A New Dawn

First off, I need to say that this journal follows my thought process to a tee, so bear with me… 

Let’s go back to March 2020- 

We get word of the shut down and respond accordingly. Like the rest of the world, I underestimate the impact it would have on my business but also the emotional roller coaster that ensues. Rather than rehash all the political mistakes made to balance the economy, I can attest that the beauty industry took a major hit and I held on for as long as I could. I looked for ways to not only keep our clients safe, but also maintain their hair care needs by developing customized home color kits. I was dismayed when just as we were coming out of the deepest point of Covid, a few staff members opted to stay on unemployment rather than come back to work. Confusion and disappointment overshadowed my excitement for our long awaited comeback. 

Being an entrepreneur for almost 30 years has been simultaneously eye-opening and blinding. As an eternal optimist, I can’t shake the perpetual feeling that things are going to take a positive turn. I tend to see and feel everything in balance, therefore my frustrations over the constant uncertainty is offset by a peaceful acceptance that everything will work itself out. 

Speed ahead to early 2021-

My mom’s health took an unexpected turn and I started driving to Sacramento every weekend -and sometimes more- to relieve my sister and take care of my mom. The sleepless nights were taking its toll but on the flip side, my mom is still with me. And as torturous as the wee hours are, we shared some great and memorable stories. Even at less capacity, the salon was running smoothly, so I made the conscious choice to scale back on my time and focus on her quality of life. 

And here we are- 

My son, Max, has joined our workforce; I am so excited to have him as part of the salon!  He’s in the training program and it really motivates me to know he will someday cut in a chair next to me. I really love doing hair and have enjoyed making new relationships and maintaining old ones. And as I’ve mentioned many times about how my life tends to maintain a state of balance, the salon culture seems to be fading. Stylists are working less hours with higher demands. 

My lease renewal is coming up and I am caught in an ambiguous situation. After long conversations that suggested rebranding and rebuilding, I decided that I am in a different mindset. I want less responsibility and management. I want to return to how it all started: my love of doing hair and providing exceptional service. 

It is with mixed emotions that I announce the changes coming ahead: I will be continuing on in half of the current space while others will be moving to salons in Mill Valley. Our contact information will stay the same; I’m not going away, just lightening my load. Between the toll of Covid and caring for my ailing mother, it was time to shift gears. If you are a current client of mine, nothing will change except the entrance has moved 30 feet and I will be upping my game on taking care of you.  

We have Max and Stephanie manning the Blowdry Bar, however their schedule is limited. If you have an existing package and the calendar doesn’t work for you, please reach out and we will refund your balance.

The thought of easing my workload has revitalized and reenergized me. The only person left to train is my son. I’ll spend whatever time and cost to train him because he is my son; this is truly a gift! 

Now the space: I will be keeping the room I’m currently in, along with the connecting room.  I’m excited about redesigning the area and incorporating new amenities to enhance your experience. Let’s have a full beverage bar, including wine and spirits! Maybe light snack offerings to accommodate your lunch hour for pampering. The possibilities are endless! 

With the constant talk of inflation and a possible recession coming, I have no idea what the future holds. I do not support the significant increases due to supply chain or bureaucratic decisions, but promise to provide excellent service at a fair price. 

As the rumor mill began and word got out, I’ve had some great interactions and appreciate them. I am thankful for the relationships we have built and the support I’ve received. I’ll miss the familiar faces that sat in other chairs, so please stay in touch!. If you are at Piatti or have an appointment in the building, you can always pop in and say hello. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to train and develop the stylists that have come and gone, to see/hear their success stories, and build a reputable business that is respected by the community and within our beauty industry. 

Cheers to all who have graced me with their presence as an employee or client; all have become friends. I do need to thank Jason, Donna, Cathy, Stephanie and Dana for staying on as long as they did. Loyalty and friendship are #1 in my life and I will never forget that. Check our website to locate your stylist. I will have their contact information updated once all is confirmed. 

If there are lessons I have learned, they are this: we can bend without breaking and together, we can bounce back better. It has been a journey for us all and finding out what is truly important in life is the gift. Time to start living for what is important. 

Love, laughter and integrity is my mantra. I am truly blessed to have had such a great run as a small business owner and to now have it morphe into the next chapter.

Love and gratitude to all…

New Year, New Insight

Happy New Year! 

Or let’s hope for one!

Seems like we’ve done this dance before: I purge my cynical thoughts and you are kind enough to still subscribe.

