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.
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