I have been off work the past week - basically to try and catch up on all the things I wanted to do - should have done & relax! Sadly I have failed miserably and I would like another week off and just turn off my phone and chill out.
All this week has been taken up with chatting to my group from the FHBF and other friends about skin tests and colourstart. It would seem that most are still unclear in certain areas about the situation; some are waiting to see what others are going to do before they make a decision and the odd one or two.... nothing.
My dear mother had a saying that she would use every so often - obviously it must have come up quite a few times over my childhood as it is ingrained in the cells of my brain.... 'if so & so put his head in the gas oven - would you do the same'?
Most of you seem worried about the whole thing and to be honest so was I; one thing has become clear to me. For years I have wanted to be considered as a 'professional' and not 'just a hairdresser'. I have fought to maintain a professional image and worked on this over the years. Sadly not everyone looks upon us as professionals. A lot of people hate change and never see the positive in a situation - only a negative. Well nows your chance to change all that.
Now wouldn't life be easier if we didn't have all this skin testing lark - we could get on with our job as easily as possible and not worry about a thing. Now I would like you to imagine a scenario I am about to put forward.....
You have been colouring peoples hair for years and nothing has ever gone wrong - in the past; you get a new client call you and she wants her hair cut & maybe a colour to go with the new image she wants.... great I have a three hour gap and I was going to have to sit at home and do nothing and I could do with some extra money this week as things were a bit quiet last week. Fit her in and grab the dosh. So you get there & have a consultation; the colour is not a problem as you have already bought some stock from the wholesalers - easy peasy. Slap it on and away you go. She has coloured her hair for years - so no problem there - she has both dyed her own hair in the past as well as having it done in a salon.
After a while she starts to complain it is feeling a bit uncomfortable but you reassure her not to worry - you have done this loads of times on people and nothing has ever happened. By the time it is due to take the colour off your client you can see clearly she has had some sort of reaction. So you finish quickly and take the money and run! Maybe you even tell her to visit her doctor if it gets worse. A couple of days later you hear that she has gone to her doctor because she had huge raised blisters covering her whole scalp, itching, redness, lumps behind her ear and a swollen neck!
How would you feel if that happened to one of your clients? Would you feel like carrying on hairdressing. Now you knew that you should have skin tested but hey my friend Danny never does skin tests so why should I? After all it is a pain, its hard enough with all the traveling I have to do without having to drive over to someone 48 hours before to do a blinking skin test. I don't earn enough as it is - and the price of my tints are cheap anyhow - so why should I do skin tests too! After all they don't pay me for it!
Well why are you not charging for skin tests? Is your time not worth it? Don't you think you should get paid for what you do? Maybe it's our fault we are not making enough money - we are not educating our clients that 'Time is money'. Did you know that Toni & Guy are now charging for using straightening irons on their clients? Next time you are passing one of their salons - ask for a price list. For some years now I have made it my policy to go into salons and ask for a price list. After all I AM in business and I need to know what the market forces are.
Here now is your opportunity to not only safeguard yourself from a disaster and feeling like crap but you can turn it round to not only making yourself look professional but BEING PROFESSIONAL! If it is not practical for you to go to your client 48 hours before to skin test then there is another way round this.....
Colourstart - Taking sensitivity Seriously. Now I am not going to do your job for you - I have spent enough time the last few months talking & debating over this to friends & colleagues. So if you want to know more - RTFM - (Read the Flipping Manual). Hilights has covered this the last two issues; the federation has brought out new consultation leaflets and record cards to reflect this too. So phone Head Office to buy some. Colourstart is available from Trichocare Diagnostics Ltd. Their telephone number is 01525 288 881 (Web address is in earlier blog)
They will send you out an informative leaflet with a sample of the patch test so you can see exactly how it works. Anne Plunkett usually answers the phones & her husband is the trichologist. They will tell you the prices of the tests (£37.00 for 50 tests) and they get cheaper if you bulk order. So of you get a few of you together then it will work out cheaper for you! Anne has stated that it is possible to order a bigger amount and not take all of the order out at once - so in essence they will hold the stock for you. That way you don't have to worry about the 6 month use by date expiring.
