I don’t know if this includes you, but way too many Hair Stylists are settling for crumbs! Working long hard hours, sometimes for way too little. Your income is up, then it's down, you never know if you're going to make enough to cover the bills? Then an opportunity comes along, a class you want to take or something that will enrich you and your business. It's on sale for only $99.00 and you have to wonder if you can get that together, or if maybe there's a payment plan? During lockdown you were bored instead of being excited by all of the free or almost free trainings. Or worse yet, you felt your only option was to endanger your life and those of your family by doing hair at home, because you had to feed your kids. If you haven't notice, that is no way to live. It's crumbs. But you're the only one who can decide if that's what you want, or if you want the whole cookie.
It’s funny, because I had this revelation about settling for crumbs and I started preparing some things to launch this campaign. I was already inspired and pumped up from interviewing three of the Legends in the Beauty Industry on Beauty SuperStars Talk, including Master Haircutter, John Atchison; Former Director of Education for Soft Sheen Products, Dr. Hair, aka Dr. Reginald Mitchell and Hairstylist, Educator and Commentator, Dr. Barbara Edmonds.
Especially since hearing their stories, I am not even remotely interested in connecting with anyone who is whining and complaining about their life or career. The past 3 weeks in particular have rekindled thoughts of the money that we used to generate, which is still more than possible to meet and exceed - and with fewer clients, and getting to go home at a reasonable hour. I was reminded of the excellence that success demands, from showing up prepared, with everything that you need, looking professional and being completely ready to be of service to each and every client, each and every day, whether you ‘feel’ like it or not.
Somewhere along the way, we lowered the bar. Started accepting that 'OK' was good enough, but in the exchange, we shortchanged ourselves and we've cheated our clients out of a first class experience. There are lots of outside influences that we can point to as far as changes in the professional Beauty Industry, but at the end of the day, we are still part of a $156.5 billion, with a 'B', dollar industry in the US. $63 billion is from Salons and world wide the industry generates $595 billion dollars a year. And we get to decide how we want to play it. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet, under charging, almost asking the client to do her own hair before she comes in, then wondering if we can stay in the hair industry or if we need to do hair at home because we’re not making enough money. We have to begin to look at ourselves differently in the marketplace. Many of us weren’t prepared with savings and other resources or streams of income to help us navigate the shutdown. And now, unfortunately, we may be facing another one. What will you do?
In reality, there are people who are looking for an experience when they come to the salon. And they are more than willing to pay for it. They are looking for products, they are looking for an expert to help them decide what's best. In short, they are looking for someone to give them a reason to come back. Let that marinate for a minute.
After interviewing my last Legend for the month, Mr. Floyd Kenyatta, Global Ambassador for Paul Mitchell, there is absolutely no turning back. I have drawn the line in the sand, but my question to you, is ‘how long can you afford to work for crumbs?’ If your answer is 'not a minute longer’, we are ready to start cooking with gas. If you still want to discount your way out of business, sit around complaining, saying that there is no business or your clients don’t want to pay, then you may want to save yourself from grief you may be caused by what I’m going to be sharing and unsubscribe yourself now.
I am only talking to and working with people who are working on their next big idea. Whether you know how to get there doesn’t matter. Whether you have enough money to start doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired and you’re no longer willing to accept crumbs when the whole cookie is available - if you only prepare yourself and ask for the cookie or maybe a dozen or two.
I’ve got a few things for you - they are all excuse killers, because they don’t require a big investment of time or money. But they do require focus and commitment to developing yourself, to open your mind and to play a bigger game.
If you’re ready, say in your loud voice “I’m ready!” OK, I can’t hear you, but most importantly, you heard you. That is your line in the sand.
So how can I help you raise the bar on your life and your Beauty career?
Go to my YouTube page and subscribe. Ring the bell, so you won’t miss an episode. This is your backstage pass into experts in the Beauty Industry. Success leaves clues. All you have to do is start picking up, what they’re laying down. You become who you surround yourself with. I’m giving you the opportunity to surround yourself with the best and brightest minds and talents in the industry - for FREE and from your home! How does it get any better than that?
Once you sign up, listen to my interview with Floyd Kenyatta and all of the other Legends. Then check out some of the other exceptional interviews. It will be available as a podcast, coming soon!
If you’re ready to add another stream of income (or increase it), mark your calendar to join me EVERY Tuesday in November, when my guest will all be experts on making money with Retailing! I believe it’s going to be the New Cosmetology. Every Stylist needs to have some form of this as a stream of income! If you’re scared to talk to your clients about retail, have been thinking about starting a line, already have your line and want to scale it, don’t miss a single episode!
I’m offering a 10 segment FREE training on Reinventing Your Salon Biz for 2021! It will launch in the next couple of days, again on my YouTube Channel. So, if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe and ring the bell and I’ll look forward to seeing you at the top!
The choice is yours. Crumbs or whole cookies? My hope is that you will decide to make the leap, keep your focus and sweep those crumbs right out of your life! I'd love your thoughts, please leave your comments for me below or on the youtube videos!
Miki Wright, founder of www.BeautySuperStars.com, is respected as a Leader in the Beauty Industry; from her work as an Award Winning Hair Designer, highly praised Platform Artist, Competitor, Educator and a Business Coach who gets results. Wright has been a long time Educator for Hair Shows such as the International Beauty Shows, Bronner Bros. and the ISSE Hair Show.
Wright was the Owner of Fabulous Finishes Salon and Day Spa, one of the first African-American owned spa facilities in the country! In addition, her salon was selected by Salon Today Magazine as one of the “200 Fastest Growing Salons” in the country, for three consecutive years! Her salon was featured in the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine and Essence Magazine, which brought Black women from across the US into her salon and spa for pampering!
She helps Hair Stylists and Salon Owners to ‘get more clients and make more money'. Miki recently launched Beauty SuperStars Talk to showcase the stories and celebrate the excellence of Black Beauty Industry Professionals. Join her every Tuesday at 7pm ET at https://youtube.com/mikiwright
Be sure to visit www.BeautySuperstars.com for a free gift.
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