Tales Behind the Chair..... Those Moments...

    Those moments when you realize the difference you make in a persons life.  I have a handful of clients that view me as a machine that I am only there to do their hair and be a sounding board, but other than that, they don't seem to think I am a living human being that gets ill, sad or tired.  They don't seem to realize that I too value time with my family, friends and that I too enjoy being home to have dinner with my husband and daughter or spend a full weekend with them.

  Then there are those moments.  Those moments when the most likely and unlikely clients all of a sudden, have your back, want to fight for you, make sure you are OK, check in on you, cry with you and for you and generally take over telling you to stay home, eat, get better and the ones that really know me, gently yell at me when I still think I am 20 years old and can just power  thru this illness.  I have never been sick in my life, and with it turning into pneumonia and ending up septic because of all the infections I had going on in my body without resting completely, it nearly put me into the hospital and I will probably takes months to fully recover.

     This is the moment where my army of loving considerate clients come in, the clients I now realize are my friends.  The clients who refused to come in until I was well, or at least felt up to it, and those clients are the ones that brought me wellness tea, protein bars because they knew how much weight I had lost, refused to get into my chair until I ate, brought me essential oils, vitamins and a vaporizer , texted me, called me and checked up on me daily and either stopped by with soup, sent me cards or offered to come sit with me, clean my house or bring me food.  Some of these clients are still checking on me daily.  I never expected the outpouring of love and consideration and realize that these are the reasons I have been doing hair for 27 years and probably will into my 80's.

     What about the Handful of clients that couldn't or adamantly refused?  Yes I had one send me a text that said "I am sorry you are so sick, but that is not my problem, I pay you to do a job and I have a very important meeting next week I need to look good for, so I will see you at 2:15 regardless... I will bring you soup."  That Client was 35 minutes late, brought me a can of condensed Chicken and Stars soup and even though I could barely stand up and had a mask on , told me not to talk to her because she could not afford to get sick.  That night was my second trip to Urgent Care.  She is also the client that has no showed me at 5 am and then demanded I get her in because her hair looked terrible, which it never has more than a 4 week outgrowth.  She has 2 strikes, I may even let her go before the 3rd.

     Because of this eye opening experience, I now have a compromised immune system but I have also learned that it is OK to take care of myself. My health is more important, losing a day or even 3 of work is better than the total of 9 days I had to reschedule and I also now know the clients I want to keep around, want to keep me around as well.  I guess I now realize they love me every bit as much as I love them.  Thank you too all of my Angels whether you were Hardcore or Sweet.... I feel it, and I love you too.

   

DEADLINE MIDNIGHT....no problems? I think?

Hairdresser...

Due tonight at midnight?  No problem... I think... this isn't my first Rodeo.  I go through this EVERY tax season.  I guess according to the news last night I am in that 25% group of Americans who wait until the last minute.  I had great intentions this year.  In the beginning I started logging in all bank statements and receipts in the beginning of the year, once a week.  Apparently that lasted until February 16th, 2011.  Now I have waited so long, and I closed my bank account so I had to download all my statements and manually enter everything.  I am only putting in business related entries.  At this point why wouldn't I.  This is day 2 and I am about half way there, however in the meantime, Stevi has been home the last 2 days with a stomach problem, I need to call the Dr. and see if he will send her prescriptions in before her follow up appointment since we can't get in to see him until May 2nd, and ask him if I can get her something over the counter such as Pepto Bismal to help her.  Like all other teenagers, since she was feeling better and thought she was miraculously cured, she quit taken her medicine and I think she ate something she is still at least intolerant to, no hives but nausea and other things I'm not allowed to mention about her because it's embarrassing.....

Laptop

Hairdresser filing system and office.........

As you can see.......I am very organized and I am on July of last years bank statements , then I need to sift through my receipts and enter all cash receipts that are pertinent.......HELP!?  

PS I miss you Dad!

A fire was just lit under my ass.......

