Hair salon stays ahead of the curve

"Cutting Edge Technology" for the Salon!

Was it Beauty or Bust??

Younger buyers are throwing more dollars at iPods, cell phones, and other electronics—a problem when, like Sephora, the under-25 crowd makes up 50 percent of your clientele. And the rising price of oil doesn't just make gasoline more expensive, but cosmetics ingredients and packaging (often made of plastic) as well. No wonder L'Oréal's U.S. revenues fell 7 percent in the first quarter of 2008 and Procter &am p; Gamble's stock has been in a slump all year.

Not all sectors of the beauty industry are created equal, and that is especially true now. "Fragrance is getting it the worst," Grant says. "That particular category is the least recession-proof, at least in the U.S." Men's and women's fragrance sales declined last year to a total of $2.94 billion, according to NPD, their lowest level since 2003.

Since perfume doesn't have the visible results of lip gloss or wrinkle cream, and can have a comparatively high price tag, it is often the first beauty item consumers sacrifice when times are tight. "Fragrance is not something you have to have to look good," explains independent retail consultant Patricia Pao. "If anything is going to suffer in a recession, the fragrance industry g enerally has a harder time."

It had already been hurting since 9/11, in part because celebrity fragrances have also become industry drivers. They attract younger buyers, but require a huge (and expensive) marketing push at launch, and they don't have the lasting appeal of more classic scents. The past six months have been particularly tough for the fragrance sector, since it relies heavily on holiday sales. According to the National Retail Federation, the 2007 holiday sales season (overall, not just beauty) was the weakest since 2002, with sales rising just 3 percent to $469.9 billion. (One area that is doing well for some brands, like Victoria's Secret Beauty and Marc Jacobs: body fragrances, which are less expensive.

WELCOME 20009!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The new year is approaching fast--everyone will be talking about resolutions.  Lots of you have written in for advice on how to get along with co-workers, employees, how to make a move, when to know the right time....basically the tone of this blog is to address all that, give clarity.....which brings this little summary to mind. 

Think about it and hopefully you can position your career and your goals to where you want them. 

if you could start all over again....
You could have different friends
You could change professions and be something else
You could keep your mouth shut
You could have studied and got good grades
You have taken that trip
You could live someplace else
You could not make that mistake
You could apologize
You could marry someone else
You could drive a different car
have a bigger bank account
You could save more money
You could see things differently
and react less
You could say more
You could say hello or say goodbye
You could tell no lies
You could tell lies
You could have not regrets
You could smile more
You could be a vegitarian, humanitarian, animal right activist
You could not
You could get hurt
You could hurt someone
You could stop drinking/smoking/addicting
You could live free
You could spend everything
You could want more
You could need less
You could be happier
You could be sadder
You could be funny
You could be not
You could be rich
or poor
You could care and you could care less
You could be spiteful
You could be crazy
You could be sick
You could be fat
You could be skinny
You could be prettier or more handsome
You could be ugly
You could be handicapped
You could be in the Olympics
You could be in prison
You could be the President
You Could!
So remember all the things that you could be and then take a look in the mirror.....do you like what you see?
You CAN change.

By:  Sue C.

I.B.A.

Celebrate!

The Holidays are in ramping up....some may say, "In Full Swing" and what better time to hold a themed party, whether it be to celebrate the new President of the United States, Thanksgiving, New Years.....etc....there's a theme out there for everyone!

Brainstorm - Your employees know your clients best and know what they will respond to.  Start early planning your event, team with other businesses to supercharge your party!  A broad spectrum will  bring you prospective clients who might never have thought of stopping in!

Host a VIP client party after hours.

Host a charity fundraiser - generates great publicity!

Successful events appeal to the heart rather than to the wallet

Make it fun!  When you have a themed event, every detail of your business should reflect and support the topic.  Exhibit the theme in your salon decor,  your dress, the food, the music, and in the mailer.

Make your location a festive atmosphere for weeks leading up to the big event - this will energize everyone!

You are only limited by your imagination.  Simple ideas such as holidays around the world -- each workstation decorated as a different city, Paris, London, Tokyo!  Display pictures around the salon of clients visiting that city in your shop!

Have fun and be creative - enjoy what you are doing and your guests will too!

Happy Holidays!

I.B.A.

International Beauty Association "POLL"

WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT ?

As you all know, as a beauty professional, our ear is often the one that hears it all....we are the Epicenter of every Community across this Nation. Now, let your choice be heard.....we'd love to see what kind of change or otherwise is heating up the beauty world?  

THE INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY ASSOCIATION~ Has created this Blog as a Space for You to voice Your Opinion on who You think the next President of The United States of America will be and why?

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD !

Seeing the trend will be fun and interesting!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME...

I.B.A.~

I give everyone in this industry credit for one thing and that is you should be commended for taking your art and your passion beyond just a creative stage and merging it with your profession....but now that you are "in business" who said you were made for being a business professional?  Running your own business or dreaming about doing so one day requires much more knowledge.......well beyond being great at your craft.  Try not to forget about education not only for your passion, but also for your profession.

Keeping in mind you are an artist first and a business person second....a good impression will get you far....but carrying it through will take you places.

