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?