Beauty, Business, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

…knowing is half the battle

Leave a comment

So, it happened again. I had a Rep. come in, actually, just show up out of the blue. No appointment. No phone call. No email nor a text. Oh yes, and it was on a Friday afternoon. Nothing makes me feel like I am a valuable customer than a total disregard for my time. As they waltzed through the door exclaiming that they had new products to show me that I MUST HAVE!, I let them know that I didn’t have much time to chat, because I didn’t know they were coming. …sadly,  the hint was not taken. “Oh, it’ll just take a minute!” ….hmmm, only a minute to tell me about a new product line…must not be much of a line if it only takes a minute to tell me about it. Long story short, after a quick overview, I was told it was fabulous and one of a kind. I thanked my Rep. for their time and let them know that we weren’t looking to bring in a new line until at least March, and that when we do bring in a new line, I need it to be different, to offer a product that no other line offers. It was then that my Rep. put their foot in their mouth. “This line is different! I would hate to see you miss out on this and be left behind. No other line offers a BB Cream for the hair!”. “Actually” I said, “there are lines that offer a BB Cream…” and before I could name them I was told with a laugh “I don’t think so. I think you are mistaken.”.  …sigh. It was at this moment I gave my Rep. a crash course on P.K. (product knowledge), that AG Hair was one of the first to bring a BB Cream for the hair, over 2 years ago – it’s actually named BB Cream. Soon after Schwarzkopf followed suit with their BonaCure Moisture Kick Beauty Balm. Needless to say, my Rep. had nothing to add.

 

I cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me. A Sales Rep. coming into my shop, guns blazing about a new product, with no appointment or call made, interrupting my time and my answers for that matter. The worst part? Their lack of product knowledge, not just about their “new product”, but of the other products out there that may be the same or comparable. So today, my tale contains a little list for the Sales Reps.. Don’t get me wrong, there are some FABULOUS Sales Reps. out there and I am blessed to have some of them. Appointments are made and kept, texts and emails are answered, orders are taken care of, proper product knowledge is given and many friendships have blossomed. If the above description doesn’t ring true to you, this list is for you. You’re welcome.

  • make an appointment and keep it. If possible, make the appointment for the same day and time each week or biweekly. Trust me, your Salon’s will appreciate it and it will make your job easier.
  • if you cannot keep your appointment, let us know. Text us. Send us a message via Facebook. Tweet us. SnapChat us if need be. In this day and age, there is no excuse for a no show.
  • when you have a new product to show us, let us know ahead of time. There are many times I do not have extra help in the shop, so if a customer comes in, they take precedence. If you want my full attention, let me plan my schedule so I can do just that.
  • when presenting your new products, it helps to have them with you. I understand that many companies do not offer samples like they used to, but a tester helps. So I can smell the product and actually try it, feel it and play around with it, even if it’s for a minute. I cannot sell what I do not see, or know for that matter.
  • THIS IS A BIGGIE!!! when telling me about the new products, give me a reason to retail them. The majority of the time all products are seen as Salon tools or back bar items. Yes, we are in a Salon. We are also in a retail environment, which can be the bread and butter of a Salon. Sell me the value of the product, so I can in turn sell it to my customers and the Salon’s clientele. ….pssst…the more I retail, the more I order and in turn, the more you make. Just sayin’.
  • never assume you know everything about products. When you are told that another line has a similar product, the proper answer is “Oh. I hadn’t realized. Can you tell me about it?”. TIP! – laughing and telling me I don’t know what I am talking about or telling me I must be mistaken insults me a little and makes you sound like one of the mean girls from high school and makes you look like an ass. Plain and simple.

 

Here’s the deal. If you are a Sales Rep., you gotta know your competition. You gotta. Educate yourself on the other product lines out there, not only to increase your sales but to save yourself the embarrassment of having egg on your face.

