Sheariously
- May 4, 2020
- 7 min read

Sheariously Navigating

Dear blog time capsule,

Sheariously the whole world is enduring a pandemic. This one shook up 2020 & the my career industry by storm!

The Beauty Industry mandated closer & people went bananas on TikTok filming DIY Covid-Cuts + Covid-Colours. It was entertaining to watch from a Hairstylist perspective. 6 weeks in & still in the unknown of reopening. Many moons have passed since my hands crest hair & missing my Guests faces.

During this time, it has its highs & lows. There was no prep for this SHITuation. I've cried so hard I felt like throwing in the towel & I've been so inspired by our Industry that reboots my purpose. What an emotional rollercoaster.

No right or wrong way to go about it. My top property was to put myself + family values/protection first & respecting others choices on their way how to handle + survive. Tough for all affected.

Going about trying to make my Independent Home Salon thrive a closure. Sheariously here to share my high + low experiences.

I'll admit that a perk of not paying rent/lease for my Salon space was in my benefit. Dwindles my soul of those Salons permanently closing due to unable to pay rent. Yes, this perk is handy but still unable to generate income to pay for my mortgage & if you didn't know, we moved into a new home with higher mortgage payments 3 months before closure. It's been tight but adaptable.

As for my Business, I had to take necessary steps like expense projections to make my Business operate & how to recover. Still cruising the storm at a rate of be stable but I've made hard decisions that effects my Business but also protects it/myself/clients at the same time.

My choice to not sell my Professional Hair Colour "at Home Colour Kits" {as it's a oath I value in a Licensed Chemical Colourist regardless of pandemic} I questioned the decision as other Salons provided these kits {secretly too.} with no repercussions/fines/loss of license as I know. Here is the thing, my choice unfortunately is sacrificing my customer experience with those who have a hard time seeing those white sparkles appear.

I Sheariously take pride on delivering genuine experience to each Guests. It's my duty to service their hair needs in my selected salon space but my con's risks are vast offering kits. I'm trying to rise above the Home Salon negative assumptions...not add to it. Unsatisfied choices weren't taken lightly.

Sheariously navigating through ALL scenarios.

I have concerns about reopening on a date that is not concrete, May 14th. Still waiting what is required for safety protocols & in the first stage, I feel it's unsafe as the Government still preaches Social Distancing.

My career is not an deemed essential...but on Guest mindset we play an essential part.

I work from home & I am so happy that I now have separation. I believe my Guests would have more safety with less exposure in my space. With that being said, that still exposes my Family. {Well aware that we aren't high risk candidates} Family consensus is not on board with that.

I also want to address about PPE. There is already short supply & with that comes higher cost. I believe that frontline workers dibs first in fairness. What happens when PPE runs out? What's the solution for that? As I am searching to order on Amazon, outsourcing other Canadian distributors, {Gregg, Seton, etc. plus our Salon distributors aren't equip for other PPE needed} the time frame for shipping/back orders is June. I will not work till I am fully equipped but also, still waiting from our Alberta Government to address what is needed to operate. When PPE is unattainable to replenish, I re-close my doors again. Cycle of uncertainty. The game is not fun.

Larger employed Salons will need more supplies, this lessens the already short supply...will it be like the TP fiasco for the Independent Beauty Providers strapped to provide proper gear?

The usage of PPE, you have to be training for proper fitting, use, maintenance + cleaning. Our Industry isn't certified with this work safe practices.

I get feels of being pushed out but I am pushing back hard to concur when I feel secured in safety.

Protection over vanity!

With re-opening costs to ensure my Business/Self+Family/Guests protection, who is covering the cost? My heart-aches leaning towards implementing a COVID-FEE. I rather not to be clear & I understand it's unfair for Guests, know that it's unfair for my Business as it already endured a loss of $$$ being closed & putting it in place in order to keep my doors open. I already had plans written to have a Price Increase April 1st. I pushed it back to July 1st. Yes I've considered on just doing price revamping when reopening... what's the difference from adding a Covid-fee at the beginning... it not only would cover PPE expenses also for the extra time I have to take for additional sterilizing after service + prep to make sure my Business operates smoothly + bring transparency to my Guests. Communication is KEY....ALWAYS!