I just received a text message from a client demanding that I move another client from my books because that was her spot.  Just to make things clear, I am not a machine and nobody owns me or my time other than myself. She sent me a scathing text that I needed to "fix" my schedule for the next year because those spots belong to her.  I am sorry but I am pissed.  And if you are reading this, I know you know I am pissed because of my response.  First of all, I am a human being and you cannot boss me or bully me around and think I will take it.  Every one of my clients is just as important to me the moment they sit in my chair and I will NOT rearrange their schedules just to make sure it fits perfectly in yours.  I know we have become close on a personal level, but I can separate friendship and professionalism 100%.  Every client that comes to me has my utmost respect and 100% of my focus when it is their appointment time.  That is the number 1 reason I decided to make appointments one day at a time versus the full year in advance which you demanded at the end of last year.  You are the only one that was not understanding and you also don't seem to realize that I do have a family that needs me as well.  My daughter is 15, a freshman in high school, I only have the opportunities to be her mother and attend all of her activities for the next 4 years.  She is my number one priority.  99% of my clients understand this.  I need to focus on me and my family in order to be a great hairdresser and give a great service.  In the past, I let my clients rule me... for 23 years!  This only burned me out and I felt defeated and exhausted.  I still work 10-12 hour days, I may only work Mon-Fri and one Saturday a month... but my hours are 4 am to 11pm...... this is so I can book time out to attend personal and family things through out my days, I think I am pretty flexible, because despite any gaps in my schedule, I still work over 8 hours a day and I don't get paid overtime or get a "Good job" pat on my back.  This is the only appointment that doesn't fit perfectly in your life........If I am only a machine to you and not a living, breathing person that has up to this point rescheduled her life around you for years....I apologize......but I will not budge and I will not move my clients, 2 of them, to adjust to your schedule.  They "Own" that spot because they were put there first, and they both come from California, one of which is booked around a Cancer treatment, so her "Schedule" trumps yours.


I know this seems unprofessional, but sometimes we hairdressers need to vent, please realize that our lives primarily revolve around yours, not the other way around.............Enough said, I need to "Walk it off" as my mom would say.......and put Bubba back in her cage.


I love each and every one of my clients, this may be your appointment I am fighting for......I know who is flexible and who is not.... just know if you are on my books and I schedule you... I would never EVER move you unless I knew that you were somebody that was able to flex, and that would only be a last resort, you are all my top priorities and I will do everything in my power to keep your appointments as they are.  I do know that we have to reschedule and move things around occasionally because of life...and that is part of it, so thank you to everyone that has appreciated my flexibility as much as I have appreciated yours.  I will continue to be the best hairdresser I can and will always be there for you in more ways than you may realize.

A woman changes her mind....200 times a day!

 Most woman can't make up there mind, period.  Well known fact.

 Especially when it comes to their hair color.  They either don't want to change it at all, or every time they come in the want a different color.

 Now add being a hair dresser, that does hair all day.  I see beautiful variations of blonde's, brunettes, redheads, black hair and multi colored hair.

 For years in my 20's I had just about every color you can imagine, at one time it was very short, with a long bang, black with pink chunks in it, fuchsia pink... that was my favorite, but at the time, I was traveling and doing stage work as a platform artist, so it was the norm in my world.

 I really loved the blond, especially when it was platinum but I am older now and some colors just make you look harsh or like you are trying too hard.

 When I closed Salon Moxie as a group, we all went our separate ways into other salons, it was hard to trade and harder to find a new hair dresser.  I now know why clients become so fiercely loyal, one bad hair cut or color can ruin your day, week, month.  Yes a bad hair day for a woman is that serious, so I just started to do my own hair , cutting and coloring it myself.  Not easy, but I could fit it into my own schedule, on my time, with my formulation and cut it how I wanted it.

