The Legacy is over...

At one point, there was a salon around here that everyone flocked to.  They were the premier stylists in the area.  Their education and expertise was unparalleled.  I was lucky enough (in some ways) to work for this salon as a receptionist.  It's where I finally felt like I belonged, and I've learned so much from all of my experiences there.

Notice how that paragraph is in the past tense??  So is that salon.  On Saturday, December 31st, this salon became history.  Being that I was on the inside track for a long time, it wasn't a complete surprise to me.  When the owner was alive, he was clearly the business mind behind everything they did.  When he past away, his wife and son tried to step up to the plate and continue where he left off.  Nine years later, they are closed.

While I worked there, (the last time) there were some MAJOR differences between management styles.  He ran a tight ship.  Everyone knew what was expected of them and everyone worked as a team.  Of course, there were hiccups along the way.  Not everyone always got along with each other, and he was notorious for having it out with someone on the salon floor, including his wife.  (it was embarrassing to be a witness to these things.  I always felt so bad for the person he cornered) 

At one point, there were a total of 19 people working in this one salon, including 3 receptionists.  It was a wild, crazy time.  Were there underhanded shenanigans going on??  Sure.  There's nothing quite like being set up (by the person who lobbied hard to get you a job there) so they can fire you.  But, it was still a fabulous learning experience.  I actually worked there a total of 3 times, equalling just under 4 years .  It's where I got bit by the hairdressing bug in a big way.

When I went back the last time, it was very different.  His wife ran everything loosey goosey.  Suddenly, it was okay to come to work in jeans, as long as you were dressed up.  (which felt WEIRD...I did it exactly once.  Never did it again.)  The person who was established as Salon Manager was probably the worst person for the job.  She was a back stabbing tattletale.  Not to mention one of the biggest ass-kissers I'd ever met, in my life.  Between her and the owner's son (who had NO CLUE) what he was doing, they both managed to run the salon into the ground.  And, lord knows, the owner's wife did everything she could to salvage that business, including mortgage her house to death and spend through all her retirement savings.  At 67 years old, she's having to start over and still work as much as she can, just to keep her head above water.  I don't envy her one bit.

What does this mean for me??  Nothing, really.  I was a part of the history of that place.  And all my experiences there, both good and bad, have made me the stylist/manager that I am, both good and bad.

What a week!

Each of us has a sales quota, based on how many hours a week we work, then it's broken down by each day, for both services & retail.  I did this when I worked at my old salon, just using my previous sales figures & giving myself a 10% increase. 

This industry is very much feast or famine.  I went into this knowing that information.  And, I went into this industry knowing there are certain times of the year when it's DEAD....Usually, it's from Labor Day to Thanksgiving, then January to March.  We started getting quiet the week of Christmas...I was the only one who made commission, BARELY.  The next week, I was the only one who DIDN'T make commission.  This week??  I'm $100 away from getting into the next commission percentage bracket.  Holy Crap!

Something else that is happening is that my reputation is getting out there.  I've gotten two phone calls this week, with people telling me that I came highly recommended and that I'm the only one they'll let touch their hair. I've also had a Walmart associate (who used to go to the high end salon I was a receptionist at) tell me she'll be coming to me....it starts because of our price & the fact they get a discount.  It'll end up because I specialize in fine hair....  WOO HOO!!!

Why do I specialize in fine hair??  Because I have a head FULL of it.  I understand what it does, it's limitations, how it responds to chemicals, why it will or won't respond to anything you do to it.  And, it's GETTING OUT THERE.  Which, for me, is exciting.  I'm aiming to specialize in three things:  Fine hair, long hair, color.  And not necessarily in that order! 

Some other things I've been doing at work:  I've implemented "the proper use of foils" program.  Meaning this:  There is a plastic box with foils in them.  One box for 7 foils, one for 14 foils (two foil specials we offer), partial foil (26 foils) and full foil (52 foils).  I've also typed up and created a folder of pricing and explanation to go with it regarding how to charge for these services.  I'm trying like HELL to oversimplify the whole process so it's a no-brainer.