Everyone is unprepared towards this SHITuation & have to adapted.

I am all about embracing the evolution.

But when evolving leaves you with a pit in your stomach with this type of scenario of uncertainty of your own well being & respectfully acknowledging upsetting many of those who have a different opinion who

want their service done desperately. I knowing these gutted feels will dissipate with proactive planning approach. It will just take time & please bare with me. Pressure unfortunately doesn't solve.

I Sheariously don't want to be fear driven, yet I need to know all risks + proper protocols. If any outbreak happens in ANY Salon, it will be detrimental. Prep working + waiting for safety standards...with the "New Salon Norm" aligns best for myself + family, Liscensed Home Based Salon + Guests?

Our Industry will change.

The experience you experienced will be different as SO MANY PROTOCOLS will be established during your Beauty Service. Let me share what potential changes may occur.

Guests who are ANY type of sickness must stay home.
Vulnerable Clients, such as Seniors & those with underlying health conditions should continue to exercise caution & minimize high-risk exposures.
Clients should attend appointment alone & not bring kids.
Stylist wearing full PPE - Gloves to be worn during haircut & washing. {OUCHIE}
Screening questions before arriving
Social Distancing markers throughout Salon
Upon entering the Salon, you must wash your hands or use hand sanitizer at a designated Sanitation Station.
Clients wearing masks upon arriving into Salon & during entire session
Possible temperature checks to be conducted
Clients should attend no more than 5 minutes before the expected appointment & wait till guided in.
If waiting room is full, we please ask to wait in your car & we will call you to come in.
Refrain from touching Retail & Beverage Station. Ask for assistance. Beginning stages no Beverages to be offered.
Limited appointment time. 1 to 2 hours. Which means, limited to types of hair services I can offer at the reopening. NO DOUBLE BOOKING.
15 people or less to be inside Salon.
Limited to conversations. No talking during washing hair.
No blow drying
FULL Salon sanitation between each client

*** the list continues

Now, these are Guidelines that I gathered from other Canadian Provinces & observed from grocery stores. [Limited exposure] There is NO set framework provided for our Province of Alberta as of yet May 1st. So I am unable to for sure give Guests the go ahead to Book in {I'll contact you}....my resources are undetermined.

NOTE: some of these won't be implemented as I am a Solo Beauty Provider & will have to enhance some protocols to layout for my Business position

I want to ensure a SAFE SPACE & abide to those guidelines that are given to our industry. I have strive to break the stigma of a home-based salon lifestyle & be legit... I've committed to the guidelines, licensing and permits, etc. to building a sustainable reliable Salon. I want to stay open & serve again a SAFE SALON SPACE... all the while working & living Under One Roof.

Many things are not going to align with me & many things are not going to align with Guests. Covid or not, this in reality in our Industry.

I've already been adapted to only servicing One on One Hair sessions. But even that being said...I want to smoothly transition to begin, I'm taking it slow for an all around security. I do not want to develop or battle business burnout. My experience has to be just as an enjoyable to be able to serve quality hair sessions. Plus, beware that me raising my child comes first. My Time is now limited as he has no school. Being 9, only child, recently moved away from his Purdue Crew & no friend hangouts...he's been emotion hit too. I do not want to be stretched thin for my Family priorities by delivering a luxury service...I have so much purpose + potential for my career...I got more to give.

I don't want to sacrifice my sanity. This WILL change my Career experience.

I sent out a survey to my Guest so I can have a better understanding how to go about my policies, protocols & Sheariously changes. Many Guests are holding off on their services. Not fully because they feel unsafe. I understand though... civilians still practice social distancing but you're allowed to get your hair done which doesn't measure up. Beauty Budgets matter...and if it's doesn't align in your budget. I GET IT. Sheariously no shame! I personally had too readjust our financials. I'll see you when the time is ideal & have a Beauty Budget Itinerary.