Help Please!

Well, there is new news with the salon. This week we had both of our full time stylists quit on us. No warning. No indication. No two weeks notice. How awesome is that?! We really should have known cause they quit the last salon they were working at together and now they quit our salon together. We're still not quite sure why they quit. We've been getting them a lot of clients. More than we promised in the first place.

So, now we are left with one part time stylist (whom we love!) at nights. So for half of this week we've just had to have all of the salon's phone calls forwarded to Paige's phone (our part timer) and we've just been open at nights and closed during the day. Which is NOT a good thing! But it's kinda out of our hands. I would go up there and work but I already have my clients here that I'm taking care of.

We posted an ad on KSL and Craigslist saying we're hiring and we got a booth renter in as an Esthetician so that's good. So now we're a salon and spa. We also have an interview with a part time morning stylist on Monday. But we really need more and don't know if it'll work out with her. If you know of anyone who is a stylist that lives in the area, please let them know about us. That'd really mean a lot.

Another thing is that our renters are moving out at the end of this month. Our basement appartment is 1100 square feet, 1-2 bedrooms (technically one bedroom but the HUGE living room has a HUGE walk in closet that has also been used as a bedroom) and obviously a fully equiped kitched and bathroom. Plus, you'd have a hair stylist right in your own home :). Haha- I know Melanie enjoyed that. If you or anyone you know is looking let us know or pass on Darrin's number if you would (801)232-2305. It's very centrally located and it's great if your going to school at the U or SLCC.

Thank you for helping us out! It's greatly appreciated! Here are some pics of our appartment:

My Mom is Beautiful

My Mom is Beautiful. Inside and out. Anyone who has ever met her has been touched by a light. She carries a light. She is Beautiful.

It's not like I haven't always known that my Mother is Beautiful. But I loved visiting with her today. We did her hair, then a pedicure and then a photo shoot! Very fun.

For those of you who don't know my Mom, you're missing out! For those of you who know my mom but don't know about all that she does, you're missing out! She's amazing I tell you! Her job title is Mom/Speaker/Writer/Singer/Guitar Teacher etc. She's amazing at all of the above. Withing the past couple years she's come out with TWO books. "First Aid for Feelings" and "My Journey from Darkness to Light".

Check out her website at www.PatriciaPotts.com where she has A TON of uplifting stuff-including her books. My Mom has been through A LOT throughout her life and she's still here to show for it. I am SO thankful. I wouldn't be at all the person I am today without that wonderful woman.

Her book "My Journey from Darkness to Light" is all about what she's been through and how she got to where she is today. Just a couple things about her: She's Bipolar. She's been through THREE major depressions. She had a brain tumor when she was pregnant with me. And much more... Seriously, Mom, I am the luckiest EVER to have you! She's a living testimony that we go through trials for a reason! We CAN make it through! And things WILL get better. So much better. With God, ANYTHING is possible!

I just want to post some of the pics we took today. It was SO much fun!
And Mom, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

Unruly yet Beautiful

Welcome to our yard. Front and back are full of wonders. We really didn't know exactly what we were getting into when we got the house. It's CRAZY! If we were to week every day it would still be a forest. But the other day I went picture crazy and took a bunch of pictures of some of the plants in our yard. Enjoy!



















p.s. As far as the salon goes, it's going well! We're on track. It's been frusterating but rewarding. If you know of anyone who lives in the area of Ogden, please let them know we're there. If you have any brilliant ideas for the salon, please pass them on!

Wow- What a Ride!

Ok, I'm sorry if I have not been the most fun person to be around lately. It has been such a rollercoaster with this new salon. Lot's of ups and downs. Not lots of sleep and sanity:). BUT, it's FINALLY here! The GRAND OPENING of Striking Image Salon! We've put our blood, sweat and tears into this salon- literally.

Renovations - We ran into a bunch of complications with the renovations, but it's all done now. What a relief! Wait 'till you see the pictures - what a transformation. (Don't you dare skip down to the bottom to see the pictures before you finish reading...I KNOW you are tempted!)

Interviews and Hiring Process - It felt SO strange to be the interviewer rather than the interviewee! Seriously-you should try it sometime. But we now have two full time stylists and one part time. We're still looking for another part-time and any booth renters.

Grand Opening/Marketing - SO stressful-I must say. We decided that we wanted to do something that would REALLY get people in for the Grand Opening. FREE HAIRCUTS-Thursday through Saturday. We posted adds on KSL, delivered 500 fliers to homes close by, PLUS we hired this guy who rides around on his 6 FOOT TALL UNICYCLE holding our sign. Haha. Needless to say, we're JAM PACKED with clients all the way through Saturday night (and more if we allowed it). We have each client fill out a form with their info and if they want to recieve updates and promotions. Surprisingly-almost everyone wants that. And another check box asks if they want to be called in 6-8 weeks to schedule their next appointment. Again, almost everyone said yes! Awesome. Others have already pre-booked their next appointments and some have scheduled colors. So, it's going really well. Except that our stylists COMPLAIN quite a bit (about working for free). But it will benefit them in the long run. And it's not even that long of a run. They're getting thier business cards out there, they will have returning clients, word of mouth spreads fast- you HAVE TO make sacrifices to build a clientelle. This is just a lot quicker of a way than little 5% off coupons. I just wish they understood that we are LOSING a lot of money to do this. Paying A LOT of money for advertising (we're doing a lot more methods than I've mentioned). Have spent COUNTLESS hours working towards making the salon sucessful. It just seems to me like they think we do nothing. Just sit there and watch the money roll in. I WISH!! It guess it's just teaching me a lot. There is the employee point of view and the business owner point of view. I can see both. I've been in both situations. But they are both SUCH DIFFERENT points of view. The employee has bills to pay and wants the money. The business owner has put a lot of time, effort and money into the business and has to face the fact that it wont be profitable for a while. EVEN IF it doesn't pay for bills. It's a risk that needs to be taken and has been taken for most all businesses. It's actually really interesting for me that I've REALLY been in both situatioins now. As the employee and the boss. Hmmmm... (so sorry to LET IT ALL OUT! It's 1:40am and I'm a bit stressed)Hmmmm....

Anyways, it really has been so exciting though. The stress aside, it's been AWESOME!!! So so so great! Darrin mentioned to me today that he got the chills the first time the phone was answered by an employee: "Striking Image Salon - this is Lisa!". Me too! And to have our very own signage and mail and employees and building (well not quite ours...) and all of that good stuff. YAY! I just want to SHOUT FOR JOY!

We really have been so blessed in this endeavor. Hey-we're not dead, right? haha. I'm so thankful for the opportunity and pray that everything will pan out. And SO thankful for Darrin. It's so great to be able to put our talents together to create something so big.

Anyways, pictures as primised-SORRY it took me so long! Can you guess which ones are before and which ones are after? I sure hope so!
















P.S. My Sister and Brother in law did ALL of the vinyl lettering for the salon and they did an AMAZING job! If you need vinyl let me know and I can get you prices OR her name is Patti Simon and # is (801)502-4868. They have a website but it's under construction www.sticktovinyl.com. Check that out later:). Thanks again Jason and Patti!