|
Author
|
Topic: Is Cosmetology For Me?
|
Harpyr
Knowflake Posts: 2255
From: land of the midnight sun
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted October 08, 2004 02:06 PM
 
When I told my mother and step-sister that I was thinking about going to cosmetology school they started laughing because it sounded so drastically unlike me...In some senses that is true. I don't keep up with fashion, I abhor the stinky chemicals that are integral to the field (especially manicuring..blech!), and I prefer to not shave my pits. LOL Yet..
*I have always reeealy enjoyed cutting hair..
*I used to do hair and make-up for theatre when I was in high school and had alot of fun...
*as an artist, I'm very skilled with my hands..
*I hear there's pretty good money in the buisness...
*School is only about a year and a half as opposed to a typical 4 yr. degree which I fear would be much harder for me to stick with...
*I could work in any city...
*People will always need their hair cut...
So those are some of the reasons that I'm considering it as the career move I want to make. I'm just really tired of being poor and directionless as far as a career is concerned.. I don't see hairdressing as something I'd want to do for the rest of my life but more as a stepping stone to getting the money I need to buy the land to start the farm....plus, it's a handy skill to have in an intentional community where the barter system would be in play...
I just wanted to hear what others think of this or if anyone has any useful input...  IP: Logged |
Yin
Knowflake Posts: 1409
From:
Registered: May 2004
|
posted October 08, 2004 02:25 PM
Harpyr, you have your answer in the question. You say you really enjoy cutting hair. Do you imagine yourself going to school, paying for it, and sticking with it for a year and a half? Can you imagine yourself cutting hair for hours at a time, socializing with strangers, just because that is what you have to do at a service job, waiting on them for at least a couple of years? If you are up for that challenge, then go for it. We Saggies can be very ambitious when we have the right motivation.
Good luck with your decision.IP: Logged |
ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 1577
From: MAINE! :)
Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted October 08, 2004 03:33 PM
Go for it, girl!If you think you would enjoy it in the long run, then why not? It may not seem like what others would expect from you, but who cares? If it's something you will like doing, and can make a living out of, there's no reason why you shouldn't. Best of luck with whatever you decide! I'm sure you will come out trumps in whatever you do! Ghani IP: Logged |
Harpyr
Knowflake Posts: 2255
From: land of the midnight sun
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted October 08, 2004 05:33 PM
Yin and Ghani,
Thank you for the words of encouragement.. I suppose that's what I'm really wanting to hear. It's not that my family and friends aren't supportive, it's just that since they know me personally, they tend to be abit reserved in their encouragement because to them it seems so out of character for me. They don't realize it's an idea I've entertained for nearly a decade on and off..It is something I can see myself enjoying. I like that there is some measure of a creative outlet there; that I'm creating a certain 'look' for a person. It will be nice to help people feel good about their appearance. I like talking to people- part of the reason I was a bartender for a couple years..I even had the thought that maybe I could open up my own salon that has some kind of quirky feature to make it unique.. Like a hairstylist who could tell you abit about your astrological chart while you get your cut and then afterwards a makeover using all natural make-up.  IP: Logged |
LibraSparkle
Knowflake Posts: 6034
From: Vancouver USA
Registered: May 2004
|
posted October 08, 2004 06:29 PM
Hey Sweetness, sounds like it's for you to me   IP: Logged |
pixelpixie
Knowflake Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
|
posted October 08, 2004 08:33 PM
Harpyr~ I was led similarily.... I was art-ful, and went to this school to see about a massage therapy course, as I wanted to 'help' people... well, I was steered into an aesthetics course instead, and well.. it was for a reason. You can be creative in anything you do, and people will recognize and appreciate that in you.
I have faith that whatever you feel, even if it is not 'you' at any given moment, it is true to your whole vision.... I am a complete different person than I was last week, and next week, maybe I will incorporate parts of who I was... who knows. I wish you clarity, and the strength to honour yourself, in whatever manifestation you need to feel you.
 to you, as always.*How's the man and the munchkin? Is he excited about Hallowe'en? IP: Logged |
Saffron
Knowflake Posts: 468
From:
Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted October 09, 2004 01:17 AM
dear Harpyr ~i daydream of finding a hairstylist of your caliber. i don't mean to impose on your vision, but here's what i'm imagining.... you are self-employed with a salon business that uses only the purest, natural ingredients for hair care. you grow fresh herbs in window containers and use these in natural hair and facial treatments. your salon smells like heaven, with all the organic essential oils you use in your treatments. you advise clients on the best chemical-and-toxin-free products available....no animal testing, no animal products, no petroleum by-products, no sodium-laurel/laureth anything, etc., etc......suited to their individual needs. you may even advise on nutritional, dietary and supplementary needs, for the improvement of hair and skin.... perhaps you start your own line of delightfully earth-friendly natural hair and skin products.... i can so see this.....  it's fantastic! you would be fantastic! and since a salon is always a source of information....you could clue people in on the latest ecology endeavors....such as the best places for recycling, for xeriscaping info, for organic container gardening classes..... i just know i would love this kind of place! you're so perfect for this....and you're magic.....  IP: Logged |
Harpyr
Knowflake Posts: 2255
From: land of the midnight sun
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted October 10, 2004 04:02 PM
pixie, thank you for the words of encouragement. You are so right on about being true to one's vision.. I am the only person who can define me and who I am is an ever evolving work in progress, not some static thing.Things are quite well on the homefront.. the muchkin isn't as excited about Hallween as I would have expected him to be but I'm sure he'll come around when the candy factor really dawns on him.