This one is different…

I am no longer angry. I am capable of getting worked up, but why? I don’t have much control of my business but I can be in control of my thoughts and feelings. 

“Tentative reopening is January 8th...” 

My thought: doubtful.  If we are going to run this by the numbers, I don’t see us back before the end of February. There are predictions of a spike around January 12th (from NYE) so if everyone really does social distance and some inoculations start happening, then maybe? I am just speculating of course.  We will keep you informed of any changes that happen.  

We have shut down online booking; it’s easier on us and less confusing if Mikaela books your services.  You can also email Mikaela@edwardssalon.com or me at Edward@edwardssalonl.com.  Mikaela is listening to messages and doing her best to return your call. Please be patient as it takes quite a bit of organization to roll over appointments when there is no clear opening date. We will regularly update our website and you can find the latest news here.

Color kits are once again available on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Email me your request (to my address above) or call the Salon and Mikaela will put you on the books.

I hope you all had a happy holiday; I know a lot of us just laid low and I have to admit it was less festive, but still nice. When I think about 2020, I expect myself to get angry as it's been rough on many of us, but I still feel wrong complaining. I am normally a “glass half full” type of guy and as I thought about the year, I saw a lot of great things happen: I started writing this blog and it inadvertently helped me get to know a lot of you. Some I’d never met and now know and others that I now know on a deeper level. We were torn down, which allowed ourselves to be more vulnerable, approachable and accessible. I like authenticity and have seen a lot of it.  Like many of you, I have spent the year studying and researching immunology, guided by TV personalities that eventually led to politics and negativity. And I am exhausted by it. It brings absolutely nothing but heartache and yet it's so enticing.  I’ve shut the news off -or at least cable news- and that has helped tremendously. Do I really need more speculations other than my own? 

I just want facts:

When can I open?!

When can I get vaccinated?!

When can I travel?!

When can I take my mask off?!

One fact I am certain of is, I will keep the doors open... or I should say, “when allowed I will open my doors”. Soon we will get back to tea service, lattes and cookies. It will be crazy to see each other’s faces! I personally have gained quite a few new clients (and staff members!) and am eager to see what they look like!

I wish you the heartiest of blessings for a HAPPY 2021...

Let's Call This Purgatory

So… here we go again. 

We will be closing after Tuesday, December 8th and hope to reopen on January 8, 2021.

Honestly I am so upset right now, it is hard to think clear and entertain you with my usual clever quips. For the record, we have operated safely; no COVID scare... NOTHING... and I am forced to upend my life and the lives of my employees right before Christmas. I know I will survive this, but it destroys me to think they won’t meet their own financial needs, let alone buying gifts for loved ones. Sure I can sit and think about how lucky I am: I’m safe and healthy as is my family and my friends but right now I want to throw a pity party… or at least act out with some defiance and rage. Maybe I will just cry myself to sleep as I once again have no control over my life as our state leaders sit and make decisions based on what, I am not sure. I just wish they would say something that made sense, like “we are tracing transmissions in California to salons...” or maybe even ONE transmission associated with a salon, then I would say “Okay, let's shut it down to protect our community.” What I have read is approximately 70% comes from gatherings; gatherings where masks come off. I just need factual input so I can accept the news.

If anyone could help me make some sense of this, please reach out and share your thoughts.

Okay, moving on…

Our new system is officially live, which includes our own app! Booking appointments is quick and convenient, no password set-up necessary and you can also make no-contact payments from your phone. You will find it in the App Store under “Edwards Salon.” Download our app and get access to speakeasy cuts behind the curtain. :)

Please email me with any questions: edward@edwardssalon.com

It has been great to see so many of you these past few months. I apologize to those we will miss this month, but hope you all have a safe holiday and I look forward to a possible post-COVID, vaccinated, mask-free year of 2021…

Fingers crossed...

Still Here...

You didn’t think I was going away now that we’re open, did you?

We’ve completed three weeks of our “hybrid hair services” and things are going well! Keeping our outdoor setup as an option for clients has given us a greater amount of indoor space to maintain social distance. Our staff has been working hard to keep up with the protocols and the air scrubber is doing its magic. The icing on the cake was the seal of approval from a gracious client that happens to work for the health department. If you still have reservations about coming in, you can request to be the first or last client of the day. This would minimize exposure and as cautious as we are, we want you to feel comfortable during your time with us. 

