Fetal Postion No More

It's funny because I really should be in fetal position on my cramped office floor. And for the first time in a year and a half, I'm refusing to go there. Most of you know I have a salon. We're 17 months new and we really are rocking it. Well, we have been anyway. We have over 3000 clients and have been published by more than a dozen publications in the last year alone. Nothing makes me happier than a full salon and the giddy murmur of ladies chatting over good music and the constant hum of multiple blow-dryers running. I'd say about six months ago we began having more days like that and fewer of the painfully silent days.

Two weeks ago, I laid off four of our ten stylists. A week later a number of articles came out announcing an official recession. Eek. I've heard it said that the salon business is not affected by the economy and I'll tell you right now... it ain't so. Living in LA and having the writer's strike was my greatest proof of how affected we are by the economy. After the writer's strike went into effect, we had LOTS of ghostly days in the salon. And when it was announced to be over, I believe we had our busiest day of the year. Yay, we can spend money again was the obvious mantra of our salon guests.

Here I am, four stylists less and in a recession and why do I feel like a want to sing from a mountain top with a soft breeze blowing all around me? Firstly, my team that is here is HERE. Secondly, it may sound silly but I truly think it's faith and clarity. I can see the light at the end of this long dark tunnel. I have become clear about who my company is now. We have experimented with trying to be this or that. And I am positive that not-knowing who we are has influenced our growth and decision making. We are moderate-priced salon that strives to deliver excellence in all that we do. It seems simple enough, right? Well, after figuring that out, we no longer put $35 haircuts on our sidewalk board when our haircut's start at $57. We now write, Lunch-Time Treat / Free eyebrows with any salon service between 11 - 2. Can you feel the difference?

Having that clarity helps me to not compete with Beverly Hills or Chop Shops in my head. We are not BH. And we are definately not a chop shop. We are in Santa Monica and westsiders like a deal. We have found systems and solutions to providing these deals that help us serve better AND grow our business with elegance and style. A win/win for all. We have developed training systems that help me to feel confident that my up and coming service providers are delivering top notch results. I have also developed a keen eye for greatness among my new hires. I no longer hire out of desperation. Desperate choices lead to a tainted reputation in my community. Which leads to an empty salon. My posts for new stylists now read, Are you an A-List stylist? And it goes on from there. If they call me, at least I know that they believe in themselves. It takes too much energy to build an individual up that doesn't at the very least, see their own potential.

Instead of climbing that mountain and singing the praises of the success-to-come, I think I'll mosey down to Barnes & Noble with a tune in my head and create a list of the beauty editors that will be receiving our next press kit. Action. Not fetal position. Clarity. Not desperation. Faith. Not fear.