PROFESSIONAL IMAGE:

When you go into business for yourself, image is very important. Your professional image affects your reputation. Your reputation affects the number of clients you'll be able to attract. The number and the quality of the clients you attract will affect your success as a professional.

The image you project on the phone, in your advertising, on your web site, and in your transactions with clients will directly influence the success of your practice. While your practice will always retain your personal touch, there are a few general guidelines and suggestions you can observe to help project a positive and respectable image to your clients and other business associates.

THE TELEPHONE:

Be courteous and professional on the phone. Project confidence, sincerity, honesty, and fairness to all who call. Your answering machine should also project confidence, sincerity, honesty, and fairness. Pay attention to your voice and make sure it is controlled and comfortable.  If it is not, find someone who can do this part for you better.

MAKING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

Make a good first impression. Anyone you meet is a potential client. You never know when you're going to gain another clients. So keep your antenna up. Make sure everyone you meet is favorably impressed with you. This means you need to make sure you are personable, helpful, attentive, and concerned about your prospect's needs or problems. Dress for success. Pay attention to your voice. Make sure you web site gets a favorable review from several colleagues before you launch your site.

ANSWERING MACHINE ETTIQUITE

Set up your answering machine or answering service. The message (and voice) your clients and prospects hear should represent you as professionally. Consider indicating your hours of operation in your message. Returns calls promptly. Leave a different message to indicate extended unavailability such as holidays or vacations. Some answering machines make this convenient by allowing you to store more than one out-going message.

Return ALL calls!

ADVERTISING

Set up your advertising. Work with a professional to design a professional "look and feel" for your advertisements. Advertising need not be expensive or lavish. Start out with free or low-cost ads and work your way up as you see them bringing you results.

MENTORING/COACHING 

 Most people who are confident enough to have the desire to go into business for themselves already have a good handle on their image.  Model yourself after other successful people that you admire.  Ask them if you can interview them, or follow them for a day -- most successful people will be happy to mentor, they may have done the same thing when they started out.  Look into coaching programs....they work, I've used them!  It's okay not to know all the answers. Admit your mistakes, move on, learn from them.

DELEGATE

Lastly, learn to delegate.....Having other people do things for you frees you up to do what you should be doing - what it is you do best.

MAINTENANCE

These are just a small snippet of examples of what we can do....even those of us who are established and have been doing this for a long time, need maintenance from time to time...no one is beyond improvement. 

Wishing you the best with your business.

International Beauty Association - Thanks for reading - your comments are welcome!

One particularly creative salon in the suburbs of Boston was recently featured for their ingenious method of extending it's fundraising reach for cancer research by offering pink hair extensions during the month of October -- Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This heartwarming idea spurred from word that one of their endeared clients', a young mom of four, had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer just 10 months earlier. While nursing her newborn, she discovered the lump that changed her life.  Had it not been for the baby, she might not have discovered it.  Now, 10 months later, having already struggled with chemo and radiation, she still faces surgery, all the while having to care for four young children.

The salon's pink hair extensions have always been popular with the young girls so they thought it would be the perfect fit for the Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser.    The plan offers pink hair extensions for kids and adventurous moms for $7 with $2 set aside for the cause.  The salon is also offering mini pink mani's for $10, again with $2 of that set aside.  Of the $2 per sale reserved, half will go to research and the other half will go directly to the family.  In addition, they also plan to sell bracelets and breast cancer awareness pins where all the money goes directly toward funding cancer research.

The salon owner said she would also have a donation box out so even if people don't want hair extensions or need a pink manicure, they can still stop by and make a donation.

Expect to see some pink amongst the soceer mom's this season!  Celebrate good ideas by spreading them!  We hope you run with it and put your own spin to a great reason to collaborate business with making the world better!

Let us know how you do!

Sue

Creative Director/VP

Boston

I've been getting a lot of mail from beauty professionals who are unhappy.  It seems to be a common denomenator that their work environment or co-workers and/or boss are causing the unrest.  I can hear in their voice that they love their career and that it is the outside influences that are stifling their passion and they don't know how to avoid others bringing them down.  I thought I would share with you some great suggestions that may help put you in the mindset to overcome these on-the-job annoyances and assist you in clearing your head and making some important decisions that may effect the course of your career! 

Keep in mind, all of these situations may not apply, but even if you have some unhappiness at work, read these suggesgtions, I'm sure at least one will apply!

Doing what you love should help you love what you are doing, But being surrounded by the right people and resources can only better that result!  Take a good look at where you are and what you are doing -- sometimes you need to make a change on the outside, and sometimes the change needs to come from you on the inside - I hope you can figure it out!

Help, I hate my job!!

We've all been in a job we hate, the pushy boss, gossiping colleagues, tedious work and angry customers have all made us wish we could be somewhere else each day. Sometimes, we feel so anxious about going in the next day it ruins our free time as well. Don't let yourself feel this way any longer. Make the best out of a bad situation by reading the following ten tips to help you stay positive in your job.

