Now in its sixth year, Tiffany Michigan Hairdresser of the Year Awards still remain the only U.S. award program recognizing the best hairdressers. The talent Michigan hairdressers exhibit each year in the entries is literally amazing.

In an American Idol format, the Michigan Hairdresser of the Year is selected before live judges in front of an audience of more than 700. Each of the finalists must complete an Editorial, Formal, and Color model the day of the competition which includes wardrobe, make-up and choreography. It’s an experience of a lifetime for those that earn the right.

My assistant Liz who did another outstanding job dealing with all the entries and getting the entries out to the judges handed me the finalists so I’m sharing the news with you.

This year’s judges included Mary Rector (behindthechair.com and Mary Rector Gable & Associates); Maggie Mulhern, Modern Salon Media; and Zoe Harte, Vice President Advanced Education for TIGI. I would like to thank them for a job well done.

Now to the finalists!

Sarah Gauclio from Bocci Salon, Sterling Heights. I asked Sarah her immediate thoughts when she found out she was a finalist, "I cried, I was excited, I was scared and I told Traci (co-owner of Bocci) that you better help me!"

Jenny Fournia from Alex & Emilio Salon, Royal Oak. Jenny’s comment to me was "I can’t believe it! I don’t know how to talk in front of people….I don’t know what to think!" Emilio ensured her she would be fine. We will see……

And last but not least, Tomy  Lugjuraj from 6 Salon, Royal Oak. Tomy’s comment to me was "it’s just going to be awesome! It’s going to be a huge push for my entire staff because one of the owner’s is a Finalist and this will push them to compete next year. I’m excited man!"

DREAMS featuring Tiffany will be held Saturday, September 20 at the Rock Financial Center in Novi. DREAMS is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. The Nailco Group has raised more than $1 Million since the inception of DREAMS. Tickets are $100 (dinner and show) and $150 (VIP). This year the event will also feature a special rendition by the KEMON Artistic Team and an appearance by the six finalists from Gossip Girl Detroit. For ticket information, please visit thetiffanyawards.com.

Happy Thursday!

At our Leadership Team meeting this morning I asked the group if anyone knew about Two Buck Chuck. Two people reluctantly raised their hands and knew the wine was sold at Trader Joe’s for $2.99.

This is certainly a marketing phenomena because the brand is actually Charles Shaw. And while Trader Joe’s is the seller, the price is not two bucks but $2.99. And to the best of my knowledge, it is Trader Joe’s best-selling wine.

I think the average bottle of wine sells for $10-$20 and there are plenty of bottles well over $50. So I was thinking about the salon business and more specifically the retail business within the salon and how Two Buck Chuck could fit in. The answer came while sipping a glass of Shafer 1.5 Cab:

Three Buck Huck. The brand name would be Huckleberry Farms with Awapuhi as the main ingredient. The retail salon price would be $3.99.

And to make it simple: One shampoo and one conditioner for color-treated hair and one shampoo and one conditioner for all other types. We would also add a styling gel, pump hair spray and foaming mousse to the mix. Liters would be priced at $7.99.

I think this idea is fabulous especially in today’s tough times. What do you think about Three Buck Huck?

Happy Wednesday!

Now I’m not one for watching too much TV, but I know for those who are in with trends and stuff, they wouldn’t miss Gossip Girls on Monday’s at 8PM aired on the new hip Channel CW.

I even visited their website, cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl and noticed not only can you watch the shows, but you can join a VIP lounge, shop, and do just about anything.

So when we heard that Gossip Girls was coming to Detroit, there really had to behind something behind this phenomenon.

And sure enough, there is. Next month, both CW and Six Degrees magazine will be looking for the Detroit Gossip Girl. Auditions will be held and six finalists will be selected. Then during a one month period, the winner will be selected.

Why am I writing about Gossip Girls? Because this is about fun, trends and of course….gossip. More likely because Kemon is the official hair care sponsor and be Professional makeup is the official makeup sponsor. The Nailco Group is going to make some gossip.

We are very excited about this. Furthermore, we plan on having the finalists at DREAMS featuring The Tiffany Awards September 20 at the Rock Financial Showplace and the winner at Kemon Nights October 26 at the Royal Oak Music Theater.

And if that is not enough excitement, our very own Kemon Head Coach, Jeph Wright, from 6 Salon in Birmingham, is the official hairdresser for the finalists. And yes he will be using Kemon color and styling products on each of them.

Starting in August, we will have full page ads in Six Degrees and be featured on CW TV. I’ll have more information to share with you as we get closer to launch date (August 23). In the meantime, you are now in the know!

