I just read on my personal blog, a post for over a year ago, when things looked bleak for my salon. I lost two stylists, and my spa manager decided to move away. I felt abandoned and hopeless, but still on my journey. It was quite a struggle, to rebuild a staff of people I would be proud to offer to my clients. I had to resolve to NOT be afraid to sort through, and say "NO" to bad attitudes, lack of skills and disrespect from new hires, but I persevered. I made it through. I have my right hand man Vinnie Dibble back with me, making a new start back here where he is so loved. I have a Spa manager, I can depend on that is not afraid to make decisions on my behalf, and makes the right ones. She has gained skills and expanded her license in order to be able to provide more services at the salon. I have hired a junior stylist who I use as my assistant, and I am watching her grow in her skill set and her client communication. She gets better every day, and if I give her a word of experience, she listens and puts it to work for her, she is indeed growing. She is always on time in the morning, which means so much. in a nutshell I am so blessed! For the SECOND time in three years I was able to expand the salon yet again, to add a room for a massage therapist, and a Spa Boutique retail area. In that boutique, we carry four different vendors, all female, all home based business, and ALL featuring handmade organic preservative free skin and body care products. so with every chair occupied by happy dependable people, I was able to take the first vacation in 10 years, and leave my clients and staf with capable leadership, and my client in good hands.
We look forward to a busy rewarding holiday season, and a season of growth for all of us!
And to think only one year ago, I thought the bottom had fallen out of my dreams. God is amazing!!
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
it has been quite a while since posting here, but that only means I have been so busy elsewhere. that elsewhere has been the salon. So many changes have taken place over the year that it is surely too much for one post, so I will sum it up in a few details about the current events at the salon.
After clearing the air of the final remnant of bad vibes in the workplace, it was as if the fog had lifted.
Suddenly everyone was happier, and possibility shined in around us. Dianna decided to finish her hours for her full specialist license, and is now certified for all spa services, facials, waxing, hot stone massage, and has been doing a fabulous job as the spa manager.
Vinnie Dibble has moved back to West Palm Beach, and was welcomed back with open arms, and open hearts. We love you Vinnie (the most amazing deaf hairstylist, and fabulous co-worker that anyone could ever ask for. Our jr. stylist Krystal is a part of the team now, and we feel she belongs with us, a team, a family. Our latest addition is that of Bella, our massage therapist. Bella works Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. (when she is not at her job at a Chiropractor office. Bella is also certified for facials. Aren't we lucky!!!
When you add to that our second expansion at our current location, with the addition of Bella's space AND our brand new Heaven and Earth Spa Boutique, we feel like we HAVE ARRIVED!
Our Spa Boutique is filled with things to make your soul happy. handmade organic vegan soaps by some incredible artisans. Himalayan pink salt and herbal bath sachets, top of the line professional hair care by Florida formularies, (for FLORIDA hair) and some Paul Mitchel. ALL shampoos and conditioners we sell are sulfate free.
But perhaps you would just like to relax over a cup of herbal tea and organic ingredient biscotti while you have your hair color or pedicure done, or even sit and snack before or after your massage or facial. WE HAVE YOU COVERED! our Spa Boutique is also your private tea room!
After clearing the air of the final remnant of bad vibes in the workplace, it was as if the fog had lifted.
Suddenly everyone was happier, and possibility shined in around us. Dianna decided to finish her hours for her full specialist license, and is now certified for all spa services, facials, waxing, hot stone massage, and has been doing a fabulous job as the spa manager.
Vinnie Dibble has moved back to West Palm Beach, and was welcomed back with open arms, and open hearts. We love you Vinnie (the most amazing deaf hairstylist, and fabulous co-worker that anyone could ever ask for. Our jr. stylist Krystal is a part of the team now, and we feel she belongs with us, a team, a family. Our latest addition is that of Bella, our massage therapist. Bella works Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. (when she is not at her job at a Chiropractor office. Bella is also certified for facials. Aren't we lucky!!!
When you add to that our second expansion at our current location, with the addition of Bella's space AND our brand new Heaven and Earth Spa Boutique, we feel like we HAVE ARRIVED!
But perhaps you would just like to relax over a cup of herbal tea and organic ingredient biscotti while you have your hair color or pedicure done, or even sit and snack before or after your massage or facial. WE HAVE YOU COVERED! our Spa Boutique is also your private tea room!
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Commitment to My Clients
I want to take this moment to thank all the loyal clients at the salon, and to let you know how grateful I am for your continued support, as we go through our day to day operations, and at times, experience "growing pains".