Set yourself a date to quit 

Give yourself a realistic time to find an alternative source of income and set yourself a date when you will quit your job. Knowing that you won't be in a work place you dislike forever will make it easier during the time you have left. Once you've set yourself a quit date do everything you can to find alternative work. Join recruitment agencies, apply for jobs, network with existing contacts, or start a night class to get more qualifications. Do whatever it takes to move yourself somewhere you'll feel happier. If you want to change your career but are worried about how you will afford it financially check out my lens

 

Take on a positive outlook 

Give yourself small rewards 

Reward yourself throughout the day for doing your job. Do a task you dislike first and reward yourself by doing a task you love. Give yourself a square of chocolate after each hours work. Take a 5 minutes break or walk around the office. You could even put together a plan of the rewards you will earn throughout the day so you have various treats to look forward to. This may help you look at your day at work differently. Finally, give yourself a reward at the end of the day by reading a magazine, watching your favourite TV show or having a soak in the bath.

Do something enjoyable at lunchtime 

Make sure you have something to look forward to doing in your breaks. Read you favourite book, magazine or newspaper. Go out for a walk, sit in the park or go shopping. Take the time to call or e-mail a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Even better, meet up with friends who work close by. Listen to music or a podcast on your ipod or computer. Or, be really creative, people do things like rollerblading in parks near their work. Above all, DON'T work. Remember your lunch hour is an hour off - they don't pay you for it. So make the most of your free time. Additionally research shows that people who take a lunch hour are more productive during the rest of the day.

Books to help you feel happier at work 

How to Be Happy at Work: A Practical Guide to Career Satisfaction

by Arlene S. Hirsch

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 09/21/2008)

Happy at Work: Ten Steps to Ultimate Job Satisfaction

by Sophie Rowan

Amazon Price: (as of 09/21/2008)

Brilliant Life: How to Live a Brilliant, Balanced Life

by Michael Heppell

Amazon Price: (as of 09/21/2008)

Add your own tip for staying happy at work - leave us your comment!

Thanks for reading I.B.A.'s blogspace!

You know the old saying "I never win anything!"

Well, guess what....remember the blog about contests and giveaways.....well, I really do read these and participate...when I think they are good, I share them with you - so, I took a minute and wrote my entry......Look who just won a beautiful designer necklace on my new favorite beauty website, Stylelist!

StyleList Melanie Auld Giveaway winner

Email thisPosted Sep 16th 2008 at 5:37PM by Kristen Seymour

Filed under: Accessories, Contests & Giveaways

We are so happy to announce the winner of the Melanie Auld Owl Necklace -- Sue, who writes, "Owls stand for Intelligence so I would definitely wear my HOOT with any outfit that I want to look 'smart' in! I give it 10 HOOTS! Can't wait to show off my OWL this fall!"

Winners for our contest are randomly selected, but we have to say, we really enjoyed hearing about the outfits all of you stylish readers would wear this necklace with. You're all so fashionable, and we love it!

Keep in mind that, if you didn't win but are still interested in Melanie's designs, you can check out her website -- many pieces are under $200 (or even under $100), and you know, the holidays are coming up before too long!

Instead of writing about the next best fashion/beauty idea, I copied this press release from the American Red Cross so that by chance your compter has not taken you there, you will see it, read it, and help our friends who are in need at this time:   More than 20,000 in Shelters in Four States

WASHINGTON, Saturday, September 13, 2008 — American Red Cross workers are providing shelter, food and emotional support for tens of thousands affected by Hurricane Ike.  From Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Houston, Texas, the Red Cross is there, on the ground, providing relief.

Last night, as Hurricane Ike came ashore, the Red Cross sheltered more than 20,000 people across four states, providing cots, blankets, toiletries and emotional support. 

The Red Cross has over 1 million shelf stable meals available for distribution post landfall.  There are 25-30 kitchens ready to be put in place, as soon as it is determined safe, with the capability to serve up to 500,000 meals per day. These kitchens will be located in areas close to the impacted areas where fixed and mobile feeding operations will start. Over 120 mobile feed trucks are poised to assist in the delivery of food, water and bulk supplies to people who are returning to their homes.

Although search and rescue is a mission for Federal, state and local governments, the Red Cross is ready to accept those rescued into our evacuation shelters.  The Red Cross has moved additional units of blood into Northern Texas to address possible medical needs resulting from the catastrophic storm.

Evacuees are encouraged to register on Safe and Well (disastersafe.redcross.org), the Web site that allows people directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know that they are okay.  Safe and Well is also accessible through the American Red Cross public Web site, www.redcross.org.  For those without internet access, you can register yourself and your family by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). Follow the prompts for disaster information.

As the Red Cross continues helping individuals and families battered by the 2008 storms and hurricanes, a national fundraising campaign has been launched to raise an initial $100 million to fill a Disaster Relief Fund depleted after an active year of disasters.  The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to help victims of disasters meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. 

You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. You can log-on to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) to make a donation. You can also use your cell phone to donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by text messaging they keyword "GIVE" to "2HELP" (24357). You can send multiple donations depending on your carrier. Contributions will appear on monthly bills or be debited from a pre-paid account balance. All applicable text rates apply.

About the American Red Cross:
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Hurricanes of 2008, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

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