Now that Covid restrictions are easing and barbershops are starting to return to a more normal routine, it is the perfect time to relaunch your shave services. Why should you “relaunch" it? Well, since there has been a significant pause in the industry on any services that require you to remove your mask, it has been a while since clients have been able to experience your shave. Plus, with the vaccines rolling out, more clients are comfortable getting services that don’t require a mask. This makes it the perfect time to renovate your shave and promote it.       Here's how:

1. Improve the service so there is something new to announce. Clients do not get shaves because they must, they get them because they WANT to – it’s a luxury.  Create a service that isn’t just removing your client’s facial hair but instead also offers a relaxing service that pampers your client. Make it extra so you can charge extra.
2. Speaking of extra, evaluate your pricing. Make sure you are not undercharging for a shave. Charge around the same as you would for a haircut, more if it takes more time or uses expensive products.
3. Promote the service. Email your client list, ask if they want to add-on while scheduling haircuts, let your clients know while in the chair, create a card to promote it, reach out to local hotels and let them know to encourage guest referrals. The more you get the word out, the higher likelihood you get people to stay in your chair for longer.
4. Watch your shaving clientele increase. Do not forget to recommend any products that will help them achieve the same results at home. Again, this service is a luxury so even if they use the same products, they won't get the same experience.

 

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Now get out there and start a new chapter in your barbering career. The opportunity is out there, you just have to seize it!

It’s Gonna Cost You—Venmo Is Changing Their User Agreement!

Have you ever used Venmo or another person-to-person cash app to send or receive money? We’re betting you have…but do you use it for business, or pleasure? Here’s the thing: If you’re using Venmo to accept business payments, there are some big changes coming, and they could make things expensive. As of July 20, 2021, Venmo’s rules on payment for goods and services changed, and financial experts say these changes could hurt small businesses like stylists, nail techs and estheticians. At the very least, you could be paying transaction fees for every service your clients pay for via Venmo. At the worst, your account could be flagged and you could lose transactions entirely.

 

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Business Transactions & Fees On Venmo

Right now, business transactions are supposed to only take place through business Venmo accounts. The Paypal-owned app’s terms of service say that individual users cannot use a personal account for commercial purposes. If you use a personal account for business purposes, you’re at risk of getting your account suspended, or “loss of transaction”—aka, Venmo will literally take that money.   Keep reading on behindthechair.com for everything you need to know about Venmo’s payment policies and how much you’ll be paying per transaction as of July 20.