In the year since our move a lot has happened, first the loss of our Dear Vinnie, and Neysi, who felt more comfortable in an all Spanish salon . Vinnie moved to the west coast of Florida, and Neysi back to her "roots" We respect that, and wish them well. My commitment to you, my existing and potential clients, is to provide you with good service, capable proficient stylists. In a nutshell, staff that will go the extra mile to make YOU happy. Each one of us knows, also, that these qualities are sometimes lacking in the salons now-days.
SO, recent events after losing my "team" have led me to reach out for new stylists, and it has not been easy to find the right fit. Stressful, to say the least!
I admit that in the last six months, many things have changed, they will keep changing too, if need be.
As the owner of this salon, my reputation rides on the stylists I allow to work at A Couple Gals Salon. I have had to make some tough decisions, and make some folks less than happy, but in the long run, I have to provide the best salon environment I can.
Today a young woman (Navaz) was let go for being consistently unavailable, and showing our clients less than adequate care, and not showing up for work several days in a row, and being disrespectful along with foul language in front of clients. We are now suffering a backlash of bad reviews being posted by this woman. I still must stand behind my resolve to give YOU the best I can.
The stylists at A Couple Gals Salon, will continue to be hand picked by me, and will ALWAYS include skills, and proper training, A customer SERVICE mentality, a willingness to put client needs ahead of their own, and a genuine LOVE of their trade. Put in that many words, I can understand why, in todays workplace, I am presented with a challenge.
I know that Kandice,Jayne, Elsie, Mischa and I (Joanne) can keep the ball rolling and build from here
. I will not accept less than commitment to you, from any member of my salon, now or in the future.
Thanks for putting your trust in us,Staff at A Couple Gals Salon
In the year since our move a lot has happened, first the loss of our Dear Vinnie, and Neysi, who felt more comfortable in an all Spanish salon . Vinnie moved to the west coast of Florida, and Neysi back to her "roots" We respect that, and wish them well. My commitment to you, my existing and potential clients, is to provide you with good service, capable proficient stylists. In a nutshell, staff that will go the extra mile to make YOU happy. Each one of us knows, also, that these qualities are sometimes lacking in the salons now-days.
SO, recent events after losing my "team" have led me to reach out for new stylists, and it has not been easy to find the right fit. Stressful, to say the least!
I admit that in the last six months, many things have changed, they will keep changing too, if need be.
As the owner of this salon, my reputation rides on the stylists I allow to work at A Couple Gals Salon. I have had to make some tough decisions, and make some folks less than happy, but in the long run, I have to provide the best salon environment I can.
Today a young woman (Navaz) was let go for being consistently unavailable, and showing our clients less than adequate care, and not showing up for work several days in a row, and being disrespectful along with foul language in front of clients. We are now suffering a backlash of bad reviews being posted by this woman. I still must stand behind my resolve to give YOU the best I can.
The stylists at A Couple Gals Salon, will continue to be hand picked by me, and will ALWAYS include skills, and proper training, A customer SERVICE mentality, a willingness to put client needs ahead of their own, and a genuine LOVE of their trade. Put in that many words, I can understand why, in todays workplace, I am presented with a challenge.
I know that Kandice,Jayne, Elsie, Mischa and I (Joanne) can keep the ball rolling and build from here
Thanks for putting your trust in us,Staff at A Couple Gals Salon
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A Little Chat About Hair Loss
The one thing I hear almost daily is from clients that are nearing or over fifty. The tell me that their hair is thinning so much. In fact I hear it from lots of younger people too.
First off, coloring your hair over a long period of time (professionally) will NOT make your hair thin. Bleaching and over processing the hair can "burn" the scalp, and cause dryness, or irritation, and even hair loss due to breakage. But in 40 years in the salon ,I have never heard of people's hair thinning from topical use of hair color products. Damage, yes, loss, no.
SO, what are the many reasons for hair loss and thinning?
My particular alopecia is an auto-immune response disease that ran it's course and stopped. The hair wont grow back because my immune system wiped out the hair folicles and the roots. WHY? no body can give an answer on that.