Then I found my studio mate next door at My Salon, Michelle Seiffers.  Yup, trust her 100% with my hair, so now I am back to being that fickle woman who doesn't know what to do with her hair because I know she can do what I want, formulate it herself and give me a great haircut as well.  I posted a poll on my wall and the comments seem to be all leaning towards dark rich browns with reds. So now next Friday I told Michelle I wanted Ombre' color and sent her a picture (Ombre' is dark on top and changes color towards the bottom)  So it looks like I will get over trying to be blond and change it up, once again.  For years I stayed in those shades of color, and now I realize, I really just loved having shiny healthy hair.  Blonde's don't necessarily have more fun. At least not this blond.....so as Marianna said on a comment of Facebook..."You will be down if you go brown..."  Okie Dokie!

"A Prince in Heaven"

With heavy hearts we feel sadness, anger and confusion

when someone leaves before we are ready.

 Feeling numb and like zombies we go throughout our day

While a loved ones world has just been turned upside down.

We reach out for just the right words so say with kindness

love and gentleness

Some of us left with nothing  to say at all 

yet we all wonder,  why him?

It wasn't time yet , it was way too soon

he was young with a beautiful wife and family

who loved him with all their hearts,

 He has gone to a faraway place some only dream about.

After the pain has settled to a softness 

and your tears from heaven rain on your family

know that love and prayers surround them

with the kindness and love you once held onto each one of them.

You are now in a better place and not forgotten

neither will your family be

they will be surrounded by friends 

so they feel loved until they meet you again.

Rest in peace.......

It is with sadness that I dedicate this poem to Wendy, Morgan, Myrissa, Austin and Cammy.

My Top 10 Beauty picks of all time....

Being a woman of 43, and in the beauty industry for 20 years, I have tried just about everything.  Here are my top 10 picks of all beauty products and a little reason why, if you have any questions about any of them, comment below or FB or text me! 

All around skin care was a tie between Dermalogica and Clinique.  Price wise about the same, but both lines have something to offer for every body and they also work well together.  Now that Dermalogica is available at Ulta, it makes it easier to get , before you could only purchase it from a Dermatologist or an Esthetician  .  All in all, every product from the cleansers to the moisturizers Number one in my book!

• For Mascara I used to be hooked on Lancome until I found this inexpensive amazing Mascara.  Not only does it lengthen and separate your lashes, it you can cry in it, it is water resistant , not water proof, and it doesn't smudge under your eyes if you have oily skin or old skin like me!

• Hands down for my professional make up kit and for me, Stevi, anyone , MAC make- up has the best selection, pigment, staying power, for lips, eyes and cheeks and all liners are amazing.  Bonus, if you are a professional in the industry, for $25 a year you can carry a pro-card which entitles you to 30% off all products and access to attend all of their makeup courses.

• Foundation, sunscreen, cover-up and primers... top of the list is definitely Colorescience.  Expensive yes, but if you can afford it, it can be purchased through your Dermatologist or the Dermstore.com  website.  Stevi HAS to use it, I love the fact that all products have close to 50 SPF, vitamins and looks completely natural despite giving you 100% coverage when needed.  The Sunscreen powders give you a flawless airbrushed look without any make up underneath and all are water resistant against sweat etc. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

• Tried and true in this climate, and CHEAP, for skin, after shower or bath good old Vaseline, my daughter saw it in Walmart, long forgotten by me and wanted to know what the Hell it was so we bought some and now she loves the way it makes her skin so soft.  I was using it as make-up remover but now I lather my body in it, and my skin is soft, don't need to reapply lotion throughout the day, on my lips, tops of my cheeks for a dewy glow...endless possibilities, I even put it on the ends of my hair when I get too much frizz and I'm in a hurry, yes, it's the duct tape of beauty staples!