 

Timing

That Girl in the Red Coat

 

Beauty, Hair Care, That girl in the red coat, writing

Tales of Truth – The Holiday Editions

3 Comments

The past few hours have been quite strange. I usually don’t post from the shop but today has been weird and all our staff is off today and I gotta tell somebody. I have checked my calendar and I know that the full moon is set to arrive on the 25th., so my question is this… are the stars misaligned? Is the universe in retrograde? Did I miss the Facebook status that this year we are to share our Christmas crazy along with our cookies? Was there a tweet daring people to get their crazy on? Is the owner attempting her own version of “Smile! You are on candid camera!”. I am hoping that these people have heard of my Salon Tales and their Tales of Truth and are trying to get me to write about them. If this is the case, guess what buttercup!?! Today is your lucky day. You are getting your 15 minutes of fame.

9:20 a.m. – the phone rings. My standard greeting is interrupted by a woman telling me “Yeah. I left my debit card there yesterday.”. I let her know that no debit cards were left behind at our shop. All I hear is silence, then “Are you sure? ‘cuz yours was the last place I was yesterday.”. I let her know I check the till and our lost & found every day and there wasn’t anything left behind all weekend. “So, you’re telling me you don’t have my card.”. I let her know that is correct, I do not have your card. “You’re sure you don’t have it”. I told her I was sure to which she muffled “uh huh” and hung up on me. …by the way, the shop opens at 9;30 a.m..

9:35 a.m. – I am in the back room when I hear the chirp of the shop’s door. As I walk through our Salon to get the front of the shop a woman says “Oh good! You’re here! Cut my hair would ya?”. I let her know that I am the manager and the Salon was closed this morning. “How can it be closed? You just walked through it!”.

9:42 a.m. – A woman called to let me know the curling iron she bought is no longer heating up. I asked her if she still had the box and the receipt, she told me yes. I let her know to bring in the box, the receipt and the curling iron and I can exchange her defective curling iron for a new one. The phone fell silent. I said “Hello?”. “Yeah, I’m still here. I have to say, I am disappointed that I have to pack this up just to bring it to you. You know what? I will bring it all and you can pack it up!”. So I told her I would gladly help her out to which she said “Well, aren’t you a smart ass!”…..fa la la la la, la la la la.

10:15 a.m. …almost 35 minutes have passed, a little reprieve for your truly. A woman came in looking for hair clippers for her husband. I showed her our selection and their differences. She asked me which one would fit comfortably in her husband’s hand. I let her know that I didn’t know to which she got upset asking me “Why won’t anyone tell me what will feel comfortable in my husband’s hands!!!”. I looked at her for a minute, thought to myself, what the hell and told her “We don’t have his hands.”. She looked at me and said “I know that! He has his hands. You have yours! What’s that got to do with anything?!?”. …sigh

10:35 a.m. – A woman couldn’t understand why she couldn’t “try out” our tweezers. All I could think and hope wasn’t showing on my face was first of all, they are sealed in their packaging and second, uh…yuck.

10:50 a.m. – We sell hair & nose hair trimmers. Some models come with a detachable blade so the trimmer can be used on your bikini line. I was asked if it could be used to trim “you know…the hair on your buttocks.”. … I wanted the thank the customer for not referring to it as “ass crack hair”, as some have eloquently put it in the past.

12:36 p.m. – a few hours have passed and all my customers have been pleasant. I start to let my guard down. The phone rings. My greeting is once again interrupted by “Yeah. I called earlier. You’re sure you don’t have my debit card?!?!”. I let the woman know I am the manager and that yes, I am sure that I don’t have her card. I haven’t seen it. I don’t know where it is. “I came into your shop right after I bought vitamins in the health food shop beside yours! You were the last shop I was in! I think you have it and won’t give it back!”. It was then I let her know that we do not have a health food store beside us. All I heard was CLICK.

1:35 p.m. – a man came in asking if we had any shampoo for men. I let him know that all the shampoo I sell is for men and women and that most men tend to like KMS or American Crew. He asked to see the American Crew so I showed him our selection. I let him know he was welcome to open the lids and smell the products. He asked me which ones would help him “catch the ladies”.

