How to be sustainable now!

Happy New Year!

Planning ahead is an integral part of running a business and we have put a lot of thought and time into what our plans/goals are for 2020. To begin, we decided to make an overarching focus for the year. Sustainability is our focus and we aim to use this year to try to understand that concept, especially in the light of the climate issues we’ve faced over the past 6 months.

So how can I be sustainable now you might ask? I’ll tell you! This year the staff of the shop and I are going to tackle items like plastic and fast fashion. Plastic is not easy to make, it doesn’t breakdown and it is a growing item in trash bins. Fashion has been suffering as well as of late, so we’d like to shine some light on thrift shopping, which has become very popular in the last 5 years.

We’re going to try to show you guys, in our humble opinions, what we think are the best products out there to replace plastic bags, and saran and ziplock bags. One easy way to be sustainable now is by patronizing our shop! We will be leading by example!

We are now offering reusable hot/cold cups that you can use at starbucks when you come for an appointment. We would like all of our clients to know that we are no longer offering paper bags. We would love to see you guys come in with your own reusable bags, but don’t worry, if you’re in a pinch, we’ll have some available for retail. We will be offering discounts for cash users and welcome any suggestions from our clients on all of our new efforts.

So apart from patronizing freshair to be more sustainable, you are able to make small changes yourself. Reusable cups, reusable canvas bags or even silicone ones can replace your current situation. Reusing glass jars and containers for all storage needs is also an easy move that doesn’t take to much work.

Just ask yourself a few questions when you are thinking about items to purchase or use. Is the item biodegradable? Can your item be used more than once? Are there any ways in your home that you can recycle items or even do without? It’s actually quite simple if you think abut it a little.

I’m not saying learning how to be sustainable now will put an end to all of our climate issues, but it will be a small step in a direction of change.

That’s the fresh perspective…

...And a Happy New Year!

Thanks, Merci, Grazie!

So here we are again at the end of another year. We made it, we made it out alive! 2019. Done. Just like that. Just as quick as exchanging pleasantries, we begin another year.

2020! Well this upcoming year will be filled with so much more of whatever great things we experienced in 2019. This upcoming year is our 10 year anniversary, and as usual, I am here to say thank you. In my perfect world I would thank each and every individual who spent their hard earned dollars at our shop. I would write a soliloquy about every staff member we shared 2019 with. I would thank all my friends and all my family, one, by one. If only that would be able to give an example of the deep gratitude I feel about team Freshair Boutique and all it’s supporters. If only.

Well personally, 2019 brought so much perspective into my life! I gave birth to a baby, I solo traveled and I pushed my self a little further than I did in 2018. I tried to do just a little more. To be honest, I’m built to never stop. I always seem to have the next thing on the horizon and no matter how hard I really try to slow it all down, I find that I’m not as fulfilled. This is me. Just pushing boundaries wherever I can. I believe it’s my support system that actually fuels me. It’s all of you who care about the little things AND the big things. It’s all of us that show up every day, understanding the real definition of commitment. It’s the simple fact that I am alive. All of that is why I love what I do and all those I share this industry with. Thank you as well.

The Fresh Perspective...

Host Gifts

When invited to somewhere, especially someone’s home, it’s important to leave the host with a little something. Lots of time an energy goes into hosting and it’s a really nice gesture and expression of thanks.

Here is my list of great gifts!

• wine (be sure your host is into booze)

• plants (christmas cactus? yes please!)

• decorative candles (who doesn’t love coal and canary?)

• the cheesemongers fromagerie (vegan cheese is also available)

• anything that is personal to the host (this is a real nice touch if the host is really close to you)

If none of these are helpful, food is always a pretty good option. If your host is into to sweet or savory be sure to make sure you get it right. No point in giving a gift if it doesn’t suit!

That’s the fresh perspective…

Monday Blog

Ideal ‘Me time’ day

Can you tell what my ultimate me-time day would be, based on the photos above? Relax, eat, drink and be well. In that order?? Some of you know that I went to Italy in September on a sort of eat/Praise/love type extravaganza. The dream ‘me-time’ day of all ‘me-time’ days except it was three weeks!

The Fresh Perspective...

Do you costume?

Halloween! It’s coming!! So what are your plans? Do you have a costume already lined up? Do you hand out candy? Are you like me and do nothing? Yup, I don’t Halloween. I just eat the candy.

My parents immigrated to Canada when I was five years old. They could never get behind the concept of Halloween and trick or treating. They didn’t understand why anyone would go door to door asking for candy. Strangers essentially, giving your small child a treat! But before all of this can happen, you need to dress up in a costume (anything actually) to ring the bells of the treat givers and demand your booty! They thought it was quite rude and strongly discouraged us. Actually, they just said, ‘No! You’re not going door to door asking for candy from strangers dressed up as someone else! No!’ Case closed.

Now that I am not five years old and have children of my own, I’m faced with all the questions about why I don’t dress up. Everyone always seems to feel bad for my kids. Like they are missing out on some integral part of being a North American child! I grew up here, didn’t trick or treat , and I had a fantastic childhood. It’s possible! You don’t need to trick or treat to know how great of a place Canada is to live.

So my kids don’t trick or treat, but they dress up for school. They get a boatload of candy from their father and I, not to mention the stuff they bring home from school. They celebrate Halloween even though I don’t and it’s fine. Will I dress up for my shift if it falls on Halloween? Don’t count on it, but I will eat the candy!

That’s the fresh perspective…

The Fresh Perspective...

CAREER HOW-TO: Hair styling

2020 will mark my 20th year in hair styling! Can I get a ‘hellyeah’?! Hell Yeah! How did I get here? 20 years in the same job doing more or less the same thing day in and out has brought me to this point. I have also accumulated some tidbits during my journey, and if you think hair styling might be the career for you, read on!

When I began my journey, there was no such thing as social media. Honestly, many salons barely had a website and online booking was NOT a thing. I started out my hair career in a time when you had to get out and ask for business. Business cards were an integral part of growing your business 20 years ago. These days, your online presence is your number one calling card.

Social media allows your clients to see the work you are currently doing. No more of those weird shop magazines with hairstyles, it’s all on Instagram! You can post availability, ask for specific types of clients and even show ‘how-to’ videos if you so choose. To be fair all this does is to bring clients to your chair. You need to still have the skills to keep them coming back.

Once you are in a salon, it’s important that you keep learning and stay current. I believe the styles you struggle with are the styles you should try to do so you can get better. Take as many classes as you can and be ready to really work. The only way you’ll make any money is to be behind the chair, so maximize that. Do whatever you can to get clients in and then work even harder to keep them. Listen to what they are asking, and if it’s within reason, give it to them. Over time you’ll find your stride and be able to decide which lane is yours.

I love all the aspects of hair styling, but my ultimate fave is styling/finishing. This, in my humble opinion, is where I shine! When you know what your bread and butter is, it enables you to gain more confidence. I also think working in a shop that has a few master stylists is key as well. When I was coming up, I watched the master stylists closely and just copied the way they were with their clients. Having stylists in your shop that are fully booked, can give you an example of what you could expect in the future.

Was this helpful? I believe that if you really pay attention to your clients and their needs, you’ll be able to really thrive in this field. Being ready to work hard, and having a strong social media presence can speed things up and in a few years, you could be booked solid!

That’s the fresh perspective…