach decolouriser fading them into each other. How? You may ask.

Well weave out your highlights to desired thickness having mixed three bowls of bleach.

One with 10 volume peroxide  1part powder to 2parts peroxide normally makes good consistency but follow directions.                                

2nd bowl  20 volume as above mix    

3rd Bowl 30 volume  as above mix

I would advise using different coloured bowls or mark each one so not to use wrong formulation.

Ready to go. Weave your streak place on foil, easy mesh, paper, what ever you use. Now paste the 10 volume formulation on the roots and as far out as you like, next paste the 20 vol formulation on the mid lengths again as far as you want. Finally 20 vol on the ends.

You have to keep an eye on this as it lifts. You may have to pull some out before your finished, but that's ok. Once all done you have to decide on the tone that you want to blend them to.

Two thing are key to this. Don't do the whole head. Make sure that the lift you get is even down each section and all sections have the same lift.

Think about the pigment you have exposed think about the tone you want use the colour wheel.

Now lets look at virgin hair I don't think in this instance one would need to use bleach but again personal choice here is my choice and suggestion.

Remember we are sating of with a level 6 natural dark blonde. Things we have to consider when choosing  our formulation. What pigment will come in to play How will it effect our choice of colour.

Using the same highlighting technique as above. Lets play with both shade and lift.

So my choice would be 8A or 9A .why? Well it's an Ash base so will control any unwanted warmth that being [ orange ] Lets use 10 volume on the roots this will lift one level but will expose warmth even with one level of lift. Mid section 20 volume two levels of lift. Ends 30 volume on the ends. Remember your timing and your formulations.

You could use 20. 30, 40, if you want it lighter. But more lift will bring out more orange. You can also slightly over lap each shade, because although different levels of peroxide all in the same colour camp so no banding.

Take you time think through both. Timing. Application. Formulation. Use the tools available to you. Colour chart. Colour wheel. Have some creative fun both with the cut and the colouring technique.

You too could look like a movie star with this technique that allows for stylish casul sophistication.
This style and creative look has a natural edge to it and yet rings of creative style and freedom for both client and stylist to try some techniques slightly out side of the box with both application and formulation. I was and am very excited to be talking about a look that i think really works on so many levels and is good for both the client the stylist and the salon,

Hair stylist's. Image, attitude, focus, vision.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR: Regular postings of fresh new topic's

A somewhat contentious subject: But worthy of discussion and debate I'm sure we will not all agree !!!
but that is healthy.
I don't know if this is a global issue but it certainly is an issue in the countries I have worked in. Is it an issue where you are.  Its a topic that I dwell on given my passion for our industry.

Commitment. Attitude. Image. Vision:
Why do so many young people start training and give up. Or just turn to it not knowing what else to do. in some cases just getting pushed into it just because of lack of academic qualification. Hoping it's an easy meal ticket! to a not to demand profession.
Why do so many stay in the industry poorly trained? Little or no motivation complaining acting out and being totally un-professional. Why is this?
I'm hoping this will create discussion because like so many issues in our industry it's one that is sort of pushed aside never really addressed or looked at.
In these economic times we seem to heading down that path that has been trodden many times apprenticeships programs for youth employment. incentives for salons to take on trainee's. Is it just another way of playing with unemployment figures or real industry commitment.
Then we have the colleges and the day release system. The standards of what is being taught is out of touch with reality. So bogged down with paper work health and safety issues. The tutors in many cases are un motivated and out of touch .The students having failed in the academic world don't now want to be in class room setting. How will this ever change if never addressed.

My reason for this topic is not to just rant about an issue not just to use my blog a platform to moan. It's to bring up the topic and hopefully put a positive lean on it!
How can it change? What can we do as professional salon owners. How can tutors improve and help to change and or improve things.
Firstly by being honest with all the youngsters thinking of a future in Hairdressing.This means taking the time to discuss with them their goals and dreams find out if the service industry is for !It's not for every one. Find out how committed they are to study and self improvement.
We need to lead by example.We need to raise standards. We can all make a difference if we are willing and committed.
It's about giving back. It's about sharing. Its about being honest. It's about communication and most of all positive honest discussion.

We have to take the time to honestly explain the training process to young people coming into the profession. Tell what to honestly expect. We have to help them value and respect them selves.
In-fact many Stylist's could learn from a little reflection on these subjects .They could in many case's do with some help. I have come across many in our professions with self issues. Maybe our industry attracts this .We all have a story. We come with baggage. We all have a past. We all have a story.
We also all have creative passion. For hair dressing. For being a stylist. Being a colour technician. Being successful.

From being honest with young people coming into our profession. We have to then also look at help and assistance for those either new to the business or struggling. This can be newly qualified stylist's or salon owners struggling with staff issues and to make ends meet.
We can only do this if we are all honest. If we are struggling we reach out ask and seek help.
Is help available? Are there people that care ? yes yes yes!