I know I have said it many times in my past letters but I can’t thank you enough to all who have shared their encouraging words and appreciation for the hard work we have done to provide a safe environment. Just those simple comments have truly kept me going. 

On that note, I think we have a tendency to lean towards negative thinking; greatly understandable given our current circumstances. I will lean away from it and say my personal experience has been incredibly uplifting: every client that has walked through the door has given us a glimmer of light with their kindness. Being closed for 5 months has obviously changed things and continues to do so, but through the positive comments I see the light at the end of this hazy tunnel. I think we will need about six consistent months to shake things out but we will persevere. Many businesses have sadly closed but those remaining -such as my fellow business peer, Evo Spa- have finally gotten the green light to re-open indoors and they need the support now more than ever. Masks do work! I know I speak for other local businesses like ourselves that we appreciate it as much as you can imagine. And what better way to round out your day of pampering than a spa treatment! 

Okay, Salon Facts and Followings… 

We are in the final throes of setting up our new software! When this happens, details will follow. 

We are also introducing Oribe’s long-awaited treatment experience: Renewal Remedies. These treatments are custom-blended by your stylist to nurture hair back to health by way of foundations and amplifiers that target strengthening, smoothing and color retention. The cost is $40 but if you mention this blog, you’ll get $10 off your first treatment! My contribution for your time reading this!

Thank you again for your continued support. Please keep up with the kindness and empathy and I hope that extends to everyone around you. We have enough stacked against us right now; let's try to pull together because it really does make life better. 

Stay safe!

Winners Never Quit

Here come the floodgates. 

The announcement of outside hair services bothered me. Why are salons unsafe to work inside? If the argument is saturation, i.e. spending an hour inside an enclosed space, then why are we allowed to shop at a variety of stores? Is it our close proximity to you? Why are you allowed on a plane, sitting shoulder to shoulder with people in front and behind for hours, with recycled airflow? There is no good answer. Have I not compromised enough? Masks, plexiglass, taking temperatures, etc. Now I have to work outside? I think not! 

Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.

Then I thought of my Grandpa Salvatore: he spent weeks on a ship traveling here and shoveled coal into people’s furnaces in Brooklyn. He was a Mr. Fix-it and made something of himself. If I told him I refused the opportunity to work outside… that I’d rather lose my business… oh the shame I felt in that moment.

I will yet again do something I never thought I would. Is this an “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures” scenario or a more positive note like “necessity is the mother of invention?” Either way we are going for it; it’s that or shut the doors and add our name to the growing list of business closures up and down California.

Welcome to the great outdoors!

We have set up seven chairs outside our doors... literally right outside the doors. We will be operating Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Same rules apply with masks and sanitation; just keep an open mind and pretend we are in Hawaii… until the weather changes, then it’s day by day and at your discretion. We will be there, trying our best to serve you as best we can. Please come in with that attitude so we can all maintain grace under the circumstances. 

We are changing our software! 

I sincerely apologize for doing this again but hope it’ll be our last transfer, as this new software aids us in transitioning to the “new normal:” providing transactions with minimal contact. We will have our own App, which should make online booking more efficient. One key feature is an automatic check-in upon arrival (based on proximity) or you can opt to manually check in on your phone. This will then notify our front desk and your stylist that you’ve arrived and if permitted, we will text you when your stylist is ready. After your service, your bill is pushed to your phone and you can choose to pay directly rather than wait in a line at the front desk. 

It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.

I guess as a culture, we could point out all the things wrong but in reality, we’ve been good to each other. I know it's easy to think about that one person that refused to wear a mask or that cyclist on the trail that didn’t have one but for being locked down and with things so crazy, we prove that we are resilient. Kindness towards one another is far more powerful than upsetting each other so maybe a pat on the back for us all. 

I want to thank you all in advance for being patient with our changes as we navigate through this challenging time. We pride ourselves on not only our skill and creativity in doing your hair, but also the customer service we provide. We are working hard to bring back the warm hospitality to which you’ve grown accustomed.

Finally, my condolences to all the parents/caregivers of young children who are trying to make the Zoom thing work! School starting would normally provide some freedom for you to get things done; it is so hard. I know it and truly feel for you, and bravo for making the best of it!

~ Hope you are all safe and happy ~

“Say Goodnight, Gracie…”

(I’m sure the quote is lost on millennials but emails are passé anyway)

There is just so much to say…

We had a great two weeks. We operated safely and got used to 9-hour days with a mask on. We loved seeing a lot of you and miss the rest.  It was quite calm and with all the doors open, it was like being outdoors! 