….I need more coffee.

That Girl in the Red Coat

 

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat

The KEY to Curls

1 Comment

Today’s tale is for all the Girls with Curls …and the gents too. As you know, every person with curly hair, be it fine, thick or coarse, has one thing in common – a desire to be able to control their curls. To achieve a frizz free, controlled and defined curl. Well Beauties, you are in for a treat. Yours truly comes bearing great news! Let me introduce you to a lovely line created especially for you and your curls. Meet Curl Control by SarynaKEY.

IMG_20150930_100941

Curl Control contains a humectant that will retain moisture so it is suitable for hair that is curly, frizzy and dry. Curl Control hydrates and defines your curls by giving back some volume (bounce) all the while maintaining a natural, soft appearance. The complete Curl Control line is color safe, nourishes and strengthens the hair and leaves your hair manageable and vibrant. The line offers 6 key products;

Curl Control Pure African Shea Shampoo – created with Shea Butter, it enhances curls, rejuvenates and strengthens your curls, restores shine and helps to control frizz. *curls remain defined even in humid conditions

Curl Control Pure African Shea Conditioner – created with Shea Butter, proteins and amino acids that strengthen the hair and helps to control frizz and further damage *TIP – towel dry your hair after shampooing to remove excess water in your hair, then apply the conditioner making the conditioner more potent.

Curl Control Pure African Shea Butter – Curl Control’s answer to a Conditioning Treatment, contains a high concentration of Shea Butter, vitamins A,E,F amino acids and natural keratin. It leaves your hair nourished and softened and the anti frizz properties keep your curl definition. *TIP – for best results, remove excess moisture from hair, massage through hair, leave in for 2-5 minutes, rinse then apply Curl Control Pure African Shea Oil. ** for a more intense treatment, apply heat and leave in for 10-15 minutes

Curl Control Pure African Shea Oil – contains Shea Butter, natural keratin and amino acids. This easily absorbed oil  provides instant moisture, protects your hair from UV rays, defines curls, helps to control frizz and adds shine. *TIP – a little goes a long way. Dispense a few drops, smooth throughout your hair – before or after styling. Can be used on dry or damp hair.

Curl Control Pure African Shea Cream – a styling cream that helps to nurture unmanageable curls, control frizz and adds shine. This cream protects your curls from climate damage. *TIP – when applying cream, focus on your ends. Can be applied to damp or dry hair.

Curl Control Gloss Spray – a lightweight treatment spray for curly and wavy hair with UV filters to protect the hair from sun damage. Contains Shea Butter, vitamins, amino acids and proteins that help to maintain moisture. Can be used on damp or dry hair.

 

Curl Control offers various leave in moisturizers, liquid and cream. As all those with curls know, each curl is different, as are the desired styles, looks and hold factor of the products being applied. Curl Control offers a choice of 4 styling creams and 2 styling liquids that offer control/hold factors from soft to firm, well defined curls to voluminous soft defined curls…and always a lovely shine.

20150930_075133-1                 One of the many FAB! Leave in moisturizer’s bestowed on yours truly. Curl Control Mixed Shea 80% Cream & 20% Hold is the perfect choice for soft waves and loose curls. The result is well defined, voluminous soft curls.

For those looking for a way to unlock your glorious curls, you have now been given the key.

 

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

Monday Motivator – Joico Color Balance Blue

Leave a comment

It’s Monday once again. Another weekend of fun in the sun has come to an end and back to the weekly grind we shuffle. This week’s Monday Motivator is aimed at the brunette beauties who have ventures into the ombre/sombre world. As all brunettes know, when dark tresses are highlighted, within a week the warm caramel highlights that  brought back memories of our favorite Halloween treat begin to take on the color of a jack o’lantern. …until now.

