Education equals Excellence

I've said it before and I'll say it again:
Continuing Education is your only sustainable advantage that sets you apart from your competition.

In the Beauty Industry (and other Industry's as well) technology moves us at the speed of light. We must put forth the effort to grow with it or be left behind! 

Years ago, I worked along side a very talented, successful & professional Stylist.
I admired her business skills and the way she worked with her clients. I looked up to her as a leader & a role-model. Yet I noticed that her client base was very small and her book was wide-open most of the time. I couldn't understand why, so I chalked it up to her management duties. Until one afternoon, when the salon was all buzzed up about an upcoming International Beauty Show in NYC, I listened in on a conversation my "role-model" was having with her guest.
The client had asked her if she too was going to go to the this upcoming show and her response was this, "There's no way I'm spending my money on a ticket into a building to shop for the same things I can buy at the supply store!" 
I blacked out after that! That was the quote I took away from our years together. It bypassed all the wonderful things I knew of this stylist and suddenly her wide-open appointment book made all the sense in the world to me!

When you're green, you're growing! When you're ripe, you rot.

Trade show's are not glorified shopping trips! They are bountiful educational experiences that put you directly in front of what's happened yesterday, what's going on today, and what's about to happen tomorrow.  Sure there's shopping, if you can find time for that, and yes there are additional advanced classes you can purchase on top of your admission cost, but there are many available classes that are included in the costly cost of your admission ticket - and I truly find it hard to believe that anyone is too advanced for those included classes. As a matter of fact, I have made it to many of these classes, and I've walked away with new information EVERY TIME!

The two most important requirements for major success are first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it!

I'm really excited about my educational line-up to come, and I know my clients are too - because at the end of it all, that's who really gets the benefit from all the work I put into my art!
At the End of February I will find myself in Opryland Nashville, Tennessee! There I will have 3 days of intense training in Goldwell Coloring, Styling & Business. I am beyond BLESSED!  (visit www.goldwell-northamerica.com  to explore more educational opportunities at the Academies in Baltimore & Santa Monica - Canada, too)
In April, you'll find me at IBS New York, taking the opportunity to learn something new in at least 5 classes that are MUST-SEE's for me! (check out www.IBSnewyork.com to see the schedule, line-up or purchase tickets!) I will reward my hard work & sacrifce with a delightful dinner in Little Italy, and a dozen Cannolli from Ferraro's Bakery for the ride home! (it's tradition!)
May will feature the Fashion Focus Show in Baltimore, where I hope to not only learn from the best, but also share my knowledge with others!
(www.fashion-focus.net)
You've seen my posts about EEG's Future Professionals Expo...  well that's in June & you know how I feel about that! If you don't know what "new blood" is coming into the industry, this is THE event to see it all! The talent is so Inspirational! And the future for these soon to be pro's is BRIGHT! They are raising the standard!

Travel may not be an option for you and that's ok! The WORLD is at your fingertips via the internet! Of course, Celina the Hair Pro will keep you up to date, as will Celina's FAVORITE blog Stylista by Salon Confidential! 
Behind the Chair is another excellent resource! Below is an excerpt from my daily BTC inspiration. I'm sharing it with you, because I believe it to echo my message of Education!

Read on & have a GREAT HAIR DAY!

~ Celina 




Get Schooled
Complacency. It can kill a salon business. So what’s the best defense against this deadly inertia? Education! This year, make it a point to allocate more time and energy for training and education to light your team on fire. Here are three tips to get you going:
Make the Commitment: Giving staff access to educational opportunities requires dedication and effort on the part of ownership. This means developing and implementing a training system, writing your own salon-specific training manual, and keeping abreast of everything that's offered in the marketplace. Also consider supporting manufacturers who offer aggressive educational programs.
Be Flexible: Structure must not become suffocating, especially in a creative field. Realize that your training manual will change as staff members grow. For example, if someone can demonstrate they don't need to be in a particular class, they can teach for two hours a week instead of being a student.
Use It Or Lose It: When team members return from a trade show or outside training, set aside time for them to present their discoveries to the rest of the staff.

Go Big or Go Home!
　
Back again and in full force oversized accessories are everywhere you look!

Handbags, jewelry, belts and hair accessories are getting a super-sized makeover!

A new twist on an existing trend!

Hair clips in oversized proportion!

Not just for grade school fashionistas!

Jumbo barrettes and hair ties are a sure statement. Setting you back about $15 a piece, these accessories take you right into trend and out of the pages of a magazine.

