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Complacent Stylist: Building An Empire

Tuesday, 04 June 2019 by Darren Stork
Building an Empire

Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming support and appreciation shown towards me for writing this column.

It’s not easy to share and as many of you know, I’m not one to do things for attention. Instead, I write to you in order to keep myself sharp and provide the support to all of you who read, call, come to classes, and rely on us for information.

With so many of you responding, I have received lots of requests for how I started my business and arrived at where I am now. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane…

Starting Out – Customer Appreciation

When I started out as a stylist, I didn’t have much of anything. I borrowed a lot to open my first salon, I didn’t know much about running a business, and I especially didn’t know about advertising and marketing. I got by with the help of friends and clients, and my appreciation for them ran me right into a great business building idea… Customer Appreciation Night.

I started with just one night at the end of the month and it grew to include several nights throughout the month.

Why did I do it this the way? What made it so successful?

This is going to sound terrible and it is, so if you’re sensitive and have a heart, I understand… but I was hungry and had bills to pay.

I knew everyone had the most money saved up by the end of the month because the first of the month is rent, bills, and life. Hosting a party at the end of the month ensured that people would have a decision to make. Do the right thing, save your money and pay your bills OR be late a week and have really good looking fun hair!

Guess what? Within 6 months of opening the salon, we were able to hire shampoo people and a front desk person. I didn’t have to run back and forth anymore. Within the next 6 months, I had an assistant and hostess to go around cleaning and bringing clients refreshments.

Everyone Loves a Party!

A lot of people especially love private parties… there’s just something to be said about attending an event that is not open to the public. So I presold tickets to my own clients and anyone else that would listen to me for 30 seconds. In turn, my salon created a magical event with the following:

  • I used the presale money to get giveaways… because who doesn’t like leaving with goodies?!?
  • We convinced the local restaurant owner to cater the event so they could promote their food.
  • I knew all the local bartenders because I used to drink back in my twenties. So I had them come in and promote their bar by pouring a few bottles of wine and some drinks.
  • We pumped up the music until the police showed up for noise complaints.
  • And we gave consultations to our clients and their family members.

Looking back on it now, the amount of alcohol we served was a bad idea but at the time, whoa baby did we have fun! Nowadays, you can have an ‘alcohol sampling’ which is a fancy way of saying, “Get FREE beer, wine, or liquor!”

The point of the night was not to do anyone’s hair. It was to do consultations, get them excited and book them to back in very soon. Some people did get their hair done at these parties, but they had to come back the following week to get the color balanced and haircut evened out. But even then, we would have a laugh about it instead of them being upset.

The entire party created such energy that we started getting a ton of referrals. People naturally felt like they were part of something and wanted to show off.

Recognition

These customer appreciation parties soon led to some weird occurrences outside of the salon… people would recognize me! I would be sitting at a restaurant trying to eat, at the grocery trying to figure out what to eat, at the hardware store trying to figure out how to fix stuff and people would come up and say, “Hi Eddie! When is the next party?” or “Thank you so much, look at how well my hair is doing!” After a while, I had become a little local celebrity. It was important for party attendees to try and impress me by doing what I told them and showing off their great hair!

My little self who started small began to expand and exact change in my area. I knew everyone, the people who made coffee, the checkers at the grocery, the restaurant staff, bank tellers, dry cleaners, and the gas station guy. It didn’t matter where I went, I knew everyone and most importantly they knew who I was. 

We have to remember that we are mini local celebrities. On a day off, the last thing we want to do is get up, dressed and out the door, but we are our own best advertisement.

I used to make myself an appointment at the salon and have an assistant apply my color so it was always fresh looking. I didn’t enjoy getting dressed up all the time, but it was necessary…. we are, after all, symbols of fashion. It was the worst to see someone outside of the salon looking “normal”. It deflated the whole image, especially in today’s social media world.