What I've found out is Rita isn't charging accordingly.  She has a friend that works at another Regis location...a different branch of the company, therefore they price differently.  And, because her friend tells her where to poop and what color it should be, she prices like they do at her friend's salon.  Which means she's under pricing at our salon.  Which means I need to get on her case about it, maybe even calling Tammy & getting her involved in how to properly charge our clients.  Which is also why I separated out the foils the way that I did.  And I may just get Tammy involved, anyway....Because I'm a snot like that...

With a little help from some "friends"

We had an "incident" in the salon the other day.  Rita was doing color on a client (a friend, really) and decided to cover her entire head in foils (instead of just doing the method I described for doing a 14 foil process) because, well, she's messy and wants me to tell her what to do, then decide against what I've told her because it's not what she wants to do.

Anyway...Monday was an extremely busy day (I doubled my daily quota, got to go to the bathroom exactly once, and didn't get a lunch).  Shortly before 5pm, I finally came up for air and was cleaning up around the salon.  This is when I noticed Rita's client's head was COVERED in foils.  When I questioned what she was doing, her reply was "Oh, yes, we're still doing 14 foils.  But, I didn't like how you described to me how I ought to do this, so I'm doing it this way instead, 'cause I'm kinda messy" (like I didn't already know she's a complete SLOB when it comes to color).  I immediately felt my blood pressure RISE.

I finished puttering around the salon, cleaning things up, getting laundry taken care of, making sure there's change for the register, when Rita went into the back room to write down what she had done.  That's when I confronted her.  "By all that's right and holy, you need to charge her for a full head of foils, plus the two colors, plus her haircut.  How do you think we pay for all the foils you just used??  The foil fairy??"  I was so angry at her....a complete waste of money she had going on, right there.  And, I know that she doesn't care about it.  I guarantee you that if I were to ask her "Where do you think the money comes from to pay for our salon supplies??"  She'd reply "Ummmmm, I dunno...Regis??" (our parent company).  NO, Bozo the Clown, it doesn't.  It comes right out of any profit our salon may have.  And, I'm too sure, Tammy has an expense sheet portion of her P & L that breaks everything down for her....what is charged for each color, how many foils were done and how much foil was purchased.

So, the end result, on Rita's end??  Well, when I looked briefly at the sales screen, it appears that she charged her friend accordingly.  I was so busy yesterday that I didn't have a chance to dig very deeply into her Monday night.  I'll be going in a little earlier tomorrow to deal with that part of the program, as well as Mop & Glo the floors to make them shiny again!

The other end result??  I'll be creating, with the help of my "sister" Lisa, a chart to fill out, regarding how much of what has been used, and I've also created a guide to refer to, as to how much of what product needs to be used.  Such as how much color & developer to mix to do a retouch, how much to mix for a 7 foil application, etc.  There is an awful lot of waste going on in that salon.  As manager, it's my job to keep that stuff under control.  And, it seems, I've got a big waster of products & supplies on my hands.  Sigh...

Two colors....

Had two colors today...one came out just great, the other, meh...

Wing nut number one came in, wanting to know if I could fix her hair.  She had pulled her hair through the cap, but only did the front (bought at kit at the store).  Therefore, the back of her hair was very dark.  And, (this is the best part) she was INSISTING her natural color was a light ash blonde.  NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.  Naturally, she's a warm level 5...medium warm brown.  Which means, when her hair lightens up, it's got some amazing warm tones ("red" to those not in the business) going on.