I could speculate, but why? With global warming, do we really need more hot air blowing around? Even I get tired of listening to myself. Plus this is just the beginning; I’ll save my dark comments for Month #2. 

I will say this: if the problem is traced to backyard get-togethers then wouldn’t it make more sense to keep people busy with work rather than give them time to socialize? Just saying...

Okay, tactical details:  

We are closed again. 

It will take me roughly a week to get back into Color Kits.

If you have an appointment THIS WEEK (7/14-7/18), it is cancelled. Please expect a call the Friday before your appointment regarding either a cancellation or confirmation.  We are not going through the circus of rescheduling over and over like last time, therefore we will NOT rebook appointments until announcing a reopening date. Your name will be logged in the order of scheduled appointments and we will call you back in that order.

In the meantime, -with exception to Color Kits- we will suspend online booking services until further notice. I apologize for any inconvenience this may bring, and ask for your patience during this unprecedented time.

I wish your families the best… hope to see you soon.

And So It Begins...

Here is the much awaited announcement: 

WE ARE OPENING ON MONDAY, JUNE 29TH!!! 

It has been a long, arduous journey and far from over; we are making major changes to our service model until the virus is gone or mitigated. Please understand that we want to get back to normal; to make things enjoyable and provide First Class service, but that will have a much different look. 

As a young child, my family and I would vacation in Newport Dunes. They had so many rules, my dad nicknamed it the “Newport Don’ts!” Marin County’s “don’ts” have clipped me with another stage of emotions, so let’s just get them out of the way first...

In accordance with the Marin’s Reopening Guidelines, here our revised steps:

• MOST IMPORTANT: EVERYONE WEARS A MASK DURING THE ENTIRE VISIT.  We are aware of the challenges while wearing them during your service and are seeking creative solutions. If you are getting a color service, please wear a disposable mask as it will get stained.

• Confirmation calls will also include the general Covid questions: have you felt sick, have you been in contact with anyone that tested positive, etc. 

• Upon arriving, you can check in by either coming to our door or calling. We have room for a few people to wait inside but if there is an overflow, we will ask you to wait outside and we can call you when your stylist is ready.

• Temperature checks are required before your service.  

• We are suspending our snacks and beverage service. We will miss our lattes and cookies as much as you will! Food should be eaten outside. 

• We will no longer offer magazines and newspapers to avoid transmission. 

• We are not utilizing our changing rooms as it also increases the risk of transmission. 

• Robes will not be provided. 

• In compliance with the social distance protocol and after careful measuring, we are eliminating 8 workstations and allowing 10 stylists at a time. 

• Extra guests are not allowed during your appointment.

• Our Air Scrubber is working 24/7 to clean the air and all hard surfaces.  We will also keep doors open -weather permitting- so if you tend to get cold, please dress warmly or bring a layer.  

• Color clients- while processing and if weather permits, we encourage you to step outside of the salon for fresh air. We are fortunate to have a large sundeck on the premises and a scenic walking trail. You are also welcome to wait in your car until it is time to rinse your color.

• We are severely limited on space and work hours. This impacts the number of clients we can service daily so until we can maximize occupancy, we have to ask clients who are only getting a color service to leave damp. If you absolutely want a blowdry, we will have to charge as a full service rather than an add-on. 

I know some of you have been proactive about sheltering in place and this may be your first outing, so you are nervous. We are too! You will be in the salon anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours while we are there full time. My priority is to keep all of us safe and healthy while providing a stable environment for my staff, physically and mentally. They are MY frontline workers and most importantly, my work family. 

Here is my suggestion for whether or not to come in:

• If you believe this is overkill, wear a mask and come in

• If you are nervous but excited to get your hair done, wear a mask and come in.

• If you have ANY reservations about coming in, please don’t. Wait until you are one of the above. 

I know this could be frustrating for some, but we are reopening and you will get your hair done. Join us so we can be frustrated together!

The salon perks are different but not our work! We are excited to express our creativity again! Please be patient and accepting of this “temporary normal” as we adapt to everything that is thrown at us. 

We are on your side and look forward to reconnecting with you all! 

I want to personally thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this crazy journey I’ve been on for the past few months. I’ve discovered things about myself in the process and was grateful to have an outlet to express them. I used to view vulnerability as a weakness, therefore becoming self-reliant and not letting anyone in. I now see it as a strength because opening those gates have brought in new friendships, new emotions and a new sense of worth. Has my identity changed? It took an alternate path but the road back can be seen in the distance...