It’s easier now to advertise yourself but at the end of the day, we still need to physically do hair. Those people are local and come from all around your local neighborhood and a lot closer than you realize. The best social media are your neighbors and neighborhood. Be a brand, be an image, be a celebrity, be the product that they can’t get online or anywhere else!

customer appreciationhair salonlocalmarketingneighborhoodreputationsalon eventssalon growthsalon ownerstarting a salon
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  • Published in Celebrity Hair, DIY, Hair Care, Hair Salon, Hair Styling, Hair Tips, Hair's the Bling, Lifestyle
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Kendall Jenner’s VA-VA-Volume

Thursday, 09 August 2018 by Darren Stork
Kendall Jenner’s VA-VA-Volume

DSquared2’s fall/winter campaign features Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid with some amazingly voluminous hair. Their Dolly Parton-esque looks ooze 60’s glamour and pays homage to cowgirls with volume for days.

Kendall Jenner DSquared2

DSquared2

Hairstyles of history can provide inspiration and insights into what looks can span the decades. They can tell you why certain looks have remained timeless… including big hair. Dolly Parton rocked the look and continues to, and now Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid look fabulous in this campaign.

Bella Hadid DSquared2

DSquared2

DSquared2 describes the look and campaign video: “Somewhere off a highway in the mid-West, a duo of bad girl honeys check-in to a motel room; their high hair swinging over the collar of their check shirts. They call up their guys for an in-room party.”

At the very least this VA-VA-Volume can be attributed to the great Dolly Parton. Thanks Dolly, for your fantastic big hair!

Lastly, if you are looking for products that inspire serious volume, go here and you won’t be disappointed 😉

Bella Hadidbig hairDolly PartonKendall Jennervolume
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  • Published in Bridal Hair, Celebrity Hair, Formal Hair, Hair History, Hair Styling, Hair Trends
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Do you know this hair icon creator and Illinois native?

Monday, 23 July 2018 by Darren Stork
Do you know this hair icon creator and Illinois native?

They were inspired by a velvet fez hat to create a historical 1960’s hairdo… know who it is yet?

In 1954, they won the National Coiffure Championship… how about now?

This person developed an up-do that has remained inspirational for decades… know the famous hairstyle yet?

The answer, Margaret Vinci Heldt. Margaret was born in 1918 in Illinois and spent most of her life there. She trained at Columbia College of Hairdressing and opened “Margaret Vinci Coiffures” in 1950. Four years later she won the National Coiffure Championship, a very honorable prize of the time.

In 1960, the editor’s of the Modern Beauty Shop magazine asked Margaret to develop a new hairstyle to uniquely bring in the new decade. After a bit of inspiration from a velvet fez hat, the beehive was born.

The beehive became an instant success on the heels of the bouffant. It was easy for women to sleep with their beehive wrapped in a scarf and tuck loose strands away in the morning. Thus, the beehive took over the bouffant because it could last longer. Margaret famously said that the ideal beehive ratio of hair to face was two to one… now that is a big beehive!

Beehives have remained a hair inspiration for decades. Recent variations can be seen Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Silverman, and Adele.

So tell me which of the famous beehive wearers below is your favorite?

famouse beehives

beehivehair iconhair trendhairdohairstyleMargaret Vinci Heldtupdo
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  • Published in Bridal Hair, Celebrity Hair, Formal Hair, Hair History, Hair Styling, Hair Trends
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Celebs in extensions: Selena Gomez

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 by Darren Stork
CELEBS IN EXTENSIONS: SELENA GOMEZ Selena Gomez spent last weekend in New York City…

Selena Gomez spent last weekend in New York City with friends, where she walked around SoHo and embarked on a boat cruise. the biggest change was that she traded in her short strands for a long style that reaches halfway down her waist courtesy of some new extensions!

She wore her hair both down and up; in a long, Ariana Grande-esque high ponytail, and later in loose, casual waves that matched her simple joggers and tee outfit.

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  • Published in Celebrity Hair, Hair Extensions
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The hottest trend in L.A.? Extensions!

