Sam's Playlist - Education, Travel, Education

Imagine as a hairdresser standing behind the chair and doing the same thing everyday. Boring! As a hairdresser standing behind the chair, you must never cease to learn or else you will get left behind and lose both the client and your passion. As a teacher, I must never cease to learn. I think that goes with any job we have—especially hairdressers—as new trends are always coming in and going out.

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s important that we tell a client what is happening before they tell us what is happening. There is danger in the “comfort zone” and I enjoy having one foot in that zone and one out so I continually challenge myself. It’s those challenges that create a sense of enthusiasm behind the chair. Remember, your skill sets, communications skills and attitude can go a long way with a client. Get up and get out to as many educational events as you can, my friends! Education keeps clients in your chair!

Salons that build their brand on a culture of education, progression and passion will always have an increased number of new guest bookings, higher guest retention and lower stylist turnover—all elements that lead to a more successful and profitable salon. I believe that in today’s world, people buy based on value, not price. Value is knowledge—share your knowledge with your clients. Share the simple difference of brushing vertically with a paddle brush vs. horizontally.  It’s all about sharing how to create a fishhook with a hairpin so it won’t slide out.  Knowledge is value and that’s what keeps clients coming back to your chair!

Learning requires stepping out and attending educational events or researching particular looks or techniques. We have come so far! Technology and the social media in today’s world have made it so much easier to learn. Online learning has made it convenient to learn in your own environment. Social media is the new resource for learning for many stylists who do no have the time to leave the chair to travel over a weekend to attend an educational event. In addition to everyday obstacles, one of the benefits of online learning is that it provides a solution for hairdressers who may be facing financial obstacles that might otherwise make education impossible. Digital education allows the stylist to learn on their own time, at their own convenience and at their own pace—anywhere!

Until next time—travel and learn, my friends!

Sam

About: Sam Villa is founding partner of the Sam Villa brand (Allvus, LLC), designed to bring “More Sam to More People.”  The educational world of this Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007), Favorite Overall Educator of the Year (2015) and Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue, can be experienced on www.samvilla.com.