Sunday night. I made it through another weekend at the salon. Right now, I'm sitting on the couch (still in my dress-clothes from the day...too lazy to walk upstairs to change into comfy sweats), watching a little football with my Mr.
I was on the books Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Our goal as new talent is to have 30% of our shift booked, this ensures we stay for the entirety of our scheduled time. If we do not make our goal, we are given an hour to try to get someone booked; then we are sent home early. I was scheduled at Salon M Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Thursday I had one hair-cut booked (equal to about 15%), after the cut I hit the town with my business cards and a smile. I wasn't able to fill my shift and therefore went home a little early. Friday I had close to 70% booked at Salon R. My shift flew by! I worked with two friends, and two strangers.
Saturday came with an attitude! Our first official snow fall and snow storm began early Saturday morning. My coffee maker was acting up which made for NO coffee before work. It was not pretty. While struggling with the coffee maker, I realized the giant pot of soup I had made from scratch the night before was never refrigerated. SHOOT! Into the garbage it went. The snow warnings I brushed off were real! I needed to leave by 7am to give myself plenty of time to drive through the snowy winter morning! I left a few after 7, and drove carefully for 45 minutes. Luckily I still had time to spare to swing in and pick up coffee. Then, I got into the salon and was SOOO disappointed to see I had 0% booked : ( I had two hours to attempt to fill my books. So, once again I hit the streets with my card, a smile, and by then an attitude! I was covered in wet, heavy snow-flakes and wasn't sure where I should head to try and recruit people. Walking around outside was NOT an option in the weather. So, I decided I would hit up the classy grocery store down the street. After bundling up, scraping the snow off of my car, I then drove the 2 miles to the grocery store. My little car was an ant next to the trucks and suv's of all of the grocery store shoppers out in the storm. I made the rounds and talked with 4 people. I gave each a few coupons...and then it happened! THE STORE MANAGER GOT IN MY FACE! Apparently I wasn't being super-sly with my recruiting. The store manager confronted me in a harsh tone and said, "I would APPRECIATE it if you would STOP soliciting our customers!!!!" I nearly ran out of the store!
I think I managed to reply, "sorry sir, I am leaving now"....eeek! It was so awkward! At this point I laughed as the whole morning kept replaying in my mind. No coffee, spoiled soup, snow storm, 0% booked and kicked out of a classy grocery store! I returned to Salon M with my grocery store report and packed my stuff to drive home in the snow storm. The usual 35 minute drive was 75minutes. I was relieved to be home. I got to work at home immediately! I grabbed a shovel and took out my aggression and disappointment on the snow covered driveway. Then I even scrubbed our bathtub, toilet, bathroom sink, and bathroom floor. It ended up being an OK day. I will forever have bragging rights of getting kicked out of that store...: )
Sunday had a much better go. I ended up having 3 clients (2 booked and 1 walk-in)...I got to stay all day! It was a great day of cutting, watching, learning, cleaning, folding and styling. Tomorrow we have another color class and another color model. I am looking forward to the week ahead.
Goal for next post, to tell the story of at least one guest. Enough about me already...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Color and My Future
Yesterday was my first time doing color since August! It felt so great getting back into it. There is something so lovely about getting my gloved hands covered in hair-color...It's just the best. The smell is great too. When I began coloring hair last year, I didn't originally like the smell. It's now grown on me, I love it just as much as I love the smell of freshly painted walls and occasionally the aroma of gasoline when filling up my tank.
I was really stressed going into the day. Timing timing timing. I've never been the quickest or very efficient. I'm getting better and stayed on track yesterday. I'm grateful my trainers give me tips about application and other sneaky things we never discussed in beauty school. Basics are proven and perfect, twisting them can speed things up, mix things up or screw things up. I'm cautious as I jump into twisting my basics.
My future is looking me straight in the face. Some days I can't wait to jump out of bed and get ready for what lies ahead, excited for the people I will meet and the hair I get to cut, style and color. Some days I think, "am I ready to do this day in and day out forever"? Yes, No, or does it even matter? One day at a time, one guest at a time.
