|
How did Politics Beauty come about?
"I must tell you, I "never" saw it coming. If you would have told me that I would be an Advocate for an entire industry, I would have never believed you. I am quiet by nature and I am an introvert. I love my space and I love my privacy. Now I know how Moses must have felt when GOD called him to lead. Moses stuttered. He did not feel adequate either. I am just being obedient to what GOD has called me to do.... I initially started an advocacy group in my home state of Georgia that catapulted into starting advocacy organizations in other state, hence, Politics Beauty."
In your opinion what is the biggest problem facing the Beauty Industry?
"We, the licensed beauty professional, are our biggest problem. There is no regard for the licensed professional in the chair next to you or for the beauty industry as a whole. We are competitive to the point that it is every man for himself. Licensed beauty professionals are not making money on services the way we did in the past. Those days are long gone. More and more people that are less talented and less prepared are being allowed to work in this industry, via legislation, which has diluted our profession and our incomes. What you see in our industry is the result of a whole bunch problems that have compounded into what our industry reflects today. The problems are insurmountable if we don't start resolving them one problem at a time. However, in order for that to work, we must be organized, unified and strategic in our efforts."
The hair/beauty industry makes billions annually, why aren't more stylists making six figures?
"They did and I knew quite a few that did. The beauty industry dropped the ball. We made money and we became complacent and hence the attitude, "I got mine". Many saw the "fruits of the labor" from the previous generations of beauty professionals and wanted the riches and the glory. Too many are in the beauty industry for all the wrong reasons and they all have their hand in the cookie jar."
Niche salons (Doobie Salons, Blowdry & Extension Bars) are very successful and seem to be able to charge less by focusing on one thing. Do you think they hurt full service salons?
"These concept salons are hurting the beauty industry as a whole. They are capitalizing on our inability to maintain our profession. We could totally stop all of them, if we could get on one accord."
With so many woman choosing to leave their hair in it's natural state it seems to be some tension between the naturals and women who choose to relax their hair. Some have even compared it to light skin verses dark skin. Your thoughts on this issue?
"This is divide and conquer. This chaos will further divide our industry. There is room for everyone no matter how you wear you hair."
Do you think stylists who braid or barber exclusively should be required to take the full cosmetology course?
"Politics Beauty mission is to start advocacy organizations in every state and be the unified voice in legislation for the licensed beauty professional. With that being said, I personally, will not make decisions for this industry. The beauty industry will make decisions for the beauty industry. Right now, our Legislators are making decisions for us because we have not stepped up and made decisions for ourselves. Until we do, our Legislators will continue to pick our industry apart with "deregulation" initiatives until we have no "professional" industry at all. Our Legislators are doing their jobs. They are helping the economy by putting more people to work. However, the downside for the licensed beauty professional is that this decreases the amount you can charge for services because there are plenty of other beauty professionals that do the same thing and charge less. That is why you so many licensed professionals doing other things because we are no longer making money on providing services."
Any advice for stylists and salon owners?
"If you care about this profession and the future of this profession, care enough to fight for it."
What do you want your legacy to be?
"I don't care about having a legacy. As long as GOD is pleased with me, that is all that matters."
  
|