• Newer to the market, Number 1 to all my clients and family members that have tried it are now hooked, DermOrganic hair products.  Every product works with every hair type, it is amazing,  you can get it from Me, or any Hairstyling that carries the line. I love it so much if you do a special order with me, I will give you a 25% discount when you pick it up.  The product line is new and currently has Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque, Oil, Volume Foam and Fast Dry Shaping Spray. All my favorites.  If you need a smoother, not worries, the oil works on its own and a small amount after flat iron makes the hair as shiny as JLO's!

• Must have a Ceramic 1" flat iron!  Not only does it smooth out unruly hair, you can use it to curl as well!  Ceramic!  Many good ones one the market, but please don't spend under $50, do yourself a favor, quality is best in this tool.

• For problem skin, this is the best product to clear it up!  Only problem is it is prescription, you can get it from yo Dermatologist.  I can't live without it...I've tried!

• Last but not least, again this is a prescription and yes it is expensive. But it does work, and I love it.  I started pulling my eyelashes out, (stress yucky thing I know) and my Doctor prescribed this because I got sick of wearing falsies. It's expensive and works amazingly, now I won't touch my lashes and I get compliments on my lashes a lot, thank you Latisse and Covergirl .

I hope some of these were helpful, God knows they have all helped me!

Am I just tired?

I feel like I have the flu, I am having severe stomach problems, (what's new right?), I have no energy, I feel like I have a fever (but I don't my temperature is 97.1 hmm?)  I just want to crawl into bed and go to sleep and whine like my little mini Doxie does.  I'm stressed, no lie, I haven't had time to exercise and I am following the same diet Stevi is on so I know exactly what she is going through with these strict dietary guidelines.  I'm sure I am not getting enough calories, yet neither is Stevi and my brain is on overload with all this new information I need to absorb.  Thank God this week I am booked solid for a full 5 days because that hasn't happened in years.  God's way of helping me put money back into the bank that has been coming out sooner than I am making it.


I finally made the time to get into my Therapist's office and was able to unload and have myself a little pity party and a mental breakdown in the safety of her office and her response to me was......"When you are on an airline the first thing the Stewardess tells you to do if the plane is going down is to put your air mask on first before helping others......why do you think that is?"


"Because I can't help anyone else if I'm dead or unconscious ...."


She said..."You are absolutely right, if you don't take care of your self first , you are not able to help everyone else successfully, you can't help them if you let yourself fall apart."


We know this.  We are told this, yet as women, we need to fix, protect, placate, and take care of every situation first...and there is never anything left in us , for us.  I really wanted to go to Cross Fit tonight, I really need it for me, but for me today I saw my Therapist  and I really needed to talk to her.  My decision not to go to Cross Fit was weighed back and forth heavily.  Do I go?  I really should and I need to.  Or do I go home because I only slept 3 hours last night and feel like I've been hit by a truck?


Since Stevi has gotten so sick and sensitive to just about all foods unless its fresh, organic with no cross contamination, I have been reading, learning, studying labels , staying up late and getting up early, running her to Doctor appointments, the pharmacy, running to the school.  Basically running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I've been on the phone with Doctors and insurance companies and pharmacies for endless hours.  I am mentally and physically exhausted and stressed out to the point I feel like an overwound rubber band ready to break or unravel like crazy. Yet, I get up, go to work, smile on cue and drop everything for everyone else when needed.

Maybe I'm just tired............

Tuesday in the toilet.......

DO NOT EAT THERE!!

This will be short and sweet, as you know, last night we ate a burger at Joe's Diner.  Stevi ate more than me, I was grossed out after 2 bites.......not only was it gross and tasted like the whole plate had been deep fried all at once in the same vat of old grease, Red flag should have been that the only other people in there maybe had 6 teeth, all together.

Stevi started getting sick last night, I knew she was sick when she asked if she could sleep in bed with me, she hasn't done that since she was a little girl.  She was up all night back and forth to the bathroom.  I had to be to work at 6:30 this morning so I was up at 4:30.  I wasn't feeling well, but I wasn't feeling that bad.  I went to work and after my first color it hit me.  I let Stevi stay home today because she was pretty sick, I ended up canceling my afternoon , thank God it is a slow week, and I'm off tomorrow so I came home and crawled back into bed with Stevi......I am still not done.......but I can tell you, when you are dealing with other issues......(aka I need to use a TUCK ;-) right now)  back and forth to the bathroom.......DOESN'T FIT INTO MY SCHEDULE!!!

