So I left my bad, bad salon job. A week later, I don’t regret it at all. I know this feeling…I remember it. The last time I felt it was about a day or so after I broke up with my last boyfriend. Relief is the word. Absolute relief. When you’re in a bad situation it’s not always easy to know when to leave. You always think perhaps you can fix the situation. There is the fear, too. Fear of change or failure or clowns or heights or any number of things that can blind you to the right decision. But now that I’m out I can’t see how I could have made a better decision. Well, if I have one regret it’s that I didn’t thoroughly check out the salon before I started working there. Tant pis.
So I have taken a week off to relax, work on my resume, and think about things. I hate not working! I play with my shears all day, I sit and re-watch all my old hair dvd’s, I spend way too much on the internet. I guess I will be more than ready on tuesday to go out and get that dream salon job.
But by spending too much time on the internet, I have found some really cool things. The first is nickeducation. Nick Berardi, who is the former creative director of Vidal Sassoon and the current something-or-other of Wella’s creative team, does a haircut on video each month and completely explains it. He’s not trying to sell products. He’s the real deal, and you can tell when you see him working. It’s almost torture watching him cut hair though. I have noone to cut right now!
This morning I found hairflix. I will not say whether I like this site or not, but it has potential. Apparently it is a cross between a myspace for hairstylists and hair salons and behindthechair. I will waste some time with it and see how I like it. The first thing I notice immediately that I do not like is the black background and white text. That hurts my eyes to read.
And now for something completely different: A Rant About ABCH:
I may or may not have mentioned that I planned to take the American Board of Certified Haircolorist’s exam this year. I liked the idea of it. They are a group of colorists who are independent of any product company. Their exam is an in-depth evaluation of your knowledge of coloring hair. Once you pass the test, you will forever be a “board certified” hair colorist. You get your name on the back of those hair magazines that they sell in grocery stores.
I thought it would be a good way to learn more about hair color. I thought it would be great for my resume, especially if I am thinking of moving out of town soon. And although I think those hair magazines are a disgrace to our industry and that ad on the back is even worse (you know, the one with the woman with binoculars, blasted out yellow ends and level 4 roots that says above it “Searching for a good colorist?”) I thought some promotion couldn’t hurt.
The reality of it is this: taking the test costs $600. That includes the exam, the study book, and all the supplies you need for the practical part of the exam (mannequin head, stand, hair to prepare swatches). That doesn’t include, of course, the cost of travel. And I was originally planning to take the test in Chicago. For me that would involve airfare, hotel, time off from work, etc.
Quality continuing education always costs money in our industry. That is a fact I just accept. For me, if I come out of it that much smarter, it’s totally worth it. It’s one of the reasons my clients pay what they pay for a haircut with me.
However, in return I expect the utmost professionalism from all involved. But my experience with ABCH has been such a hassle! I first received a box in the mail with half the materials I ordered. The packing slip included falsely indicated that I had been shipped all the materials that were actually missing. The packing slip itself was mostly hand-written in cursive that was difficult to read.
Well one shipping error is completely forgivable, so I called ABCH immediately. The man I spoke with on the phone was very nice. He seemed completely surprised and apologetic. He assured me that he could get the rest of my materials out right away.
A week before my test date I still had not received these materials. I had to move my test date to a later date, months from now. Usually they charge you an extra $100 or so to change your date, but after I explained why I had to change my date they waved the fee.
I say “they,” but I have my doubts that anyone besides Andre Nizetich even works there. Every time I have called he has been the one to pick up the phone. I am sure that there are proctors for the tests, but I think he might be the only one sitting in that office.
This story is turning long but it basically comes to this: it is May, four months later, and I still don’t have those dang materials. This morning I asked Mr. Nizetich for a refund. He has still been kind and understanding on the phone, but he always hangs up with an “I’ll take care of it.” No confirmation numbers, no e-mail confirmations. He says he’ll take care of it and then nothing gets done and I don’t hear anything from him until I call back, weeks later. I feel like I’m dealing with low-ranking e-bay seller, not a reputable business that charges $600 for the privilege of taking an exam.
I know I will get my refund, I’ll just have to fight for it. And the man is certainly nice but obviously disorganized. If this mess is any indication of how the company as a whole is run, it’s not worth it for anyone to spend the money for this test. I should have judged by the ads. My advice to anyone considering taking this exam is to get Redken-certified instead. It has equal-to or more value as a resume-builder.
I guess in our industry as in the film industry there’s porn; there are made-for-tv movies; there are block-busters. You really have to ask yourself where you want your career to go. If you waste all your time in the wrong area, you could find yourself in a recurring role on the Lifetime channel (no disrespect to Sally Field.) As for me, I will only be happy as the indie-festival darling. I want to be right in the center of Cannes or Park City, UT. With some of my recent decisions I’ve been slipping into bad roles, but from here on out I’m going to be more discriminating. I may be a snob, I may be a silly hipster, but I am not ashamed to strive for authentic quality and innovation. When you’re a hairstylist you can say those things without ego, since it is for your client that you do all of this.
Filed under: Uncategorized, ABCH, Andre Nizetich, Hair, hairflix, Nick Berardi, nickeducation, relief, salon
Hair Day 