Runs Businesses With Scissors

PPE Ready And Good To Go Open At Last Dear Clients and Friends, You are on my mind as I navigate returning to my business after being closed for  six months. It is a lot to process. Every week for the past 24 weeks I have paid attention to what I can do in order to be prepared to reopen, to advocate for reopening, to apply for funding to keep Swans Studios solvent and to do my best to keep you informed. Now I am open. Please know I am doing what I can to accommodate you.   Please be patient.   This is a new normal and we will get through this together. In order to have the best practices for health and safety here is what you may expect going forward. Please text 510-545-2955 when you arrive and I will let you know when you can come in Our lobby is closed  Please wear a mask Please be prepared for a temperature check and to sanitize you hands upon arrival Please be prepared to review your signed waiver Only bring with you the bare minimum or w...

We Wait  Dear Clients and Friends, We wait.  I miss you, I am doing all I can to return to my business and you. See you soon! The State has approved indoor hair services the County has not. As soon as I have the green light I will open my door and reopen my appointment book.  In the meantime if you have an up coming appointment I will contact you. Once we reopen it will be a new normal - You will arrive with hair freshly shampooed for a haircut service Masks on at all times Temperature check upon arrival Hand sanitation upon arrival Bring only what you need with you No blowdrying Touch less payments All high touch services, implements and tools will be sanitized prior and following all services I have talked with some of you and I hear your concerns and about health and safety.  I am PPE ready.  A big part of the Cosmetology Exam is Sanitation.  And like you I am cautious about my own health and safety.  We will work together for our combined health, s...

  Dear Clients and Friends, I worried so much about taking a month of this summer to celebrate turning sixty, little did I know that my business would be closed for over five months and that I would become an expert on all things financial from grants to loans and gifts and more. I did not go away for a month but I did go away for five glorious days for my birthday.   I soaked in the sun, the ocean breeze and set aside my worry for a brief while. Now I am home and back to advocating for getting salons open in California. On Tuesday August 11, I joined a rally at the State Capitol.   Salon professionals came from far and wide to rally togeth er.   Click here to see the press coverage. There are rallies almost daily now, all over the state. On Monday August 17, salons   will   open for one day in protest and I will join the movement. Following August 17, I do not know what will happen but I do know that I am fed up and ready to return to work. Of course, wit...

Dear Clients and Friends, You may have heard Governor Gavin Newson is allowing salons to operate outside. (If not, you can read the news story here ).  I have grappled with how to respond to this. It is a step in the right direction.   Yet i t is complicated to implement to ensure the best results of health, security and safety for all. Myself and many others in my industry are not in favor of this idea. Why are we not in favor? We are licensed professionals and must pass the sanitation portion of our State Board in order to be licensed. We have invested in the appropriate Covid-19 PPE in order to open safely. Working outside is unpredictable at best, given locations, security, weather and more. This guideline only allows haircuts, no shampooing, no hair color or blow drying. Following the news I was at my wits end, angry and fed up. I am ready to open, you need a haircut.  I needed a minute and now I am back to doing what I can to advocate for the Professional Salon I...

Dear Clients and Friends, I have not been busy with hair or coaching. I have been busy advocating for the beauty industry in Alameda County by: Calling the Covid Recovery Line Emailing the Covid Recovery Department Protesting outside the Alameda County Public Health Department Offices  Calling KQED ( listen here to the show - I call in at the 44:10 mark) Reaching out to industry friends Keeping in touch with clients Remembering to breathe I thank you profusely for your generous support. I know many of you have called and emailed as well. If you would like to advocate once more on our behalf here is the information: Covid Recovery Email -  covidrecovery@acgov.org Covid Recovery Phone Number - 510-268-2101 #2 Let the Alameda Public Health Department know that you trust -  The salon industries ability to open in a safe and sanitary manner Ask that they give Alameda County Salons the same opening plan as neighboring counties That you need a haircut! There are days and...

Dear Clients and Friends, Once again we appeal to you for help! Update:   Myself and Diane Zelaya, my colleague at Swans Studios spoke with a contact at the Alameda County Public Health Department, ACPHD  to request consideration for our own criteria for Salons and Barber Shops; or to be considered as part of phase three or four of the Alameda County re-opening plan. We have the California Cosmetology Association working with us on getting the word out to the Association Industry Members. How can you help? Contact the ACPHD via phone and or email and request that they allow Cosmetologists and Barbers to return to work. Here are some bullet points to share with the ACPHD. The Beauty Industry asks for our own criteria or to be considered the same as businesses in phases three and four, a phase that includes personal services.  The Beauty Industry is currently in Phase Five, (In door Dining, Pro Sports without fans and pools.)  This category does not reflect our profes...

Dear Clients and Friends, Please help. In Alameda County my industry has been extremely hard hit by Covid-19.   On Monday June 29 I spoke with both the Alameda County Public Health Department, ACPHD and the Profe ssional Beauty Association, PBA .   Both of these organizations confirmed the complex challenges that hairstylists, barbers, manicurists and estheticians are facing as we approach four months of being closed. Technicians want and need to work, clients want and need services.   It is no surprise that the underground, back yard, secret salon services exist and are increasing in numbers. Most salon owners and technicians, including myself, refuse to participate in the aforementioned scenario, however, we do understand the necessity for some of making money during a time like this.   Sadly many technicians do not have resources or documentation to qualify for resources.   Also many salons operated on an extremely small profit margin at best. How can you hel...