The IATSE Local 706, also referred to as the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild, is the official labor union for make-up artists and hair stylists in film, television, stage, and digital media for Los Angeles. These artistic professionals have created the iconic looks for Hollywood’s most memorable characters and stars, as well as influenced major trends in the consumer industry. Currently Local 706 members work in all aspects of film, Television, commercials, music videos, live theatre, and the Disneyland theme park.  Members make up the hair and makeup teams on everything from major studio movies such as Marvel classics to the majority of the awards shows such as Academy Awards and Billboard, including many top network and streaming shows such as  American Horror Story, Star Trek Picard, Dancing with the Stars, and many others. Their vast reach includes live theater which have shows such as Hamilton and Harry Potter and members who are employed at Disneyland who do character hair and makeup.  Roster members work encompasses, film, television, and commercials while non-roster members work is primarily  live theater, Disneyland, and network television such as on soap operas and news programs.  For hairstylists in particular, the job opportunities include working on many period projects, styling wigs for theatre and theme parks and grooming for actors on set to maintain continuity. Each year the Local 706 honors members and other non-union hair stylists and make-up artists with its Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards. The MUAHS (as its affectionately called) honor the best of the best in make-up artists and hair stylists working in the trade in a variety of categories. Examples of this are Best Contemporary Hair Styling, Best Period Hair Styling and/or Character Hair Styling, and Best Special Make-Up Effects. You can see more about this on the front page of the Local 706 website and submissions are open to all including non-members.  In addition to various categories, each year the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild’s give the honors of Lifetime Achievement Awards and Distinguished Artisan Awards. These awards celebrate the spectacular careers of some of our members and the collaboration with artists, producers and directors who support them.   Last year marked the inaugural Vanguard Awards honoring Bernadine Anderson and Richard Battle.  Anderson is the first woman and woman of color to become a member of the Guild and breaking the barrier landing a spot at Warner Bros.  Her projects include being the head of the makeup for Coming to America and working with 2020 Distinguished Artisan honoree Eddie Murphy for eight years.  Battle who was one of the first men to be admitted as a roster hair stylist was on the ground level of theatrical productions being broadcast on PBS in the Wig and Makeup Department.  He was nominated for an Emmy for his work at the San Francisco Ballet where he had worked for over 40 years before retirement. Guild members also have access to The Artisan, the official quarterly publication of the Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists Guild, IATSE Local 706. This exclusive craft publication is not available on newsstands and is not for the general public. 2,500 copies are printed each quarter and are mailed directly to every single guild member, with bonus distribution to various entertainment and beauty industry personnel.  The recipients of The Artisan represent the working union Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists in film, television, commercials, theater, videotape and digital media. These creative artists determine what makeup and hair products and services will be used on a production for all actors, actresses and special effect characters, and in turn, influence millions of consumers with their choices. While the places to work and other events hosted by the Union are fun and exciting, the Local 706’s goal is to protect its members in the workplace.  When hair and makeup artists work under contract, the Union ensures they receive all the benefits promised including making sure they are being paid the rate offered and getting the hours promised, plus receiving meal breaks, rest periods and more.  If for any reason Members are not receiving the pay or treatment outlined in the project contract, they have a team of business representatives to turn to for assistance.  Beyond these protections, additional benefits of being a member include health benefits, pension, craft educational classes and roster members receive contract services classes on a variety of topics including skills classes for artists in their classification and safety training, New members and seasoned members can benefit from outreach and committees such as the Young workers/mentors and the Diversity/inclusivity/equity committee that has offered townhalls and discussions.  There are 706 classes (live or zoom) which offer a variety of educational opportunities from set etiquette to  barbering and tips on how to run a department. During the Covid-19 shutdowns in 2020, the IATSE  tasked some of the Business Representatives to put together a safety task force. Local 706 under the guidance of the Business Representative and in conjunction with other Locals and IATSE continued protecting members by developing safety program guidelines provided to Producers to support members returning to set, as well as ensuring those members received testing, ventilation, PPE and more once they returned to work. Additionally, through provided support to its out-of-work members including roundtables discussing the logistics of going back to work when the time came.  There was also aid from other members on committees such as the Welfare Committee where for example each and every member within Local 706 was called to check and make sure they were okay and resource lists were provided as to where to get help for everything from food to mental care. Membership in the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild is attained through hard work, perseverance, and passion. There are no shortcuts, the same set of rules apply to each and every person who applies.  There are no actual apprenticeship programs or internships before you join but many opportunities to learn by working towards membership.  The competition can be stiff, but membership is a goal worth achieving. Hair stylists and make-up artists can become a Union member through a variety of ways including working on a non-Union film or television project for 60 days out of the year for three consecutive years; working 30 days on a non-Union project that turns Union, through a special request from an actor, or a special skills waiver. Hairstylists must have a valid cosmetology license from any state; solely having a barber license is not currently valid for membership.  The specifics for becoming a member are updated frequently so visit the Union website to review the specific and up to date on how to join. I encourage you to visit the IATSE Local 706 official website to learn more about the Union, benefits of being a member and how to join.

The deadline to submit your federal tax return as an individual is May 17, 2021. This means there is not much more time to prepare your taxes, so our friends at Behind The Chair shared a few helpful tips to make sure hairstylists and barbers take advantage of as many write-offs as possible! Disclaimer: We are sharing this info to be helpful, but we are not certified CPAs or tax attorneys. Use this info to discuss and analyze your own tax situation with a professional tax preparer. 

