Hello Everyone!!!
As we enter the month of February, many of us think of Valentine's Day and that special someone. Love is a BEAUTIFUL thing!!! When two people can share their innermost thoughts and dreams with each other without being judged, when two people can go through good times and bad times together, when they can make a fun night out of the most simple things. Such as: sitting outside in lawn chairs listening to music, sitting in the car listening to music, driving and singing songs together, no matter how bad they sound:-). Calling each other through the day just to say "hi, now get back to work" or "I love you, goodbye". When two people can become so close, one is thinking something, the other person says it, or the two say things at the same time.
Love is when you are thinking of the person and the phone rings, or you receive a text, or a song that is dear to both of you comes on the radio at that very moment. Love is when you're working and you think of something funny, a moment shared, and you laugh out loud. Love doesn't hurt, it's suppose to feel good.
During this month, if you are in business, capatalize on the celebration of "LOVE" by running a special. Decorate an area in your business to get the clients in the mood for your "special". Discount a chemical service or, since Valentine's Day is on a Monday, have Valentine's Week in your business, where ALL services are discounted for the week and/or month.
As we use our techniques and products to serve clients, we must pay recognition to the people who introduced us to them, and, since this is Black History month, I will start with Madame C.J. Walker. Many think Madame Walker invented the pressing comb, but, she invented a "salve" to apply to the hair, in conjunction to the pressing method of hair straightening.
Madame Walker was the FIRST, self-made African-American female millionaire. In the cosmetology industry, there are many great stories of contributors who are still not recognized. One who comes to mind is Mr. S.B. Fuller, owner of Fuller Products, who had a very diverse sales team in the 50's and 60's. Mr. Fuller had over 500 sales people, men and women, black and white and during that time; a great accomplishment. He was so determined to be successful, he left his small town walking toward success, no definite plan.
Mr. Fuller was a mentor to Mr. Joe Louis Dudley, Jr., who bought his first Fuller "sales kit" with $10 and later turned it into millions. Mr. Dudley and his wife Eunice and their three children
worked out of their kitchen for years until they could afford to hire staff and salespeople. Today, Dudley Products Inc. has been in business almost 40 years. The company owns salons, a manufacturing plant, beauty schools, beauty centers, and has graduated over 25,000 licensed professionals.
There are so many other "greats" who have contributed to this industry: Mr. Johnson, Mr. McBride, Mr. Stearles, Mr. Gardner, Mrs. Joyce Williams, The Luster Family, The Bronner Family, Ms. Poro of Poro College, where Chuck Berry was a graduate, and many more. So, as we continue through this month of Love and History, take some time out of your busy schedule and visit a museum with your children, play something historic in your business, or better yet, play some love songs to relax your clients.
Thank you Carter G. Woodson for Black History Month......And thank you "Cupid", for allowing me, to experience love in my life..........
Create a Better Day!!!!!
Toni Love
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
www.tonilove.com
Author: "The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
A New Life for the New Year!!!!
Hello Everyone!!!!
The New Year (2011) has come and I hope you have new visions, new dreams, new goals, and new aspirations for the future. It's good to have visions, dreams, goals, and aspirations, but without effort and work, they will not turn into reality. Over the past year, I have learned a lot about myself, as well as other people. I've learned to stay true to myself and do what feels right and not compromise to please others.
Many times in business and in life, we make rules, and we compromise our positions. Afterwards, deep down inside, we don't feel comfortable about our decisions. Don't ever let your family, friends, clients, spouses, children, or co-workers pull you down to their level, or make you doubt yourself or compromise your position. Especially, if they are too sorry or lazy to come up to another level or don't want to accept the truth about a situation.
Sometimes in business and in life, we can become too comfortable. We stop having visions about doing better in our lives. We stop "seeing" ourselves happy. We stop dreaming about our future and/or the future of our businesses. We stop setting personal and professional goals and challenging ourselves to live better and/or do better, because it's scary or it looks too hard. So, we take the easy way out and do nothing, but, coast along. We stop aspiring to have a peace of mind and experience a true sense of happiness. We simply stop LIVING, we just exist.