Happy Tuesday!

I remember way back when I was a kid, my mother used to take me to the local barber shop. I hated the barber and I hated the experience (I did get a Dum Dum though). As I got older and went to Michigan State, I still went to a barber although Antonio was a cool guy who liked to have fun. He even had a cool shoe shine guy who knew all the local stuff going on. Better yet, Antonio always had donuts, bagels and fresh coffee.

So all this nostalgia reminds me: When did the term hairdresser come into vogue? I think it’s the evolution of the professional name change that took place in the 80’s. Stewardess became flight attendant. Waitress became server. Manicurist became nail technician. Janitor became sanitation engineer. I’m sure you can think of many others.

But hairdresser didn’t evolve from barbers. Believe it or not, there still are barber’s out there. Perhaps it evolved from stylist, I am not sure.

According to Wikipedia, A hairdresser is a universal term referring to someone whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person’s image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, haircutting and hair texture techniques.

Today, I go to a hairdresser and love the experience. Over the years, I have gotten to know hundreds of hairdressers and the question on my mind today is what exactly do hairdressers need to be successful? And what do hairdressers despise the most?

I look forward to your answers.

Next up: Nail technicians

Happy Monday!

George Schaeffer, CEO of OPI, had an idea years ago. His idea was to convert professional beauty stores to a blend of pro and retail stores. Half the store would be pro only. However, the other half of the store would be retail open to consumers. Pro’s would still be able to buy those products at wholesale prices but consumers could buy at retail prices.

For us, the advantages are that our 23 stores would be open to the public and our sales would increase tremendously. We also wouldn’t have to tell people who come into the stores that we cannot sell to them. It also allows professionals to bring their friends into the stores to shop.

For salons, it allows them to refer their clients to our stores to buy products they don’t want to retail. George’s idea allowed for commissions to go back to participating salons but that idea was difficult to manage.

Today, there are plenty of stores open to the public such as Sally, Ulta, Trade Secret and most drug stores and discount stores sell professional goods regularly.

The true question that begs an answer is this: How would salon professionals react if our stores went pro/retail? Based on the pros and cons, I am interested in your response. I know for a fact that many professionals regularly shop Sally and Ulta even though they pay a higher cost due to convenience. So I am hoping double standards doesn’t play into the decision. So what are your thoughts?

Happy Thursday!

According to the author of the controversial book, The Dumbest Generation, more than 50 million minds of Americans under the age of 30 are Diverted, Distracted, and Devoured (visit dumbest generation.com for more info but most likely you won’t be able to read the content if under 30!).

Mark Bauerlein, the infamous author did his research and found that the average time 18-25 year olds read per day is only 7 minutes. Newspapers are dying because this generation doesn’t even know what a newspaper is (they take their Blackberry into the stall).

The most amazing thing Bauerlein stated was that this generation has access to more information than any generation before it but chooses not to access it. Why? They live in a world of instant messaging. In fact, the text message language has become so complicated, I wouldn’t doubt that U-M adds it as a course requirement for incoming Freshman.

People are using "u" instead of "you; "r" instead of "are. So people can’t spell, format a paragraph or communicate in the English language.

Being over 50, I’m not a texter. I went to the AT & T store over the weekend with the BUB and we now share 700 minutes a month for two phones. They asked if we want text messaging because they could offer us a plan with 5000 minutes or even unlimited minutes. We’re lucky to use 100 minutes!

But I can write and read which I’ll take anytime over texting. As an under 30 reader of this blog, what are your thoughts on what Bauerlein has to say? Would you buy and read his book? And in our industry, what is the best way to communicate and educate those under 30?

In our last company meeting we did an innovation segment and one topic that came up was to communicate to our customers via text messaging. Would you give us your cell phone number for this?

The world is changing and while it’s not up to us over 30 to decide whether it’s changing for the better or worse, it is up to decide how to ride the change into the future.

Happy Wednesday!

I know October is around the corner when the invitation for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) breakfast arrives in the mail. Mind you, summer can last another five months so there is no rush to October. However, this is a big deal.

What makes MSABC so special this year is that The Nailco Group is now a National Sponsor and it is our objective to get at least 1000 walkers to a MSABC event. In Detroit alone, we normally have 400-500 walkers. We have work to do to reach our goal!

MSABC is a non-competitive, 5 mile stroll. It’s fun, interactive, and you get to meet some really great people. And for those that deem 5 miles to much, you can always take the American Cancer Society (ACS) shortcut (2-3 miles).