Let me introduce you to your new best friend – meet Joico Color Balance Blue

joico color balance blue

One of the newest additions to the FAB! line of Joico products, Color Balance was created with Joico’s Multi Spectrum Defense Complex, formulated to keep your color true and vibrant. With tone correcting pigments, Color Balance corrects on contact, instantly banishing those overly warm/brassy (orange) tones that turn up on dark hair that has been lightened. *Another perk – Color Balance preserves 89% of hair color nearly 8 weeks by bonding hair fibers. As always – another welcome addition to Color Balance Shampoo and Conditoner is Joico’s patented Bio Advanced Peptide Complex = root to tip repair, protection, frizz fighters and shine.

Joico Color Balance Shampoo – lather into hair, leave on for 1-3 minutes, rinse.

* may be used once to twice a week.

Joico Color Balance Conditioner – work through hair, leave in for 1 – 3 minutes, then rinse. This gem is gentle enough to use as a daily conditioner if so desired.

The Joico Color Balance family offers a shampoo/conditioner duo for blondes – Color Balance Purple, and for our red haired beauties – Color Infuse Red. From the feedback of my customers, the color-clientele of our Salon and personal use, Joico Color Balance products are a must for every vanity.

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized

Probiotic hair care…who knew?!

Leave a comment

A few weeks ago I heard one of my favorite phrases, “Sara, I have a new product. Give this a try and let me know what you think.”.  The product was the new Probiotic Color Care line by Onesta. If you are dealing with dry, damaged tresses and prefer to use  natural, environmentally friendly hair care products – this line is for you!

20150602_085404

 

Onesta is a lovely hair care line that has the best interest of you, your hair and the environment in mind. Onesta products contain natural fragrances, blended of plant extracts and botanical oils. Onesta products meet EU Compliance, are vegan, cruelty free and free of parabens and sulfates. For more information about Onesta here is a link to my tale Honestly Onesta;

Honestly Onesta

Onesta’s Proboitic Color Care Line has three products – Shampoo, Conditoner and a leave in Probiotic Treatment.

Probiotic Color Care Shampoo – contains color enhancing extracts of certified organic Chai & Fennel. *Fennel is known to help hair’s color to look more vibrant and keeps the color looking fresh. The exclusive formula of Lactobacillus Probiotics helps to promote a healthy scalp and the combination of quinoa and vegetable proteins protects, defends and strengthens damaged hair.

Probiotic Color Care Conditioner – Contains anti color fade extracts of certified organic Amla and Shea butter. The conditioner also contains the exclusive Lactobacillus Probiotic formula.

Probiotic Protein Treatment – a liquid leave in spray treatment that detangles and strengthens hair. *when applied to hair before a color application the Probiotic Protein Treatment helps to protect the hair and evens out the hair’s porosity for optimal color results.

First and foremost, I was pleasantly surprised by the Onesta’s Probiotic Color Care line. The shampoo is sulfate free yet had a nice lather – most sulfate free shampoo’s have little to no lather so many times we end up using too much. The conditioner slid through my hair with ease and left my hair feeling silky soft even though it was still wet. The leave in treatment…let me tell you – it smells wonderful, my tangles were worked out with ease and my hair felt soft and manageable. As you all know I am a bottled blonde – the Probiotic Color Care products did not leave my blonde brassy. I also have a blue streak and my color wasn’t diminished. My color, blonde and blue alike, actually seemed brighter and more vibrant. I used the Probiotic Color Care line for a few days before my latest color appointment and I have found my color to be a little brighter than usual…and we all know, when a woman is having a good hair day, everyone has a good day.

 

 

 

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Women

The Color Key

Leave a comment

I have a confession to make. Those familiar with my Salon Tales are already aware of my secret, so it is only fair the newcomers be in on it as well. I am  a bottled blonde…yes, I was born with platinum tresses. Alas, they slowly turned to brown and as I entered my thirties, I began to have my own 50+ shades of grey – hence the bottled blonde – this way when my grey roots appear I can say “it’s just the platinum”. Why the glimpse into my hair history? Well, I have found a lovely product line that I need to tell you about. It’s a lovely line for anyone who colors their hair. I have introduced you to SaynaKey Volume Lift with my tale;

A brand new key

Today, let me introduce you to SarynaKey’s Color Lasting line. First and foremost – the smell is divine! It smells like an island getaway. The Color Lasting line offers UV filters to protect the vibrancy of your color. It leaves your hair feeling soft and manageable with a lovely shine.