My mistake was in not lightening her ends first.  I dealt with her roots first.  Big mistake, because by the time I got done applying the lightener to her ends, her roots were pale blonde.  Her ends, not so much.
I then covered her ends (after rinsing & washing thoroughly) with 10A & 8N. (9NA) Also put SPV & SPN on her regrowth area, then feathered the 9NA into the regrowth area. (Hoping it would darken it up enough, which it did not)

This lady was a few sandwiches shy of a picnic.  She was pleasant enough, overall.  However, it wouldn't surprise me to know there's an official diagnosis of SOMETHING in a file somewhere.  She's definitely "not right".

Her color didn't come out quite like I wanted it to.  However, it was more like what she wanted.  And I did tell her she could come back and get it fixed if she didn't like it.  Just give it a couple of days.  Something I've noticed about myself is that when I've spent that much time looking at the hair I need to fix, I don't always see the finished results correctly.  When I redid Tina's hair a couple of weeks ago, even with the warm color I had put on her hair, I could still see all the mocha I was trying to cover up!  So, we'll see.

Wing nut number two:  Her daughter in law.  Who SWEARS I am the best thing since sliced cheese.  Not so much, really.  Especially not today.  Goofed her haircut up a bit....mistranslated what the cut was and gave her something totally different.  Oh, well.  Hair grows.  It doesn't look bad, just not the cut she was looking for.  It happens.  I can't beat myself up about this stuff.  She's still willing to come back and bring her child along for a haircut next time. 

However, her color:  A simple one, really.  A richer shade of what she already had.  She's a warm tone level 6, with some previous color growing out.  So, Color Sync to the rescue!  7WN & 6N to give it the warmth she was looking for, and a richness her previous color was lacking.  Gorgeous!!

Stealing another Monday Meme

Since I've made a point of NOT complaining about what goes on at work with my co-workers, I've managed to limit my subject matter, just a bit.  Therefore, I've been reading Wayfarer's blogs (because he's finally started blogging again) and shamelessly stealing from him my subject matter!!

Are you happy with the person you've become?
Yes.  I'm always needing "improvement", but, over all, I'm happy with me and comfortable with who I am.

What sound do you hate? Small children screaming in pain/anger.  Pay attention to your kid!!
What sound do you love? Small children giggling like crazy.  Best sound EVER!

What is your biggest "what if"?  Truly, if I'd stayed with Katie's dad.  We had a dumb relationship, really.  And now, we're both pretty successful at what we do.  It probably wouldn't have worked out this way if I'd allowed things to continue the way they were.  But, it's still a "what if".

Do you believe in ghosts?  Yes.  My house is full of them.  They're all my family members, so it's not as creepy as it sounds.  It's quite comforting, actually.  I'm living where I'm supposed to.  For now.

Do you believe in aliens?  No.  I love science fiction movies (Star Trek, Star Wars), fantasy movies (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter), but, no, I don't truly believe in that stuff.

What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far??  I have two.  Having Katie and getting my cosmetology license.  They're pretty equal with one another.  Both have changed my life in numerous ways.  All good.

What is the worst place you have ever been to?   Both driving through the George Washington Bridge in NYC and what a friend referred to as "Brown Town" near her southern hometown were pretty scary.  Beyond that, I don't get out much...

Can insanity bring on more creativity?  Having experienced mental illness first hand through my ex-husband, yes, it can.  While he's not "insane", I have experienced him in some seriously manic moments crank out some creative stuff.  Not always good, mind you, but definitely creative.

Most attractive actor of your opposite gender?  Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds.  Incredibly lovely to look at, I like their acting abilities, and their voices are pleasantly deep.  Sigh...

To you, what is the meaning of life?  Not really sure how to answer this one.  A comfy home, a decent car that runs well, enough money in my pocket to accomplish what I need to. Making sure my teenager still loves me (and I, her!)!   Guess I answered it!

Define "art"  What I do is art, what Katie's dad does (auto body) is art, what Katie does (pipe cleaner people, anyone??) is art, what my mom did (cakes) is art, what my dad did (2-D drawing) was art.

Do you believe in luck?  I believe we have the power to make our own luck.