Or you'll end up in bed and in the bathroom like us......

Rated R (my filter is dirty sometimes too)

 I am not one of those people who changes to make people think I'm someone I'm not.  Sometimes, like this morning, my daughter was annoyed, irritated and didn't care much for me as I was driving her and her friend Sara to school.  I can be a bit much I know. But really that's who I am and why change at this point?  I'm not putting on a show, I really am this obnoxious.

 My clients know me as me.  For instance this morning I got a text from a client , who is married to another client and friend of mine, asking me if I could handle a quickie with my ankle like this.  My response was , "Only if you're a 2 pump chump or a 3 minute get r' done guy".... GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER! My chair has hydraulics and I have to pump it up a couple times to get it to the appropriate level while cutting.

 I tell my clients I love them, because I do.  I hug them and  kiss some of them on the cheek, top of the head and sometimes on the lips, even the ladies.  I cry with them, get mad with them and plot the evil demise of someone who has hurt them, then forgive that person when they have.
 I tell them dirty jokes, some of my crazy stories and some of my stories that are real and painful.  They share their whole lives with me every time they sit in my chair.  I share that same respect and trust with them.  After all if they trust me with some of the crazy things they have told me, why shouldn't I trust them back.  We have had some real moments together, but we always manage to laugh because I can usually find something funny to throw in when it gets too deep.

It really used to bother Jay when I would walk up to someone he didn't know and I would  throw my arms around them, sometimes kiss them and hold their hands and chat away, in the middle of the mall, at a gas station, concert wherever that may be.  It probably still bothers him, but he knows that is who I am and he loves me for that and despite that.  Sometimes tells me to let things go.  What people don't realize is if I have 10 different clients a day, my day is a roller coaster.  The first may have just got engaged...Yay happiness, wedding plans , excitement.  The second may have just lost a parent to cancer... tears, sorrow, prayers, compassion.  Third one just caught her husband cheating with a friend of hers...anger, plotting and a lot of cussing!.. Client four may just want silence, no music, no conversation, it's the only time she gets that.  Client five wants the music pumped up and loud, jokes,  exchanging stories of  bar fight's and smashing a beer bottle over a guys head who jumped on her boyfriend.  Client six may have just found out her child is hooked on drugs, I listen and tell her my experiences and what I feel may help with a mothers broken heart.  Client seven may want to hear all about ME, how am I really doing, how is my family, how am I...Client eight had a terrible day at work...run to Ben's and grab her favorite wine for her and have a glass waiting for her so she can relax and let it all out while I listen then take that bottle home and finish it off if she needs to.  Client nine is just exhausted, her husband may work out of town and she is driving 4 kids around and trying to keep a house somewhat organized, we offer to help each other when needed but both know that we are the kind of woman who never ask for help unless we are in a desperate situation. Client ten may have just found out her daughter is gay, and is trying to deal with it as I tell her stories of when my sister came out and how much love our family has because that is just who she is.

So I may be a little crazy, I don't have a split personality I have multiples but even though I need to adapt to each client like a Chameleon they know who I am.  I am the girl who will laugh, cry, go to the funeral, the wedding, baby shower, party , go to an AA meeting with you or Al-Anon , pray for you, meet you for coffee, lunch or dinner, dig the grave or have a glass of wine. I may be cussing through it all and when a filter is needed I always apologize for what may come out of my mouth but that is who I am, I am Lisa, I am their friend and always will be.  Take me or leave me, I have a filter, it just needs to be changed every now and then, but boy it gets dirty fast!!!

Sweet Irene...

