Holiday Trends for the Salon Industry!

10 Nov 2009 ~ Joseph Kellner

What you can expect this holiday shopping season

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start holiday shopping. According to the recent National Retail Federation’s 2009 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, it looks like the early bird may get the only worm. The survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found that consumers are aggressively looking for bargains this year. In addition, retailers are greatly cutting back on their inventory due to weak demand. In other words, it’s going to be a push-and-pull battle between retailers and consumers.

The main reason Americans still feel affected by the recession is due to the high unemployment rates. When those begin to go down, Americans’ spending will be less uncertain.

The second trend indicates that it’s really all about the economy. As a result of the lingering down economy, consumer behavior is changing. This year, consumers will shop more at discount and even thrift stores. They will also give joint gifts as well as make gifts to give.

The third development that stands out this year is that sales and promotions are king. Traditionally, many consumers wait until the last minute to get the best deals. This year however, they might miss out since retailers are keeping much smaller inventories. Retailers advise consumers to take advantage of the early promotions this season.

Fourthly, pay attention to payment methods. Over the past year, consumers have begun paying more with cash, checks, and debit cards instead of credit cards. This trend might increase even more as a result of newly instituted credit card fees.

Fifthly, remember that it’s the thought that counts. Since consumers are cutting back on their holiday budgets, that old saying will likely be used quite frequently this year. Greeting cards is one area that the survey found was not being greatly affected. Some consumers are expected to replace a gift with a greeting card.

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The Upside of Marketing During the Economic Crisis

10 Nov 20093 Feb 2010 ~ Joseph Kellner

For starters, customer service opens up many new doors for businesses to stand out. Why do you think Zappos and Amazon are so popular? These companies aren’t known for their exceptional products, but they are known for their exceptional service. Businesses should adopt this customer service model for their own use.

In addition, a business needs to provide a customer-friendly website experience. Recruit a group of outsiders to test your site regularly to make sure it is functioning properly. Also, remember to keep your site up-to-date since customers expect the latest technological advances.

A third possibility is a partnership. By joining forces with a complimentary company, you could not only save costs, but could also give your business additional exposure that you may not have gotten on your own.

Negotiation is a fourth strategy that many marketers are effectively using. Businesses often forget that media companies are suffering from the economy as well. That said, marketers can work to negotiate deals that could have never been reached if the economy was better.

Next, businesses should utilize social networks if they aren’t already. Social media allows businesses to build their brands and reputations in the places their customers already occupy. It is important to update these social networks regularly since it will show consumers your level of commitment.

Some people may frown upon this strategy, but it is an opportunity. The sixth strategy involves trying things you’ve never tried before. This could include anything from reaching unthought-of deals to producing an entirely new business model.

Lastly, no matter what you do, remember to stick to your principles. More often than not, businesses relinquish control to their customers over fear of losing them. As a result, customers lose respect for the business and the business loses integrity. A better approach would be to be true to your business and believe in its abilities.

THE REAL HAIR TRUTH (FACEBOOK)

Beauty school at center of state investigation!

8 Nov 2009 ~ Joseph Kellner

A state investigation is looking into allegations against the Portland Beauty School, which is accused of allowing students to buy credit hours and cheat on state and federal tests.

State officials said they started their investigation when they received a tip from a credible source who said the fraudulent activity took place at the beauty school between March and August. Some of the school’s students may have graduated illegally, according to Oregon health licensing agents.

Mytien Huynh Kent, who owns the school on Northeast Siskiyou Street, said never expected to be the target of such an investigation.

“We really feel that this is a false accusation,” Huynh Kent said. “All of this is a shock and we have no idea where this is coming from.”

On Tuesday morning, Huynh Kent said, Oregon health licensing agents and Portland police raided the school with a search warrant, removing all of her financial, student and personnel documents.

The beauty school is also accused of selling answers to state and federal accreditation tests.

Veteran hair stylist Ambrosia Carey said earning your license legitimately isn’t simply for the client’s beauty, but also for their health and safety.

“(You need to) be able to recognize diseases and disorders,” Carey said. “Otherwise, you could end up cross-contaminating and spreading disease to other people.”

No licenses have been revoked from the Portland Beauty School so far.

If the investigation reveals fraud, however, criminal charges could be filed.

Huynh Kent insists all of her students follow the state’s standards and laws. She can’t imagine her instructors allowing them to cheat.

“Most of our staff has been with us, some for over than 10 years,” she said.

The beauty school will remain open throughout the investigation. Huynh Kent said any instructor who is found to have helped students cheat will be fired immediately. She said she takes pride in the school because she has invested her life into the family business.

“Building our own school was our dream so this is something we have put our heart into,” Huynh Kent said. “It’s not just a job that we go to. This is our home.”

Mytien Huynh Kent and her entire family are nothing but crooks. I knew her and her family when they were running scams in Seattle. Her parents owed tens of thousands of dollars in taxes to the St. of WA, so they fled to Oregon to set-up shop. She has bragged about getting over on the gov’t for over a decade. It’s good to see the law finally caught up with her and her entire family. Mytien is finally getting what she deserves! The Portland Beauty School is a complete SCAM!!

WHEN ARE YOU GONNA WAKE UP?

5 Nov 2009 ~ Joseph Kellner

THE REAL HAIR TRUTH

How many times do you go to a hair show and see the same individuals from PAUL MITCHELL, REDKEN, VIDAL SASSOONS, MATRIX, CHI, saying the same thing, doing the same haircut and style, selling a different product or the same product just repackaged. And the only thing that has changed is the money they get slipped into their back pocket! It is the same Bullshit every year. Everyone is cashing on the business, and how many time do I need to hear about VIDAL SASSOON the lord of hairdressing. Give me a break! Your time has come and passed ol boy move on. He is one of the reasons this profession got a black name, selling out he did!! All for the money and If you don’t believe that go on Facebook and look up some of his old employees. ASK THEM. I am sick of seeing people passed up every year on these hair shows. Premier is the biggest, they set the rental space very high, and thats all you get. Try adding on electrical provisions, That is why you see alot of independent Corporations, Stylists, go the B level hair shows, where the rental space is cheaper, and they get more square footage, and more BANG for there buck. But let’s think for a minute why is there not new ideas, new stylists, new books, new everything at these hair shows? Well the big show presenters like PREMIER would make alot of money on a nobody. So they think why dont we just have the same ol same ol there and thats what people want! Right? Then we can sell the tickets and make money and we can control this whole Hair show scheme. It’s is a scam. Why do people pay for it? I really don’t know, the hair shows have turned into FLEA MARKETS. Manufacturers give education at these shows in order to have you buy there products. THATS IT!!!!