Professionalism in the Workplace

Professionalism in the Workplace or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb

(No one will get that joke, and that’s ok).

I get asked a lot if I can take people along with me on events, like- taking an assistant who’s maybe still in school and needs the experience, or one of my friends who just hasn’t done a wedding/show/etc and wants to see what it’s all about.

Actually, I get asked a lot.

And while I would love to, let me tell you why some of you don’t receive phone calls.

You guys dress and act like damn hoochies.

I’m not kidding, I wish it was something more than that- but it’s not.

And if it wasn’t the flashing boobs and the shortest of skirts that did it- it’s the instagram and facebook pictures that did.

Oh yeah, you BEST believe if I’m getting paid to work a job and I bring you along- you are a reflection of me. You know I’m going to look through your facebook feed.

The minute I see your boobs, the minute I see drugs/bongs/etc, and the MINUTE I see 4 pages worth of drama- I’m out.

And look, I get it- you time is YOU time. You’re gonna pour yourself a glass of wine, or go out with your friends and believe me- I also partake in a little wine and party, BUT I DON’T LEAVE IT WHERE MY CLIENTS/BOSSES SEE IT.

You guys, I can’t even believe the stuff I find sometimes. It’s sort of embarrassing. I’m not even a legit hacker. I’m not even great at EASY computer work- but I can find things.

I’m like Willie Wonka- I like to take my group through a strange turn of events that show their true colors. And slowly but surely I will weed through until I find someone that I know won’t embarrass me somewhere I’m getting paid.

Sorry, I’m not sorry. I’m telling it like it is.

My rebookings for weddings in particular are really important to me, because it’s a high stress day that is extremely timely and they’re paying me quite a bit. I dress nicely, I act professional, and when the day is over- I let my smart mouth go wild. If you show up in a tiny club dress and start talking about ex-boyfriends, you’re out. I’m sorry, I have such limited tolerance for that. I’m not here to get you jobs (and I’m not here to let you lose mine), I’m here to show you how to make money by being a pro.

So let’s talk about the dress code first:

1) No Shorts at Work

This isn’t a rule that your school put in just to spite you. There’s a reason for it.

Shorts are CASUAL. They are way too casual, and on top of that the trends now make them VERY short. Do not wear short shorts to work- you are not a hoochie. (Shorts that are acceptable are capris. The end.)

(If you want real talk here, before I even started at my salon- my boss handed me my key and said, “I have 2 rules; no shorts, and your station better be clean”.)

2) You Are Not Competing for the World’s Shortiest Skirt Award

I’m serious you guys. I don’t know why suddenly because you don’t get to wear booty shorts you have to make up for it with a skirt that is as big as a tube top.

I’ll let you in on a secret and tell you exactly what my clients have told me about girls in short skirts.

“Girls who wear stuff like that are trying to distract us from the fact that they can’t work.”

This was said by a woman in head to toe cheetah print, mind you, but frankly I agree. If you have to wear something that leaves NOTHING to the imagination, you reek of insecurity and clients smell it a mile away. And their first thoughts go right to the fact that you probably don’t know what you’re doing. Real talk girls- you don’t need to dress like that at work. I bet you’re really amazing at what you do and your clothes are sending the wrong message. Don’t be a hoochie at work. Let your beautiful face and your wonderful work stand on it’s own. You don’t need skirts up to your bits and bobs.

3) Put Your Boobs Away.

Let me tell you what my hilarious boyfriend once said about a girl who used to cut his hair:

“…It was a terrible haircut. I mean like, really bad. And every time I went back it was just as bad. I didn’t have a good haircut for YEARS.”

“Why did you go back for so long?”

“Lowcut shirts. I could see literally 99% of her boobs and they always touched my head.”

That’s embarrassing, you guys. If you have a man that comes back to you for your boobs, that’s legit embarrassing. And you know what he tells his friends?

I’m not even going to sugar coat it. He will say, “There’s this hoochie/skank/etc at ______, the haircuts suck but you can see her boobs”.

Don’t be known like that you guys. Don’t do that to yourself. You’re too good to be the hoochie at a chop shop.

And let me add something here, before we move on from dress code. Know that I would never discriminate against someone with piercings, tattoos, etc. (Although I think anyone that knows me probably already knew that). But understand this, I DO discriminate against people who make it a thing. If piercings and tattoos are your life and it’s all you can talk about and you feel as though anyone who doesn’t have one must be AGAINST you for some reason and you act out with a giant chip on your shoulder- I will leave your ass at home.

And it’s not because you have tattoos.

It’s because you’re annoying.

And for non-dress code stuff:

1) Learn a Professional Voice

When a man walks into your shop and sits in your chair- do not smack his arm, do not get giggly and vapid, and for the love of God- don’t say, “Oh my God, you’re soooooo funneehhhh”.