And where should I work? Out of the three salons, each one has such different options. Today one of my trainers mentioned that my opinion about where I want to be placed is very important as they decide which salon I will go to. Hmmm. My plan was to stay neutral and rock-it-out where ever I would end up. Now I'm thinking this isn't the best approach. Why not get attached and fight for what I want? Its where I will be day in and day out : ). . .so why not pick just as I did our perfect little duplex?
I'm going to come up with code names as I talk about them ...Salon R, Salon P, and Salon M. Here's a quick run-down of my future options...Salon R is located in a shopping mall, it offers hair and minimal waxing and nail services. Salon P is the "mother-ship" and largest salon. Most of our training takes place at "P" which offers everything from hair to massage to nails to facials and waxing. Salon M is the newest of the three and includes everything as well. When I first began I wanted Salon P, no ifs ands or buts. Now its a toss up. Pros and Cons to follow.
I was really stressed going into the day. Timing timing timing. I've never been the quickest or very efficient. I'm getting better and stayed on track yesterday. I'm grateful my trainers give me tips about application and other sneaky things we never discussed in beauty school. Basics are proven and perfect, twisting them can speed things up, mix things up or screw things up. I'm cautious as I jump into twisting my basics.
My future is looking me straight in the face. Some days I can't wait to jump out of bed and get ready for what lies ahead, excited for the people I will meet and the hair I get to cut, style and color. Some days I think, "am I ready to do this day in and day out forever"? Yes, No, or does it even matter? One day at a time, one guest at a time.
And where should I work? Out of the three salons, each one has such different options. Today one of my trainers mentioned that my opinion about where I want to be placed is very important as they decide which salon I will go to. Hmmm. My plan was to stay neutral and rock-it-out where ever I would end up. Now I'm thinking this isn't the best approach. Why not get attached and fight for what I want? Its where I will be day in and day out : ). . .so why not pick just as I did our perfect little duplex?
I'm going to come up with code names as I talk about them ...Salon R, Salon P, and Salon M. Here's a quick run-down of my future options...Salon R is located in a shopping mall, it offers hair and minimal waxing and nail services. Salon P is the "mother-ship" and largest salon. Most of our training takes place at "P" which offers everything from hair to massage to nails to facials and waxing. Salon M is the newest of the three and includes everything as well. When I first began I wanted Salon P, no ifs ands or buts. Now its a toss up. Pros and Cons to follow.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
In the last few weeks...
In the last few weeks a LOT has happened! Ups, downs, mediums and everywhere in between.
Starting with the mediums:
My energy is running a bit low! As we near the two-month mark, the new-ness and original excitement has worn off a little. Getting up and out the door seems to be a constant game as I test how many times I can hit "snooze" some mornings. Other days, I'm ready to get up.
My clothes are all becoming quite itchy as the little hairs from hair-cuts weave into every shirt, every BRA (especially the bras!), pants, shoes, you name it, its now itchy! I also have my first ever hair-sliver in my finger. Youch! But also comical!
Right now as "new-talent" stylist, I spend time at the three salons in the company I work for. My time is divided between them all as they get to know me, and me them. I'm constantly trying to decide or not decide which salon I want to be placed at. 3 Salons, 3 very different environments and cultures all part of one over-arching business. I'm a positive person and I know that I could be happy anywhere. I have discovered that attitude makes or breaks you. I'm trying to maintain a neutral position as to which salon I WANT to be at in hopes I won't get my heart set on one and then be disappointed and then have every day ruined by my bad attitude. Even though I know this...its still hard not getting attached to one or another. Some weeks I want salon A, some weeks salon C, other weeks I'm convinced salon B will be just right! Time will tell.
The Bad....