 

 

IMG_20150501_201135

Color Lasting Treatment Shampoo – A lightweight shampoo that packs a punch! Containing a unique combination of Shea butter, cotton and silk proteins that provide a protective layer that also helps to repair split ends. The added benefit of vitamin B6, protein and amino acids helps to strengthen and protect the pigments of hair from root to tip. For best results – lather and leave on for 2 minutes, or wash your hair two times in a row. I tried both and was pleased with both results. * great for color/chemically treated hair in normal to dry condition

Color Lasting Treatment Conditioner – The first thing you will notice about the conditioner is that it is not as thick or creamy as you expect conditioner to be. Do not let that sway you – for a lightweight formula, just as the shampoo – it really packs a punch! This gem of a conditioner glides through the hair with ease, detangles and rinses out easily. Color Lasting Treatment Conditioner is filled with Shea nut butter which prevents your color from fading and provides a lovely shimmer. For best results – after shampooing with Color Lasting Treatment Shampoo, apply a generous amount throughout your hair, leave on for 1 minute then rinse. * I have fine hair that most conditioners can leave feeling greasy and weighed down. I applied a very generous amount of conditioner and my hair felt soft and smooth, not greasy and my hair was not weighed down.

Color Lasting Treatment Mask – I have tried many treatments in my 5 years of being a bottled blonde and I have to say, SarynaKey’s Color Lasting Treatment Mask has become one of my new favorites. After using this conditioning treatment my hair was soft, shiny and my ends looked smooth. This conditioning treatment contains an advanced Shea nut butter with natural ingredients such as keratin and amino acids that surround, penetrate and enrich the hair. It also contains UV ray screens that protect the pigments to lock in your color. For best results – after shampooing and conditioning with Color Lasting Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner, apply a generous amount and massage into the hair, beginning at the tips and working your way to your roots. Leave in for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Color Lasting Pure African Shea Oil – a lightweight oil containing Shea Butter – a natural source of keratin which repairs damaged hair. Color Lasting Pure African Shea Oil can be applied to damp or dry hair and absorbs quickly without leaving the hair looking or feeling greasy. When applied to damp hair, it helps to detangle and add shine while blow drying. When applied to dry hair, after styling, it adds that extra sheen and seals up any split ends and controls pesky flyaways. * it is best to apply any oil after you have completed styling with your flat iron. 

Whether your hair is fine or coarse, thin or thick, SarynaKey’s Color Lasting line nourishes and repairs all the while protecting your color. You now have the Key to long lasting color. You’re welcome.

 

 

Beauty, Business, Hair Care, health and wellness, That girl in the red coat, Uncategorized, Women

Auf Wiedersehen to bad hair

Leave a comment

There are some new kids in town, and being me, I have to introduce you. Schwarzkopf Professional BC (Bonacure) has revamped their hair care line with new technology, great new packaging and have added some real gems to their line – those kids I will introduce to you in a minute. Being me, here is a little more information, for those of you that aren’t familiar with Schwarzkopf Professional BC.

First things first, the newest addition to this great hair care line is their patented Cell Perfector Technology – this technology fills the gaps in the hair surface and helps to rebuild the structure of the hair. *Brings back damaged hair surfaces as close as possible to a natural healthy state. Here is a little info. on a few of the Schwarzkopf Professional BC hair care products;

Repair Rescue – this line is for damaged hair, chemically or mechanically damaged. Using the Repair Rescue line can help your lovely locks have 95% less breakage. The line offers a shampoo, conditioner and styling treatments. * The Leave in Spray is phenomenal! Strong enough for the most damaged hair and lightweight enough for the finest of damaged locks.

