Education

Every well know barber/stylist has had some sort of education. When you are involved in a high end field or just a regular shop you should always look into educating yourself with the newest trends in hair.

Keeping up with today's trends is very important and a must in the field. You can develop many different techniques you had no idea about. When taking an education course or class you will broaden your views in many angles. Education comes in different ranges. Some classes are for scissor training or some can strictly be in regards to hair color or straight razor shaving.

If you think you know it all or your cosmotology license is sufficient than you are dead wrong. The finest stylist in today's hair cutting still seek education on a regular basis. You never learn or master a technique. New styles are always being learned and developed for clients to evolve with style and when you think you know it all, boom! something new is out.

As a licensed professional, I take coarses when ever I get a chance. These oppotunites can be very crucial and I like to be a well rounded barber/stylist. You can find many classes on line or through your local product distributor. Big companies like Paul Mitchell, L'Oreal, American Crew and more, usually have classes available or in house salon training.

Make education a part of your path to sucess and unlimited capabilites. Encourage your team of stylist to do the same and embrase the capabilites to broaden your knowledge.

BEHIND THE BLADE Episode 9

Here is Episode 9, a slight twist from the normal BTB episodes. See how Elan Wonder throws up a custom design on American Shave's basement wall. Here Elan displays his talent and Manny explains how the two worlds of art come together and meet as one. Elan is an aerosol artist that has been in the game for a long time. Elan's collaboration with Manny, who has been in the hair business for a long time, equals a great outcome by far!

Check out more Elan Wonder

Dress to Impress!

As a barber/stylist don't you think that the way you look is important? Well you better think twice if you think an old pair of ripped jeans and a stained white tee is gonna make a great impression.

The first impression is always the deal maker or breaker in a clients eye. If you walk into a Doctor's office and he looks a mess would you want him to attend you? I know that i like it when the person I am dealing with is presentable and clean looking.

As a professional always keep your attire proper and neat. Weather your style is gothic, modern or classic make sure you represent yourself well. look in the mirror and take the time to look over at what you have chosen to wear for the day. I believe that a "uniform" is real corporate, but a great outfit lets a person know you are serious about your profession and you know what your doing.

Choose an attire that fits correctly according to your body size and stature. Fitted jeans and a button down shirt is a great way to start. Dark, solid colors are always best. Prints and wording on a shirt are not good examples of a sharp look. Don't forget to accessorize your alphet with a nice belt and maybe a fedora hat, or a trendy haircut. Shoes also complete the look. Clean shoes or trendy sneaker/shoes are a great way to tone down an outfit without breaking the rules. We don't want you looking like your headed to a night club.

An example of sneaker/shoes are Chuck Taylor's classic black and white or even a nice pair of black shoes with a rubber sole for comfort. Stay away from running sneakers or white shoes that stand out and may look hairy by your second haircut.

All in all an alphet says a lot about a person. You can also attract clients according to your look and demeanor. Follow these few rules and you will see the difference. Not only in how you look and feel but how clients look and treat you as well.

Appointments preferred

Have you ever walked in to a barbershop/salon and can't even find a seat? That is the most frustrating feeling in the world. You feel like screaming at the top of your lungs but that will only make you look like an idiot.

Have you ever wondered if an appointment would be the next best thing for you? Here at American Shave we gladly except walk-ins but appointments are preferred. Here's why. Having a set schedule allows the client to have his time in the chair at the barbers 100% attention. This may seem unfair for non appointment clients but in fact it justifies quality versus quantity.

Appointments lead to a much happier experience and you won't feel rushed or "squeezed" in. The barber or stylist has the ability to prep for a future client in advance allowing him to execute the perfect strategy for the final product. Barbers/stylists work smoother and retain a much better composition knowing who will be sitting in their chair next.

As per the clients expectations, he or she is attended within a reasonable time and the waiting game is to a minimum, if any. Also you will walk into a comfortable waiting area instead of a hostile, congested waiting lounge where everyone is jumping to be taken care of next. Avoid the "I was here first" mumbo jumbo and accommodate yourself with a time slot that works in accordance to your life style.

If your shop doesn't work with appointments, suggest they do. Break down the pro's of having a schedule to work with and how clients appreciate it and In return the shop works more efficiently. In today's hustle and bustle running on time means being able to control your daily commitments, don't let someone else manage your day. Make an appointment!

Cut for Success? What Your Hairstyle Says About You | Men's Life Today

Here is the scoop on what your hairstyle says about you.


Cut for Success? What Your Hairstyle Says About You | Men's Life Today

Be! Beauty Hot Spot in NYC

In July we went over to the Be! Beauty Hot Spot in NYC! We had a blast with host, Stylist Kelly Desario and many celebrity hair gurus like Mario Raimondi and more.

It was great to show people how easy it is to maintain a great look with little time. We sat a few of our friends and styled their hair on the go as well as many random people walking by in the streets on NY.

Kelly's crew Reels Hair Artists put together an amazing presentation with their hot hair models. The crazy up-do's and amazing make up tips where a hit! We showed people that its not hard to look great with little to no time at all.

Kelly also highleted the fact that celebrity stylist should be in the forefront of the industry as well as the celebrities themselves. We stylsit make people look good! "We are the trend setters", Mario Raimondi.

Check out this video on the Be! Hot Spot and stay tuned for more....

BE! Beauty Hot Spot - NYC 7/28/2011 from Yoisen Rosales on Vimeo.

Client Retention

You may know that some clients are more challenging than others. With that said, every client is unique and adds definition to each and every haircut. The challenge is to handle these situations professionally. Sometimes you can’t resolve the problem in one sitting.

When a client arrives to your salon/shop always remember to keep them comfortable and greet them with a smile, good morning, good afternoon, etc. This sets a good portion of the tone for the rest of their experience and visit in the chair. Letting them know you are aware of their presence is a great way for them to sit back and know that you are taking the next step to accommodate them as quickly as possible. If you have a receptionist or host at your salon/shop they can also offer a beverage or any other amnesties you may provide to your clients.

Once you have your client in the chair make sure you are ready to commit to this person 150% while they are in your chair. You can start with making sure they have everything they need to get started. For example, you can ask if they need to utilize the bathroom or if they need a drink or even if you need to hang up their coat or hat. Make sure your client is comfortable and ready to discuss what they want to do.

Having the client in your chair is now an opportunity for you to ask how they have been since the last visit or how the previous hair style worked or didn’t work for them. What products have they been using and what they would like to see different. Once you have established a focal point in what they want to perceive in their hair style you can go on with the next step.

Make sure you have an exact execution plan when tackling the hair style your client has asked you to perform. As you begin to service your client let them know what you are doing and how you’re going make them look great. Let your client know that you are going to get them closer to their goal every time they sit in your chair by allowing you to work on what they envision.

After you have met your client’s goal, make sure you walk them through what you have done. Educate your client and let them know what product they need to maintain their hair style and how important it is to care for their hair. Show them the difference from when they first walked in and how you have improved the way they look. Follow up with a positive remark and how they should book their next appointment to maintain the look you have achieved for them.

Keep in mind that keeping a client happy is not an easy task and that as professional we have to give our clients positive input at all times. Remember that once you have a happy client he or she will keep returning again and again.