I cried AGAIN! It was our men's hair-cut training day. It was a frustrating day of several models, not enough training time, not enough stations for all of us, grrrr! I ended up tearing up while working with my last model (which luckily was my handsome husband). The funny thing was that everything had gone well with all three models. I just was frustrated with the day, and had wanted to be a rock-star. I was extremely let-down when I was the last to finish that day, and hadn't rocked it out as I had imagined. It was a laugh-cry kind of moment. Crying one second and laughing it off the next. Once I got it out, I felt much better, but ridiculous at the same time. Somehow I need to work on getting out my frustration so it doesn't always bubble over and run down my face : )
I was 5 minutes late one Saturday. I had completely set my alarm for the wrong time! In my head, when I set my alarm, I was thinking I worked at 9, when in fact I worked at 8. So there I was one morning, stepping out of the shower at 7am. Usually I leave at 7am when I work at 8am, I like being early (its my new hobby)! My husband asked what time I worked that morning, I told him 8...and then it hit me! Shoot! I got ready as fast as I could and luckily was only 5 minutes late. Whew. I hated being late, but learned an important lesson. Check, check, check, double check and check again when you work each day. Since I am 20 minutes early every other day, my manager knew it was a freak accident, thank goodness I'm not the late girl anymore.
Our group of 8 is now 7. We started with 8 trainee's and two weeks ago we were down-sized to 7. Basically she wasn't the right fit. Honestly, I have to say it is much better without her. In a way, she was like a corn stalk growing among the soy-beans. It just didn't fit. I think of her a lot. Knowing a lot about her life and history made me sad to see her go. I wanted it to work for her sake so much. It finally came to a breaking point and she had to go. No one really talks about it or her. Its almost as if she was never there. No one is being mean or hurtful, but just moving ahead and leaving the rest behind. I so badly never ever want to be left behind.
Good:
Hair-cutting is going much better! I am feeling more confident about it and actually enjoy taking on the challenge! I especially like working on people I have never met. When someone new sits in my chair, I feel free to explore, try new things, create and experiment. I have had 4 days of working on my own taking haircuts. I love being independent and working one on one with my guests. I love making people's day, and making people beautiful. It's a treat to get to spend the time with each person listening to their hope for beauty. They give me cues both silent and spoken about what's going on in their life. I'm learning to hear more everyday.
Hair-color training began last week. Tomorrow we work on our first hair-color models. Excited and nervous.
Paychecks are wonderful. Tips are wonderful. Enough said here.
People are bending over backwards to help me out! I've had friends, family, friends of friends, co-workers of friends, strangers, acquaintances, and so many others' come in! Thank you all. Being busy is a gift. I have so many people who have my back and want me to succeed. It gives me courage and excitement for the future.
Starting with the mediums:
My energy is running a bit low! As we near the two-month mark, the new-ness and original excitement has worn off a little. Getting up and out the door seems to be a constant game as I test how many times I can hit "snooze" some mornings. Other days, I'm ready to get up.
My clothes are all becoming quite itchy as the little hairs from hair-cuts weave into every shirt, every BRA (especially the bras!), pants, shoes, you name it, its now itchy! I also have my first ever hair-sliver in my finger. Youch! But also comical!
Right now as "new-talent" stylist, I spend time at the three salons in the company I work for. My time is divided between them all as they get to know me, and me them. I'm constantly trying to decide or not decide which salon I want to be placed at. 3 Salons, 3 very different environments and cultures all part of one over-arching business. I'm a positive person and I know that I could be happy anywhere. I have discovered that attitude makes or breaks you. I'm trying to maintain a neutral position as to which salon I WANT to be at in hopes I won't get my heart set on one and then be disappointed and then have every day ruined by my bad attitude. Even though I know this...its still hard not getting attached to one or another. Some weeks I want salon A, some weeks salon C, other weeks I'm convinced salon B will be just right! Time will tell.
The Bad....
