Yes, Master!

I know its been two weeks since I’ve written, but I’ve been SWAMPED.  and guess what – I did it!  I made Master Student Designer!  Holy cow!

The goals were rough – for part time students it is $500 in services, $90 (18%) in retail, 90% or above attendances, 100% service time, 60% or better Request Guests, etc… but holy crap!  I made it!

I managed to somehowmake sure that my chair ALWAYS had someone in it!  During the month of April, there were two days when I did not have appointments on my books.  TWO!  One of those I had to reschedule someone due to an emergency and the other was the day that I left early because I wasn’t feeling well.

BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE: start booking now.  even if you aren’t on the floor.  get a calendar and plan ahead!  Tell everyone when you’ll be heading out onto the floor and start booking it now!

Trust me, you’d much rather be performing real services than working on a mannequin head every day!

I was so nervous last Thursday which was the cut off day because I was still feeling far away from my goal – $46 in services and $32 in retail to go…ARGH!  That number seems huge when a haircut & style is only $12!!  AND, I had someone scheduled to come in for a re-color since part of her color didn’t take the week before, so i just KNEW i had to wrap it up either before she got there, or after.  Then, she called me.  Rebecca stated that while she was getting the re-color, she also wanted a new cut & style ($12) and highlights/lowligts ($50) added in to it AND she was bringing her daughter in for a mani/pedi ($26)! whoooo hoooo – I love Rebecca!  She’s so super duper awesome & I’m glad she’s my friend!

When they got there, i had to pass the manicure/pedicure off to another student because there was no way I was going to have time to do it.  I only had 4 hours (and yes, i’m still slow as christmas) and we had to do her base color, which was going to take a little less than an hour.  Then, we needed to do the cut (which was so perfect for her) which took another 30-45 minutes.  Now, the highlights/lowlights were actually a little complicated because of the chunking we were trying to achieve and that took another 1 1/2 hours.  Then her daughter asked her to buy the polish from her toes & nails being polished since she didn’t actually get a mani/pedi – she just got a polish change because the poor thing didn’t know there was a difference…. ($17 retail).  Rebecca and I started talking about styling products that she was going to need versus what she had at home.  He style was a real piecey-choppy look that needed lots of definition.

so i recommended the Redken Water Wax for her hair because to me, it isn’t as sticky as some of the others and the Polishing Milk to tame her flyaways.  She agreed ($28 retail) and she was really trying to help me out, so she put me over the top on my retail!

I can’t tell you how happy and excited I was!  The whole month I just kept saying – “It’s Done”.  “It’s SO done”.  I almost quit.  I almost gave up because it just seemed SO DARN HARD that last two weeks.  I was half-way there on the 15th of the month.  i didn’t think i’d EVER get there.  Then Ms. Vera, our campus manager, invited me in to her office to give me a heads up on my numbers and where I stood.  She said she knew it was already done and that she had no doubts that i’d do it.

I had to step it up and finish!  I had so many other students & staff rooting for me, (and heaven knows i had talked so much smack about how i was going to be their first Master Designer) i had to!

I am the FIRST Master Student Designer at the campus, The FIRST Part Time Student, and the FIRST to do it in the first month of being on the Performance Floor!  I have set the Standard!  I’m very proud of myself.

That was a rough month!  I stayed busy!  While everyone else was getting to laugh and joke and take breaks on time – I was working with my clients.  When everyone else was getting to leave on time, I was staying over to finish up styles or clean my station.  While everyone else was getting to school between 5:15 & 5:30 and then setting up their stations, i was there early, getting my station ready, so that at 5:15 I could start my clients.  It was fun, rewarding and a ton of fun!  I have begun building a great clientele made up of my friends, co-workers, and the best – referrals!  LOVE IT!

I’m sure you want to know what I get for making Master – PRIZES!!!  lol.  I get a T-shirt, a certificate, 3 hours of pampering, a makeup kit, and I get to choose an awesome prize- the choices include a new Andis Pro Clipper, a pair of Rainbow Titanium Shears, A Hot Tools Set which includes a blow dryer & a marcel iron, or a 30 pc (i think)  brush set.  Oh, AND you get a special name tag, and I’ m all about being special…lol.   I want the Shears. they are super pretty.  I think the Andis clipper is probably more valuable – but i like the clippers I have right now, and not too many men are coming through those doors – besides, I can always get them next time 😉

I’ll take pictures of all my swag as soon as I get it!

So my plan is to use May to catch up on my State Board works since I had zero school time to practice since i had so many clients (YAY) and then make master again in June so I can qualify for the trip to the hair show in September.  Yes, Regency will pay for my travel, hotel & tickets in to the hair show, just for qualifying as a Master Designer in June or July!  So I’m claiming it now – I’m DONE!  then, after the show in September (which will be in Minnesota) I’ll come back in qualify again in December or January for the BIG show in March which is in Chicago – the ABS!  oh yes, it is SO done!  THEN, I’ll come back from ABS and Graduate!  YAY!

My next post is on Salon Faire – and I promise, there will be LOTS of Pictures!