On the other side

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This feels so strange to me. It’s Friday afternoon and I’m beginning to write my blog. Typically, I write my blog on Sunday’s. I never have time during the week and on Saturday I am either going into work in an attempt to catch up, or I’m doing house duties.

Yet, here I am and my fingers can’t type fast enough to what’s going through my mind.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]My feelings are telling me we are either sitting flat on top or slightly over the curve. If this is true, downhill sure goes a lot faster than uphill.

And, when we do hit the bottom…what will life look like? Do you think you can go back to life as it was? Have you even thought about it?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I first think about the basics;

  • Grocery shopping – Wear a mask and gloves?
  • Dr. appointments – By telecommunication?
  • Clothes/Shoe shopping – Will this truly be the end of Brick & Mortar?
  • Getting gas – Gloves? Will paying by cash be non-existent?
  • Birthdays – Funerals – Weddings? – How will it be?
  • And so on

When I look at everything above, I realize it’s all money related. The greed associated with it all is astonishing?

  • Hoarding
  • Dr’s overcharging the health care system
  • On line sales at reduced pricing
  • The price increases generally in time of need
  • Photographers, Dance halls, Music, Doves, Butterflies….OMG it goes on and on

Our society has become so greedy, most people don’t even notice it anymore.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1534802218178{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8126″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Then I think about our Beauty Industry. As we start hearing how the Government is going to open parts of our Country, do you really think that means us?

How are we going to do it? How will restaurants do it? How will concerts do it?

There are so many of us at risk, I just keep thinking please, please…..those of you who are in our Government and making decisions……be creative. Think outside the box and don’t make decisions based on trying to win. Make decisions based on how it will affect your Community.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1534802218178{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Then I start thinking about what do WE do? How do we go back to sitting or standing right next to our clients if we have to practice the 6 ft rule for 6 months to a year?

Better yet, I think….How can we SHOW our government we are ready to go back to work. We are ready because we have done THIS. We have done THAT. We have adjusted our Business to be able to begin safely accepting clients and being part of making our economy better.

We have to show them. We have to show them LOUD and we have to show them clearly.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”8125″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1534802238716{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_text_separator title=”WHAT DO WE DO” color=”purple” style=”double” border_width=”8″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]If I were heading back to my Salon, I have gone through a list in my head over and over again.

I have written it down, I have determined cost and I have made the decision NOT to change my mind on any of it and make sure I begin to implement immediately. Why? Because if we wait, we forget the severity of the reason we came up with the idea in the first place. If we wait, we become exactly what we were before….Complacent![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

I’m going to share with you, my checklist. I am starting right from the very beginning,

regardless of what I may have already done.

  • Purchases
    • Ultrasonic cleaner
    • Effective disinfection
    • Autoclave
    • Gloves
    • Mask
    • Covered waste baskets
    • Dust or filter system
    • Autoclave bags
    • Test strips
    • Cleansing supplies
  • Things I would re-evaluate
    • Cleaning and disinfection procedures for services/tools/chairs/tables etc.
    • Cleaning and disinfection procedures for overall daily cleansing
    • Layout of my Salon
    • Scheduling
    • Retail sales

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I don’t want to break down each of the above for you. However, there are a few things worth noting.

To begin with, it is a must, if you are not practicing proper cleaning and disinfection procedures..now is the time. Forget what your State mandates which is simply stupid. Go over and above. Clean – Disinfect – Sterilize.

In addition, your daily cleaning processes for your entire salon must change. Door handles, drawers, telephones, pens/pencils, bottles/jars, chairs, desk, floors….it ALL has to be done daily. Once a week or once a month is not acceptable. It never was, but it clearly is not now.

What about your set up? Are your Technicians to close, do you have to many clients in your facility at one time? Do you need to move things around and schedule your clients differently? YES, you do!

And, you need to wear gloves and mask! It is the only way we are going to get back to work.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”purple” style=”shadow” border_width=”6″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]What about your guest?

It may seem so far fetched right now to do what I am about to suggest. However, if we want to get back to work, we need to show our clients and the world that we are responsible.