I cried AGAIN! It was our men's hair-cut training day. It was a frustrating day of several models, not enough training time, not enough stations for all of us, grrrr! I ended up tearing up while working with my last model (which luckily was my handsome husband). The funny thing was that everything had gone well with all three models. I just was frustrated with the day, and had wanted to be a rock-star. I was extremely let-down when I was the last to finish that day, and hadn't rocked it out as I had imagined. It was a laugh-cry kind of moment. Crying one second and laughing it off the next. Once I got it out, I felt much better, but ridiculous at the same time. Somehow I need to work on getting out my frustration so it doesn't always bubble over and run down my face : )
I was 5 minutes late one Saturday. I had completely set my alarm for the wrong time! In my head, when I set my alarm, I was thinking I worked at 9, when in fact I worked at 8. So there I was one morning, stepping out of the shower at 7am. Usually I leave at 7am when I work at 8am, I like being early (its my new hobby)! My husband asked what time I worked that morning, I told him 8...and then it hit me! Shoot! I got ready as fast as I could and luckily was only 5 minutes late. Whew. I hated being late, but learned an important lesson. Check, check, check, double check and check again when you work each day. Since I am 20 minutes early every other day, my manager knew it was a freak accident, thank goodness I'm not the late girl anymore.
Our group of 8 is now 7. We started with 8 trainee's and two weeks ago we were down-sized to 7. Basically she wasn't the right fit. Honestly, I have to say it is much better without her. In a way, she was like a corn stalk growing among the soy-beans. It just didn't fit. I think of her a lot. Knowing a lot about her life and history made me sad to see her go. I wanted it to work for her sake so much. It finally came to a breaking point and she had to go. No one really talks about it or her. Its almost as if she was never there. No one is being mean or hurtful, but just moving ahead and leaving the rest behind. I so badly never ever want to be left behind.
Good:
Hair-cutting is going much better! I am feeling more confident about it and actually enjoy taking on the challenge! I especially like working on people I have never met. When someone new sits in my chair, I feel free to explore, try new things, create and experiment. I have had 4 days of working on my own taking haircuts. I love being independent and working one on one with my guests. I love making people's day, and making people beautiful. It's a treat to get to spend the time with each person listening to their hope for beauty. They give me cues both silent and spoken about what's going on in their life. I'm learning to hear more everyday.
Hair-color training began last week. Tomorrow we work on our first hair-color models. Excited and nervous.
Paychecks are wonderful. Tips are wonderful. Enough said here.
People are bending over backwards to help me out! I've had friends, family, friends of friends, co-workers of friends, strangers, acquaintances, and so many others' come in! Thank you all. Being busy is a gift. I have so many people who have my back and want me to succeed. It gives me courage and excitement for the future.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The big "CRY" and Good-bye to life. . .
Well it happened. Yes, it did. I CRIED at work. Two words explain where these tears of frustration came from = hair & cutting. I've yet to have my moment with cutting hair when the light-bulb goes off. As of yet, it is still trial and error, sorry to those of you who have "gone under my shears". Just being honest.
In my new job, we are going back to hair-cutting 101, learning the basics all over again. The basics come and go and we quickly build on them. I cannot wait for my "ah-ha"! moment, believe me, I cannot wait! We are drilled on everything from our body position, to sizes of sections, to where to stand, when to bend, how to bend....then we are taught a new approach giving different results....its overwhelming. We watch a cut, practice a cut and then perform it on a model, usually our family or friend willing to come in and let us practice. I can't say thank you enough!
To break it down to understand where I'm at with this: imagine having several recipes for different foods. Everything from pasta, cookies, meatloaf and salad. In your head you understand the differences between all four foods. However, within each area, you're not quite sure which recipe will give you the specifics; oatmeal raisin cookies vs chocolate chip. Or...caprese salad vs. Greek salad. Does that make sense?
And guess how we get to figure it out...yep, on people : ) Now to give myself some credit, I'm not going to cut off 12 inches by mistake, there are basics that translate and give you common sense. However, I believe that the details make or break you. Every head is different, each person's hair is different. The wrong cut on the wrong hair could be a disaster. Why can't I just download all of this knowledge? When will the detailing become second nature? When will I stop getting petrified half way through a hair-cut? When will I stop convincing myself every cut looks like garbage?
So, to sum up this story, I cried last week after a frustrating cutting class. One of my trainers was coaching me in a new cut, I was discouraged, and the tears started. I told my trainer, I was fine, which I was. I wanted to carry on and finish the lesson, which I did. I learned from my mistakes and I remember what I did wrong. After our class, once I was away from everyone, the flood-gates opened and my few tears became an ugly mess. I was hoping no-one would notice and I could get my composure back. But, my dear trainer discovered me and gave me a fabulous pep talk. After, I got some more tears out, but felt much better. By the time my lunch break was over, I had stopped crying, had fixed my make-up and was ready for my nail clients.
