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.

Damsels in Success

There is a new site for women in business to connect, publish, and share information about work as well as dreams for success. It just launched so I haven't really played on it, but I thought the "ladies" might want to check it out at damselsinsuccess.com.

From my brief surf of the new site, the topics range from sharing your dream jobs to managing professional risks to seeking career advice. The site's design is really nice. The featured members have cool photos of themselves with fun, wallpaper background. However, design aside, the content/connections is what will count, and if this site really works like a Linkedin or a MySpace for women professionals, then it is golden for women as well as the CEO/Founder,Harleen Kahlon.

Kahlon, a former lawyer and executive recruiter, has this to say about the need for her site:

In 2007, life is complicated for women, figuring out how to make our professional dreams and ambitions come true amidst all the other complexities. Women have changed over the decades, and balancing our often competing identities is a huge challenge. But, although women have changed, we at Damsels think it's strange that content created for us (and, in many cases, by us) has not. Think about it...How often do you come across an article that speaks to you about your professional life?

Maybe we should all sign up and give it a test drive!?!

hello ladies,
although i have only attended one Ladies dinner so far, graciously hosted by natasha, i am constantly
thinking back to the energy and passion i felt and heard from the women around me that night. to be at a table with so many fascinating, strong and courageous girl inspires me daily as i work on my own business.
as a matter of fact i am on my way to china tonight to put my clothing line into work....much anxiety, much fear but also..much excitement and and hope. thanks for paving the way for me in the universe for other women like myself to follow...
see you at another dinner soon!
be well,
lisa

A BUZZ of Inspiration

Last night we had a smaller group than usual. The Not Soap Radio Sisters hosted a fine meal of Southern comfort food. We ate mac n'cheese, toasted red wine out of leaky glasses and giggled a lot.

We also shared some awesome chick chat about serious business matters like, how they heck do I get a celebrity endoursement for my business?? Carolyn Kamii with her PR know-how gave us some awesome insights. Along with the Not Soap Radio Divas who BTW are in 1000 stores nation-wide. They make bath and body products that rock! Yes, I'm drooling. As the budding owner of a hair care brand, these ladies truly give me hope that if they can do it, so can we all!

I know we'll one day call these the Good Ol' Days but having real conversations with women that are doing it is, OH SO satisfying.

And the fab Laura Klein (her company is www.organicauthority.com) mentioned a must-have book, Rules for Renegades. (See right side for full details) She made it sound so inspiring that I'm taking a stroll down to Barnes and Noble today. Something about serial female entrepreneur that reached the height of her success in a few short years. I may have that a little off as the wine and buzz of conversation may have left a little haze on my memory.

Well ladies, I am alive today and inspired today knowing that you're all out there making magic with your work. Thank you for being a constant inspiration.

Next month, Kendall Morgan of www.spindaily.com and incredibly talented film producer hosts at her designer pad. We'll keep you posted on dates.

xxN

Blog Away...

Hopefully a few of you fabulous ladies have come to take a peak and if so... join! If you haven't already. This is meant to be a place a refuge where you can get something off your chest or share something new that you've learned as a business owner (Notice the "featured recommends on the right). It's also a great way to reach out to one another. So, yes, it's one more thing to do but do it anyway... get your profile up!

You are a each a dynamic inspiration and I cannot tell you how much it helps to hear what you have to say. Our last meeting was our largest and it just keeps getting better. It's the most focused we've been . I mean really, ladies and wine. Whew! We sure can talk. This was a little different (having a topic) and I think it worked bc everyone had a chance to share.

Well, off to the whirlwind of running your own show. Until next meeting. Hugs!

How does it end?

In many of the great business and goal setting books for that matter, there is this constant theme of, begin with the end in mind. "How are you supposed to get where you're going without a destination", they often ask.

* To begin with the end in mind is to begin with the image of the end of your life as the frame of reference by which everything else is measured.
* We may be busy, we may be efficient, but we will only be effective if we begin with the end in mind.

-The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People / Steven Covey

I've found one of the greatest challenges of being an entrepreneur is getting lost in the details of the day to day. The minutia sure feels like it could take me down some days. Could the simple lack of direction be one of the reasons so many new businesses never make it to their second year?

Let's not find out! Being in business now for nine months (www.byu-ti.com), I often joke that you'd have to kill me for me to give up now. I'm a big believer in the power of word, so I guess I better stop saying that. The deal simply is, I'm pushing forward, whatever it takes. I love that line.

My neighbor (www.vanillabakeshop.com) and I were discussing using celebrity names that we've worked with to promote our businesses and she said without regret, "whatever it takes." I immediately knew Amy and I were going to get along just fine. That one line has held me up in the most challenging moments.

The other tool that has held me up is my END vision. There is a key image that keeps me focused:
We're on a yacht in St. Tropez, my family all in white, bottles of bubbly popping, the sun is nearing sunset. We are celebrating the sale of Byu-ti. We've made it. We've built a sellable business and are ecstatic with the purchase price. Yeah baby.