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.