I'm hoping this cry session will be my last, but, not making any promises ; )
At the end of last week, I also got my work schedule for the next three months. Life as I know it is pretty much over. My schedule is completely different. I knew this was coming, but I feel like I got punched in the stomach. Will Friday really feel like the middle of the week? Can Sunday ever be the new Friday? Strange. I know I need to earn my ideal schedule, and I will. I will. I just hope in the meantime, I find my flow and find time to live and love in a way that fulfills me. Nurses, doctors, and so many others have done it before me...I will join their ranks.
Here goes nothing. . .
In my new job, we are going back to hair-cutting 101, learning the basics all over again. The basics come and go and we quickly build on them. I cannot wait for my "ah-ha"! moment, believe me, I cannot wait! We are drilled on everything from our body position, to sizes of sections, to where to stand, when to bend, how to bend....then we are taught a new approach giving different results....its overwhelming. We watch a cut, practice a cut and then perform it on a model, usually our family or friend willing to come in and let us practice. I can't say thank you enough!
To break it down to understand where I'm at with this: imagine having several recipes for different foods. Everything from pasta, cookies, meatloaf and salad. In your head you understand the differences between all four foods. However, within each area, you're not quite sure which recipe will give you the specifics; oatmeal raisin cookies vs chocolate chip. Or...caprese salad vs. Greek salad. Does that make sense?
And guess how we get to figure it out...yep, on people : ) Now to give myself some credit, I'm not going to cut off 12 inches by mistake, there are basics that translate and give you common sense. However, I believe that the details make or break you. Every head is different, each person's hair is different. The wrong cut on the wrong hair could be a disaster. Why can't I just download all of this knowledge? When will the detailing become second nature? When will I stop getting petrified half way through a hair-cut? When will I stop convincing myself every cut looks like garbage?
So, to sum up this story, I cried last week after a frustrating cutting class. One of my trainers was coaching me in a new cut, I was discouraged, and the tears started. I told my trainer, I was fine, which I was. I wanted to carry on and finish the lesson, which I did. I learned from my mistakes and I remember what I did wrong. After our class, once I was away from everyone, the flood-gates opened and my few tears became an ugly mess. I was hoping no-one would notice and I could get my composure back. But, my dear trainer discovered me and gave me a fabulous pep talk. After, I got some more tears out, but felt much better. By the time my lunch break was over, I had stopped crying, had fixed my make-up and was ready for my nail clients.
I'm hoping this cry session will be my last, but, not making any promises ; )
At the end of last week, I also got my work schedule for the next three months. Life as I know it is pretty much over. My schedule is completely different. I knew this was coming, but I feel like I got punched in the stomach. Will Friday really feel like the middle of the week? Can Sunday ever be the new Friday? Strange. I know I need to earn my ideal schedule, and I will. I will. I just hope in the meantime, I find my flow and find time to live and love in a way that fulfills me. Nurses, doctors, and so many others have done it before me...I will join their ranks.
Here goes nothing. . .
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Catching my breath. . .
I began my job on September 13th, today is October 5th...what happened!?! My goal was to write 2-3 times a week, ah well. I'm back on the wagon.
So much has happened between day 1 and day 17-ish. To bring you up to speed we've covered make-up application basics, styling basics, product knowledge, natural nail training, beginning hair-cutting training, assistant training and training a dozen-plus skills to be helpfull-functional in the salon. Another proud, wonderful moment arrived in my mail-box last Friday...my FIRST pay-check. Realizing it is "pay-day" never felt so good!
I am happy to report I am still arriving EARLY every-day for work. It is getting harder to "jump" out of bed each morning and get ready for my day, the new luster of getting ready each day has officially worn off. Usually my cup of coffee is hastily slurped down while styling my own hair or on the drive each morning. Either-way, as long as the coffee gets in, I'm good to go.
