Where Do We Stand?

I’ve been working on a Case Study to determine where the salon industry stands in regards to understanding and implementing sustainability practices. I find myself living in a sustainability bubble at times, surrounded with like-minded individuals. The purpose for this study is to gain perspectives of salon owners, manufacturers, and educators. Let’s see where our industry is at in relation to other industries in the world. Do we measure up? Are we taking advantage of becoming the influential leaders we are capable of being?

Three Heads

Sustainability…a word that strikes fear into the eyes of the unsure and exasperation into the eyes of the willing and able. As a recent MBA graduate of sustainable business, I find people either know what I’m talking about when I say the word sustainability or they look at me like I have three heads. I get the three heads thing a lot.

Sustainability is never achieved, it’s always a journey. One reason is because there is no true definition of the word. “Meeting the needs of today’s generation, without compromising the ability for tomorrow’s generation to meet their needs” (Brundtland Commission) is the most common definition. But this definition too is a bit vague and difficult to put into the context of daily living and doing business.

I’m not an all or nothing type of person. I believe in compromise and taking first steps that lead to others. I believe that sustainability, as in life, has different meanings for different people. Realizing the true connection in all of us is what will keep us on the right track, even if it appears we are all taking different paths.

To me, living a sustainable life is living life on purpose ,not with purpose, that’s something all together different. Living life on purpose means paying attention, changing bad habits or at least filling more of your life’s space with newer and better habits. So I ask you to live your life on purpose, pay attention and realize the control you have over the choices you make. Live your life well, live it proud, you know what that means.

Best All-Ways
Tamara

Where does the Salon and Spa industry stand in regards to SUSTAINABILITY?

First, I would like to take a moment to define the word "Sustainability" in today's context. The most common definition is "Meeting the needs of today's generation, without sacrificing the ability of tomorrow's generation to meet their needs" (Brundtland Commission). In other words, sustainability has to do with much more than just profits. It also involves how our businesses impact people's lives as well as our impact on the planet.

It’s been over two years since the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons & Spas has launched. I just recently finished MBA studies in Sustainable Business and at this point I feel the need to ask the question above. By now most of us have heard the word sustainability. Some have made small or even large changes to incorporate sustainable business practices into their daily lives, but where are we as an industry? Are our business partners offering more “green” products and education? Are our clients asking for “greener” alternatives or do they just accept our industry as anything but “Green”.

Over the next few months, I will be asking these questions to salon and spa owners, industry manufacturers and educators. I would love any thoughts you may have that will give me insight to another question. Is the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salon & Spas a valuable asset or just a little ahead of its time?

The Power of Saying “Thank You”

I made an amazing discovery a few years ago about the unexpected results of saying thank you. One morning I was thinking randomly about my Husband. I was annoyed by a comment he had made and thought to myself “He really doesn’t appreciate all I do”, sound familiar? Then a voice in my head said “Why do you say that? I promptly answered “Because he doesn’t say so.” Then the voice said “Do you tell him you appreciate him?” I said “Well no.” The voice continued “Then how do you know he doesn’t appreciate you if you don’t let him know you appreciate him, maybe he just doesn’t say so?”

See where this is going? I’m having a conversation in my head, hopefully with a higher being, which is leading me to the conclusion that my relationship is not just what I perceive it to be. From that moment on, I decided to say “Thank you” a lot! I didn’t get ridiculous, but I did let my Husband know, often, how much I appreciate him. I’m blogging about this because it was life changing! My Husband started to say thank you to me, but I didn’t need him to anymore. By saying thank you to him, I began to see and appreciate how lucky I am and how much I have to be thankful for.

I began to see myself as an emotional millionaire! You know, all the things that money can’t buy like love, friendship, happiness and good health, were mine and all I had to do was say thank you for it to appear. It was always right in front of me, I just didn’t see it, and all I had to do was notice.

Today I live a life of emotional richness, my family has been affected by the current recession but I have never felt happier. I know this seems strange but I found truth in the fact that real happiness comes from within to be given away freely. So if you see me out in public you should know I will be sending you vibes of love and wishes of good fortune. Because in my heart, I believe there is enough for everyone.

To all who are reading this now, I am sending my love and hope that you will adopt my practice of saying thank you. Soon you will begin to feel the power too!

Children of the Universe

There is a lot of urgency in the growing trend to become sustainable. The truth is Sustainability is not so much about lower carbon emissions and climate change, as it is about social equity. The current economy which has effected all occupations, businesses and families serves to teach us empathy for those who have nothing. We're learning we can still survive consuming less and though our financial situation may be in the toilet, most of us still have light at the flip of a switch and water from the tap (which by the way is better in most cases than bottled water). Now is not a time for panic, it is a time for gratefulness for the gifts we have and a time to use our brains to create a better environment for all, especially those who have less.