Existing through life is going through the motions. We stop laughing. We stop being ourselves. We stop experiencing love. We stop acting silly. We stop paying attention to the little things, for example: the sun, the moon, and the stars. We stop paying attention to our surroundings. We stop being creative and innovative. We stop challenging ourselves to become better in our personal and professional lives. We stop believing in ourselves and the strength that lies within us. We stop trying, because things get too hard or complicated. We stop moving forward with what we know is right or feels right, because someone is going to get hurt. We stop being responsible, because it's too difficult. We STOP GROWING!!!!
So, as you start this new year, don't stop and don't just exist. Don't bury yourself in something else, so, you don't have to deal with "your" reality. Face your challenges "head-on", stand up, and take responsiblity for your actions. Set yourself free!!!! Free from guilt, free from pain, free from unhappiness, free from consequences, free from negativity. Live now, live for today!!!!!
I wish you all the best!!!
Create a NEW DAY!!!!
Toni Love
www.tonilove.com
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
Author: "The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
Columnist: Barbers Only Magazine
The New Year (2011) has come and I hope you have new visions, new dreams, new goals, and new aspirations for the future. It's good to have visions, dreams, goals, and aspirations, but without effort and work, they will not turn into reality. Over the past year, I have learned a lot about myself, as well as other people. I've learned to stay true to myself and do what feels right and not compromise to please others.
Many times in business and in life, we make rules, and we compromise our positions. Afterwards, deep down inside, we don't feel comfortable about our decisions. Don't ever let your family, friends, clients, spouses, children, or co-workers pull you down to their level, or make you doubt yourself or compromise your position. Especially, if they are too sorry or lazy to come up to another level or don't want to accept the truth about a situation.
Sometimes in business and in life, we can become too comfortable. We stop having visions about doing better in our lives. We stop "seeing" ourselves happy. We stop dreaming about our future and/or the future of our businesses. We stop setting personal and professional goals and challenging ourselves to live better and/or do better, because it's scary or it looks too hard. So, we take the easy way out and do nothing, but, coast along. We stop aspiring to have a peace of mind and experience a true sense of happiness. We simply stop LIVING, we just exist.
Existing through life is going through the motions. We stop laughing. We stop being ourselves. We stop experiencing love. We stop acting silly. We stop paying attention to the little things, for example: the sun, the moon, and the stars. We stop paying attention to our surroundings. We stop being creative and innovative. We stop challenging ourselves to become better in our personal and professional lives. We stop believing in ourselves and the strength that lies within us. We stop trying, because things get too hard or complicated. We stop moving forward with what we know is right or feels right, because someone is going to get hurt. We stop being responsible, because it's too difficult. We STOP GROWING!!!!
So, as you start this new year, don't stop and don't just exist. Don't bury yourself in something else, so, you don't have to deal with "your" reality. Face your challenges "head-on", stand up, and take responsiblity for your actions. Set yourself free!!!! Free from guilt, free from pain, free from unhappiness, free from consequences, free from negativity. Live now, live for today!!!!!
I wish you all the best!!!
Create a NEW DAY!!!!
Toni Love
www.tonilove.com
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
Author: "The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
Columnist: Barbers Only Magazine
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Truth About Bonding Glue
Hello Everyone!!!
First, allow me to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season!!!!
Today, I have chosen this topic because of an experience with a student who attended a Hair Replacement class. She's a licensed cosmetologist who brought two of her clients with her to get measured for a system/unit. (hairpiece) Both ladies were bald on top and the stylist brought them to the class, because she couldn't understand why these ladies were losing their hair. She tried various methods of treatments and was to the point of sending them to a physican.