 January 20th 2011.  Every January 20th I will wear this pin in memory of Irene Goreham.
As many of you know, I was an educator and platform artist for Matrix Essentials and Loreal International for 10 years, I educated and was passionate enough to make the stage after 3 short years as a Master Colorist and Cutter, and one of the only educators that was cross trained between Matrix and Logics.  This was a time in my life when I was very passionate about my education and knowledge as well as creating hair. (Not that I am not now, the traveling just got to be unrealistic with  a family at home.)

 The first day I met Irene, her daughter Deb had sent her in to me.  She was excited to meet me because she had been a platform artist for Helene' Curtis.  HELENE' CURTIS!!! I was in awe.  She was the first female to hit the stage and demonstrate razor cutting a long time ago.  I was so in awe in fact I mixed her perm wrong and the processing solution and neutralizer over flowed all over my counter.  She laughed and I couldn't believe it.  Here we were talking about doing hair shows and I was mixing perm solution wrong.  She was a woman in a man's world.  For those of you who understand this, Irene was an Icon to me.  She stood on stage as a woman demonstrating cutting while the barbers where demonstrating clipper techniques.  I have always been very passionate about my job and kept up with my education because it is so important.  I have always been the kind of person to research something if I don't know, because I need details and I have to know why.  Over the years I have become very close the Irene's family.  I was let into their wonderful lives, watched their children/grandchildren grow up and have babies of their own, and during those 10 years I saw Irene age as well.  One day she came in and presented me with the pin I am wearing.  I couldn't accept it but she insisted.  Helene' Curtis herself presented her with this pin the day she crossed that barrier and brought women into the industry we know today.  We are Cosmetologists, Hair Dressers, Beauticians, Beauty Operators, Hair Designers, Hair Cutters.  We have been through our clients lives with them, we are there through thick and think, through sickness and health.  I learned in beauty college to NEVER get personally attached to clients. That's not who I am.  Most hairdressers are very social and sensitive , we are people pleasers.  We love, too much sometimes.  Over the years, Irene and I shared many stories, a lot of laughter and some tears.  I miss her coming in for her perm, we would chat non-stop.  What most clients don't know is most hairdressers (myself at least)  grow strongly attached to our clients.  Our service does become personal.  We worry if you miss an appointment and we are sad when you move.  Life has changed this industry.  Irene paved the way.  She was a woman I deeply admired and her family has become very dear to my heart.  Next time you meet a 90 year old woman and she says she used to be a hairdresser, realize those times were tough, and it's because they were brave enough to step into an industry that really was a man's world, that you have the hairdresser you have today. 


Irene Goreham............I love and miss you.  RIP.

It's Good News!

It's good news, no great!  I went to see Dr. Peters yesterday and although I am not completely healed, I am healed enough to take my boot off and wear a fabric ankle brace for support.  Dr. Peters told me I can for the next two weeks start walking around the block on an even surface only to get some movement and circulation out of my leg.  The majority of the pain I was experiencing was healing with circulatory and nerves doing their jobs.   Yesterday I was on it for about 3 hours and I have to admit I was in pain last night but I am sure that will get better every day.  As of now I don't need Physical Therapy because I am an exercise fanatic, I will get this done myself.  So starting February first I am able to start my training again with running (weather permitting, on an even surface) and Crossfit, as a beginner.  Starting over will suck but I know I need to listen to my body and get back on track.  I lost a fluctuating 8-12 lbs, which judging by my body was a majority of muscle so I need to get that back.


Yesterday I only took my vicodin when I got home around 7 because I was in pain, and I realized through all this that this kind of pain is not something you suffer through.  So I think that is pretty good, except as a newby to all this pill popping I can tell you, don't take two Vicodin then celebrate with a glass of wine.  I thought I felt OK but luckily I woke myself up this morning because my first client is at 8 and I set two alarms to wake up, one for 8 and one for 8:30....

