...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…

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…

The Fresh Perspective...

Scrapbooking. Not just for Grandma.

When I was younger (tween-ish), I was pretty into scrapbooking. Those who know me now likely aren’t surprised to read this. I’ve always been really into papers, stationary, lettering, fancy pens…. you name it. Even now I could likely do a mini Michael’s pop up store in my home. Although I still love to craft, scrapbooking has left my realm of hobbies.

When sifting through the web for photos for this blog, I did feel a little urge of wanting to start. I think for me I would need more of a reason or something specific to document. If I were to have a baby I could see myself getting back into it - something you could gift to a loved one later in life. I once made one for my Grandparents, documenting our life experiences at the family cabin they purchased back in the 60’s. Creating a little capsule of memories of all of their kids and grandchildren growing up over the Summers spent out there was such an honor and felt like a very meaningful gift.

The style of scrapbook would be a lot different than what I did when I was younger. I would opt for more of a photo journal, possibly get a Polaroid camera for simplicity, and include more writing along with the photos and scraps. Love a good fresh notebook.

-that’s the fresh perspective…

The Fresh Perspective...

Is a Degree necessary?

How many of you have been told that you are nothing without some sort of education? A career is important for some, but others might feel like giving 20-30 years to one position is preposterous! Is that what a career even means? The definition of career is quite vast. Starting with, a profession that you learned how to do with specific training over a period of your life, to a combination of jobs held, titles earned, and works accomplished over your lifetime.

These days, less and less folks are sticking to one job for 20 years or more. Some people move around every 4-6 years, changing aspects of their current job or changing companies all together. Somewhere we have connected too much to the word career. We put so much pressure on ourselves to accomplish so many things by a certain time in our lives. Is that even right?

Career or no career, one needs to be able to feel good about oneself. If there’s something in your life that you don’t like, you can change it! It’s never too late to try and be better today than we were yesterday. There’s always something new to learn, even if you’ve been at it for 20 years…

That’s the fresh perspective…