Modern Salon - September 2008 - (Page 62)

YOUR BUSINESS continued from 60 Does your favorite product MAKE THE CUT? Go to beautyindustryfund.com to be conﬁdent that your dollars are supporting the brands that are supporting the beauty industry. What happens in games matters because they create an overall impression about a profession and reinforce existing attitudes. Day in the Life Speaking anonymously, an industry consultant agreed on the game’s focus on tips as a reward. He says he’s seen walkouts over any hint of mistrust about tips finding their way to the right person. “Tips should be kept in sealed envelopes, and if anyone messes with them, look out.” Cash is most definitely king. Although “Sally’s Salon” was developed a few years back, it also understands stylists’ need for the hottest $500 outfit—that’s the cost if you want to splurge with your tips like real stylists tend to do. (Certain NYC salons require the staff wear designer duds.) You can also get swanky furniture, buy upgrades for a couple grand or hire an assistant for $3,000—no indication how long a term that covers or if there’s a noncompete. There’s no 401(k), sadly reflective of reality, but it would have been nice to track if any players tucked it away for a rainy day. On a recent gameplay, a $90 service netted a $6 tip—which seems near insult, until you realize the 5.4-percent tip came from a less-than-satisfied client who was left virtually “waiting” for far too long. At “Sally’s,” time management matters and you must be able to multi-task to make cash. Maybe it’s a good thing real-time clients aren’t so precise with a tip-to-waittime formula. What’s really interesting about the game is that every action has an equal and positive reaction. Do good work: Move ahead. Make a profit: Get to upgrade yourself. Buy better equipment: Morph to happier, higher-paying clients. Stay on course: Reap reward. There are no know-nothing bosses, ego-trippers or underminers. Okay, so it might give young and young-at-heart women pie-in-the sky ideas about the working world. But maybe it’ll also offset a particularly irksome view of ‘dressers: That they are mainly a bunch of women who don’t make real money. Visit beautyindustryfund.com today for your chance to receive a special offer from Joico. First-time registrants only ers called a bit of a “chore.” “Sally’s Salon” is a success precisely because it’s all good. You get to interact and have fun without getting killed off by some mutant opponent. Making customers happy is the name of the game: Do it and you make good coin. Hairdressers genuinely enjoy that aspect of real salon life, and divas and drama aside, many non-virtual women don’t want careers with conflict. So what’s wrong with that? And why, then, have some bloggers taken aim at the game with reproachful remarks? Exhibit A: “Ah yes doing its part to show women their place in the 21st century.” Exhibit B: “You are on the verge of killing 25 years of feminine progress in America.” Exhibit C: “As a female who enjoys games like ‘Gears of War’ and ‘Command & Conquer 3,’ this is a little insulting—but if that’s what older females have been begging for, they can have what they want.” As for the new female macho, we won’t go there. The game’s own stats do show an older age-group prefers it. Yet women who know how to play the real game of life as salon caregivers have become millionaires, traveled the world, taught thousands and showed off their artistry on global platforms to hundreds of thousands—all because they’re real-life “Sallys.” Besides, demo-ing that the business is fun just might nudge the idea that hairdressing is a great career with a no-holds-barred future. More than a few women are hip to that fact: According to an article at blackelectorate.com, “In the U.S., black female salon owners are among the most successful entrepreneurs in their communities.” Just because a job is saddled with a “traditionalist” aura doesn’t mean it’s not for players. “Sally’s Salon” may be spreading that message, and that’s a good thing. So, here’s to all the ”Sallys,” Hershberger and otherwise monikered. Stay the course. Make a profit. And upgrade yourself to a blonde, redhead or brunette. It’s a bona-fide hairdresser’s tradition. n Play “Sally’s Salon” and discover fun ways to use what you learn at www.modernsalon.com under business. She’s Got Game The first beauty-themed casual game was “Belle’s Beauty Boutique,” which review- CLICK! 62 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.modernsalon.com http://beautyindustryfund.com http://beautyindustryfund.com http://blackelectorate.com http://www.modernsalon.com http://www.modernsalon.com

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

Modern Salon- September 2008 Contents Behind the Cover Notebook Contributors Modernsalon.com Modersalonlearning.com New-Now-Next Modern Portfolio Modern Reports Ask the Experts Games Women Play News and Trends Using Safe Chemical Combinations Ask Beth Toolbox Haute Heads Fall Fantasy Fit for Fall Modern Hair Modern Beauty Modern Education The Goods Personal Style

Modern Salon - September 2008

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