Also I would like to share with you some other info regarding this area. I attended a meeting with the Surrey branch of the FHBF earlier this week and I was talking to one of their members; she told me of one of her neighbors that recently had a colouring disaster... she had recently put a colour on her own hair - nothing unusual in that as she had done the same thing for years - only this time she had an allergic reaction. The same member that related this story to me had recently been diagnosed as having a wheat allergy and had spent some time in hospital as a result of this. I myself developed an allergy to certain nuts after years of not having any problems whatsoever.
A few people have asked me what I think about how to broach the subject to clients about skin testing. I think you have just got to tell them that you are doing it for their protection. Ask them if they are aware that more people are having adverse reactions to colour. A client only this evening said to me.... 'but I have had colour for years now - I cannot ever see me having an allergic reaction'! I told her it was for her benefit that I was doing it and there was the possiblity that she could become sensitive to tint. Some become quite indignant when told that you need to do a skin sensitivity rest saying 'but I have had my hair coloured in salons for years and never had a test. I always ask them why and point out that it is a requirement from the colour companies and that all professionals SHOULD test.
Just think about how you are going to present this to them and make it in a positive light that will make you good & show that you ARE professional & that all Professionals DO skin test.
Good Luck! I have done two patches already :-)
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Monday, 18 June 2007
FREELANCE OR MOBILE?
I am afraid this one has been a 'bone of contention' with me for some time. I personally hate the word 'mobile' and I do not feel it allows 'us' to break out of that cheap mould that hairdressers or hair stylists have been stuck in for some time!
When I decided to go freelance around thirty odd years ago one had to be cheaper than the salon (note the word cheap used here). Also hairdressers that worked in salons and did a bit of work after hours for cash were cheaper because they were doing it in your home. People didn't expect to pay the going rate because you were in their home; using their electricity and their shampoo. Basically as far as they were concerned you had a job and so you couldn't expect to get paid as much as the salon.
Now where does the term Freelance come from? Well as far as I can see it's root goes back to medieval times when there were mercenary's. The word comes from free lance. Basically you rented your lance to whoever paid you! You had no allegiance to one particular person. ORIGIN early 19th cent.(denoting a mercenary): originally as two words.
I have looked in a few dictionaries as well as online and this is what I have found:-
freelance |ˌfriːlɑːns| (also free-lance) adjective working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company : a freelance journalist. • independent or uncommitted in politics or personal life. adverb earning one's living in such a way : I work freelance from home.
freelance adjective freelance writers are invited to submit articles self-employed, independent, contract.
freelancer noun a person who works freelance.
Found on Wikipedia:-
A freelancer or freelance worker is a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer. The term was first coined by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) in his well-known historical romance Ivanhoe to describe a "medieval mercenary warrior." The phrase later transitioned to a figurative noun around the 1860s and was then officially recognized as a verb in 1903 by various authorities in etymology such as the Oxford English Dictionary. Only in modern times has the term morphed from a noun (a freelance or a freelancer) into various verb forms (a journalist who freelances), and an adverb (she worked freelance).
The Internet has opened up many freelance opportunities, expanding markets and helping to build it into one of the largest economic segments for many economies. Development for freelancing has been especially high for software development, website design, information technology, and business documentation.
Freelance practice varies greatly. Some require clients to sign written contracts, while others may perform work based on verbal agreements, perhaps enforceable through the very nature of the work. Some freelancers may provide written estimates of work and request deposits from clients.
Payment for freelance work also varies greatly. Freelancers may charge by the day or hour, or on a per-project basis. Instead of a flat rate or fee, some consultants have adopted a value-based pricing method based on the perceived value of the results to the client. By custom, payment arrangements may be upfront, percentage upfront, or upon completion. For more complex projects, a contract may set a payment schedule based on milestones or outcomes.