  • Schedule your guest further apart.
    • You need time to clean “again”
    • You need to work smarter not harder
  • All guest must wear mask
    • It’s important to have some on hand to provide for those who don’t have them
  • Guest must keep cell phones outside or in their purse
    • Cell phones are the most dirtiest thing on us. Studies have shown the amount of bacteria and fungi on our phones is sometimes worst then what’s on our toilets
    • This also means, WE must not have our cell phones on us.  I can’t believe I have to even say this.  We shouldn’t anyway.
  • Accepting cash – NO
    • Monies should all be transferred electronically.  Vennmo, Zelle, Apple, Square, Paypal.  No more need to handle cash and/or credit cards.  I know many of you may not like this, but this is a reality now.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”purple” style=”shadow” border_width=”6″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Internal changes

Your team members who do not sit behind a chair, need to become your cleaning police.

  • They need to wear gloves when answering the phone
  • They need to help you properly clean between guests
  • Bathrooms need to be addressed between each visit
  • How and what we serve our clients needs to be evaluated and maintained
  • Door handles need to be cleaned and disinfected between clients

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”purple” style=”shadow” border_width=”6″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Personal changes

  • Wear gloves
  • Bring a change of clothes to change into before heading home

I know, as many of you are reading this, you may be rolling your eyes. Remember, this is NOT a forever thing. Yes, some of these changes should be, but others are only through till the time a vaccination is available. In time, we will all know what is permanent and what is temporary.

However, the reality is, how many times are you sick with a cold..the flu. How could it have been avoided if you just practiced a couple more of these safety steps?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_separator color=”purple” style=”shadow” border_width=”6″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Business changes

    If there is one thing you get out of this, it should be finances.

    • Work diligently, make a plan to save 6 months of expenses which you DON’T spend
    • Procedures manual – all Salon practices including your cleaning and disinfection procedures need to be outlined.  Not doing all you can do in this area WILL cost you money. This manual should also include what to do in the event of emergencies or shut downs (ei Hurricanes, floods, covid19)
    • RETAIL – Retail can pay your rent. If you are shut down again for any reason,
      • Centre For Beauty offers set up of a  10 item store front for only $75.00. It’s and easy and effective way to begin an on line store. If your clients need something from you, whether you are there or not….they can still purchase it from you. Otherwise, they will search elsewhere for it.  If interested in having your own online store,  Contact cj@centreforbeauty.com for more info
    • PAY YOUR TAXES….I think many of you have realized, independent truly is independent. You might want to rethink what you are doing.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Hopefully we are only 2 weeks away from recharging. Are you in GO mode? Are you really ready? Taken the extra steps needed to forge ahead in this very different world?

    If I were you;

    • Start booking 1 week of clients. The first week.
      • If you have to move them, you are only moving 1 week and you make them at the same day and time.  Pretty simple.
      • You’ve given yourself hope and your clients as well. We all need a little hope.
    • Clean – clean again.
      • I don’t care what you did 3-4 weeks ago. Clean again and be very very thorough
      • Not just the basics, but door handles, pens, chair rails, lights, pictures CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN
    • Have your Business plan
      • Evaluate your last 4 weeks and determine what you know you need to change.
      • Rethink your processes, your menu, your pricing.
      • Do many of the things I mentioned above.  You’ll thank yourself for it when you do get back to work
    • Make sure you have your supplies
      • Not just your basics, but mask, gloves etc.
      • Once you evaluated your cleaning procedures, you may need more equipment and/or disinfection products

    [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Here’s the thing. I believe that for many of us, this was a cleansing.

    A chance for us to get out of the old, into the new.

    A chance for us to start fresh – who doesn’t love that?

    A chance for us to be better than we were before.

    A chance for us to speak loudly about what WE have done to make our Country safe.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_text_separator title=”GOD BLESS US ALL” color=”purple” style=”shadow” border_width=”8″][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_single_image image=”2087″ title=”Cj Murray, President”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][social_icons][/social_icons][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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    10 thoughts on “On the other side”

    1. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
      I needed to be motivated and you got me!
      You can send me the info for online store too Please.

    2. Great info thanks ! I guess I was need to hear that because in this couple day I felt lost , I was thinking what am going to do when I reopened .
      I need to hear that we are going to be fine and we know what to do
      Thanks again

      1. Doriana, we will be fine, we just have to make a few adjustments in our processes so our clients feel safe with coming to us. Its scary times right now and believe me…I write these articles to remind myself as well. Thank you for reading my blog and feel free to reach out to me if you just need some re-assurance.

    3. Excellent and informative…you are simply awesome! Thank you for the push in the new direction! I am also interested in the online store.

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