Both ladies had on commercial hair with the usage of bonding glue. I asked her to remove the commercial hair, so I could analyze the natural hair and scalp. When she was removing the commercial hair, I realized, "SHE" was the problem. She did not use bond remover, she took both ladies to the shampoo bowl and shampooed their hair, pulling and tugging the commercial hair until it was detached from the natural hair.
As you can imagine, some of the natural hair was pulled out, being the bonding glue was attached to it. After we measured both ladies for their systems/units, I noticed the build-up of bonding glue on the natural hair, that was not removed when shampooed. This stylist proceeded to add new commercial hair to the natural hair, on top of the bonding glue, left from the previous hairstyle.
At that point, I stopped her and took her to a private area. I consulted with the clients a few minutes to get a little history of their hair loss, how it affected them, their previous services, etc.
One of the clients informed me, when the stylist can't remove the glue, she cuts it out!!!! Alarmed by what I was hearing, I remained calm and assured both ladies, they would be please with their new styles.
I went to consult with the stylist, to inform her, she was the problem. These ladies had been a victim of improper removal of bonding glue. As there are alot of products on the market, there are instructions to be followed, and bonding glue should be removed with bonding glue remover.
A few tips to remember:
1. Always use bonding glue remover to release commercial hair from the natural hair. (follow manufacturer's directions)
2. Do not shampoo and pull out commercial hair.
3. Always use a conditioner after removing bonding glue to restore moisture in the hair shaft.
4. Never cut the natural hair to remove bonding glue.
5. Never bond on top of old glue.
6. Always apply bonding glue on the hair closet to the scalp, but, not on the scalp.
7. Do not use bonding glue in the same area repeatedly.
8. Give the natural hair a rest, before bonding again.
Until next time, create a better day!!!!
Toni Love
www.tonilove.com
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
Author: The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
tonilovetc205@gmail.com
First, allow me to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season!!!!
Today, I have chosen this topic because of an experience with a student who attended a Hair Replacement class. She's a licensed cosmetologist who brought two of her clients with her to get measured for a system/unit. (hairpiece) Both ladies were bald on top and the stylist brought them to the class, because she couldn't understand why these ladies were losing their hair. She tried various methods of treatments and was to the point of sending them to a physican.
Both ladies had on commercial hair with the usage of bonding glue. I asked her to remove the commercial hair, so I could analyze the natural hair and scalp. When she was removing the commercial hair, I realized, "SHE" was the problem. She did not use bond remover, she took both ladies to the shampoo bowl and shampooed their hair, pulling and tugging the commercial hair until it was detached from the natural hair.
As you can imagine, some of the natural hair was pulled out, being the bonding glue was attached to it. After we measured both ladies for their systems/units, I noticed the build-up of bonding glue on the natural hair, that was not removed when shampooed. This stylist proceeded to add new commercial hair to the natural hair, on top of the bonding glue, left from the previous hairstyle.
At that point, I stopped her and took her to a private area. I consulted with the clients a few minutes to get a little history of their hair loss, how it affected them, their previous services, etc.
One of the clients informed me, when the stylist can't remove the glue, she cuts it out!!!! Alarmed by what I was hearing, I remained calm and assured both ladies, they would be please with their new styles.
I went to consult with the stylist, to inform her, she was the problem. These ladies had been a victim of improper removal of bonding glue. As there are alot of products on the market, there are instructions to be followed, and bonding glue should be removed with bonding glue remover.
A few tips to remember:
1. Always use bonding glue remover to release commercial hair from the natural hair. (follow manufacturer's directions)
2. Do not shampoo and pull out commercial hair.
3. Always use a conditioner after removing bonding glue to restore moisture in the hair shaft.
4. Never cut the natural hair to remove bonding glue.
5. Never bond on top of old glue.
6. Always apply bonding glue on the hair closet to the scalp, but, not on the scalp.
7. Do not use bonding glue in the same area repeatedly.
8. Give the natural hair a rest, before bonding again.
Until next time, create a better day!!!!
