You like this? Well, meet my hairdresser….

Hello again everyone. I hope you enjoyed my first Blog of what I am fairly sure will be many to come. My question today is: Is your hairdresser your friend?

Being new in town, I had neither idea nor recommendation from anyone about whom to seek out for the best price and performance to upkeep my massive mane of hair, that some find odd at best anyway. I figured to start where anyone would and that is the local phone book. First thing I noticed is how many small businesses have gone out of business from one phone book to the next. That saddened me. I believe that small business is what keeps our economy alive, within our Town, State and Country and to see that something as simple as a Hair Salon cannot stay in business is disheartening. I know that most see a haircut as a luxury that can be done without in hard times, but I ask you this, doesn't your appearance have a dramatic effect on your potential employer? YOU BET IT DOES! Clean appearance and good dress are an essential when going for that new job and when there are not many new jobs to choose from, every little impression matters close to life and death.

One of the downsides I was finding was that the Salons currently open and available were very honest with me about how they felt they were forced to up their prices to compete with a big franchise that had come into town and put the pressure on them. See, with big franchises, they can give you those price breaks because they are able to hire someone less qualified than perhaps a hometown business owner might choose. Small business cares about quality to ensure their future. Big franchise in the hair industry otherwise referenced as "A Chop Shop" by many is concerned with getting them in and out and no personal touch whatsoever. Not to say that those employees care any less about their clients, quite to the contrary. However, one must ask themselves this question: Would a friend, fellow church member, club member, etc. be likely to be so offhanded and sloppy on your appearance knowing that you are their walking advertisement? Short answer: NO.

Let me explain that big franchises make deals. They get promotional (free) products bi-weekly that a small business must pay for. They get free intern labor in some shops from cosmetology students for the promise of hire post graduation to help with shampooing and general shop work while the small business owner either does this on their own or must PAY an employee to do so. Yes, big business has its perks. You do get lower prices. You also get empty buildings and broken dreams when you allow that big business to become your only means of business. But I digress..

I finally came across a very small listing in the phone book and it was late in the day and figuring I was going to have little to no success I almost gave up and just didn't bother calling. I was worn out, frustrated that what now had become a simple cut for my husband was now pricing at $20-plus tip. I gave up on my hair once the amounts of $100-plus were flowing to me via the prior shops I consulted. I thought to myself, "My husband does not have stylish hair. He doesn't need styling and color or even a shave, just a wet cut and walk out the door. How was I able to get this for $3 back home and here it is suddenly a production?" When you're new in town and have a pretty healthy dose of urban cynicism, you assume the worst. Tack onto that a very exuberant 2.5 year old clawing up your leg and a husband who is in need of an emergency cut before a huge meeting and well, you can guess the fuse was burning shorter and shorter.

The phone rings one time, two times, three times and then who I can only describe as Dolly Parton straight out of Steel Magnolias (oops did that reference just give away my age?!) answers. "Family Hairquarters!" This cheerful, giggling voice greeted me as my frustration just poured out. I told her I needed to get my husbands haircut and it was late and I felt like I had been overpriced and my kid was getting on my nerves, and man I just broke like a crazy woman. This poor woman who just answered her business phone is met with a woman with a strange accent, pleading tone and no nonsense state of mind. What a joy for her eh? She didn't get mad, she listened, and then oddly stated, "Well, he's your husband, how much do you think he should pay for a cut? You know his hair better than anyone." WOW. I was floored. There was no "well I was just getting ready to leave so call back another time and that will be $17.99 or up when you call."

She sat there and waited for my answer. I was just so shocked I know I sat there for at least 10 seconds in complete silence and then I was shocked back into reality by this "Did I surprise you honey?" and then what I can only describe as the most infectious laugh I had ever heard in my life. They say Angels come in all forms, which include Cosmetologists.

The Big Business shot me down. Small business lifted us up and saved us!

Small business will offer you a perk big business cannot. HEART. She cared and yes, she did cut his hair at 9:30 p.m. that very night for nowhere near $20!

See? Sometimes when someone calls their business FAMILY something..sometimes, just sometimes…they mean it!!!!

God Bless Small Business and Small Town America!!!

Stay Tuned….