My trust in the generosity. The commitment to our industry has never been as strong as it is at this time.
I have had the good fortune and the honour of sharing thoughts view's with a team in Australia. Cool ha the world gets smaller every year!
Karen and David Lynch have proved to me that showed me that I am not alone in my thinking. That our industry is full of positive hair dressers.They have shown me that. Sharing experience and vision can and is very rewarding.
They run a very Successful business offering help support mentoring. Sharing first hand experience gained from many years committed to the hairdressing profession.
One has to believe that if we truly have a passion for what we believe in do it. Success and rewards will follow. It's that universal concept of giving something away to get more back!
It is why I write and share so much information and experience. I have faith that it will open doors allowing me to educate and share with others.

                                       Help is at hand in the form of Online assistance .
                                 Offering so much support in every aspect of our industry.
                                             Salon Success Club Online Coaching!

Are these issus you have ?

• Use mystery clients in a positive way
• Employ the right people (at the right time)
• Market your salon without costing a cent (or very little and it works!)
• Grow your salon profit and find where all those profit leaks are
• Turn your reception into a money making machine
• Have your team on your side - all working together, with you
• Feel the energy and excitement about your salon business
• Fill your salon book with top clients
• Give the experience your clients really want (not what most staff think they're wanting)...... 
• Stay motivated every day so nothing stands in your way!
• Grow your salon business with long term results (so you can relax when you're not there)
• Push through the barriers that hold you back
• Keep your clients returning and referring heaps more to your salon
• Double Your Salon Sales (yes you can)
• Coach your team to be star performers
• Get great results when dealing with team issues
• Pay your team effectively so you BOTH winand so much more!

                                Get ready to rekindle that excitement of when you first went into 
                                                        business OR as a new salon owner you'll feel                                                                confident you'll get it right first time!
      

Here is a link for you if your ready to get help advise support for both you and your business

                                     http://thesalonsuccessclub.ning.com/page/online-coaching

Is it not funny how you can start sharing thought's writing them down and where it can take you. With all the material available to us The tools we need success is possible it takes work and commitment it's not a free ride.
Be it starting out wanting to train or wanting help to grow improve or indeed expand a business everything is possible.
Books . Dvd's. On line down loads. Support with real professional. It's all just a click away. But are you ready? I hope this opens doors for discussion. Mike B2MR

Bad hair! ? low standards. Unprofessional!

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR regular postings of fresh new topic's

If it's a bad look done at home it's sad. If it's a bad look and not very well executed cut style or colour done professionally that's even worse.
Why is it? how is some people can go out without looking in the mirror and being honest asking the question. Does this look good?
As stylist we need to remember that a client leaving the salon is our walking promotion.It's a free walking bill board or the reason why your not getting recommended. Standards creative skill. consultation with clients about what will work!
below some examples of bad looks and why!
over processed candy cane hair bleached within an inch of it's life shapeless hair cut looking like she stuck a finger in a electric socket! would you be proud of this creation?

When you see bad hair out in public do you ever think? What was going through the person mind who created that? Or do they know how bad that looks? Did they pay for that?  I do it amazes me what stylist's can do produce that is deemed acceptable. How low standards can get. What poor standards people will accept as looking good !

The same can be said for dress sense looking in the mirror and thinking maybe not! Or for me this hair do is wrong on so many levels. Its shape well lack of ! Its colour. In this case a stylist has taken three looks and tried to join them together very badly.

I'm not sure if the nape and the nasty line there .The crown and that flat bald like area . Or the weight line carried round to the sides and face. It's just wrong on all levels.
Oh! Perfect a side view to show off what I am trying to point out! No flow. Disconnection it not an excuse for total shapeless mess. The crown area is two short and blunt . Cutting hair short does not create height! or volume. Texture does with shears or a razor and an understanding of weight shape and form, well that and styling.

This to me looks like she turned her head up side down and blasted it with a hairdryer. Sadly the shape or lack there of does allow for a lazy styling approach .The blonde is a nothing colour dull patchy leopard spotting caused by over layering coloured area's. No thought has been given to shape look or colour not to mentions the clients features and dress sense or lack of.
This is all a classic example of not caring and low standards. In this instance. The stylist not only let's the client down but also them selves for it is no advert  to produce work like this.

Want more? Ok How about this look:

What does this say to you? Would you produce this ? Would you be proud to say this totally represents my work and who I am ?  Hum not so much ha!
Again really bad choice of colours and look. Whether the client did this her self or paid for it .Well it's a rat's nest. Why do people go out looking like this. Because they really take very little time to think does this look good ! do I feel good! If your a stylist looking at this say to your self I am better than this ! If you are  a client then say! From now on I will take time to make an effort to look and feel good.

In closing It is possible to see a look that works that is well done I think that it was the  contrast of these three women all taken at the same location that set this topic in motion.

For me this is a well executed little cut. A really well done colour it work and suites the women. I hope this brings my point home that as stylist's we have to consider so much not just a hair do. we have to work with and cater for all sorts and types!
But life style. The way the client looks. What she wears. Does she really care about appearance. Some women don't getting a hair cut or colour is just a routine event,We have the skill and ability to make a difference to open their eye's
Where does all this start With the image we present and the service  the consultation the honest sound advise we offer. can you do you do this ? Do you really care? Don't be any thing other than the very best you can. Never settle for second best as a Stylist or as a client.
We attract what we project and present that look that say's this is me. Or as a stylist's it says. This is what i can do for you. Standards never let them slip !!!! Mike B2MR