Validation

One of the most basic of all human needs in the universe. It relates every single one of us to eachother in some form. It is a need that is ingrained deeply in each one of us in our own way, and as human beings on this planet, we all have the need for validation. That someone hears us. That the ears are not deaf and our words bring change and motion. That someone relate to us. To help us see that we are not alone on this ride. That someone feels us. That they have been there too, and empathize with our world. That someone cares for us. On any level, to be needed and looked after by someone else. These all tie in to the need to be validated. There is nothing wrong with needing to feel something from your fellow human being, as we were not born alone onto this planet, so seeking that connection is only natural to the life process. When you validate someone else's world, you can give them confidence, you can give them strength. You can give them pride, you can give them hope. It is a gift that we sometimes over look in life. The ability to validate another human being. The impact can be so huge, and the effort is so minimal. Taking a moment to really listen to someone. Taking the time to really connect and relate with someone. Really making them feel that you are present in that moment with them, and understand their world. Think about it for a moment...

Now how can we tie this information into our business?

One word. Consultation.

That's right. This opportunity here is not only to tell our guests what we think their hair should look like, but it's our opportunity to develop the connection with the guest that supercedes the technical work we do behind the chair in really maintaing a guest, which is develop a relationship based on trust, communication, and honesty. This opportunity is it's strongest during the consultation. I work with a very talented stylist named Sascha Gast in Santa Monica. And I love watching his consultations. He spins the chair around, its lowered to the ground, and he takes a knee, sometimes two, and eye to eye, listens to them. He is sincere, genuine, and there in that moment. He continues on in this manner until the service begins and they guest is whisked away by his beautiful assistant Ashley. And I see his guests smile. I hear their praises while Ashley Shampoos. And I also see the freedom that his hard work is affording him. He is the machine.

But I digress, my point is, the consultation is the opportunity to connect. So when you find yourself wondering how you can increase your referrals, re-bookings, and retention rate, get back to the foundation of how you work behind the chair, and begin to think about the how's and why's of what we do, besides the technical stuff. Its about the relationships, the connection, the moment. If we want to be viewed as professionals not only must we understand the technical craft of what we do, but the business, psychological, social, and emotional side of it too. To truely be a Game Changer, you must be on your Game.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Please leave your thoughts. big love,

c.

Game Changing

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." ~ Andy Warhol

I was asked a question by one of my peers lately, that really made me start to think. It was a great question.

He said,

" What are you going to bring to the game that's different?"

This really has been resonating with me for days. After some careful thought, I think I have somewhat of an answer, and where better to share than here with all of you. The audience I love. I feel, and have for years, that there is a huge disconnection from the ones who inspire us and claim to be our coaches and leaders, and the people that brought them there. YOU and me, the hairstylist. I have seen a growing trend of unaccessibility inside the industry. I hear the excuse of being "too busy" or not being "tech savvy" and so on. You can not reach them by email, twitter, facebook, hairbrained, etc etc. Just pictures and calendars, promotions and products. Usuallly ran by a ghost writer, not the individual themself.

So one thing that I have decided I have and will bring to the game that is different is accesibility. I have been training myself over the past couple years, on how to multi task the day to day actions of life, while still remaining connected to my audience. It does take practice, dedication, and discipline. It is easy to let it overwhelm you. But like anything else we do in life, practice makes perfect. There are 24 usable hours in every day, and with todays digital and technological age, we can send text messages, complete with pictures and questions (haircolor, haircut, etc.) that can be answered in less than 3 minutes if you are quick, haha. But my point is, for every extra minute I give to someone here on Facebook asking for career direction, to a IM chat asking about what tools I prefer or which cosmetology school they should look into, to the text messages and twitter mentions asking for formulation assistance, or just sharing a finished look that they learned from one of our videos, is returned to me 10 fold, because as we share, I learn from you all as well, making me better for you. The interconnectivity, availability, and accesibility, to me, is ONE of the elements I hope to bring to the table that will change the game.

I am not only here to educate to the masses. Im here to educate you, the hairstylist. Im glad I can be real, tangible, and here for YOU the hairstylist. And that philosophy will continue to the website, our in salon classes, and the over all message we are trying to create. As I come up with more answers to this question I will be sure to share. but this is a good start. big love guys and gals.

Remember, YOU are the Network

c.