Funny I have been and still am a stylist for 41 years, I have my own business, and I did try to retire once. I missed the art of styling I missed the people. So I am back at it. I once had to stand in front of a huge room of Rotary Men and explain what a stylist is. So I put sticky notes all over me and pulled them off one by one a stylist is a creator, one of the few professions that other people allow us to touch them, thus entering their inner space, I was a listner, I was and advisor, I was a fashion corridinator , colour corrdinator , team leader, motivational speaker to staff, I was a teacher, many illness were detected in the way the hair had changed, I was a couceler, I was not a speller as you see, by the end of the speach I won them over and they had never even thought about more than just a hair cut. as at the time I was in Rotary they had just allowed women to join, these were very high and mighty prfessions and men , when it was my time to move away the best was said to me sorry to see you go as you became one of the guys one of our brothers. What we put out there will come back ten fold. When I started at 16 if you were not good at school you quit and became a HAIR DRESSER  over the years once I respected my profession I made a goal never to become just a hair dresser I wanted the best for me and other peoples opinions would soon change and respect our profession as stylist. I will be cutting until I drop I keep myself current every year gaining more courses. I have also taught class or two. YOU ARE IN A GREAT PROFESSION..............Wendy

I loved your comment Wendy,I tell everyone I will retire when I'm 85 then I plan to be honory for the rest of my days.I love this life of mine.My career is my passion.I love people,Creating,listening.I can't think of anything I'd rather do.I can't believe I get paid for having this much fun...Ruth

Our problem is that we don't have a problem.  We provide a service in the same way that anybody who has a renewable resource, like hair, trees, crops, has to do.  Basically, hair grows and we cut it.  But it goes much beyond that in the sense that we get to spend time with one person, have great conversations, and make them look and feel excellent.  There are people out there called "life coaches" who make enough money to buy new Jaguars every year.  I think we often provide the same service, but only for the price of a hair service.  Bargain. 

 

On a different note, I am finishing up esthetician school right now with two great, young (20&21) women.  They can make excellent money immediately and should they wish, pay their ways through a university, buy a house, pay for their kids' educations, etc, all the while making people look and feel better while improving their skin.  Fabulous, no?

 

I have college degrees and am a librarian.  I love doing hair and skin services.  It is very rewarding and frankly I learn more from chatting with clients than I do working at the library.  Odd, that.

1.maybe you need to set the standard.

 

2.if your worried about what people think of you thats your own insucurities.

3.there are bad people every where.

4.money is not everything but you need some to go around.

5.i am here to tell clients what looks the best for them i will not compromise my artistic vision if they just want me to trim their mullet i refuse nothing personal.

 

Fluffymonkey....the biggest compliment that I receive is when someone says "I love to come and see you because its not just about the hair...you make me feel better about myself". I try to boost peoples egos and make them feel better about themselves in a world that can be so cruel.

 

Donna

Hi all ...Drew here .. i haven't read all the responds to this post .. but i will say  "Yes" to are you in it for the money?... after all what person in any field is not interested in making money.. i'll be 65 in march and maybe the oldest person in here .. and i was a high school drop out.. i worked to improve myself and my family lives .. i worked as a stylist and owner 2 salons in my life and about to own another.. i'm street smart and never thought i was less then anyone else.. let me give your a few pointer... it's better to... Have a life ..then Life have YOU.. be the best you can ...i greet every day with love in my heart and i bless and thank all i meet.. yes even those who do you wrong sometimes.. i won't go into it  but go buy "The Secert "CD  it will change your life.. not to brag  i'm a owner of a condo on the lake  ..own my place and a salon which i'm about to leave for a new one ..3 houses and have a nice life style ..so yes this profession one can live very well .. Peace ,Bless you and Thank you..Drew

`thanks starlite.. lol ..so am i the oldest in the group? see now you know this proffession can take you well into old age...lol yet i'm really 25 trapped in this 64 year olds body...lol ... lets have a role call.. Drew  From New Jersey.. Age 64 hairdresser for 40 yrs. next?

Donna from Ontario Canada...46 years old....14 years in the business.

Tanya WV 46yrs old and in business for 5 years and lovin it!!!!

 

 

just posted this on other thread..lol