This year the walk in Detroit is October 18. If you live in the Detroit Area, please mark your calendar now–we need your support! Please visit cancer.org/stridesonline for all the other dates and locations. And if you register online, be sure to register under The Nailco Group banner.

Last year we raised $200,000 for ACS and hope to reach this mark again (if not exceed). One thing for sure is that you will remember the day all year long and share in the memories with those you walk with.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the many MSABC walks. Thanks for all your support!

Happy Tuesday! 

With summer moving full speed ahead and the month of July soon to be a distant memory, I thought now is as good as ever to spill my bucket of Thank You’s to those that make life a little brighter and a little more fun.

Surely this is not my complete list as I have many buckets. But this one is full so here I go:

1. Craig and the SAP Swat Team. I remember Craig "begging" for SAP and now I see him and the team "begging" for mercy and going live September 2.
2. Scott for stepping into the Store Director’s role or should I say, "dancing into the role."
3. Kym who has effortlessly in a short amount of time tied up our promotion with Detroit Gossip Girls, launching Chicago and LA with Kemon and moving at the speed of light.
4. Wendy who sold the most ACS bookmarks by an individual; the Flint store who is the only store to crack 1,000!
5. Kory for stepping up at CTS and rocking the division.
6. Dan for always getting the small stuff done.
7. Kelly for making sure the education at TheAcademy and at S.P.A. is top rate.
8. The LT GLC for taking care of the ATL business with no problems.
9. The Pavilion staff for updating the showroom.
10. BUB for making everyday a little brighter and the most fun.
11. Jacques for getting the web stuff done on time.
12. Charlotte for being a true Rebel in difficult times.
13. Not having to play golf in England to make a living.
14. All the Kemon salons that believe in us.
15. And our Kemon Head Coaches: Jeph, Andy and Aaron. You guys are the best!

Who do you want to thank?

Happy Monday!

Since there are only 52 Friday’s a year, this is the best day to celebrate what’s on your mind since the coveted weekend is right ahead.

You can write about business, products, services, the economy, gas prices, customers, engagement or anything you can think about.

Here is my Top 10 List for the week:

1. July heat and humidity

2. GM reaches new low then rebounds sharply

3. Gehwol coming to The Industry Source September 1

4. Brisa $1.00 lamps coming January 1 (or sooner!)

5. L’Oreal reports sharply lower U.S. sales

6. Our featured story in the current issue of Beauty Store Business

7. TNG and Kemon sponsor The Gossip Girls in Detroit (this is going to be so much fun!)

8. Raquel Welch Wig & Styling Boutique underway

9. John Mulgrew from American Crew hits $110,000 jackpot and while waiting for winnings, hits another $3,000 in the machine next door (my new best friend)

10. Crunch time at TNG getting ready for SAP

Happy Friday!

Once again Mandalay Bay was the official host of Cosmoprof North America. And once again, Starbucks and Red, White & Blue were the busiest places to wait in line and be seen.

I was waiting for the doors to open on Sunday (the first day) and was amazed to see such few people. There were quite a few international guests and I spoke to a couple from Austria who were happy to be in Las Vegas to see what the show had to offer.

Once inside, the show floor was virtually the same as last year in size. Very professional and very well done, the mix of "Pavilions" A-D were well situated and appealed to the focus of the buyer.

As I walked around with my son, Daniel, the search was on for new and innovative products. Here are my findings:

1. Ceripil vegetable-based hard wax beads.

2. Graham "tablets" that when activated with water turn into a 9" x 10" non-woven towel.

3. A roller that actually consists of tiny needles that penetrates the skin so a special fluid can penetrate. Great for hair growth and skin treatments.

4. T3 new lower priced lines and their specialty hair products.

5. CND has a new line coming out in November and it was so secretive, they wouldn’t even share it with me. I do know it is only 5 items.

6. Oreck air purifier that actually works.

It was nice bumping into people and spending some time together. Tony Cuccio from Star Nail was in rare form having fun under his Costco tent; Vince Davis from TIGI was excited about their new RockAholic line of goods coming out late Fall; Jan Arnold from CND was passionate about education; George Schaeffer from OPI released a basket of new products but had the most fun with his "spin the wheel" concept (I had fun spinning the wheel and won the top prize!); Art August of Helen of Troy was trumpeting his new WIGO line of dryers.

Overall, this 3-day show is no more than a 2-day show and with attendance continuing to slide, it would be nice if the industry could consolidate all the shows and make 2-3 a year that really count. Now there is an innovative idea.

Happy Thursday!