Al Gore uses an attention getting statement in his speeches. He says that Americans use up the natural resources equivalent to five planets, but in reality we only live on one and no matter what we do, the sun still rises in the morning and sets in the evening. Life goes on no matter what we do. The Earth will take care of itself whether or not we drive ourselves into extinction is totally up to us. Mother Nature has no preference as to whether or not we inhabit the earth. She has provided all we need to survive; it’s up to us what we do with it. When we’re done the earth lives on.

The reason we have still not moved out the recession (and for many it's a depression) is that there are still many people out there who just haven’t gotten it yet. They still spend when there is no money to spend or sit by helplessly waiting for things to go back to the way they were. Unfortunately many of these people are in places of power, in large corporations and governments. People in general are holding on to the past, unwilling to embrace change for the fear of the unknown. The tighter they hold on to the past the longer it will take for the recession to end.

Instead of resisting change, try to embrace it. Look at your current situation as an opportunity to create a renewed sense of purpose. After all, it’s not money that brings you happiness; it is a sense of purpose. This is why the sustainability movement is growing so fast, because the sense of purpose is a strong driving force that brings people happiness. And people will do the things that make them happy faster than doing what is required of them.

There is a saying “When you know better, you do better”. I’m not about beating anyone up for how we have arrived to this place in time. Many decisions are made without the knowledge of what the outcome will be. But now we know better and it would be one giant step backward and possibly into extinction to continue to use up our natural resources and ignore the suffering of others. Let this time be your time to embrace a new sense of purpose. Live purposefully and open to new possibilities of prosperity for all who want it. We are the children of the universe, magnificent as the creator who created us.

Tomorrow will still come, where will you be, and what will you do with it?

Pajama Party Ride Follow-Up

Well thanks to all involved our pajama party ride was a great success! We were able to provide 40 pairs of pajamas, $100 cash and a variety of personal care items for the local women’s shelter, which currently houses 21 women.

We had two short weeks to organize, and one weeks’advertised notice, as a result, twenty women on bikes showed up for the ride! The day was sunny and hot, 90 degrees, but that didn't deter these women from supporting our cause.

The idea was to keep it simple, incorporating giving into what I love to do. You don't have to raise thousands of dollars to make a difference in some one's life. Use this story to see where your creativity can take you. Because of the great response and excitement, we plan on making this an annual event.

See Photos on the NAEFSS Website www.naefss.org

When creativity goes beyond artistry and becomes "Just for Fun!"

Given the current economic climate, contributions to charitable causes may seem difficult. We all know how great it feels to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to give to those less fortunate than us, to reach out and help, expecting nothing in return. We may not be able to give in the manor we have become accustomed but don’t forgo the opportunity to get creative. Think beyond the salon and spa; incorporate what you love into what you can do for others.

I’d like to share with you how I turned my passion for riding a motorcycle into a “Giving Event!” This year with the help of my friend Kelly, we’ve organized an event called “The Pajama Party Ride.” The concept is simple and may not be what you think. In honor of May being Harley Davidson’s Women Rider Month and the month of Mother’s Day, we are organizing a ride that requires each participant to bring one new pair of Pajamas which will be donated to the local Women’s Shelter.

Most times Mothers will do everything they can for their children but nothing for themselves. These women probably won’t get Mother’s Day gifts and definitely won’t spend money to buy pajamas or any other personal care items. In addition to giving Pajamas, I have contacted a few salon/spa industry companies to see if they could donate any personal care items. Within an hour, John Paul Mitchell Systems donated Lavender Mint take home kits. I am very excited to see how this event unfolds and to make it better year after year.

The idea was to keep it simple, incorporating giving into what I love to do. Use this story to see where your creativity can take you. Does the staff in your salon/spa enjoy bowling? Maybe you can organize a candlelight bowl and have all participants; staff, spouses, kids, donate something that will benefit a cause that is dear to your heart.

Money may be tight these days but it seems to me that there is no shortage of imagination and creativity, especially in our field. So don’t stop giving when money gets tight, start being creative and follow our Harley Chapter’s motto “Just for Fun!”

You may be wondering, will I be riding in my PJs? Well that could be a challenge, due to the safety needs for boots, long pants and long sleeves, but I’ll see what I can do. Watch for a follow up blog about the ride, photos will be posted on NAEFSS’s website.