Saturday, 09 June 2018 by Darren Stork
THE HOTTEST TREND IN EXTENSIONS! ‘s most popular summer haircut isn’t a haircut at…

L.A.’s most popular summer haircut isn’t a haircut at all…it’s add-on hair! This summer, Paris Jackson traded her messy lob for long blonde layers, while Bella Hadid gallivanted around Europe with brunette extensions, proving that the “reverse haircut” is happening this summer, and everyone’s jumping on board the long hair trend!


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  • Published in Celebrity Hair, Hair Extensions
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The Work of Sacha Quarles
Saturday, 17 January 2015 by Darren Stork

IN THE PRESS: THE WORK OF SACHA QUARLES

The work of She by SO.CAP.USA’s celebrity hairdresser Sacha Quarles can be spotted in the January issue of Vanity Fair Italia on his good friend Colin Farrell. Shot by John Russo in Dolce & Gabbana, Farrell has relied on Sacha’s skilled shears for years.

colin farrellsacha quarles
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  • Published in Celebrity Hair
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Sacha Quarles & Colin Farrell!
Wednesday, 14 January 2015 by Darren Stork

GOLDEN GLOBES 2015: COLIN FARRELL ~ OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAM
CREATED BY: CELEBRITY HAIRDRESSER SACHA QUARLES

On Sunday, actor Colin Farrell presented the Best Foreign Language film award alongside Lupita Nyong’o and sported the most glorious moustache and a classically old Hollywood quaff. Looking classically handsome in a Dolce & Gabbana tux, She by SO.CAP.USA’s Sacha Quarles crafted the look for the occasion. However, the moustache was not his doing…Colin is currently shooting “True Detective” Season 2, in which he plays moustached detective Ray Velcoro.

 

celebrity haircolin farrellsacha quarles
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  • Published in Celebrity Hair
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#1 HAIR TREND OF THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2015
Tuesday, 13 January 2015 by Darren Stork

The Biggest Trend at the Golden Globes? Bombshell Waves!

At last night’s Golden Globes, four of Hollywood’s major leading ladies — Amy Adams, Allison Williams, Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Chastain — opted for the red-carpet hair trend we never get sick of seeing: old Hollywood glam bombshell waves.

REESE WITHERSPOON

Reese Witherspoon stunned on the red carpet with her ultra-glamorous look! In particular, we absolutely loved her old-Hollywood hairstyle — golden cascading waves that perfectly complimented her totally chic gown. Reese’s makeup was neutral yet glowing with a rosy-peach check, a natural smokey eye, and a pink lip.

AMY ADAMS

To pair with her gorgeous lilac gown and all-natural makeup, Adams’s hair guru styled her fiery red locks into a sideswept relaxed wave style, tucking her hair behind her left ear to show off her dazzling jewels.

JESSICA CHASTAIN

Chastain, another red-headed starlet who wowed us on the red carpet, rocked a super sideswept ‘do with voluminous waves to team with her ultra-plunging bronze Versace number and dangling diamonds.

ALLISON WILLIAMS

And finally, Williams’s stylist opted for a similar but much more structured style — glossy sculpted ringlets — to pair with her red beaded Armani Privé gown and silvery smokey eye.

celebrity hair
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  • Published in Celebrity Hair
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Stunning in Extensions: Katie Holmes
Tuesday, 13 January 2015 by Darren Stork

GOLDEN GLOBES 2015

Katie Holmes was ready for her close up as she heated up the Golden Globes red carpet on Sunday evening. With Rapunzel-like hair, the 36-year-old actress stepped into the spotlight in a strapless violet Marchesa gown. Katie’s dress featured ruched material in the front and a sweeping train in back. The Giver star’s long brunette hair – styled out with long extensions – was swept to one side in a sleek ponytail with a side part. She glammed it up with a large cuff bracelet and a couple simple gold ones as her green eyes smoldered with the help of smoky eye-shadow.

 

extensionskatie holmes
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  • Published in Celebrity Hair
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