Last week I tackled an area in which I slightly avoided in beauty school...nails! We offer natural nails at my salon which includes lovely services in manicuring and pedicuring natural nails. No stinky acrylics...thank goodness! We learned to file, polish, trim, cut, paint, buff, exfoliate, massage, efflourage, push, french-tip, wrap, moisturize and tone. My shaky polishing was transformed with the awesome coaching of my nail-trainer. A kind, strong woman, she encouraged me from pretty-awful to much-better in just 5 days. I had several moments where things came together, and it all suddenly made sense. I still have a lot to improve on, but I know most people get their nails done to relax. If I can pamper, listen, and love in the simple time we have together, usually my guest feels quite happy.
Model #1, a co-worker, massage therapist. She was so patient as I struggled through my first service, trimming her cuticles was the worst, I was sweating profusely and was relieved to get through it. However, after working with her, I got over my beginner butterflies. Her color "Diva of Geneva", a rich royal purple-pink, metallic...I've decided the nail color can sometimes describe the individual. It was right on. Model #1 was a patient-Diva : )
Model #2, a former cosmetologist turned interior decorator with a strong accent. She was petite, with the loveliest skin I've ever seen on a woman her age. She had great advice on life and enjoying its seasons; I did my best to hear over the jets in the pedicure tub and her sweet accent. She chose a rich brick-red color, perfect for the changing seasons. She slipped her perfectly red toes into sassy wedge-heels and went on her way. She must have been 60+, I hope I'm still rocking the red toes and sassy heels down the road.
Model #3, a former cosmetologist and nail-trainer. AWESOME. She was careful to tell me her past career as she didn't want to fluster me. When she filled out my evaluation for the service she practically wrote a novel with all of her comments written in the margins, it was a long few minutes waiting for her to finish writing. Luckily she had filled the space with constructive criticism and mostly praise! BIG SIGH! It was going better each time. I don't recall her color - which in a way described her perfectly. I hope when I leave the pedicure chair, my nail technician doesn't forget my color.
Model #4, a nanny. Model #5, a mom/chiropractic office coordinator. Model #6, a runner. Model #7 a stay at home mom/piano-teacher. Different women, different nail-colors, different callouses, different toes, and very different stories to tell. Stories of family, of work, of stress, of the past, of the future and everything in between. For a few moments they sat, relaxed and left renewed by the new color on their toes. A simple thing that can sometimes change everything. One woman said, "Now I will go home and be a better Mom!", I hope it helped. I hope the blue-color gave Model #4 confidence on her date that night. I hope the little things I can do during our time together become big things for my guests in their life.
To wrap it up tonight: GOALS. Goal at work, stay positive in my hair-cutting classes (details to come); Goal at home, to be more organized (dishes and laundry have fallen by the way-side...our home is chaotic right now...sorry honey).
So much has happened between day 1 and day 17-ish. To bring you up to speed we've covered make-up application basics, styling basics, product knowledge, natural nail training, beginning hair-cutting training, assistant training and training a dozen-plus skills to be helpfull-functional in the salon. Another proud, wonderful moment arrived in my mail-box last Friday...my FIRST pay-check. Realizing it is "pay-day" never felt so good!
I am happy to report I am still arriving EARLY every-day for work. It is getting harder to "jump" out of bed each morning and get ready for my day, the new luster of getting ready each day has officially worn off. Usually my cup of coffee is hastily slurped down while styling my own hair or on the drive each morning. Either-way, as long as the coffee gets in, I'm good to go.
Last week I tackled an area in which I slightly avoided in beauty school...nails! We offer natural nails at my salon which includes lovely services in manicuring and pedicuring natural nails. No stinky acrylics...thank goodness! We learned to file, polish, trim, cut, paint, buff, exfoliate, massage, efflourage, push, french-tip, wrap, moisturize and tone. My shaky polishing was transformed with the awesome coaching of my nail-trainer. A kind, strong woman, she encouraged me from pretty-awful to much-better in just 5 days. I had several moments where things came together, and it all suddenly made sense. I still have a lot to improve on, but I know most people get their nails done to relax. If I can pamper, listen, and love in the simple time we have together, usually my guest feels quite happy.