The other major players are:
Nutritional, when your body is deprived of certain nutrients, it has a unique way of protecting vital functions, and that is by eliminating others. Good nutrition is the main element of all health, skin, hair, eyes, bone, teeth, nails. Which is why most Hair regrowth remedies focus on nutrition. (Biotin, Folic acid, vit C, B complex, etc)
Hormonal. hormones seem to give us trouble all of our lives! at puberty we have so much the skin breaks out, the hair is oily, and we are generally anxious and moody, not to mention in love at the drop of a hat. later on though we have to come to terms with living without them, as we age. Male pattern hair loss can be treated with topicals that block free TSH in the skin, and with rogain or minoxidil . If you are female, I advise a hormone panel done with your bloodwork, if the loss is excessive or extremely troubling to you.
Tension alopecia. Long term use of tight ponytails, braids or hair clips can and will cause the root of your hair to stop producing hair. I have no real explanation why, but it does. very heavy, long hair extensions that are left in or replaced and worn for long periods of time will also cause tension alopecia. When you get hair extensions, your operator should be wise enough not to put extensions back in the exact same place over and over. The new extensions should be moved slightly to a section of hair that did not have an extension in the prior application.
STRESS! why does stress casue your hair to thin. the main theory is that as stress builds, we tighten up (relaxation failure) the scalp becomes tight and hard. this does not allow adequate blood supply to the scalp. This is why we do a good scalp massage in the salon when you get a shampoo. Many of you have heard me tell you that your scalp is too tight, and to massage with hands or a good hairbrush to loosen the scalp and increase the blood flow.
Heat. people who wear hats int he hot Florida sun can find their hair thinning. It is important that the hat you choose is lightweight and breathable. Your body sheds a total of 1/3 of your body heat through the scalp when trying to cool itself. When you add the internal heat to the external heat, your hair roots will suffer.
I am sure there are many more reasons, and then some unexplained causes of hair loss and thinning hair. But these are the main ones. What you need to remember is to look at the big picutre and first try to identify any of these causes that you feel may be what id causing your trouble. If you are suffering stress related hair loss, hormonal remedies most likely wont help. on the other hand nutritional support can NEVER hurt. So as a dog chases it's tail, here we are back where we started , wondering where has my hair gone?
Hope this can help
First off, coloring your hair over a long period of time (professionally) will NOT make your hair thin. Bleaching and over processing the hair can "burn" the scalp, and cause dryness, or irritation, and even hair loss due to breakage. But in 40 years in the salon ,I have never heard of people's hair thinning from topical use of hair color products. Damage, yes, loss, no.
SO, what are the many reasons for hair loss and thinning?My particular alopecia is an auto-immune response disease that ran it's course and stopped. The hair wont grow back because my immune system wiped out the hair folicles and the roots. WHY? no body can give an answer on that.
The other major players are:
Nutritional, when your body is deprived of certain nutrients, it has a unique way of protecting vital functions, and that is by eliminating others. Good nutrition is the main element of all health, skin, hair, eyes, bone, teeth, nails. Which is why most Hair regrowth remedies focus on nutrition. (Biotin, Folic acid, vit C, B complex, etc)
Hormonal. hormones seem to give us trouble all of our lives! at puberty we have so much the skin breaks out, the hair is oily, and we are generally anxious and moody, not to mention in love at the drop of a hat. later on though we have to come to terms with living without them, as we age. Male pattern hair loss can be treated with topicals that block free TSH in the skin, and with rogain or minoxidil . If you are female, I advise a hormone panel done with your bloodwork, if the loss is excessive or extremely troubling to you.
Tension alopecia. Long term use of tight ponytails, braids or hair clips can and will cause the root of your hair to stop producing hair. I have no real explanation why, but it does. very heavy, long hair extensions that are left in or replaced and worn for long periods of time will also cause tension alopecia. When you get hair extensions, your operator should be wise enough not to put extensions back in the exact same place over and over. The new extensions should be moved slightly to a section of hair that did not have an extension in the prior application.STRESS! why does stress casue your hair to thin. the main theory is that as stress builds, we tighten up (relaxation failure) the scalp becomes tight and hard. this does not allow adequate blood supply to the scalp. This is why we do a good scalp massage in the salon when you get a shampoo. Many of you have heard me tell you that your scalp is too tight, and to massage with hands or a good hairbrush to loosen the scalp and increase the blood flow.
Heat. people who wear hats int he hot Florida sun can find their hair thinning. It is important that the hat you choose is lightweight and breathable. Your body sheds a total of 1/3 of your body heat through the scalp when trying to cool itself. When you add the internal heat to the external heat, your hair roots will suffer.