Want all 103 write-offs for stylists, PLUS Behind the Chair's entire guide to taxes for hairdressers and salon owners? Click here to download the 19-page PDF for FREE!

1. Business mileage

Using your vehicle to run work-related errands, like buying supplies or driving to classes? You can deduct the mileage at a rate of 56 centers per mile. This also goes for travel to and from clients on location. This deduction applies to small business owners and the self-employed. But remember—you can’t count the miles you drive to and from your salon or suite in mileage. That’s just a regular commute and won’t be a valid deduction.

2. Haircolor

You can deduct the cost of supplies you use in your daily business, as long as you would use those supplies within one year of purchase. So make sure you are keeping careful track of how much color you buy so you can deduct it!

3. Damaged aprons

To see Part #1 of this article, click here. If you are looking to find your own voice to speak up on issues that matter, our industry associations offer many ways to help you get involved … to weigh in as an advocate on local, regional, and national levels. Although there are many respected role models who collectively carve a path for our professional advancement, it’s now your turn to affect positive change among you and your peers. The experienced advocates will tell you that when you wake up in the morning, take a look in the mirror and say … ‘It’s Up to Me!”  (not the other guy … you!) Start now to find your voice and encourage others to do the same. There is nothing more satisfying than to feel you have made a real contribution to the well-being and advancement of your proud profession. And, hey … speaking up and speaking out is ultimately good for business! How YOU can speak up starts with researching the following professional industry organizations and learning how you can get involved on some meaningful level. The Professional Beauty Industry (PBA) (national) Join your beauty colleagues to help inform consumers and legislators on how technical trained and professional our industry is by downloading their Beauty Advocate Toolkit. It helps you to communicate on bills that could deregulate the industry. You can also sign up to receive text alerts so you can get involved and influence legislation at the state and federal levels.       The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) (national) Open to all privately owned schools of cosmetology, the AACS created ‘Don’t Cut Us Out’, an initiative in which they asked beauty school students to speak up and bring their voice to decision-makers, and to share why their educational choice matters. Also, why federal funding and financial aid is so important to realize their dreams. Using the hashtag #DontCutUsOut, students taped themselves telling stories about what the beauty and wellness industry means to them. They found their voice … and now we can continue to support their passion and help them bring it to life by uplifting the industry, always.       The Professional Beauty Federation of California (PBFC) (state) PBFC is the united voice for California’s beauty and barbering industry. Their mission is to raise the professionalism and public image of those making an honorable living in such a vibrant profession. Headquartered in Sacramento, their primary purpose is to influence public policy, regulations, and to promote positive public perceptions of this industry. PBFC supports professionals in the pursuit of their shared industry goals; this includes the independent salon owner, multi-salon owner, salon manager, hairstylist/colorist, nail artist, esthetician, electrologist, barber or school owner, instructor or student. Contact Anne Moratto at anne.moratto@bobit.com

With our beauty community dealing with the pains of a pandemic, certain industry leaders chose to step up and speak up with the legislators and media influencing our business. We are grateful to them for taking their time, taking a stand for their peers, and making a true difference in the well-being of all beauty professionals. They have become your role models when speaking to critical issues, and will hopefully inspire you to also lead the way to proudly support your peers and profession. The bottom line, these advocates encourage so many of us to advocate and activate on behalf of our industry. Their common theme is to focus on the greater good -- not just on their own struggling business but on all of them as one. Collectively, they have kept us strong, motivated, and surviving. Are you an advocate yet? It’s not hard … just listen to the leaders who share your professional pride and passion to speak up, be heard, and climb out of the pandemic crush … together! As a media brand, our mission is to focus the spotlight on others. We cover the professional beauty industry by tapping into the wisdom and expertise of industry leaders who are our guiding lights. As an editor, I have lived through the many issues that the beauty community has been dealing with … like undergoing self-examination around issues of racial equality, inclusivity, representation, and diversity. I turned to these folks more than ever for their input, understanding, and sympathy.  Bottom line, we look to the pro-active leaders who inspire us to give so freely of ourselves …  to help us all to survive and succeed in good times and bad. “We are not in the haircutting business; we are in the people business. It is essential for our future barber and beauty professionals to learn to get along with and understand people from all walks of life."