Model #1, a co-worker, massage therapist. She was so patient as I struggled through my first service, trimming her cuticles was the worst, I was sweating profusely and was relieved to get through it. However, after working with her, I got over my beginner butterflies. Her color "Diva of Geneva", a rich royal purple-pink, metallic...I've decided the nail color can sometimes describe the individual. It was right on. Model #1 was a patient-Diva : )
Model #2, a former cosmetologist turned interior decorator with a strong accent. She was petite, with the loveliest skin I've ever seen on a woman her age. She had great advice on life and enjoying its seasons; I did my best to hear over the jets in the pedicure tub and her sweet accent. She chose a rich brick-red color, perfect for the changing seasons. She slipped her perfectly red toes into sassy wedge-heels and went on her way. She must have been 60+, I hope I'm still rocking the red toes and sassy heels down the road.
Model #3, a former cosmetologist and nail-trainer. AWESOME. She was careful to tell me her past career as she didn't want to fluster me. When she filled out my evaluation for the service she practically wrote a novel with all of her comments written in the margins, it was a long few minutes waiting for her to finish writing. Luckily she had filled the space with constructive criticism and mostly praise! BIG SIGH! It was going better each time. I don't recall her color - which in a way described her perfectly. I hope when I leave the pedicure chair, my nail technician doesn't forget my color.
Model #4, a nanny. Model #5, a mom/chiropractic office coordinator. Model #6, a runner. Model #7 a stay at home mom/piano-teacher. Different women, different nail-colors, different callouses, different toes, and very different stories to tell. Stories of family, of work, of stress, of the past, of the future and everything in between. For a few moments they sat, relaxed and left renewed by the new color on their toes. A simple thing that can sometimes change everything. One woman said, "Now I will go home and be a better Mom!", I hope it helped. I hope the blue-color gave Model #4 confidence on her date that night. I hope the little things I can do during our time together become big things for my guests in their life.
To wrap it up tonight: GOALS. Goal at work, stay positive in my hair-cutting classes (details to come); Goal at home, to be more organized (dishes and laundry have fallen by the way-side...our home is chaotic right now...sorry honey).
Monday, September 13, 2010
Samantha - Stylist
Today was my first official day on the job! I woke up two hours before I needed to be out the door. I am perpetually late, I was even born 2 weeks late! I am improving. When I turned 25, my goal was to be "on time". During cosmetology school I was late only once, and it wasn't all my fault. . .picture a rain-storm and lots of crazy backed up traffic.
Now that I am 26, my goal is to "be early". Early I was when I arrived at my salon twenty minutes before my day began. I caught my breath, sent a text to my husband letting him know I arrived, and began my day.
A group of us began today. We learned the rules, the goals, our schedules and other details of a first day at any job. My favorite moment of the day was receiving my name-tag. It simply says, "Samantha - Stylist". For whatever reason, when I put that magnetic badge on my lapel, it was the BEST feeling. I smiled on the inside, and probably on the outside too. Although this journey has just begun, I felt like I had made it in that moment. A job, a career, a goal, a mission, a reason for so much. I am fulfilled as a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor...now I am ready to pursue my opportunity to touch lives, to create, to serve and to rock it!
Now that I am 26, my goal is to "be early". Early I was when I arrived at my salon twenty minutes before my day began. I caught my breath, sent a text to my husband letting him know I arrived, and began my day.
A group of us began today. We learned the rules, the goals, our schedules and other details of a first day at any job. My favorite moment of the day was receiving my name-tag. It simply says, "Samantha - Stylist". For whatever reason, when I put that magnetic badge on my lapel, it was the BEST feeling. I smiled on the inside, and probably on the outside too. Although this journey has just begun, I felt like I had made it in that moment. A job, a career, a goal, a mission, a reason for so much. I am fulfilled as a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a neighbor...now I am ready to pursue my opportunity to touch lives, to create, to serve and to rock it!
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