In your opinion, what makes a great relationship??  Communication and compromise.  I stink at both, regularly.  But, I keep trying.

What's a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?  "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson Orchestra, this time of year.  "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins any other time of the year...I picture the feet, EVERY time!

Where were you yesterday?  At work.  Bringing in clients and making some good tips!

What's the worst injury you've ever had??  Luckily, I've managed to stay relatively unharmed in that way.  However, I sprained my ankle by falling down a small flight of stairs with my then 3 year old niece in my arms...pretty scary.  I was more concerned with whether or not she'd hit her head on anything when we landed, not what I'd done to myself.  Also, the bumps & bruises I sustained from my very first car accident.  The hemotoma on my forehead is finally gone (accident was when I was 19), but my breastbone still "tweaks" every once in a while (hit it on the steering column in my car).  A "nice" reminder to not drive while ridiculously tired.

Ever had a rumor spread about you?  Oh, too many to count.  There are those who feel my life is terribly exciting.  Still haven't figured that one out yet.

Do you believe in real magic?  This kind of goes with the aliens question.  No, not really.

Do you ever hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?  If avoiding certain people because of how I was treated when I was young counts, then, yes.  I steer clear of those that have bullied me.  I'm not afraid of them, not by a long shot.  I avoid them (most of them) so that I don't say things that don't really need to be said.  There's one bully I cannot avoid completely, but, luckily, I only have to be around him 5 times a year....three holidays and two birthdays.

What's your favorite (non-pet) animal??  Elephants.  Bar none.  There is something about them that just gets to me, every time.  I have no idea why.  Must be a past life experience.  I actually saw (on TV) an elephant give birth and I just cried watching that little bit of life come to be.

What is your secret weapon to get people to like you?  It's a combination of things.  Being honest, showing empathy, sympathy, a bit flirty, knowledgeable in lots of things (to be able to carry on a conversation regarding just about anything), and, at least at work, being a little bit easy on the eyes is helpful.  However, those that know me the longest and the best have seen me without all the "paint" and they still like me, anyway!

Where is your best friend right now?  Sleeping.

Visual Learner

The fun thing about hairdressers (at least most hairdressers, anyway) is that we're visual learners.  If you've got something new in mind, bring in a picture.  It's so much easier to have a reference point when dealing with your hair!

The other part of my visual learning is this (and, of course, it's a drawn out explanation):  I write down what I do for client services every day.  I keep track of what, who, how often, retail sold, coupons/business cards handed out, and what they tipped.  Partly because I'm nosy, but also because my employer demands it of me.  I like knowing what I did during the day.  The other thing I've started doing is tracking my day in an appointment book.

GASP!!!  NOT AN APPOINTMENT BOOK!?!?!?  Yes.  An appointment book.  We're not allowed to book appointments, so I don't use it for that, specifically.  However, at the end of every day, when I'm at home, I transfer what I write in my little notebook into my appointment book.  When at all possible, I try to record it in actual time (men's hair cut at 1pm, color at 3pm, etc), including blocking out how long it took me to accomplish each appointment.  Why do I do this??  So I can see how full my day is.

When I worked for Ginger, I had a lot of down time.  So, I spent a lot of time examining various things in the computer.  Productivity being a big one.  I'm between Ginger & Evelyn in terms of productivity....that being said, Evelyn is busier because I'm not there to"hog the clients".  She actually inherited a bunch of my clients when I left.  But, anyway....right now, with the staff I have, we're on par with my old salon.  Which, for a new salon, I happen to think is pretty good.

Monday Meme on Tuesday...

Wayfarer Journal has been a blogging madman of late, after taking a year off, and I'm stealing from him, AGAIN, because, well, I'm too damn tired to think of anything to write, currently...So, here goes:

If you were an animal, what would it be??  Why??
I would be a cat.  They're one of my two favorite animals (the other is elephants).  Why??  Because their needs are met almost instantly, and they get to sleep 22+ hours a day.  Sleep would be good....

