Where are you now?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I was speaking with one of my Mfg’s the other day, talking about many things in relation to Business and how Covid has affected our supply chains, our pricing…our clients.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]As we were talking I realized how the Covid card continues to play a hand in our everyday lives. 

I would like to say the affects of Covid are over, unfortunately though between Covid and Politics…I don’t think we can tell a real difference.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]It made me begin to think about 2008 when the recession hit. I remember thinking at that time when tragedy hits, there are winners and there are losers.

Not losers in being mean. Losers in a way that not everyone will survive. And, not everyone did.

I recall saying it takes a tragedy to weed out those who shouldn’t be in the Business in the first place. Either they don’t want to be there, or they make poor decisions which make them lose in a world of struggles.[/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=”9030″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Sometimes those who lose are grateful for the loss. Sometimes they just needed that push to send them in a different direction. Sometimes we need a “force to fail “in order to get up and rise to the occasion.[/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]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9957″ 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_column_text]2008 was hard. There was no bailouts, no SBA loans easily given by the Government, no PPP loans which ultimately may be forgiven. It was teeth grinding, forehead sweating, sleepless nights and days and days of worry. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I’m not minimizing at all what COVID has done to our Industry. I’ve heard and seen first hand the personal tragedies, the Businesses which have closed and have heard and listened to many gut wrenching, heartfelt stories.

However, in thinking about 2008 and comparing it to today, we can’t forget about those of us who have been able to survive. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]When we think about Covid, we think about the past 15 months. When the recession hit, it lasted for a whole lot longer than 15 months.

The Business which returned from the recession, was a very slow climb. As Business is returning from Covid, it’s returning with a vengeance.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]

WHERE AM I GOING WITH THIS?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Many in Society prior to Covid never thought much about hair and nails. The importance of our Technicians and what we offer to our communities. Many I’m confident didn’t realize, how much they would miss us if we were gone. Until we were gone and then they really missed us.

Covid gave us a chance to re-invent. Remember that word? Everyone was using it prior to Covid. It was the “IT” word of the industry. Re-invent yourself, re-invent your Pedicures….[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Well, now we truly have a chance to re-invent everything literally from head to toe. Hence, the purpose of this article. I just want you to think about the following and how you will proceed moving forward;

1. Sanitation-What Covid did is make us re-think our sanitation practices. It made us learn “all over again” what we may or may not have learned in school. It opened our eyes to the importance of details in cleaning, disinfection and sterilization.
   1. These points of importance are not over, nor should they ever be over. Many raised your prices because you were going the “extra mile” in sanitation when in fact, you should have been doing it properly in the first place.
2. Timing-Covid also made us spread out our appointment times. It made us concentrate on one person at a time….then sanitize between clients.
   1. This timing should not change because the affects of Covid is changing. We should be sanitizing between clients and we should “slow down and smell the roses”. Remember how you felt? So many of you said it was so nice too slow down a little. Take 8 clients per day instead of 12. Leave more time to eat, to breath, to spend with family.
3. Education-probably the biggest influx in education EVER in our industry. Man oh man, the need for education came on strong. I felt this was GREAT. With education comes power and confidence. 
   1. Continuing education should NOT stop. Go after it, seek it out, find a mentor….don’t EVER stop learning.
4. Price changes-Many of you had a price increase possibly for the first time ever. The fear I heard, the uncertainty…..was plentiful. You did it though and maybe you lost 1 or 2 clients, you still recovered and gained more clients because you practiced all the above and clients were looking for Salons who were clean, attentive, educated and  confident.
   1. It’s not too late. More than likely prices aren’t going down. If anything, I think we all have to prepare for more increases coming down the road. Never under-estimate who you are and what you are worth. 

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]I feel we have been given a 2nd chance. A chance to move forward with pride and confidence in knowing “we are an essential Business”. Maybe the Government doesn’t realize this or give us the label….we do and our clients most certainly do.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]As I said in the beginning of everything Covid, we only have 1 chance to get it right. That 1 chance is over.

We did show everyone we know what to do to keep our clients safe. Should another pandemic hit us “God forbid”, we just might be cut some slack. Only IF…..we continue to practice  what we know is right. Practice clean and safe services. Don’t let your guard down. We never know what is coming down the road…..if no other lesson has been learned…..let it be this “operation clean-up doesn’t work with us. We have to be clean ALL THE TIME”!

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1481″ title=”CJ Murray, President”][/vc_column][/vc_row]