Mobile adjective |ˌməʊbʌɪl| able to move or be moved freely or easily. Traveling; transportable. A sculpture or a toy
A mobile is a type of kinetic sculpture constructed to take advantage of the principle of equilibrium. It consists of a number of rods, from which weighted objects or further rods hang. The objects hanging from the rods balance each other, so that the rods remain more or less horizontal. Each rod hangs from only one string, which gives it freedom to rotate about the string.
A mobile telephone or cellular telephone (commonly, "mobile phone" or "cell phone") is a long-range, portable electronic device used for mobile communication.
So are we 'portable' and able to move around freely & easily or are we freelance and rent our lance to whoever will pay for it? The term seems to have a more professional connotation to it in the 21st century; obviously the type of person using this term to explain away their job description. Interesting that IT people & journalists (usually highly paid fields) have adapted it to describe their 'profession'.
Call yourself what you want - but I know what I prefer ;-)
When I decided to go freelance around thirty odd years ago one had to be cheaper than the salon (note the word cheap used here). Also hairdressers that worked in salons and did a bit of work after hours for cash were cheaper because they were doing it in your home. People didn't expect to pay the going rate because you were in their home; using their electricity and their shampoo. Basically as far as they were concerned you had a job and so you couldn't expect to get paid as much as the salon.
Now where does the term Freelance come from? Well as far as I can see it's root goes back to medieval times when there were mercenary's. The word comes from free lance. Basically you rented your lance to whoever paid you! You had no allegiance to one particular person. ORIGIN early 19th cent.(denoting a mercenary): originally as two words.
I have looked in a few dictionaries as well as online and this is what I have found:-
freelance |ˌfriːlɑːns| (also free-lance) adjective working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company : a freelance journalist. • independent or uncommitted in politics or personal life. adverb earning one's living in such a way : I work freelance from home.
freelance adjective freelance writers are invited to submit articles self-employed, independent, contract.
freelancer noun a person who works freelance.
Found on Wikipedia:-
A freelancer or freelance worker is a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer. The term was first coined by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) in his well-known historical romance Ivanhoe to describe a "medieval mercenary warrior." The phrase later transitioned to a figurative noun around the 1860s and was then officially recognized as a verb in 1903 by various authorities in etymology such as the Oxford English Dictionary. Only in modern times has the term morphed from a noun (a freelance or a freelancer) into various verb forms (a journalist who freelances), and an adverb (she worked freelance).
The Internet has opened up many freelance opportunities, expanding markets and helping to build it into one of the largest economic segments for many economies. Development for freelancing has been especially high for software development, website design, information technology, and business documentation.
Freelance practice varies greatly. Some require clients to sign written contracts, while others may perform work based on verbal agreements, perhaps enforceable through the very nature of the work. Some freelancers may provide written estimates of work and request deposits from clients.
Payment for freelance work also varies greatly. Freelancers may charge by the day or hour, or on a per-project basis. Instead of a flat rate or fee, some consultants have adopted a value-based pricing method based on the perceived value of the results to the client. By custom, payment arrangements may be upfront, percentage upfront, or upon completion. For more complex projects, a contract may set a payment schedule based on milestones or outcomes.
Mobile adjective |ˌməʊbʌɪl| able to move or be moved freely or easily. Traveling; transportable. A sculpture or a toy
A mobile is a type of kinetic sculpture constructed to take advantage of the principle of equilibrium. It consists of a number of rods, from which weighted objects or further rods hang. The objects hanging from the rods balance each other, so that the rods remain more or less horizontal. Each rod hangs from only one string, which gives it freedom to rotate about the string.
A mobile telephone or cellular telephone (commonly, "mobile phone" or "cell phone") is a long-range, portable electronic device used for mobile communication.
So are we 'portable' and able to move around freely & easily or are we freelance and rent our lance to whoever will pay for it? The term seems to have a more professional connotation to it in the 21st century; obviously the type of person using this term to explain away their job description. Interesting that IT people & journalists (usually highly paid fields) have adapted it to describe their 'profession'.
