Modern Salon - March 2008 - (Page 36)

YOUR TURN Personna is a registered trademark of the American Safety Razor Co. m a de i n the U. S . A . Politics in the Salon Clients Don’t Care Just read “The Front Porch” (February Notebook) and had to respond. I learned a hard lesson about eight years ago. I was losing clients left and right and couldn’t figure out why. I spoke to my business partner for a little enlightenment. During that time in my life, I was going through some hard times personally. I was talking to all my clients about it. I did all the talking and none of the listening. Dawn, my business partner, asked me if I was ready for the truth. Of course I was a little scared, but definitely ready. She told me that clients don’t care about what you have to say; they want to talk about themselves. Okay, that’s a bit harsh—clients care a little about what you have to say. She was right. As soon as I made the appointment about them, my clientele flourished. I let my clients do all the talking. I only interject slightly and make it about them again. When it comes to politics, we really try to keep it out of the salon. It becomes a heated subject. Especially now. Our stations are pretty close together so there is no way of having a quiet conversation. Granted, there are some clients that I can be more personal with. I wear a different hat for each client. Every person sitting in my chair has different beliefs and values, so I have learned who I can talk to and who I should just listen to.—Michele Smith, Salon Bella, Colorado Springs Last month, Editor Mary Atherton asked if it’s possible to talk about politics openly in the salon. You responded: sharpen your creativity on the razor’s edge. personna blades. pirouette razor. always a cut above. CALL SPI LO WORLDWIDE TODAY FOR THE B L A D E N E A R E S T Y O U 1 - 8 0 0 - 3 4 7 - 74 5 6 AVAILABLE AT AND OTHER FINE BEAUTY DISTRIBUTORS I’m a community activist, plus owner of a salon with myself and one booth renter, and we have separate rooms—thankfully!—so our conversations with clients don’t overflow. My clients and I all talk about all subjects, until I feel blood pressure, tempers or feelings rise. Some of my clients are politicians themselves or married to, or children of, so there is some “truth” that gets told here. I see my part in the conversations as the question-asker. If someone starts talking about Hillary or whomever, I simply ask, “What have they said now?” If and when feelings go above “comfortable” (and all of us who stand behind our chairs know exactly the moment that “conversation” becomes too intense), then I change the subject. After all, my money comes from hair, and I need to keep this a “safe haven” for conversation. I’m on the board of our local business association, our YMCA and our local medical campus. I also have been our Christmas parade director for the past five years and am involved in the annual Harvest Festival. I believe politicians are called “public servants” for a reason, and I have our state’s legislative handbook on my desk. If anyone is having trouble with getting disability, medical coverage or needs whatever type of support, we pull the book out and share contact info. I love networking, and our business association members share clients very well. I like being able to give my clients references to people of quality—insurance, eye care, medical care, whatever. Oh, and I LOVE playing with hair!—Joyce Judd, Joyful Creations Salon, Travelers Rest, South Carolina Continued on page 38 Blood Pressure Monitor 36 MARCH 2008 www.modernsalon.com http://www.modernsalon.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Salon - March 2008

Modern Salon - March 2008 Contents Behind the Cover Notebook @ModernSalon.com Contributors Your Turn New-Now-Next Modern Portfolio Modern Reports Ask the Experts Choose Beauty In Full Bloom Color Fact Pack The Facts: Fact Pack Hair Color Business: Great Growth The Future of Color Case Study: Bad Hair Gone Good Professional Profile The List Metropolis Pleated Color Modern Update The Goods Personal Style

Modern Salon - March 2008

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