A Different Kind Of Wealth By Collette Saunders

Cheers to everyone for coming back out for another crack at another year (background applause). I made it into the shop after a 7-week hiatus following Christmas and I’ve really got to say how shocked I am. Shocked at how normal and same same everything is. Same pace, same people, same music, same styles. I’m same but different. Well, I turned 60 in January so that’s different. Thank God for equality and the abolishment of ageism?!

So, with everything looking so same, it’s no wonder that everyone is looking for something different. What we’ve endured and been force fed these past couple of years has us either begging for it to stop, screaming for change, or we’ve found that we’ve adapted. For those who have found themselves adapting, or should we say evolving, tweaking or even morphing, I’ve noticed so many happier people. Internally so much more focused and envisioned. Creating the environment and conditions that suit them and ditching what stops them from being who they want to be. Becoming full of gratitude. Our feelings are our creation and I for one am hell bent on being alive to the joys of living and creating.

If there is one thing that will get you more creativity and wealth, it’s education! We have a wealth of brilliant opportunities with online platforms and live education calendars. So, if your diet has been a bit lacking then feast yourself on the likes of Area Academy. If there is one thing that Eoin McCarthy and Leigh Windsor have, it’s the ability to cover every angle. Their fresh, sharp, agile minds (God I’m so jealous). It’s all polished to perfection and it’s not just the craft itself that gets all the attention. It’s you, the craftsperson, that also gets the opportunity to dig deep, refresh and evolve. Podcasts and guest artists to inspire. Pillars of support that open you up to well-being, mindfulness, even what you consume. Is there anything I’ve missed? Then you’ll have to sign up for their newsletter and access their Facebook group to find out. Honestly there’s no stopping this dynamic duo.

Area Studio team took out the best team collection at Mocha Groups AMBA’s. Eoin received the Special Recognition award for Contribution to the Industry and Leigh took out the coveted AMBA Barber of the Year Award. There’s every reason to trust and be mentored by this group of inspiring people. One collaboration we are very grateful for is their commitment to community through their involvement with the Jack Reed Foundation. This has been a happy, invigorating journey. It has opened doors, eyes, minds and brings in that energy that pushes us forward in motion.

This year sees the completion of the Jack Reed Foundation educational barbershop offering apprenticeships for disadvantaged and at-risk youth in our community and a chance for them to bring wealth into their lives. It has been a huge collaborative effort and there is much more in the pipeline this year. Right now, we need your help in finding a location for the shipping container facility in Brisbane. All options and suggestions are most welcomed and the more input the better. Please give a follow and get in touch as we love hearing from you. Or just reach out and say hello. We love that even more. There will be planning for more RE: CONNECT events and fundraising this year with Area Academy. Last year was a huge success and we are looking forward to more great times socialising and learning, bringing our Industry together in a spirit of goodwill and building long lasting connections.

We all love the kinds of positive emotions that the “socials” thrust at us on the daily. We are Energy! Everything is energy… so the viral tik-tok tells us. We attract it. This year one of the realities I aim to attract is wealth. My business is creation. I create joy. And unless you are standing there mindlessly doing what has mechanically been trained into you, I’m sure you create joy for people as well. The wealth I get from that is more than monetary. It’s more than economy. These days I take a breath when people ask, “what do you do?”. I prefer “I do” to “I am” because I am more than what I do to pay the bills. Conversations around occupation are generally the litmus test for how much “cred” someone feels they can assign you. This year I encourage everyone to realise security in your life. Abundant fun, travel, adventure, joy in creating, being organised, learning, allow possibility because you are the creator of your own wealth. Whatever that word means to you.

Welcome to 2022 everyone

@collettesaundershair Founder: @australianfemalebarbers @afb_recruit Board Director: @jackreedfoundation