Call yourself what you want - but I know what I prefer ;-)
Sunday, 17 June 2007
SENSITIVITY TESTING
Yes this is a 'Bone Of Contention' for most of us. We all got freaked out at how this change has affected us and the way we do business. As most of you know our previous insurers allowed us to skin test once a year to cover ourselves and fulfill our 'professional obligations' as freelancers.
Now thanks to the FHBF (like it or not) WE ARE aware of our position as far as skin tests (See Summer 2007 HIGHLIGHTS magazine); now there is NO excuse for NOT reading YOUR copy of HILIGHTS - remember it's your job to keep abreast of YOUR responsiblility to your clients. This information is to protect both yourselves as well as your clients & fulfill your obligations as far as Health & Safety requirements.
Now this IS NOT A THREAT but to help YOU and make your life easier! By now you should be aware of what colourstart is about and if your not then look up now http://www.trichocare.co.uk/colourstart/ and read up what it's all about.
Like me you might find it a bit difficult to lay out a load of dosh on this product - in which case why not get together with friends or others in your regional group and buy in bulk. That way you might then be able to take advantage of the discounts available for bulk orders. Just remember if you DO this then make sure you cough up the money to the person taking the trouble to buy the goods on your behalf - DONT LET THEM DOWN! They are not just doing it for themselves but your benefit too ;-)
You could even get together with other groups and not just members in your own group. I have spoken to colourstart and they are out to try and help us to 'buy in' to their product.
I hope this info is of help to you and may just encourage you to think of how your business is affected by this situation. Both Sheila and John Huscroft stated both the FHBF's situation as well as Wella's over this issue at INSPIRATIONS 2007.
REMEMBER - If you don't follow the manufacturers istructions then your Public Liability is NULL & VOID! Colourstart might cost a bit but it fills this gap - remember your training from your Profile On Potential course and build the cost into your bill!
Now thanks to the FHBF (like it or not) WE ARE aware of our position as far as skin tests (See Summer 2007 HIGHLIGHTS magazine); now there is NO excuse for NOT reading YOUR copy of HILIGHTS - remember it's your job to keep abreast of YOUR responsiblility to your clients. This information is to protect both yourselves as well as your clients & fulfill your obligations as far as Health & Safety requirements.
Now this IS NOT A THREAT but to help YOU and make your life easier! By now you should be aware of what colourstart is about and if your not then look up now http://www.trichocare.co.uk/colourstart/ and read up what it's all about.
Like me you might find it a bit difficult to lay out a load of dosh on this product - in which case why not get together with friends or others in your regional group and buy in bulk. That way you might then be able to take advantage of the discounts available for bulk orders. Just remember if you DO this then make sure you cough up the money to the person taking the trouble to buy the goods on your behalf - DONT LET THEM DOWN! They are not just doing it for themselves but your benefit too ;-)
You could even get together with other groups and not just members in your own group. I have spoken to colourstart and they are out to try and help us to 'buy in' to their product.
I hope this info is of help to you and may just encourage you to think of how your business is affected by this situation. Both Sheila and John Huscroft stated both the FHBF's situation as well as Wella's over this issue at INSPIRATIONS 2007.
REMEMBER - If you don't follow the manufacturers istructions then your Public Liability is NULL & VOID! Colourstart might cost a bit but it fills this gap - remember your training from your Profile On Potential course and build the cost into your bill!
My How Time Passes By!
well it's been a while since my last posting. A lot has happened; I have been ill with a cold/chest infection and so I felt wiped out and didn't feel like writing anything.
The West Middlesex Group of the Freelance Hair & Beauty Federation (FHBF) that I run has had a training event using the new Koleston Perfect tint at the Capital Hair & Beauty Wholesalers in Hayes. This was great as it enabled us to find out what difference there is with the new formulation. Our thanks go out to Claire Dackombe from Wella for her help in making this possible along with Roger Withers at Capital for allowing us to hold the event at his branch in Hayes.
