THOUGHTS FROM
the editor
BACK TO BUSINESS LIVING WITH
COVID-19 I’ve been staring at this blank page wondering what to say to our readers. Some feeling forgotten, some lost and some absolutely gutted by having to close their salon doors permanently. June 24th was the moment of truth. On this day, salon doors were given permission to open. Many of us are excited to jump back behind the chair servicing clients. But, there are also so many of us that fear the thought of being back. So much has changed… Masks, PPE, face shields, gloves. Not to mention, reduced/staggered hours, which means fewer clients and loss of wages. Totally taking all the glam out of our totally so-called glamorous lives. Are we ready though? Not just as an industry, but as a country? I think the scariest part for us is, we as an industry do not have a uniformed regulation system in place. People who have never worked a day in the salon/ barbershop, get to decide when and how we go back. Which would be fine if they totally “get us.” For years we have paid into a membership that hasn’t benefited us. Many people’s mentality is “why be a part? there is no benefit.” Which in turn has resulted to many unlicensed salons/barbershops/spas. Some provinces don’t even require a licence. Does this discredit us as an industry? I think the best part of being a part of anything is the reassurance of being supported. Let’s think about this for a moment… the common denominator of becoming a professional in most industries is education.
FACT: PRIOR TO CO VID -19, MAN
Y SALONS/BA
WEREN’T FO
RBERSHOPS/S
LLOWING BA
PAS
THE REQUIRE
SIC PROTOCO
L OR MAINTA
INING
D BASIC SAN
ITIZATION.
You are evaluated and graded on your knowledge and skills. Most professions require an internship for work experience that could secure a great job. Don’t get me wrong, there will always be different skill levels and abilities – someone will always outshine another. However, the education requirements are there to set the foundation and create stability within an industry. Is it just me, or do we feel really unstable right now? What does that mean for us moving forward. Could this be part of the delay? FACT: prior to COVID -19 many salons/barbershops/spas weren’t following basic protocol or maintaining the required basic sanitization. It is time to raise the bar. Nothing is mandatory, everything is only recommended. I remember as an assistant, my daily task, before doing hair, was to clean. From the base of the styling chairs to the sinks in the washroom. My job was to ensure every client was comfortable in our space, to service them. And if I was lucky enough to do hair at least once a day, I was grateful. I didn’t feel hard done by, it wasn’t always fun but it was my job and part of what made the salon run smoothly. Together, if we all do our part, the integration back to work may not be so hard. Best of luck to all those who have jumped in head first. But, let’s remember to support and not judge those who need to take some time to adjust. #WeAreAllInThisTogether MAGAZINE JUL /AUG
2020
27