Color Freeze – great for color treated hair, offers 100% more shine and up to 90% color retention. The line offers a shampoo, conditioner, a purple shampoo for Silver/Blondes, leave in treatments and styling products. * The newest addition is becoming one of my favorites – Color Freeze Gloss Serum. A clear, lightweight shine serum. It provided instant shine and no greasy feel and doesn’t weigh down my fine strands. (fine as in size of strands….although it does look pretty good if I do say so myself).

Moisture Kick – created for normal to dry hair & curly hair. Offers 100% nourishment and up to 85% improved combability = less tangles. The line offers a shampoo, conditioner and treatments. *The newest addition to Moisture kick line is their Beauty Balm – their answer to BB Cream. Yes, you read that right, BB cream for your hair. This gem balances the moisture content & ensures an even and supple hair surface. It adds a weightless protective shield to your lovely locks. Yours truly has been using it for the past few days and I can’t stop touching my hair. …my mailman thinks I am flirting with him.

These are the gems I was telling you about and that are making my mailman think I am flirting with him;

20140508_133903

 

Time Restore – perfect for mature/fragile hair. This line instantly rejuvenates hair strength. The line offers a shampoo, conditioner, treatment and styling spray. *The newest addition is the Rejuvenating Spray – a lightweight detangler & volumiser in one that adds shine.

Smooth Perfect – created for those with unmanageable hair. Offers up to 4 days of anti humidity and anti frizz protection, 100% shine and lasting control. The line offers a shampoo (that helps fight static), conditioner and treatment. *The newest addition is the Smoothing Cream – offers thermal protection and is humidity resistant.

Schwarzkopf Professional offers a shampoo for volume – Volume Boost, a shampoo for oily scalp – Deep cleansing Shampoo, and a shampoo for sensitive scalp – Sensitive Soothe Shampoo. The BC line also offers a Oil Miracle line that is suitable for all hair types, formulated with Argan and Marula Oiland a Keratin line – Fibre Force, for extremely damaged, breaking hair that is formulated with Micronized Keratins.

 

Beauty, Hair Care, health and wellness, Uncategorized, Women

Gonna Moroccanoil your world

Leave a comment

At least ten times a day I have the same question posed to me “Do you sell Moroccanoil?”. The answer is always yes. Moroccanoil is a beautiful product and it sells itself – a perfect blend for any Salon’s retail shelves. Moroccanoil has an array of products for every hair type and hair woe. I have found that many of my customer’s have been using the wrong product, so they aren’t getting the results they had hoped for, so being me, I have compiled a little list of the best sellers (at our shop) and a little ditty explaining their features and benefits.

Curl Defining Cream – brings definition to curly/wavy hair. It’s heat activated technology provides intense conditioning and activates curl memory. *Keeps hair bouncy and helps to control frizz.

Curl Control Mousse – AWESOME for curly and tightly spiraled hair. A lightweight hold that seals in moisture and keeps out the frizz. *Control without crunch – looks soft and natural.

Intense Curl Cream – an ideal leave in conditioner to keep natural curl/wave. *No sticky residue

Restorative Hair Mask (orange lid) – a 5 -7 minute conditioning treatment that infuses protein back into the weakened hair shaft. *Awesome for thermal/chemically damaged hair.

Intense Hydrating Mask (brown lid) – a conditioning treatment that deeply hydrates and conditions. Dramatically improves the texture of the hair and improves the elasticity and shine. * Ideal for thick hair

Weightless Hydrating Mask (white lid) – much like the Intense Hydrating Mask (above) * Ideal for fine hair

Moroccanoil Treatment – an alcohol free and residue free oil that blends beautifully with other products. Helps to speed up drying time and reduce the look of flyaways and frizz. Morocannoil Treatment absorbs instantly to fill the gaps created by heat styling and environmental damage. * can be used on towel dried hair and after styling to seal ends and add some shine and smoothness to the hair. * Also available – Moroccanoil light for very fine hair.