--Rodrick Samuels

Lauren Moser and Rodrick Samuels are the power duo who own Hair Lab Detroit Barber School. These two beauty professionals are educators, motivators, award-winners and salon and school owners. Partners in both life and work, they have a respected pro-active history of stepping up and giving back. As an interracial couple, they have a valuable perspective. And, as artists, they see how our industry can improve…they work to create meaningful change at every level. See more from Rodrick and Lauren here. “My career and struggles do not qualify me to write, speak or teach you -- my solutions do.” --Carlos Valenzuela   This is one of my favorite quotes Carlos Valenzuela, a stylist, author, and educator. He is another great industry advocate and role model who has inspired many of his peers over the years to step up and make a difference in their industry, as well as their own business and careers. A mentor of mine for years (whether he knew it or not), Carlos is the ultimate champion and cheerleader for hairdressers. His 45 years of industry expertise and wealth of life experience means that he can speak on everything from money management to personal fulfillment. Learn more about Carlos here.   Contact Anne Moratto at anne.moratto@bobit.com. Watch for next week’s Part 2 of this series on Industry Advocacy: Be an Industry Advocate: How YOU Can Speak Up!

“Your haircut price is your single most important business decision.”                                     --Ivan Zoot, Author, The Professional Haircutter’s Pricing Playbook How much should I charge for my haircuts? When should I raise my haircut price? How do I raise my haircut price? These questions and many more gnaw at the head and heart of every haircutter! No category of questions is asked of me more often. No decision paralyzes haircut professionals more than these seemingly huge and pivotal pricing issues. The good news is that these decisions can be easy to make. The better news is that these decisions, when made, are based on data and math. Relief should come in knowing that when the emotion is removed from the decision-making process, and when best practices based on statistics, tracking and analysis are employed, then pricing and financial decisions become logical, easy and fun! Bottom line, you can make decisions with confidence and clarity. And you can make these decisions in a timely manner to maximize your income and productivity. Your haircut price is your single most important decision! The trajectory of your entire cutting career tracks upward from your initial pricing decision. Start cutting at too low a price and you’ll spend years, maybe decades, trying to catch up! Start out too high, and you’ll add unnecessary years to your client-building efforts. Time is money. The time you save by setting your haircut price properly from the start will add up to years of healthy productivity – and thousands of additional dollars sooner and with less effort. Proper pricing will allow you to live better and retire earlier …  and vastly richer than you otherwise might have! Knowing when and how to raise your haircut price is a decision second only to the setting of your initial haircut price. Once you know and understand the basic economic principles at play in haircut price increases, you can plug in and play these principles for the balance of your career. Human nature does not change much over an individual lifetime. Economic principles remain constant across all industries, cultures, and environments. Powerful decision-making tools, once learned and implemented, will reap huge rewards throughout your career. My new book, The Professional Haircutter’s Pricing Playbook, sets out to provide the support needed for those important business decisions. In the book, I provide actionable answers to all your haircut pricing questions. The book’s unique working format lets you plug-and-play your pricing numbers, creating custom data and planning that is specific to your unique business. It’s like having your own personal coaching session every time you pick up the book! Get your copy of the new Professional Haircutter’s Pricing Playbook online at ivanzoot.com or amazon.com.  You may also be interested in viewing some of my other educational videos here.  Just Select “Ivan Zoot” in the --Select Educator-- filter box 😊