I’m reminded…..I should glance more often.
Many of you probably don’t know my story. My story of why I chose to be a Distributor specializing in Foot Care. My story as to why I don’t take a product on to sell, I take it on to Educate. My story being you, in your shoes and how I truly relate, My story of why I continue to fight the naysayers, the shit kickers, the obstructers. My story of Passion for loving what I do and how helping you learn, helping you grow…..is my true passion.
It’s a long story but I started in the Beauty Business in 1987 when I friend of mine asked me to help her find a buyer for her Salon. I told her to “make me an offer I can’t refuse”. She did. In June of 1987 I owned a very successful Office Supply store(s) and suddenly found myself the owner of a Nail Salon.
The Salon did very well for me. Eventually the Office Supplies took a back seat, I qualified myself as a licensed Nail Technician and within 2 years I went from Nails only to Full Service. I employed an amazing team members of which 11 stayed with me for 16 years. I owned the Salon for 24 years.
Within the first 2 years of owning my Nail Salon, I was introduced to the world of Education within the Beauty Industry. I immediately fell in love and never looked back. As an Educator I was able to still manage and work at my Salon all while traveling around the Country working Trade Shows and teaching other Salon owners, team members, Distributors and Sales people. I literally had the Best of Both Worlds.
In 2008 is when I literally feel like I found my calling. 2008 is when I was introduced to Footlogix. I had never heard of this Company before and now my Salon, my team, was host to 35 Show host, Models and Show assistants of the Home Shopping Network. KVG Group was introducing the Footlogix brand to HSN and we were the location they chose to do it.
It was that event, the Footlogix brand which began the path of where I am today.
I instantly became a Distributor for the brand, followed by their National Sales Director. This position brought me all over the Country to help bring awareness to the brand, along with awareness to the importance of feet.
It was this position which helped me on my own personal quest. My quest to help our Beauty Industry, help our Country realize the importance of Nail Technicians. To bring our Technicians from being the bottom man on the totem pole to the top. To help our Technicians grow. To help everyone realize we aren’t just Nail Technicians, we are the first responders. My mission is to;
“Provide the Nail Technician the Education, the Attention and the
Support they need to safely and properly service their clients”.
After 5 years of working with Footlogix, it was time for me to leave my Salon, leave my position with Footlogix and focus on my distribution Business. Why? There was so much more I wanted to do. I felt I could do more on the outside then I could on the in.
The move proved to be beneficial for me as I dwelled more into Education. However, it was also my relationship with Footlogix which introduced me to Medilogics as well as Micrylium. 2 Canadian Companies affiliated through the NASP program owned by KVG Group.
As I started to grow with these 3 brands, I came to the realization that teaching people about feet, teaching them about the importance of taking care of their feet, helping them (YOU), help your clients realize their feet carry them around for a lifetime.
As the Footlogix brand grew, so did their presence in the big box stores and Amazon. I saw the forest through the trees. I knew I had to expand my venue and begin offering other alternatives. The struggle being, I’m a firm believer in Urea based products and products which are safe for the Diabetic.
It took me 10 months to find a new brand. A brand which again is Urea based, safe for the Diabetic. LCN. To give credit, where credit is due. It was a post on SM by the infamous Nellie Neal which drew me to LCN.
LCN at that time, was widely known for their nail products. I wasn’t interested in the nail products, I was only interested in their Foot Care. I don’t hesitate to say…and proudly….Centre for Beauty Salon Supply was an intricate partner in bringing LCN Foot Care to the forefront in the USA.
As I move forward with the LCN brand, I also realize the challenges of competing for the same clients. Our nail industry is so different than our hair industry. It’s this difference, that i’ve come to realize which…..brought me to the path of PodoSafe.
PodoSafe is the most recent brand i’ve brought into my Distribution. It too is Urea based, safe for the diabetic. It’s a product we can Educate into Salons as well as branch into the Podiatry Industry. PodoSafe can open doors of opportunity for specialized growth.
Going back to “Glance around”, as I glance around my office, I realize it was everyone above which has made me the person I am today. It’s all of the Mfg’s I represent which have challenged me to be more creative, more assertive and more knowledgeable. It is each and everyone of them which have had a part in directing me to where my passion is and what I am passionate about doing. Each challenge, good or bad, has formed my growth. They have pushed me to search out new resources (my greatest assets). They have pushed me to study, to investigate, to have patience. They have carved my path towards my next direction.
So, I encourage you during this time of year, to sit back and “glance around”. It isn’t just the good things which have made you what you are today, it’s all the challenges, the trials and tribulations. It’s not just the people or the brands you love, it’s also the ones you hate. Be thankful!
Centre for Beauty Salon Supply has some exciting things to share as we move into 2019. Our brands are growing Nationally and Globally, and we plan to continue to be a part of all their growth.
We plan to bring you continued Education and continued awareness of why YOU are important in this industry. Centre for Beauty Salon Supply is planning to help change the way our Industry is viewed by the outside world….one Technician at a time.
Join us in 2019. Follow us on Social Media. Stay tuned for our classes on Foot Care including “an introduction too”, “foot care in oncology” “Missing Pieces” “Dr. referrals” and more. And, don’t forget
Take that pause, glance around and be Thankful
CJ Murray, President