As far as the Scorp and me.. we're engaged!  Saffron,
Don't worry about imposing anything on me; I think we have very similar visions. Perhaps we should go into buisness together. IP: Logged |
pixelpixie
Knowflake Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
|
posted October 10, 2004 04:12 PM
ENGAGED???!!!!
When ? How ?WWWWWHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! IP: Logged |
pixelpixie
Knowflake Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005
|
posted October 10, 2004 04:16 PM
*by the way, when I was in school, we had to put together a business plan.. I used watercolours for my vision, complete with different 'relaxation rooms' with lavender bulbs and aromatherapy, I would stain glass my own sign, use all natural skin care methods, have a 'lending library'.. on a free system for regulars.. basically, if you've been three times at least, go ahead and take an informative book home.. also of course, a community bulletin board, for grassroots events, things near and dear to your heart.. a holistic view/community feel of a place.. I even did the numerology behind the name I chose.
My vision was a tad altered in reality, but I still always thought it was the coolest thing ever!!!!IP: Logged |
Harpyr
Knowflake Posts: 2255
From: land of the midnight sun
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted October 10, 2004 04:51 PM
ooooooooopixie! you have some great ideas too! I've often thought I want to move to Canada...I want to go into buisness with you too! LOL weeeelll... we haven't set a date or anything.. we were thinkin of next fall in Alaska but we're not sure if it might be a better idea to put it off till we are done with college since we are likely eligible for more grant money and stuff being classified as 'single'.. If we do put if off for money reasons I'd still want to maybe just have a nice, unofficial ceremony sooner.. oh and the how? question... I can only say that it was a beautiful, intimate and breathless moment that he sprung the question..  IP: Logged |
Eleanore
Moderator Posts: 2512
From: Japan
Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted October 10, 2004 05:42 PM
I think you've received some great advice here, Harpyr. For what it's worth, I can absolutely see you doing the kinds of things that you, Saffron, and pixelpixie have envisioned. Some may imagine a salon or cosmetology as a very materialistic kind of endeavor but, as with anything else in life, it can be whatever you make it. I for one would sure love to go to a salon like the one in your collective vision.  OH, yes, Congratulations on your engagement! ------------------
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi IP: Logged |
Harpyr
Knowflake Posts: 2255
From: land of the midnight sun
Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted October 12, 2004 11:59 AM
Yeah.. I'll admit a good part of the reason I want to do this thing is the money factor. It's alot faster money than having to go through a four year college. I was worried that it was too extreme a departure from my ethics and sustainable-technology direction but I'm now seeing how these things can be worked into it and it's feeling like the right decision for me.. I only wish I could get started NOW.. Alas, I have to wait until next year before I can apply for FAFSA. (sp?)
*sigh* oh well.. It's probably a good thing that I have some time to mull it over thoroughly. As a Sag, I have a tendancy to be abit too impulsive at times. Thanks Eleanore! IP: Logged |
thirteen
Knowflake Posts: 1107
From: Rochester Hills, MI USA
Registered: May 2004
|
posted October 12, 2004 12:58 PM
"Do what you love and the money will follow"IP: Logged |
Saffron
Knowflake Posts: 468
From:
Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted October 16, 2004 04:20 PM
hi Harpyr ~have you rendered anyone ecologically stylish yet? i was thinking about your intentional community....how may i become a member? are you taking applications? if you'd care to, i 'd like to have your opinion on an article i have...i'd like to email it to you. my address is saffronwisp@yahoo.com, if it's ok with you. IP: Logged |
MistyDawn
Knowflake Posts: 39
From: Phx. Az USA
Registered: Sep 2001
|
posted October 16, 2004 09:06 PM
Merry meet!
If you want fast, good money, get a job waiting tables at a great resturant! I've been doin hair since 1985, have had a solon since 1989....The ONLY reason I'm still doing it is because I love it! Mony wise, I get by. I even had Jose' Ebare Hollywood stlyist) have one of my clients sit in his chair at &250 at the time, and would only let him blowdry it, not cut it because she liked my work so well. He even told her who ever did her hair needs to be in HollyWood! After almost 18 years, I've worked up to $12 a cut! Yet every time I raise my prices a dallar, I loose a few! Heck, my first job/salon I charged $11 a cut! But that's all my area will allow for now. (Retirement community)
But in school, they fill your head with "you're in demand, and you'll get out and start at $30,000 a year"! Hogwash! It takes 3 to 5 years to build a clientel. The definetion of clientel is 500 people that will fallow you anywhere! Mean while, they are paying you minimum wage to be a shampoo person!
Some people do make great $$$$, But it's being in the right place at the right time! The market is flooded! Hairdressers are a dime a dozen! I can't even move my salon....I can't find a building within a 5 mile radious that dowsn't currently have 3 hair salons in it!!!
If you enjoy people and being crative and making people feel good about themselves...do it!!! If you're going for big bucks.....do something else!!!
Blessings
MistyDawnIP: Logged |
Lindaland
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! 