Also, I went to work and did Jay and Stevi's hair, and although I was starting to be in pain, I was trying not to take anything for it at all, I was focusing on the pain and was texturizing Stevi's hair, she moves around a lot examining my work as I am doing it, she didn't move and I think I was anticipating her moving or just not focused and I took a little too much out of the left side.  Devastating for a 15 year old girl, she was crying, then of course I felt horrible and we got into a fight, but we are OK.  I explained to her that I am human and even the best hairdressers in the world make mistakes.  I felt horrible, I know how important her hair is to her because it is so fine it shows every thing, we blended it pretty good, but what she doesn't realize is that  as a professional and as a mother, even though I was ready to shave my head at the moment to prove to her that hair does grow, my heart was broken and I was so upset about it, probably more so than her.  Her hair is now a beautiful baby doll blond but a little more rockerish of a hair cut, which I think is adorable, same length just more layers, especially by the ear on the left side, at least I didn't take her ear off because I was using my 7" Detailing Shears.  What I learned from that is, if I'm in pain, take a pill, don't wait till later then have to take two.  They are here to help me, not hinder me.

Business is tough, time for me to be tough too....

Once upon a time, life was economically good, actually it was great.  I was working 12-14 hour days 6 days a week, doing hair shows, then owned my own small salon. I was making great money and on top of that had a nice 2100 sq. foot two story with room to spare, and in our garage and drive way, a nice newer truck for Jayson to drive, a new truck for Jay, a brand new BMW SUV for me and 4 Harley's.

Angie at the hairshow in 2008

Hairshow 

At that time and since I started to do hair I felt blessed enough to do my whole family and Jays family and the kids friends for free, yes $0.  Every now and then, they would give me a couple dollars.  My Dad always gave me $2, he insisted, he said I should NEVER work for free...(he was an accountant.  But felt that I was doing so well, I wanted to share some of that with my loved ones.

Well, the economy has dumped.  I am humbled now into driving a used, yet nice Honda, Jay has that same new truck which is now 6 years old.   We lost our house , I closed my business down and sold 2 Harley's then I got mine Repossessed .  I found a great Studio to work in and my supplies and rent to work have gone up while my clientele has gone down to 3 full 8 hour days if I'm lucky, but still pay for full time rent just in case...and yes that is lucky these days.

Yet, I still feel the need to do free hair? Even Joe, my mom's old hairdresser said "When you are in business there is no such thing as friends and family and never get caught up in trading, if you can't afford a service, you can't afford that 'free' space on your books."  23 years ago he gave me that smart advice as did my Dad.  Just in December alone, with my broken ankle, I did over $2000 in trades and family members.  My supplies cost me about that a month and my rent is $600. Our family is forever expanding, as are my friendships and my children's.  I give Stevi's friends 40% off because they are kids, My mom and Jay's mom always take me to a nice lunch which I need with the mom's so they are more than appreciated.

I understand times are tough, but my name is Bubba and it's time for me to be tough.  I am the CEO and founder of my own company so to speak, but I still love and feel the need to take care of my family.  Joe even charged his wife at a discount he said!  I was appalled but as this has gotten out of hand and there have been day's I have paid to work so even Jay, Stevi and Jayson will be paying for services... Funny I know, but I'm killing myself and paying to work when I run a business and that is not o k. So I'm sorry family and loved ones dear to me.  But I feel this is fair....

My baby Peepers

Mom's... Lunch (I can't give that trade up)
Trade's...Even Steven either of us pay the difference if it needs to be done (I can't give up my exercising, it is all I do!!)
Family...60% off all services, which is cheaper that just about anywhere in town.
Best friends of family 20% off all services unless you are under 18 then 40% off.

Mom working it!

Me and Christi

Professional discount to co-workers 50% off.

I'm sorry if this doesn't fit into everyone's budget, but unfortunately, the freebies aren't fitting into mine.  I love you all but I need to start acting like a business woman and quit feeling I need to take care of everyone else first.