Investing In Your Future: Back to School With All The Right Tools

Tis’ the season for all new supplies right? In this month’s blog I want to focus on investing…yes, investing! Having the right tools at hand not only ensures the success of your creation, but it also ensures fast, efficient work. Think of it this way, when building cabinets, you would not use a screw driver to drive through a nail, and visa versa. You would not use a hammer to drive through a screw, right? (In all actuality…I suppose you could…but for analogy purposes, you get me right!?) Having the right tools are an investment in your future, and your career. And let’s face it, time is money behind the chair, so if we have opportunity to save a couple of minutes, and make a little more money, it is totally worth the investment!

I never use the word “investment” lightly. An investment is not just the purchase of something that is cool now, but realistically you will never use it in the future. The definition of investment is “the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value”, which means, if you invest now, you will make a profit later. At the beginning of my career, I did a lot of investing for two reasons. One, because I wanted to build up my professional toolbox affordably (which meant over time) and two, because I knew that if I wanted to be taken seriously and as a professional I should set myself up for success starting now. For example, I invested in a nice pair of shears (of course), nice clips, combs, clippers, blow dryer, trimmers, brushes, tripod, carrying cases, capes, towels, you name it, I invested in it. And every time before I invested, I did the typical hairdresser calculations of, “Ok, so for this brand new pair of shears, it will take me approximately two highlights, one base color, two haircuts, and 3 brow waxes to buy them”. I would make a small envelope, or tally sheet of what I would have to do in order to purchase what I wanted, and as soon as I hit my mark, I invested! Looking back now, I remember as a student seeing platform artists and industry icons with literally a bag or tool belt full of shears. And I have to laugh now, because with over 9 years in the industry, I have that bag and tool belt full of shears, and I only actually use 3 or 4 of them! (Seriously…ask a shear hoarder one day how many of them they actually use. Maybe you can get a deal and buy a pair from them!) So my point is, invest wisely. If you find a pair of shears you really like, are excellent quality, fit your hand perfectly and are evenly balanced and you can palm them easily, then you should buy them. You don’t always have to spend thousands of dollars on shears. My favorite pair only cost $250.00! Remember, your shears are your money maker, and they will be with you throughout your career. They are literally your right hand man (or tool…no pun intended! Haha) Treat them well, and focus on quality, not quantity.

Aside from investing in my tools, my education is absolutely my biggest investment, I cannot stress this enough. I started my career by going to cosmetology school, and when I got a job at a salon I was hungry for more knowledge. I then decided to go back to school for Esthetics, because I knew that in the future this would help me a.) Know ingredients and chemistry better for hair and skin b.) Know anatomy and physiology better and c.) Most importantly, would make me a more, well rounded sought after employee because I had the in-depth knowledge of both industries. And, hey, who doesn’t like options? (…you should see my shoe closet…hah!) Now that I have completed my Associates Degree of Liberal Arts, I am pushing forward to obtain a Bachelors Degree of Marketing/Management. Is it easy going to school and working a job (sometimes two or three)? Absolutely not. And has it been cheap? Nope. But, I keep my head held high, pull up my boot straps and continue on because I know that the investments are worth it. Any classes you can take to expand your knowledge, or help you to become an even more, well rounded efficient business owner and stylist, are WORTH IT! Repeat after me. “I am worth it!” Where there is a will there is a way, and you can always find the way and time for more education. And bonus, your clients will love you for it, too!

Throughout my career, and to this day, I still invest. I invest in anything that I feel will help me do my job better, or more importantly get me future gigs or career opportunities. One of my most memorable purchases was my Nikon camera. I had a really great friend refer a client to me who happened to be a singer and song writer. She asked what I knew about photography, and I told her I knew enough to get me by, but that I would learn more! And so, I purchased myself a nice camera, took photography classes, and I ended up shooting all of the photographs for her first album and website (in addition to doing her hair and makeup!). This led to having the opportunity to be on set of her music video shot in LA , and eventually also landed me a gig with History Channels “American Pickers” doing their hair and makeup as well. You never know where your education or investments will take you, so be ready, and always say yes!

This month I encourage you do two things. Number one, make a list of tools or things you feel that you should invest in. And then, make a list of how you will achieve this goal. Next, make a tally sheet or an envelope that will help you keep track of your progress. Once you have reached your goal, pat yourself on the back and go buy it! YOU ARE WORTH IT. Repeat after me. “I am worth it!” I assure you, if you begin investing now, you will not regret it later (and no…it is never too late!). You are setting yourself up for a successful, productive future. You can’t go wrong with that!

Your second challenge is to enroll yourself in at least one additional class in the next 6 months. Something that will feed your heart and that will feed your soul. This doesn’t always have to be something that has to do with hair or your job, it can be a class that inspires you, motivates you, or just purely something you’ve “always wanted to know how to do.” (How about that painting class you have always wanted to take? Or ceramics? Or cooking? Or home and gardens session?) Education and inspiration comes in many different forms, so never be afraid to explore them, or try something new for it will only allow your light to shine brighter.

Until next time;

Yours truly,

 

 

 

 

 

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To learn more about a career in beauty visit us at http://www.empire.edu/ or call 1-800-964-3635