It's now a week since the FHBF INSPIRATIONS 2007 event in Solihull took place. I decided that I was going to go up the day before and make a weekend of it. This is a great way of networking with other members/friends that I have met over the years and discuss business as well as have some fun! If like me you have never visited Solihull - I can only say it was a pleasant surprise! The shopping centre was great and I wish I had discovered it earlier in the day. There were loads of good bars and eating places to go which gave us more choice of venues/budgets. I met up with Paul Evans as we were sharing a room to reduce our costs and we caught up on what had been going on with each other before the show started.
The Saturday evening about twelve of us met up and all had a meal together in our hotel (Holiday Inn) which was just £15.00 for three courses. After I went over the road from the hotel to meet up with a friend & her partner to have a few drinks and chill out.
Sunday morning we all strolled down for breakfast and then made our way to the Renaissance Hotel for FHBF INSPIRATIONS 2007. It was great to see Sheila and Heather and bump into all those friendly faces. There was about 130 members at the event. The Wella Team and the FHBF Artistic Team did us proud! Our brilliant compere throughout was John Huscroft & he did us proud with his great personality and warm greeting. Wella very kindly sponsored the day and boy was it a good one! Lunch was a very good with quite an array of food. In the afternoon we had Beverly C giving us a great demo.
For all of those that didn't make the event - you missed a good time! Why not make the commitment to come along next year. You owe it to yourself and remember it IS TAX DEDUCTABLE! If you saved just four pounds a week in a savings account you could guarantee yourself a great weekend as well as learn something over the weekend to take away and encourage yourself throughout the year with your career.
I bought myself a few good books; a great pair of scissors; a DVD & some fond memories as well as a few tips to try out in my working week. Also there was the opportunity to meet up with friends that I only see perhaps once a year. I can't wait till next year. Thanks to Sheila Abrahams for her usual hard work and all my friends for their company!
The West Middlesex Group of the Freelance Hair & Beauty Federation (FHBF) that I run has had a training event using the new Koleston Perfect tint at the Capital Hair & Beauty Wholesalers in Hayes. This was great as it enabled us to find out what difference there is with the new formulation. Our thanks go out to Claire Dackombe from Wella for her help in making this possible along with Roger Withers at Capital for allowing us to hold the event at his branch in Hayes.
It's now a week since the FHBF INSPIRATIONS 2007 event in Solihull took place. I decided that I was going to go up the day before and make a weekend of it. This is a great way of networking with other members/friends that I have met over the years and discuss business as well as have some fun! If like me you have never visited Solihull - I can only say it was a pleasant surprise! The shopping centre was great and I wish I had discovered it earlier in the day. There were loads of good bars and eating places to go which gave us more choice of venues/budgets. I met up with Paul Evans as we were sharing a room to reduce our costs and we caught up on what had been going on with each other before the show started.
The Saturday evening about twelve of us met up and all had a meal together in our hotel (Holiday Inn) which was just £15.00 for three courses. After I went over the road from the hotel to meet up with a friend & her partner to have a few drinks and chill out.
Sunday morning we all strolled down for breakfast and then made our way to the Renaissance Hotel for FHBF INSPIRATIONS 2007. It was great to see Sheila and Heather and bump into all those friendly faces. There was about 130 members at the event. The Wella Team and the FHBF Artistic Team did us proud! Our brilliant compere throughout was John Huscroft & he did us proud with his great personality and warm greeting. Wella very kindly sponsored the day and boy was it a good one! Lunch was a very good with quite an array of food. In the afternoon we had Beverly C giving us a great demo.
For all of those that didn't make the event - you missed a good time! Why not make the commitment to come along next year. You owe it to yourself and remember it IS TAX DEDUCTABLE! If you saved just four pounds a week in a savings account you could guarantee yourself a great weekend as well as learn something over the weekend to take away and encourage yourself throughout the year with your career.
I bought myself a few good books; a great pair of scissors; a DVD & some fond memories as well as a few tips to try out in my working week. Also there was the opportunity to meet up with friends that I only see perhaps once a year. I can't wait till next year. Thanks to Sheila Abrahams for her usual hard work and all my friends for their company!
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