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Hello Everyone,
First and foremost, we miss you. We really love the work we do and all the relationships we have forged with you. We cannot wait until we can return to spending time with our clients in the space we love so dearly. We have received an huge outreach of emails, texts, donations, and gift card purchases from you showing support. We are incredibly grateful for all of it. Sincerely, thank you so so much.
As most of you know, Abbot has started to open the state this weekend. Fortunately (in my opinion), he did not open hair salons. There was some hinting that we could be included in phase 2. However, that will be based on the results of phase 1 and its possible that we will not be included. For the safety of the staff, our clients (you), and the financial well being of the salon, it is my hope that will be pushed to the last phase of opening.
Additionally, even if we are allowed to open in mid May, It is possible that we do not open. I will be taking into consideration all available information in doing so, but the health of my team and our clients is number one priority.
Because of these variables, we are still not booking or rebooking clients. It is an overwhelming process for both clients and staff to figure out the surge of rebooking. For the sanity of all, we will wait until we have a CONFIRMED date by both the state and myself before booking.
When we are able to open up, we will send a full list of the current guidelines, but here are some things that other states are requiring.
- Temperature taking at the door
- Screening of Symptoms
- Masks worn (held by client for access to hair)
Failing to bring a mask or pass these scans will prevent you from being able to receive services.
One of the biggest changes we will face is a reduction of occupancy to 25%. Heres what that means:
-staff will be working in shifts
-no double booking
-clients will have to wait in cars until appointment
-No accompanying children, under any circumstances. If children are receiving service, they cannot be accompanied by a parent. Parents must wait outside.
- beverages will not be served
- clients will be asked to minimize personal belongings to that which will fit in pockets
What this reduction in occupancy also means is that we will all be limited in our capability to see clients in our normal volume. Most of us double book, specifically colorist. We wont be able to do so. Not to mention the extra time we will need for additional sanitation practices. Its going to be pretty challenging. We ask that you please be patient with us. The demand for our services is backed up, its a higher demand than I've seen in my entire career. However, its likely that we wont be able to accommodate clients like we have in the past. I am working hard to make sure we troublehsoot this as it comes, but for all these reasons, its impossible to start booking. We simply dont know what this will look like until we are given the guidelines.
All that being said here is some insight you may or may not know/thought about.
The hairdresser industry has had a nearly impossible time trying to access federal relief funds. Most hairdressers are independent contractors or sole proprietors. This has made it very difficult accessing funds through normal means, although it has gotten better. Accessing PPP for small businesses is nearly impossible. My friend is California applied at 53 banks before getting approved. Additionally the push for personal services coming out too soon is dangerous to both our health and the financial well being of the salon. We cannot socially distance from clients and operating a business at 25% is not sustainable. We will not be able to operate under those terms for very long. By removing mandates, we lose protection against our landlords (both personal and at the salon) and are basically forced into working at a loss. I have started a petition to help other hairdresser across the country. My intention was/is not to make it political, but to be a voice for the physical and financial safety of my fellow hairdressers. If you feel compelled in supporting, please take 1 min and sign this petition. Although Abbot kept us out of phase 1, this petition supports hairdressers all over the country and helps signal to elected officials the concerns of the personal service-based industry.
Again, thank you all for your support. I promise we will reach out as soon as we have a confirmed green light.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
best,
bb and carissa
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