　
Take a cue from Runway fashion. A magnificent puff of textured fabric attached to a band creates an eye-catching centerpiece accenting a demure ensemble. A create-your-own head piece is easily achieved! * Start with a headband or two (get a pack of multiples from your local dollar store). * Visit the fabric or craft store & choose a thick ribbon to wrap your headband in for a stylish finish (use a glue gun to secure). * Choose a fabric and creatively gather together to make a shape (use scissors to detail the shape) * Secure with ribbon or fabric scrap and use glue gun to attach to the headband!
If crafting isn’t in your nature, visit etsy.com and browse the selection of handmade goods. Make contact with a crafter and chances are you can have them create a custom piece to match your favorite outfit!
　
　
　
Accessorizing with oversized hair pieces that can be worn both casual and formal allows for options and what girl doesn’t love options! Wear a statement hairpiece with an elegant evening gown or dressed up jeans.

If working this trend of over-sizing into your style is new to you, start off small and work up to bigger and better accessories. Channel your inner-GAGA and give creative license to the possibilities that are before you! There are many options and various price points. Interesting pieces are easily found in the hair accessory section of drugstores, handmade online forums, such as etsy.com, in department stores, and in designer collections across the globe!

Go big or go home! But always be fabulous!
Have a great hair day! ~ Celina
　
　

California Dreamin

October started off well! I was honored to be chosen to represent our School Campus at a Cinderella Hair training seminar. I was sent off to Philadelphia to attend a 2 day training course on the theory and practical application for the Classic Organic Bonded hair extensions. The main purpose was to learn how to teach other educators how to teach the theory and practical applications for the Cinderella Hair Bond Extensions, which our students will be learning, hands-on come 2012. This is super exciting on so many levels! I found it inspiring to be trained by Irv Krauledis, the Director of Education for Cinderella Hair. His insight and experience proved to be both entertaining and extremely valuable. I considered myself a very lucky girl to be receiving the training that is soon to transform our students' education on the Art of Extensions! I can not wait to share all that info with them, they are gonna yummmm it all up!!!
At the end of that week I had the absolute best time sharing what I learned with the educators and staff at our home campus! I am so blessed to have the job I have. I have the best of both worlds, I create and do and practice what I preach and then I share all of that with the future of my industry. That's good stuff. So Cinderella Hair came and went and Irv shared some great info about hair and extensions and California. And after all that I thought, California might be a great place to retire. Somethin to think about.
Shortly after that training I visited the Fashion Focus Hair show in Hershey - the sweetest place on earth. And although that show is significantly smaller than my favorite, IBS-New York, the education is phenomenal and the networking is a more intimate and familiar scene. I saw many faces I knew personally and was especially excited and ridiculously proud of one of our former students debut stage performance for RUSK. I was really glad I was able to witness that! Moments like those remind me where I started, how far I've come and how I have been able to give back. After the sentimental moments were shared I moved on to the grit and had my very 1st Brazilian Waxing training class and I have to say that there is a time and place for each individual to recognize a certain level of professionalism that has been met and is definitely required to be able to focus on the educational aspects of a Brazilian Waxing service. I learned much more than I could ever imagine in that 2 and a half hour class. And saw more than I thought was necessary, but hey - education is education!!! I learned that taking an antacid 15-20 mins before any wax service will reduce redness. I thought that was a really valuable tip.
Additionally, I learned some new haircut trends and techniques, color product knowledge and placement options, styling techniques and new ideas for artistic interpretations. I also snatched up a bunch of useful tools and products for the studio. On the flip side of all that good happenings, some not so good was happening too. My Grandfather, who had been slowly declining in health over the years recently took a dive and had been admitted to the hospital and the prognosis did not look good. A few long and tiring days later he passed on. It was sad and still is. I was sad and I still am. And all the education and the prestigious classes and unique experiences and monumental successes and inspiring moments I have in my hair world are pale in comparison to the lessons and experiences and moments I had with my Papa. He taught me sooo much that everything I do, everything I think, the passion I have for the work that I do, all of it. It came from him. The lessons I learned from him I attempt to share with others every day, but somehow I know I fall short. I learned to accept others for who they are. To look deeper than the surface. I learned to be considerate of others feelings and perspectives, to put the shoe on the other foot and treat others as I want to be treated. I learned to persevere and work hard and not give up even when I truly, madly, deeply want to. He showed me that respect and honesty go hand in hand and that I don't have enough time to make all the mistakes I'll need to learn from, so it's important that I learn from the mistakes of others, too. He taught me that every single person no matter who they are, where the came from, what they know, or who they know deserves the right to get a chance to do better for themselves. And that if I can help them with that, I have to! He taught me that love is the most important thing in our world. And that the love 2 people share is more powerful than any army or government or currency. It does result in a better life, a better industry, a better society. And our love is meant to be shared.

The very first time, I placed my foot on California pavement was over 20 years ago. It was a hot July afternoon and I was with my Grandfather. If I could have that moment back 1 more time, I would take a picture of us to keep forever. That moment represents a journey with him I didn't even know I was on.

Now as October comes to an end, my days are filled with small challenges and huge successes. The love I have for all I do grows stronger with each passing moment.
And as the seasons change, all the leaves turn brown, and the skies gray ... I know I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A. .... I'm California Dreamin... maybe someday.