Toni Love
www.tonilove.com
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
Author: The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
tonilovetc205@gmail.com
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tips to Starting a Business
Hello Everyone!!!!
Many people ask me about starting a business, but, I don't always have the answer depending on the nature of their business. If you are interested in starting a business, take your time and do your research. Find out as much as you can about the business of interest.
Another important tip, work in the industry of interest, BEFORE going into business for yourself. Then, you can observe what works and what does not work. For example: before owning a salon, I worked in my mother's salon and a few chain salons. I worked where I was paid a salary, paid on commission, and I worked in a booth rental setting.
Before opening a school, I worked at a high school, with a vocational program offering cosmetology. I worked in a private school, as well as a community college. Before I started offering continuing education classes, I worked as a Platform Artist with Sally Beauty Company and as Director of Continuing Education for Dudley Products.
One of the most important tips I would like to share, prepare a business plan and budget before starting a business. Be sure to obtain estimates from construction costs, equipment, supplies, and any other items associated with a cost. Also, if you are planning to obtain a loan from the bank, the loan officer will ask to view the business plan. It needs to be realistic and contain "Revenue Generators", (methods of generating income), or simply, "how is the business going to make money?"
If your business is going to be "non-profit" and you are seeking to obtain a grant, you need to research the process. The first step is to acquire a non-profit lawyer for assistance. Then, apply for your "non-profit" status, (501-C) with the IRS. The lawyer should assist you from this point and/or take classes pertaining to starting a non-profit business.
As a business owner, another important tip I will pass along, is to surround yourself with positive people. There are other successful business owners who will love to mentor you and give you great advice and/or suggestions. Continue to grow through education, join professional organizations within your industry and continue to take classes throughout your tenure as a business owner.
You must establish rules and regulations to govern the business by, before starting it. You must learn to manage yourself, before you can manage other people. You must practice professional ethics at all times. You must continue to study at all times, by, reading books, listening to helpful audiobooks, taking classes on marketing, management, and salesmanship.
Lastly, you must be honest, yes, you want to go into business because you love what you do, but you also go into business to MAKE A PROFIT!!!!!:-)
Until Next Time.....Create A Better Day!!!!!
Toni Love
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Men and Grooming
Hello Everyone!!!!!
My best friend, Lamon Davis, is assisting me with this blog. He reads my blog and follows my career pretty closely and suggested I write something pertaining to men. Actually, he selected the topic, "Men and Grooming". It is also safe to say, he is a contributor to this article.
After several conversations, he pointed out to me, men need help in the "grooming department". We discussed skincare, nail care, balding, thinning, as well as clothing. I found his interest in this topic and the intensity in which he spoke, very compelling. He told me how men need to pay more attention to their nails and keeping them trimmed and cleaned. And, I agree.
He also told me on another ocassion, how he cut himself shaving and left two raised scars on his face, as a result of a blade being too sharp. Therefore, men, please pay attention to the pressure being put on the razor strokes. It's not good to cut too close, remember, you can always go over the area again. Be sure, to pay attention to the direction in which you are shaving. Many men are all over the place, taking the razor in many directions on the face and neck. It's best to stroke in the same direction while shaving.
To keep the skin from being irritated, be sure to apply antiseptic and/or aftershave immediately after shaving. Lamon and I also discussed men who are losing their hair, (he usually wears a bald head) and I suggested he try a new look. When he allows his hair to grow out, it's somewhat thin on top, so I suggested he use a water-proof color comb, similar to a mascara brush and apply to the thin areas. He tried it, cutting the sides and back low, and everyone noticed something different about his look.
Some people thought he had decided to allow his hair to grow out, instead of wearing the usual bald head. Many people thought he looked younger, not knowing the color was lightly applied to the thin areas. These water-proof color combs/sticks are sold at all beauty supply stores and many discount stores and drugstores.
