Runs Businesses With Scissors

HairQueen News On October 1 2022 after 40 plus years of working full-time I stepped way-back from the salon chair and way-into retirement life.   As the date grew closer, I was and still am all over the place with so many feelings and uncertainties about how to navigate this next stage. To mark the occasion of my retirement I had a wonderful party, please see the previous blog, Endings and Beginnings.  Next, I went on a celebratory trip which included a week sailing the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary 2.  So exciting! Crossing the Atlantic Ocean Gala Time Upon my return I am turning my attention to what it means to be an older, wiser, experienced, master of my trade.  As space in my life opens up I will take the opportunity to grow Swans Studios, to mentor, coach and consult within and beyond the salon industry. With more free time I will enjoy my granddaughters, my family, friends and hobbies. I know from many of you that the retired life is a busy life and I am grateful t

HairQueen News: I celebrated a big milestone, forty years of being a hairstylist and 25 years as a business owner. I was planning to completely retire but then I decided to keep the “tip of my scissors” in for a while longer. This decision means I am free to step into a new phase of life as I gradually let go of my wonderful salon career. We had a party — it was fantastic! I loved every minute. My heart overflowed as my clients, colleagues, and family helped me mark this major career milestone.                                                                                                                                                                 We laughed, we cried, we cheered, we sang, we reminisced. Stories were shared, it was so lovely! 🥰 Thank you for all the memories. Thank you for helping me celebrate. To contact me: email suzanne@suzannevanhouten.com or call 510-545-2955

HairQueen News: I hope these summer days are finding you in good health and spirits as we navigate this current stage of pandemic life. I am staying healthy and hopeful as our lives adjust to the on-going Coronavirus Pandemic and the latest BA.4 and BA.5 viruses.  I am grateful that my granddaughters have received the vaccine and hopeful for all of us as we move towards herd immunity. The summer days are lovely and long and yet I am aware that I am rapidly approaching my full-time retirement date of October 1 2022! Time to put my feet up 😉 As the date gets closer, I am all over the place with so many feelings and uncertainties about how to navigate this next stage. What does this mean for you?    It means I will no longer have appointments available for a full-time clientele.   And, I am planning on keeping the tip off my scissors in the studio.  I will continue to do exclusive haircutting and grey transition services.  This will allow me to stick to a post retirement one-day a week s

HairQueen News: March is here and brings with it more twists and turns for me and my businesses.   My wonderful virtual assistant, Rebecca, needs to step back from her client load. I have throughly enjoyed working with Rebecca and I wish her well. I met Rebecca through Freedom Makers , a company founded by my client and friend, Laura. We met through Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC)  when we both attended an ICCC course in Oakland.  I was one of Laura’s first clients and I have been thrilled to watch her company grow over the years.    And Laura is one of my clients. Here's a throwback before and after photo of Laura, she has a great head of hair! I learned many years ago that I needed assistance with my businesses so that I can focus on the parts of the businesses that I do well.   Over the years, I have had salon assistants, virtual assistants, bookkeepers, accountants, sales representatives, business coaches and mentors to help me run my abundant, thriving businesses t

Hair Queen News Thank you all for your kind words regarding my retirement later this year. I had hoped to make it to my retirement without too many bumps along the way. Ha! I was exposed to Covid and boom! The Omicron variant got me, my husband, and maybe little Never.    My husband, Michael and I followed all the CDC and Kaiser guidelines. We isolated, quarantined, rested, read, hydrated, recuperated, cancelled, and rescheduled our lives.  We had mild symptoms and thankfully nobody we were close to before our diagnosis tested positive, including our grandchildren. Little Never had an upset tummy so I wonder if she had a little canine version of Covid. I thought everyone I knew was really careful, including me, but I got it somewhere, so maybe not.  I did not receive a notification that I had been exposed, it remains a mystery. Enough about Covid! How are you? I know some of you have also been dealing with Covid. This past January I had more than one cancellation due to the virus. We&#

Hairqueen News It's 2022! I am now in my 40th and last year of hairstyling! I went to Cosmetology School in 1982 and I will be retiring this September.  This is the current plan, although if we have learned anything since March 2020, it's that anything can derail the best laid plans. What does this mean for you? It means we have until September to keep you looking fabulous and, after September, we’ll find you someone great to keep you coiffed.   In other news, I am now in my 25th year of salon ownership! Swans Studios will be nine in August and I owned Topps Salon Day Spa for sixteen years before Swans.  Cheers for 25 years! Some of you have been my clients since the 1980s and some of you became clients more recently. Thank you all for your continued patronage and support, particularly during this pandemic time we're living through.  Swans Studios News Thank you especially for all your help and encouragement regarding the current vacancy at Swans Studios. Many of you have t