If you ever want to meet a guy even nicer than me in the industry, then you will want to meet Ward Bassett who owns Bassett Salon Solutions (BSS).

Ward has been around the block a few times and ran one of the sales divisions for Maly’s when they were privately owned. Ward left to start his own company in 2007 along with his wife Christina. Like us, their focus is on the salon’s well being and their team is dedicated on providing the best products, education and support.

Needing a color line, Ward and I connected and he brought on Kemon. It was love at first sight (not between Ward and I, please) but with Ward’s customers and the brand. Now with the introduction of NaYo, the industry’s first ammonia-free, PPD-free, fragrance-free and dermatologist recommended hair color, salon demand is going through the roof. They are also digging Cramer color and Actyva Care retail products. But what BSS is really loving is the education and support that Kemon is giving their salons. I want to share this message that came from Suse Sullivan, Director of Education for BSS:

“Hi Kelly and Randy – first I want to thank you again for supporting us and our accounts with sending Lindsaya and Nikki last weekend.  They are a “dynamic duo” and truly made a great impression on many of our Kemon users through their knowledge, creativity, passion and their sincere desire to simply share!!

They accommodated a last minute request to do a PK/Formulation class on Sunday morning at a new account who just got the green light from the inspector that they could open on Monday.  Raquel Mercedes (Coach in training) just opened her own salon,  Jayden Presleigh, The Salon & Spa, which is BEAUTIFUL and was able to convince her new stylists that they had to use Kemon color.  Lindsaya and Nikki did a beautiful job going over the color lines and then helping them formulate on a few live models.  From what I’m hearing the stylists are off to a great start and getting more and more comfortable with the color and the options they have as they carry all varieties of Kemon that we have.

We then went to Headlines THE Salon and they had 2 models (1 each).  Lindsaya’s model was very brassy and she did a beautiful job at toning her down and giving her a beautiful warm blonde finish.
Nikki’s model was a client of Lauren’s and she did a beautiful Ombre and walked them through the technique.  Both models turned out beautiful and were very happy with the results as were the stylists.

I’m sure you already know this, but I have to say that Lindsaya is truly an asset!!  Her technical ability is spot on but it’s how she relays the information and simplifies it that makes it impactful.  I (along with everyone else) really enjoyed listening to her describe the points of difference within Kemon’s color portfolio.  I wish I could throw water on her so she’d multiply!!!!”

For me, this is the Kool-Aid that gets hairdressers, colorists and salon owners excited about hair color. And when it comes to hair color, Kemon is leading the way worldwide. BSS is a testament of what is happening in the USA.

Congratulations Ward, Christina, Suse and the the entire BSS team for your continued success.

Happy Friday!

Yes, the USA has had some crazy weather. Freezing in Florida, record cold in California, snow and ice in Dallas and more snow than Mt. Everest in Boston and New York.

But the mother of all storms according to the National Weather Service started yesterday in Dallas and rose through the USA like Zeus on a mountaintop. Weathermen from all over couldn’t stop yakking about the blizzards, snow accumulation, 25-35 mph wind and the actual time the party was going to start. Based in Detroit, the party was to start Tuesday night at 7PM and run continuously until 7PM Wednesday. The only other party I could recall that ran 24 hours straight was Mardi Gras.

Now where the conspiracy theory takes hold is that once a storm like this comes, weathermen become celebrities and every word they breathe and state is gospel. Radio announcers who specialize in sports, music or talk become weathermen. TV station anchors become weathermen. And weathermen take center stage. Here in Detroit, schools are canceled, businesses close (not the casinos) and workers are told to stay home BEFORE the storm even comes. The experts tell us 18” and it’s the storm of the century.

People flock to Meijer and WalMart. They fill up their gas tanks. They buy batteries and candles. They make sure they have plenty of wine and beer. Plenty of chips and snacks too. Hey, if were staying home for a snow day, let’s make the most of it.

While all this is going on, the million protesters in Egypt take second stage. “Yes, the President announces he won’t run for re-election in September but wait!!!!!!!!!! Breaking news!! Detroit’s blizzard is going to be record-setting. Prepare now. Don’t be on the roads past 7PM. Take cover. Have plenty of wine. Now back to Egypt.”

Alas, we get 7” and everyone at Starbuck’s are scratching their heads, “Where are the customers?” I drove on a 4-lane freeway and was literally the only driver at 7:30AM. It was fun. Everyone decided to stay home thanks to the almighty weathermen. Just how much money did their wrong forecast cost Michigan? And what ramifications will they receive? Nothing of course. They have the only profession where you get paid to be wrong.

But Chicago wasn’t so lucky and they got hammered. One of very own talent, Randy R. happened to be in Chicago last night. He couldn’t have put it any better so let me share what he wrote me:

“I drove to Chicago early Monday morning and Marie worked me until 10:30pm. After a productive Tuesday the Mother of all storms moves in and you’d think all hell was unleashed. Chicago shuts down. And I am now sitting in my hotel room with a t-bone steak and a bottle of 2 buck chuck -I turn on the biggest loser and get ready for a stormy night. But wait-the travel god says not so fast and poof- out go the lights and here I am- alone in the dark with a cold t-bone steak dinner and a dull knife. So here I am in Chicago in a freezing room. A massive blizzard with 25mph winds and no power. I do however have a case of 2 buck chuck.”

The hotel power went back on at 4AM. Two empty bottles of Two Buck Chuck could be seen, the end result of the weathermen in Chicago actually being right. Too bad for Randy.

Happy Wednesday!