Don’t, don’t do that. Unless you want that guy coming back and getting your number- there is no reason for it.

If you’re doing it for tips- you’re working too hard. Men on average tip higher and better than women- whether or not you were flirty.

And let me even put this out there, by acting like a flirt- he’s seeing you as “easy”. And I get it, speaking as a natural flirt- sometimes it just comes out whether we intended it as flirty or not- but keep this in mind. Women usually control their men when it comes to haircuts. If they want it short, it will be short and if they want it maintained a certain way- it shall be done.

So when a man sits in your chair- just assume he has a girlfriend and keep your boundaries. Better to rebook and be tipped well on service than for boobies. (Plus, we all know girls are crazy and the minute she finds out there’s a hoochie flirt at the shop- she will come in.)

And as for women in your chair, they want to talk about themselves (real talk here). If you get a mom (especially one with a) young children b) an upcoming wedding or c) a really stressful job), let them talk it out. They come to you for their own time. Let them get out what they really need to say. They are not paying you $100 to hear you talk about how you boyfriend left you (again) and all the disaster drama in your life. Women are not loyal in the chair- they will find somewhere else where there is a person who gives them peace of mind.

Summing it all up here- Clients want someone who talks professionally but knows when to step back and say, “It’s ok girl, I got your back.”

2) Understand That You Won’t Like Everyone Who’s in Your Chair, and Not Everyone in the Chair Will Love You

Keep it in check you guys. Do not get crazy, do not burn bridges, do not make a fool of yourself.

There will be clients who want nothing more than to make your life hell. It happens. AND IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE. Doesn’t matter how much you charge or what part of town you’re in. Someone will hassle you on your prices, your work, etc. It just happens. These are people who probably have limited control on their own lives and so they have to take it out on you.

Just like the girl who comes in and cries when she sees her hair because she’s so happy- you will have the flipside.

Don’t get mad, don’t start pointing fingers.

-Start by asking what they would like changed.

If it’s a style, fix it, but if it’s something that’s big (like color) then offer to have them come in (WHENEVER IS BEST FOR THEM) and offer to change it for them.

-If they’re haggling you on prices, try to stay firm.

Much like children, clients will push about your prices. The minute you flex for them- they’re going to want that treatment all the time. Suddenly your appointment is $60 when you know it should have been $80.

And the trick that gets them:

If they start throwing out, “Well at THIS OTHER SHOP, it’s only $20 for haircuts”.

You say:

“That sounds like a great deal. If you want to book with them to get that amazing discount- go for it. I won’t be offended.”

And then let them know that your haircuts stay firm at $___.

I’ve never had a client leave my chair. It’s a bit of a weird move- because you’re basically encouraging them to go.

Again, much like children- they’re threatening to run away and you’re calling the bluff.

“You want to run away? Sure. You want a PB&J for the road?”

You feel like an ass, but I promise- if they haggle you once, they’ll do it over and over til you call them out.

And for women who come in and are just never pleased- understand that you have nothing to do with that. They are just in it to complain and it has nothing to do with what service you performed. Unless you sprayed water on them, turned them orange and slapped their mother- you probably did nothing wrong.

3) Drop the Ego, and Quick.

Look, I get it- we all come out of school thinkin’ we’re Tabatha Coffey/Takashi/Kim Kimble.

The truth is- we aren’t even close.

You will always have to go to new classes, you will always have to learn new trends, and you better trust and believe- there will always be someone bigger, badder, and better than you.

As stylists, we develop this rock star mentality that one day we’re going to be somebody and go places and the fact of the matter is- that’s only maybe. The odds are more likely that you will be the new kid in the salon and you will be low man on the totem pole.

I’ll let you in on a secret though- good hairdressers are confident, but not arrogant. We understand that the appointment isn’t about us. We’re merely a backdrop at the end of the appointment when the client is staring at herself in the mirror. We are about as important to a client has a blow-dryer. Understanding this quickly will set you up in a way that will humanize you, make you relatable. When the appointment is over and you’ve shown that you’re an amazing, glorified blow dryer and you’ve proven that this day wasn’t all about you- your client is more likely to pimp your name around town.

You want them saying that you made them feel amazing.

Getting your hair done is a luxury. It’s something women do to feel special. They want you to do magic that somehow gives them the same feeling as loosing 10 pounds, suddenly not having acne, or kissing their boyfriend.

And focusing on yourself and your big, fat ego has nothing to do with it.

Weeeelllll, that was longwinded wasn’t it?

Take my advice with a grain of salt and understand I’m not trying to brow beat you, or make you feel horrible. I want you to succeed.

-SamanthaK