Lastly, as the season changes, it's time to look into wardrobe changes. Lamon told me, his challenge is not having clothes, but, finding the time to wear them, since his job plays a major role in his daily wardrobe. There are many people facing this same situation, so, my suggestion is to wear your nice clothes when you are not working. Dress up, not down, when you're off!!!!! Go to new places and attend events that will allow you the opportunity to wear those nice clothes.
During the fall and winter, wear the darker colors and mix them with "earth tones" to add lighter color, but staying in season. Men, purple is a really popular color this season, representing "Royalty", so be sure to pick up a purple scarf, sweater, tie (paisley), and/or socks this season. Dark brown is another popular color this season, so men, get your dark brown pants and a "earth tone" shirt or sweater, get those nails done, (and be sure to get them buffed for shine, if you don't like "clear " nail polish), get that fresh hair cut, and some nice cologne and enjoy the season!!!!!
And remember, if you can smell your cologne, you have on too much!!!!
Lamon, thank you so much for your input and suggestion......It's always good to have friends who are interested and concerned, Love You!!!!
Until Next Time.........
Toni Love
Author: "The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
www.tonilove.com
tonilovetc205@gmail.com
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
My best friend, Lamon Davis, is assisting me with this blog. He reads my blog and follows my career pretty closely and suggested I write something pertaining to men. Actually, he selected the topic, "Men and Grooming". It is also safe to say, he is a contributor to this article.
After several conversations, he pointed out to me, men need help in the "grooming department". We discussed skincare, nail care, balding, thinning, as well as clothing. I found his interest in this topic and the intensity in which he spoke, very compelling. He told me how men need to pay more attention to their nails and keeping them trimmed and cleaned. And, I agree.
He also told me on another ocassion, how he cut himself shaving and left two raised scars on his face, as a result of a blade being too sharp. Therefore, men, please pay attention to the pressure being put on the razor strokes. It's not good to cut too close, remember, you can always go over the area again. Be sure, to pay attention to the direction in which you are shaving. Many men are all over the place, taking the razor in many directions on the face and neck. It's best to stroke in the same direction while shaving.
To keep the skin from being irritated, be sure to apply antiseptic and/or aftershave immediately after shaving. Lamon and I also discussed men who are losing their hair, (he usually wears a bald head) and I suggested he try a new look. When he allows his hair to grow out, it's somewhat thin on top, so I suggested he use a water-proof color comb, similar to a mascara brush and apply to the thin areas. He tried it, cutting the sides and back low, and everyone noticed something different about his look.
Some people thought he had decided to allow his hair to grow out, instead of wearing the usual bald head. Many people thought he looked younger, not knowing the color was lightly applied to the thin areas. These water-proof color combs/sticks are sold at all beauty supply stores and many discount stores and drugstores.
Lastly, as the season changes, it's time to look into wardrobe changes. Lamon told me, his challenge is not having clothes, but, finding the time to wear them, since his job plays a major role in his daily wardrobe. There are many people facing this same situation, so, my suggestion is to wear your nice clothes when you are not working. Dress up, not down, when you're off!!!!! Go to new places and attend events that will allow you the opportunity to wear those nice clothes.
During the fall and winter, wear the darker colors and mix them with "earth tones" to add lighter color, but staying in season. Men, purple is a really popular color this season, representing "Royalty", so be sure to pick up a purple scarf, sweater, tie (paisley), and/or socks this season. Dark brown is another popular color this season, so men, get your dark brown pants and a "earth tone" shirt or sweater, get those nails done, (and be sure to get them buffed for shine, if you don't like "clear " nail polish), get that fresh hair cut, and some nice cologne and enjoy the season!!!!!
And remember, if you can smell your cologne, you have on too much!!!!
Lamon, thank you so much for your input and suggestion......It's always good to have friends who are interested and concerned, Love You!!!!
Until Next Time.........
Toni Love
Author: "The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions"
www.tonilove.com
tonilovetc205@gmail.com
Facebook: Toni Love Cosmetology
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