Thank you FROM ALL OF US for the support over the past few months.

We are grateful to no end!

The 5th Stage of Grief

Ready?... Set?... Oh Wait, Not Yet...

I’ve held off writing as I was waiting for something concrete to tell you all.

I’m sorry, that was a silly thought.  No one says anything concrete! Everyone speculates, ”we should be opening soon… soon we should be opening...“ 

Today was a swing and a miss.  If you heard the Governor’s announcement yesterday, then you -as did I- thought we would be opening our doors. Unfortunately the final decision is based on each county and Marin says no.  

I am going to write all the facts I know and have been communicated via our local government: 

{silence…}

Exactly.

Okay, here is the their actual response as of May 26, 2020:

“We’re not sure if hair salons will be allowed to re-open in Marin in 2-3 weeks. Our Public Health Officer will make decisions based on a variety of indicators. We may or may not give businesses a “heads up” about re-opening. We are trying to put together a timeline for the website indicating what’s open now and what will open next, but it’s a work in progress still. Ultimately, you and others need to sign up for Marin Recovers updates and be patient. Probably not the answer you want and I’m sure it’s frustrating. I think your best bet is to fill out the SPP and make sure you have all the supplies, etc. in place so when the County does re-open their salons, you’re good to go!”

It has taken me 7 weeks to find some peace so I am trying to stay off my soap box, but it is beckoning me to speak my mind! I will say this: when the SIP began, the goal was to control mass infection, and to not overload the hospitals so that our heroic frontliners could treat those in need. Our current numbers seem to show success for that objective, no? 

I have had a serious identity crisis. I have openly wept; not out of desperation for money, but for a sense of self-worth. I have always been self-reliant and am proud of it. I take pride in paying my full rent at the salon every month, especially during this tough time. I have made some right and wrong choices, but honor and integrity have always been the core of my being. This unprecedented time has rocked my identity because it impacts my staff and their well-being.  And I realize the well-being of those around me dictate my sense of worth. The uncertainty of our future is testing the foundation I’ve worked my life to build and become. 

At least I have a few sure things in my life: if my chickens stay alive and happy, I’ll have lots of eggs come November (when the next SIP will take place), and if I stay motivated then my landscaping project will be done sooner than anyone anticipated… including myself!

Okay, back to business...

Our Air Scrubber will be installed this week. If you missed my last mailing, it is a special purifier designed to kill virus particles with ultraviolet light. I am also looking into a program for my staff (and myself) to get tested before we return to work. All other details mentioned in my previous postings are in effect and ready.

Our personal frontliner, Mikaela, can only do so much so if you have an appointment for next week, please plan on rescheduling.  I would love to speculate when but at this point, it’s become redundant.  

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and support. My last writing was a bit dark -judging by the responses!- but know this: the real uprising is upon us! I miss our hair community and the comradery of my fellow stylists!

I wish you my best and look forward to sharing with you, mask-to-mask!  

We miss you all! 

“I Gotta Keep Breathing…”

I keep writing and deleting... I want to be a positive voice but after hearing the lockdown continued through May, I am feeling the first serious blow. I prepared for three weeks and six weeks... but ten weeks?! Maybe the thought was deep inside -locked away and not to be looked at- until forced upon me at this moment. 

Everyone has a breaking point and that was mine. I cried. Had a pity party but with social distancing in place, I was alone. Broken Man: Party of One, please?  I called a fellow salon owner and after a nice long rant, I felt better.  

Good news! I’ve been approved for the PPP loan! But wait, is it good news?! Maybe it will be ok... Wait a minute… no it won’t! The Government Train Wreck Strikes Again!!! Not weeks but MONTHS for salons?! Now I am questioning everything. 

PPP is not protecting anyone. Stipulations say I have to take my employees off unemployment (where in some cases they will now make less) even though I can’t open my business and if I pay 5% less I might be able to pay the last two months of rent and maybe I won't have to pay back the loan?? This loan for the business that I cannot open. How generous. 

OK got that off my chest. 

