It is with great nostalgia that I write this month's column for American Salon. Serving as a contributing editor for the magazine has been one of the most rewarding roles I've taken on in my career, and I've very much appreciated having had the opportunity to share a little piece of myself with you every month.
 Frédéric Fekkai |
Over the past few years we've covered a lot of ground: from sharing my experiences of leading a team of stylists backstage at fashion shows during New York City's famed Fashion Week, to styling celebrities at my Beverly Hills salon during Oscar week, to discussing how to master everything from tried and true techniques to cutting-edge hair trends. I've enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experiences with you, and I hope you've enjoyed reading about them and learning something new. This is my last column for the magazine, as I believe the time has come for me to move on.
As is often the case, endings also signal new beginnings, and so it is with me. As my business grows, so does the need for my dedication and increased time commitment. I will continue to work on developing innovative products, expanding product distribution, working with the press and doing what I absolutely love the most: cutting hair. As if that weren't enough, I'm also in the midst of relocating my five-story New York City salon and spa into a beautiful, newly renovated single-floor space in Henri Bendel, one of the city's most luxurious, upscale department stores.
For me, being asked to write a column for this magazine has been—and still is—an honor. Where else can I reach so many of my peers and people who share the same passion for creating beautiful hairstyles as I do? I feel truly blessed to have been in your salons and in the hands of your customers.
So yes, I'm on to new beginnings. But before I go, I'd like to leave you with some advice concerning the three things that I live by and which I believe have made all the difference in making my business, my employees and me successful. The first is to always have a vision of where you see yourself and strive to get there. The second is to not be afraid to fail. It's inevitable that something will not work, and you'll have to change or alter your plan. And finally, I encourage you to take personal time for yourself when you need it. Whether that means reading a book for an hour or heading off for a week at the beach, it's important to recharge. You work hard and you deserve it.
I know that our paths will cross again someday, but until then, thank you all, and be well.