Frizz Control Spray – a weightless spray that is humidity resistant. This gem is great for all hair types and all seasons – eliminates frizz in the summer and eliminates static in the winter!

Luminous Hairspray – A medium hold hairspray that adds shine and blocks out the humidity with it’s humidity resistant formula. Also available in a Strong hold factor.

Moroccanoil offers an array of shampoos and conditioners for every hair type, from fine to thick, damaged to dry. All are Color safe and sulfate, phosphate and paraben free.  Check out their website http://www.moroccanoil.com for more info. and great styling tips. Once you have smelled this product, like most clients and customers,you will want to have it, it’s a done deal. You will be holding the bottle in your hand and find yourself saying, in the infamous words of Dorothy Boyd in Jerry Maguire “You had me at hello.”.

Beauty, Business, communication, entertainment, Hair Care, Uncategorized, Women, writing

Full Moon Monthly

Leave a comment

For those of you familiar with my blog, you are well aware of my “Tales of Truth” series. As I was going through my archives I realized most of my Tales of Truth moments went hand in hand with the arrival of the full moon. So gather ’round ladies and gents, boys and girls and welcome to the first of many installments of Full Moon Monthly, brought to you by none other than That girl in the red coat. (as stated before…these are based on ACTUAL events. I have witnesses)

I hear the chirp of the shop’s door. I smile and greet the customer “Good Morning!”. She  looks around and says “Are you talking to me?”. I let her know, yes, I am talking to her. She stares. So I ask “Can I help you find something?”. “Yes, I am looking for a Shampoo that I can buy where I live, I don’t always want to drive into town.”. So I ask her where does she live and she tells me “I don’t tell people my personal information.”. …wait for it….there you go.

A woman came into the shop looking for the mousse her stylist just used. I asked her if she remembered the name of the product. She told me “No! Why would I remember the name of a product that I thought was horrible and smelled bad.”. So I asked her if she wanted me to show her some other mousses she may like and she said “No, I want the one my stylist used, if I go to her smelling like another product I might hurt her feelings.”.

There I was, innocently counting the nail polishes for an inventory count when a woman comes into the shop. “Hello” I say, to which she responds “I used to use these polishes until my niece quit beauty school and got ’em cheap for me. She is useless and spoiled rotten.”. …okay then. So I ask her “Can I help you find something?” to which she says “Yeah, tell me what will help me with my hair, since my husband left me 20 years ago and it gave me the cancer of the Uterus and the lying Doctor’s told me that my ovaries would keep the menopause away my hair just ain’t the same.”. As I went to show her some products she looked at me and said “I don’t have time for this, I gotta go catch the bus.Thanks for the lovely chat and I will be back!”. – cue Twilight Zone theme

From time to time, we are out of stock of a product, sometimes because of back orders, sometimes because the product is an awesome product and sells well. I know empty spots on the shelves are a no no, but they happen. I was told by a customer, three times in a row that it was pathetic that her product wasn’t there. (well, in the size of bottle she preferred). I explained about the back orders ( the distributor moved warehouses hence back orders for a few weeks). I offered to call her as soon as the product came in. She asked if I knew when the product would arrive. I explained that I didn’t know, that the warehouse would send them as soon as they get them, to which she again said “pathetic”. I told her I was just as frustrated as her, that I didn’t have the product for my clients and customers, but that it wasn’t pathetic.(I know – let sleeping dogs lie…I don’t always follow my own advice). As I rang through her purchase, I let her know our debit connection was slow, to which she smirked and said “I was going to say something but I won’t”. So, me being me, I asked her what it was she wanted to say. “I was going to say “you are used to waiting for things but that would be pathetic…or maybe you would be pathetic about it.”. Well played…gotta give her that…it’s all she’s got.