Hair color you like on someone you're dating?
I'm a sucker for tall, dark & handsome...EVERY time.  Katie's father fit the bill (at the time, mind you):  Chocolate brown, wavy hair, hazelly brown eyes, 6'6", great smile, moustache....basically, a young Tom Selleck or Burt Reynolds, complete with snazzy car....but, I'm digressing...moving on!

If you were suffering an injury, would you rather be blind or deaf??
Deaf....if I'm blind, I can't see to do my work, and I'm finally doing the work I LOVE...I can't create fabulous hair if I can't see...

Do you have any special talents?
I color hair.  It doesn't sound like much, but I can look at your hair, look at you, talk to you, figure out what will work best and formulate like a mad scientist to make it happen.

What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
Put down my bag, drop the coat, shed the shoes, hang up the keys, change the hairy clothes, talk to the teenager, figure out what's for dinner (because I'm not a plan ahead kind of gal--I should be, but I'm not)

Do you like horror or comedy?
I admit to liking both "Shaun of the Dead" and "Zombieland" (although "Zombieland not as much), however, "genuine" horror, NO.  It's dumb and completely unbelievable.  I'll take a comedy any day...

Are you missing anyone??
There are many people who are gone that I wish were back, if only for a day.  Some good, and some not so good.  Currently, my Gram (my dad's step mother) passed away almost a year ago.  Her birthday is Dec. 23rd...I'm missing her a bit, even though we weren't terribly close once I became an adult.

Where do you want to live when you are old?
Well, I'd like to say some warm, exotic place.  But, I like where I live.  A home of my own, instead of renting, maybe...but I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Who is the person you can count on the most?
There's a huge list.....I'm not able to narrow it down to one person.  I count on everyone for a variety of reasons.  I think it comes with being a single parent.

If you could date any celebrity, past or present, who would it be?
Lately, it's been Matthew Perry....Katie has been watching old episodes of "Friends" lately and his sarcasm is just FANTASTIC!!  I realize it's all scripted, so, it should really be Chandler Bing....

What did you dream last night?
Most of the time, I don't remember my dreams, unless they're graphic or scary, and even then, it takes a lot to get me to remember them.  Must be I have too much in my head....

What is your favorite sport to watch?
No sports fan here....that being said, Figure skating was a favorite when I was a kid, as well as competitive gymnastics.  Loved watching the Olympics as a kid....1980 Hockey team, Mary Lou Retton, Torvill & Dean...

Are you named after anyone??
My first name is because I was a small baby, therefore, I got a small name.  My middle name is my Polish Great Grandmother's American middle name (boy, that's a mouthful for a small middle name, too!!)

What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
I used to drink wine spritzers, heavy on the spritzer, when I was dating The Drunk.  I haven't had a drop of alcohol in 6+ years.  I never was much of a drinker, anyway....I can be stupid on air...I don't need alcohol to intensify it....

Non alcoholic drink??
Juice & seltzer...Wayfarer House turned me onto this and it's how I drink juice now...straight juice tastes wicked sweet!

Have you ever been in love?
Yes.

Do you sing in the shower?
No, although there's always music in the bathroom....I generally talk to myself in the shower, if I say anything at all...mostly, I'm enjoying the white noise and the peace...

Have you ever been arrested?
No.  Pulled over?  Multiple times.  Been in car accidents, yes.  Arrested, NO.

What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas.  Even though I've worked in retail for a million years, I still love Christmas.  The decorations, the gift giving, the whole festive thing.  Christmas music, okay, specific Christmas music, always puts me in a good mood, for the entire day.

Would you ever get plastic surgery?
Yes.  Boob job...in a heart beat.  And some liposuction..I'm too damn lazy to diet.

Have you ever caught a fish?
Only from the meat counter.  Dad took me fishing exactly once.  I was 6.  I asked way too many questions.  He never took me again.