WE ARE SHUT DOWN UNTIL AT LEAST JUNE… 

Wow... saying that out loud sounds unbelievable. I do have a large landscape project I’d like to start; keep my boys and me busy. I’ve already built a chicken coop. Well it started out as a coop and became more like a compound! We have 20 chickens coming… This could be the driver to earmark us as an essential business. LOL

As mentioned in the previous email, I am pushing for standards we can adhere to so we can hit the ground running.  After seeing the diagram from China where it was believed that COVID-19 could potentially spread through the air handler,  I procured an “air scrubber” which kills virus particles with ultraviolet light. If only we could somehow get that light inside of us! Similar to a HEPA purifier but much more powerful, this will reduce potential for exposure and -along with our new guidelines- minimize transmission.  

I have planned and organized. I feel like we can handle this and do it safely.  Unfortunately the government says otherwise. No matter how I evade, Gavin Newsom says no.  Marin is pretty clean; I have watched countless people walk around Costco, Whole Foods and Home Depot without a mask and we did not have a spike. I’m trying not to go there but it’s hard.

I think my identity is in the salon: 28 years of independence, rolling with the times, surviving some terrible markets and recessions... but this? This exemplifies the term “make or break.” I feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway.  How long can I survive on this island? What will be left of my life should I survive?

I’m not sure what to say about opening except we will! Someday...? Our phone lines are still active and Mikaela is here for your scheduling and rescheduling needs. Your patience is greatly appreciated at this time.

I do want to thank all of you that have offered your support. Hearing the kind words and appreciation of the Color Kits really does keep me going. It is a hard time and I know a lot of you are experiencing similar things. We will persevere and come out stronger, with our Wilson volleyball in hand.

Captain's Log

Stardate 4.7.2020  

After 3 weeks of captivity

Hello all, 

In our continuing effort to stay ahead of the general population, we have some updates for you. 

After much thought and deliberation, we have come up with our own guidelines of how we plan to reopen… once we get the green light, of course.

I imagine (and hope) the Governor will come up with things like this, so we can make our best effort to return to what the “new normal” will look like.  

I can tell you that this took a lot of time and sacrifice of some hours of production .

Here we go: 

• First of all we are fortunate to have the set up we have: rather than the standard salon setup with chairs closely lined up in one space, our separate rooms enable us to see more clients with less people around! 

  Who would’ve known my design layout from 27 years ago would now exemplify social distance?!

• New hours for at least 2 months. We’ve created a schedule for stylists to work in “shifts” until we feel it is safe to shrink the “social distance barrier.”

• We will have no more than 2 stylists per room at any given time.   

• You may find a color client patiently waiting to be rinsed. While processing, conversation is limited so the potential threat of projecting particles is greatly reduced. 

• Guns are okay.  Just kidding… although now they are less of a threat than a sneeze. LOL

• We will wear masks and gloves at all times.

• For the safety of us and fellow clients, we require YOU to wear a mask as well. We’ll attempt to keep some on hand but if you do not have one, we may need to reschedule your appointment.

• Daily health checks with the staff.

• We will wipe down all surfaces and frequently-touched items periodically throughout the day. 

• We will no longer offer magazines to reduce the risk of transmission. 

• We are currently investigating our options for beverage service; whether to serve in disposable cups or suspend drinks for now. So please come hydrated!

• We will open sliding doors when possible to keep fresh air circulating.

• If you are feeling any type of illness -even a simple cold- we ask that you not come in and reschedule your appointment. 

I am not a doctor nor an infectious disease expert (though I’ve watched a lot of videos on Facebook!), but it does seem like common sense practices. Remember when “common sense” meant something? Now I’m afraid of what is common and what makes sense to some.  I’m sure the world will soon announce the requirement of wearing masks; and know that the proverbial mask we all wear (which hides our true inner self) doesn’t count... though it may help ☺

I’m impressed with all the clever and funny videos I’ve seen.  I’m also impressed with how well our community has handled it. Lots of people out there actually give a sh%t about each other!  I really hope we can keep this up; it’s been pleasant to have kind interactions and see people making extra efforts to show others how much they appreciate one another.

Yes, we are still making Color Kits. We will continue to provide this until we reopen! These are truly a labor of love; I feel like they provide something for all involved… at least that’s what I keep telling myself as I search for formulas. I’m seeing us standardize some things in the salon. We will get better! 

I keep forgetting to mention... We have a new online booking system which requires a credit card on file. I was trying to change this but with our current situation, it will reduce your contact with the terminals and provide a smooth check-out experience. 

I wish you all well and hope you are able to make the best of it.  We’ve connected the Salon phone to our manager, Mikaela’s house (poor her!), so communication on that front should be a bit better.