A customer asks “What shampoo smells the best?”. I let her know she is welcome to open up the bottles and smell them, because what I like she may not. “Pfft…you are a lazy sales person aren’t ya?”. Okay…here we go. I smile, tell her to follow me and show her our best seller, open up the lid and she smells it and exclaims “Why did you show me that?!? It stinks. Show me something I will like the smell of.”. As politely as possible I explained I don’t have the same sense of smell as her and maybe it would be best if she took a moment to smell some of the shampoo’s. She looks at me and says “Okay, why didn’t you say that it the first place?”. …sigh.

“Have you found Jesus?” – something I am asked quite often. One of these believers in urgent need of saving my soul left me a coin with a “version” of the Ten Commandments on it. The coin worried me a little…it was silver. I think she had five more.   ….wait for it….there you go.

A woman comes in the store, sees me and says “HEY! Haven’t seen you in forever!”. I look at her and don’t recognize her. “I’m sorry, have we met?” I say. “Come on! You know me! Come on! Come on! Come On! You remember!”. I stand there, cannot place her face for the life of me. “Come on! You know me! I know you Susie!”. I let her know I am Sara. “Well you look like Susie! Come on! You know you do!”.

I am starting to think that people are coming into the shop in hope that I will write about them.  For the love of god, I hope so.

Beauty, Business, communication, Hair Care, health and wellness, Uncategorized, Women

Fear of Heights

Leave a comment

We all have fears. Some have a fear of spiders, some a fear of germs and some of us, for some reason, many of us in the beauty industry, have a fear of heights…not the looking down from the penthouse patio kind of heights. The “what if no one buys it” fear of heights. Taking your Salon and your customer service to the next level.

I manage a retail shop/salon- that is not a franchise. We are locally owned and operated. In our shop we carry over 25 professional hair care lines…which , by the way, is not the norm. Most Salons retail one or two lines…well, the product is on their shelves. Unfortunately, not much selling is taking place. For some unknown reason, most stylists have no problem charging $150.00 for a color service, but cannot ask their client if they need any product for at home.  Everyday, I mean EVERYDAY, I have at least five women come into my shop who have just left their stylist’s chair at another Salon, to buy product, from me. Four out of the five said women, when asked what product the stylist used, have no idea. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the business and am more than happy to help anyone keep their hair looking great. What I cannot begin to fathom is why would their stylist not want to help their client with their new cut and why wouldn’t the stylist want the client to protect their investment. Yeah – I said investment. People work hard for their money and $150.00 is an investment. More importantly – clients are our billboards, our free advertising. Why in the hell wouldn’t the stylist want their walking portrait to be as beautiful as possible?

What I have come to realize over the years in my beloved industry is this. Most Salon owners and stylists are afraid. They are afraid to invest in themselves and in their Salons. Afraid that the customer won’t buy the product and they will lose money. Guess what sunshine? You can’t sell what isn’t there. What Salon owners and stylists should be fearing is not that their clients won’t buy the retail they bring in, they should fear their clients not returning because of the lack of customer service. Getting your client an expresso and a magazine while their color is processing won’t always be enough. Without explaining the importance of using professional salon products at home and how to use them, sooner or later, your client is going to start thinking it is you that is ruining their hair – because they can never get their hair to look as good as the day it was done. More often than not, people will start feeling they were played the fool.Trust me, I hear it everyday. Think about it…when you bought your cell phone the salesperson didn’t hand it over to you and say “Thanks again! Best of luck!”. We shouldn’t do that to our clients or our customers.

Before you start to think “if my client can make their hair look as good at home they won’t come back” or “no one will buy shampoo from me!” – give your head a shake and calm down. Of course they will come back. They need you to help with the cut and the color, and of course they will buy shampoo from you, they spend $150.00 for you. They trust you with their hair, I am sure they will trust your advice about shampoo. What will begin to happen is you will find they come back on a regular basis ( we will cover re booking another day…one lesson at a time eh?), and may even bring you more clientele…because you have given them 100% of your time and attention, you have given them the best form of customer service. You are helping them look good, feel good, and protect their most important investment, themselves. Not so scary now, is it?