I am sure there are many more reasons, and then some unexplained causes of hair loss and thinning hair. But these are the main ones. What you need to remember is to look at the big picutre and first try to identify any of these causes that you feel may be what id causing your trouble. If you are suffering stress related hair loss, hormonal remedies most likely wont help. on the other hand nutritional support can NEVER hurt. So as a dog chases it's tail, here we are back where we started , wondering where has my hair gone?
Hope this can help
Thursday, July 5, 2012
More Ultratress.....
Wendy came in with clip-in extensions, and severe hair loss from the metal clips. Clip-in extensions are quite heavy, and her fine hair had suffered several bare spots where the hair had come out by the root.First off she wanted to go back to dark brown, but seemed to like my Burgundy color, so we sectioned of the top and front, applied a dark brown to the bulk of hair, to which a reconstruct treatment had been added, then I added a medium red-violet to the dark brown and did the top and sides. Then we put in one package of Ultratress II level 2, 14 inch body wave hair, trimmed the ends and here is our new look!! Wendy's blue eyes pop with this dark brown, and the red tones give her just the flair she was looking for
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Mission Complete! (almost)
Thanks to all our clients who took the time, and made the effort to vote. On their cell phones and using the free Wi-Fi at the salon,, and at home, putting up with my relentless posting on Facebook, asking them to ask their friends to "Vote for A Couple Gals Salon"
Well, we made it!! we received just over the required number of votes to qualify us for the final consideration for this grant.
Now, our lovely heartfelt application will go before a panel of business and marketing experts, along with all the other applications to complete the required votes. The choices will be made by September.
So it looks like a "long hot wondering about the grant" summer at the salon. As intensely as I went after acquiring the votes, I will also be patient in the wait, and know that God's infinite wisdom will give us what we desire, in His time. But it certainly will be welcome if you should decide to hope, pray, for our expansion. Money is not the only obstacle. It is not even the biggest one. It is the one that would allow me to provide the very best of everything to you, my staff and clients. What a blessing it would be to go forward without having to budget, and search high and low for more affordable options. Just once to ask, what is the very BEST.... that's what I want!
Thank you from the heart to all those who put up with my constant "reminders" (begging?) for votes. We made it!! When I started out, I thought it would be impossible, It turned out to be quite manageable, and taught me WORLDS of stuff about Facebook, and how to market the salon there.
So for now, keep the thoughts and prayers coming our way, I wont be badgering anyone on Facebook for votes any more. Thank you all again...
Joanne
Well, we made it!! we received just over the required number of votes to qualify us for the final consideration for this grant.
Now, our lovely heartfelt application will go before a panel of business and marketing experts, along with all the other applications to complete the required votes. The choices will be made by September.
So it looks like a "long hot wondering about the grant" summer at the salon. As intensely as I went after acquiring the votes, I will also be patient in the wait, and know that God's infinite wisdom will give us what we desire, in His time. But it certainly will be welcome if you should decide to hope, pray, for our expansion. Money is not the only obstacle. It is not even the biggest one. It is the one that would allow me to provide the very best of everything to you, my staff and clients. What a blessing it would be to go forward without having to budget, and search high and low for more affordable options. Just once to ask, what is the very BEST.... that's what I want!
Thank you from the heart to all those who put up with my constant "reminders" (begging?) for votes. We made it!! When I started out, I thought it would be impossible, It turned out to be quite manageable, and taught me WORLDS of stuff about Facebook, and how to market the salon there.
So for now, keep the thoughts and prayers coming our way, I wont be badgering anyone on Facebook for votes any more. Thank you all again...
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
GOT FACEBOOK??
Chase Bank, Living Social, and FB have teamed up to fund and award 12
small businesses with a $250,000 grant. I have applied for one of these
grants. Then they throw ya a little curve, I have to get 250 Facebook
VOTES. So dear ones, if you read this, and you are on Facebook, please
go to your FB page, or use this link... A COUPLE GALS SALON, and use the link to "Mission Small Business" to vote for us, Please. Our need to expand is a daily reality for
us. We are waiting on the go-ahead from the landlord for the space right
next door to use that will be available in a few months.
So PLEASE hit me up on Facebook and give us a little vote, maybe ask a few folks to help us out too?
So PLEASE hit me up on Facebook and give us a little vote, maybe ask a few folks to help us out too?
please vote for A COUPLE GALS SALON, west palm beach, Florida
Chase and LivingSocial are awarding $250,000 Grants. Vote for your favorite small business at www.missionsmallbusiness.com.
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