HatchTalk
Searching for that smart tip from an expert who’s "been there?" HatchTalk is a conversation – about what it’s like to hatch an idea in the beauty business. We’ll feature beauty and fashion entrepreneurs and offer words of advice such as a smart idea, tip or trend.
3.28.09 — Hatch talks about the WTGA legacy dating back to 1973 when the new kid Sandra Scheibe enters the salon and takes the chair to heart. Stylist Sandra Scheibe shares her story below.
Sandra Scheibe
Salon Owner & Stylist, Attitudes Salon
2919 North Ballard Road, Appleton, Wisconsin 54911Personally and professionally WTGA helped build my successful career in the beauty industry. The hairstyles, the people, their stories and the gift of time will forever bring a smile to my face and joy in my heart. – Sandra Scheibe
Fresh out of Beauty School and eager to make people beautiful, I was thrilled to land a job at one of the best salons in Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin. Where The Girls Are was the perfect setting for a "new-be" like me. The existing team of stylists had a full book of appointments, but they all made the time to share their trade secrets with the "new girl" on the block. We were like a family. My career blossomed because of the love, care and experience WTGA gave me.
When I look back, I remember how exciting it was to be a hairdresser in the early 70's. Hairdressers like Paul Mitchell and Vidal Sassoon radically changed the direction of hairstyling. The introduction of "precision cutting" gave stylists and clients the freedom to style hair without rollers. The shape was cut into the hair, and products supported the shape. Free at last! Clients could create the same look they got in the salon at home. "Wash and Wear Hair".
I fell in love in 80’s and marriage lead to the start of a family. (This was also about the time I began doing natural-looking curly perms, but I’ll tell you more about that in the next issue of HatchTalk). Because the salon atmosphere is the greatest network pool in the world, I had the best marriage and baby advice any young woman could dream of. Fellow stylists again shared their trade secrets with me. Only this time it was about marriage and motherhood. I also was guided and loved by my dear and dedicated clients. I could not have asked for a more rich life.
After sixteen wonderful years at WTGA, it was time for me to spread my wings. I left the nest, to open my own small salon. Exciting and scary, but I was not afraid of hard work. The foundation of the beauty business built at WTGA gave me the confidence to fly. Education was always important and exciting to me. When my salon was established I became a part time educator for Paul Mitchell Systems. I loved the challenge of learning to teach other stylists about our business and our products. As time went on, being an educator, stylist/salon owner, wife and mother was a bit much. Something had to go. I gave up the education to save my sanity.
After thirty-six years fabulous years in the best business in the world, I am still loving (almost) every minute of this rich and rewarding profession. My body is wearing out a bit, but my heart is in the best shape ever. The hairstyles, the people, their stories and the gift of time will forever bring a smile to my face and joy in my heart. Thank you WTGA for my "beginnings".
HatchTalk Beauty Business ideas: Words of Advice from someone who’s hatched
- Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude and professional atmosphere. This has been a mainstay of my business since I started the salon 13 years ago. You’ll be able to attract good employees, offer fulfilling job opportunities, serve your clients within a creative environment, and establish a feel-good energy in the salon. Whenever my business partner and I are faced with a decision or a dilemma, we always come back to, "what did we do this for?"– to create a positive attitude and professional atmosphere for our clients and our work.
- Education, education, education. From my experience, it’s always been about education for your personal and professional development. You already know this-but the tip is a good one: Educate your clients on what you’re doing; why you're doing it ("I’m cutting a little shorter in the back to add the volume you want"); and show them how they can create the style at home.
- Remember, the salon atmosphere is the greatest network pool in the world.
- Embrace the fashion industry and the culture, that's what makes "doing hair" more than a job. I’ve never looked at it as a job, but as an adventure that’s equally as much about the people (the clients you serve) as it is about the hair and fashion. The exciting part of being in the fashion industry is that you’re always looking for new territory!
Sandra says:
Check back for a continuation of Sandra’s story on HatchTalk where she describes salon styles through the decades.
Hatch PR Founder Ann Higby writes the HatchTalk column from her experiences growing up in the salon industry. She continues the legacy her father hatched in Where The Girls Are Salon near Milwaukee almost four decades ago. Feel free to send a comment to talk@hatchpr.com on what you think about the story, how it inspired you, and if you’d like to be featured in HatchTalk.