When you have an older sister, you often have a trusted friend, counselor, and source of advice. For Susan, that individual was her oldest sister Debbie. Ten years her senior, Debbie recalls Susan being somewhat of a “surprise” to their parents.

“Our dad only wanted four kids, but Mom had other plans,” indicated Debbie. “I think she (mom) got her worth from being a mother and having beautiful kids.”

Debbie described Susan with affection and adoration, noting Susan had a special place within the family and could pretty much do her own thing. But envy never crept into Debbie’s heart.

“She was the Golden Child, but I was never jealous. I could never do what she does,” Debbie reflected. “She always had a great relationship with our dad. He was so supportive of her and of what she wanted to do. She has always been happy and hard working. Giving up is not in her makeup. She got that strong work ethic from our dad.”

However, despite Susan’s obvious penchant for independence, Debbie asserted that Susan would “let me take care of her when she was younger. She was my ‘baby.’”

Being somewhat of a babysitter for her younger sister often put Debbie in the hands of a testing lab, so to speak.

“I was her first guinea pig,” smiled Debbie. “She would come over on the weekends and would do my hair and make up. She was so passionate about it and loved to make people beautiful. She still does. And, yes, even in the beginning when she was still learning, I could go out of the house with confidence after she made me up!”

Debbie describes Susan as someone who has always loved to be beautiful herself and who continues to stay that way, never missing a beat.

“She loves to share that passion and enthusiasm with people,” said Debbie. “She found what made her happy and as a result she has stayed happy.”

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Before Dori first met Susan, she struggled with the way her hair looked. She just didn’t like the way it was styled. After an employee of Dori’s referred her to Susan, she never really had that problem anymore.

“Susan knew what my hair naturally wanted to do and approached it from that understanding,” indicated Dori. “Now, it always looks good and is easy to maintain. After that initial appointment with Susan, I never went back to my former stylist!”

Dori emphasized the chair. That is where the magic happens. In fact, she indicated a large percentage of Susan’s clients become her friends.

“Some clients will drive 45 minutes or more just to see her,” said Dori. “That says a lot about Susan. When you are in her chair, you are the most important client to her. She is present with you, engaging, positive and happy. Her focus is on you. As a result, the loyalty and friendship that develops just gets stronger. Plus, you always have a great hair cut! Susan always has a way of making each visit an over-the-top experience for her clients. She has a way of finding that emotional connection with people. For her, it’s not just about the product or the service; it’s about the relationship. She just has that ability to create an emotional connection with people, regardless of gender, age, race, background, etc.”

Dori emphasized the way Susan focuses on the natural beauty of each client, commenting on how Susan focuses on what naturally works for someone. She refuses to force a certain look on a client. And Dori also appreciates the anti-aging approach Susan will take.

“She will give you a cut that is on trend but also age appropriate,” she noted. “She knows how to do a cut that has a youthful spirit but is still natural for you. My hair style actually makes me look younger, but is still appropriate for my age.”

Dori is also grateful for the sensitive manner by which Susan handled a life setback for Dori.

“I had major brain surgery awhile back and had to shave my hair off,” Dori explained. “The recovery for this was major, but even through that event, Susan cut my hair in a way no one would even know or suspect I had undergone surgery. Given the challenge I had, I can say Susan is definitely a problem solver.”

Dori further described Susan as a stylist, yes, but also a connector with consumers.

“She is highly creative and approaches her clients from a wholistic point of view,” said Dori. “She doesn’t sell; she informs on style, hair, make up and even on the new things happening in town. She has a passion for the total well-being of her clients and is focused on each person’s happiness and self-confidence.”

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No matter the industry in which you are working, when you are interacting with a client, that individual should be your primary focus…your only focus…at that time! Your mind, your intentions and everything you are doing for that client should be front and center.

One of Susan’s long-standing clients, Joni, proves just how much Susan takes this philosophy to heart.

“I have been a client of Susan’s for about 15 years,” reflected Joni. “I love her professionalism and her warm and personable manner. That is a hard combination to find these days. I never get the feeling I am one of many. She is genuinely interested in me and wants to know what makes me feel good. She’s upbeat and positive without being sugary about things. In short, she is real.”

Joni gives a strong nod to Susan’s interested mind, wanting to know about her clients, but more for a curious point of view, not an invasive one.

“I trust her and I trust my hair with her,” said Joni. “She wants to know what I want and is clearly an artist.”

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My name is Bruce. I am Susan’s older brother by about five years. Is she my little sister? Well, to be honest, I jokingly refer to her as my bratty little sister. She was always telling Mom on me and getting me into trouble when we were kids. My revenge? Tickling her until she wet her pants!

Because of our age difference, I really did not spend a lot of time with Susan as we were growing up. We did not run in the same social circles. After high school, I left to serve in the Air Force, and our relationship as adults did not really begin until after I returned home from the service. That is when we grew closer. I still tease her about being that bratty little sister. However, I am proud of her and what she has accomplished with her life. She has done very well.

I can say, too, I am a client of hers. In fact, she has been the only one I have let cut my hair. I keep it relatively long now – down to the middle of my back. Professionally, Susan is all about the service. She wants her clients to look good and feel good. She is always about helping people and making them feel better on all levels, not just with their hair, but also with the situations they might be going through in life.

“Suzer,” as I like to call her, has always had an independent edge to her, coupled with a lot of common sense, but she is equally compassionate. I’d say the independent streak comes from our dad and the caring part comes from our mom.

Despite her ability to always be upbeat and positive, Suzer has had her fair share of ups and downs and she does a great job of keeping her personal and professional lives separate. I try to counsel her and offer advice on occasion through an objective lens. I do believe, though, that advice can sometimes be a dangerous gift.

Suzer has so many amazing qualities and would probably be successful no matter what career she pursued. She has a unique way of interacting with others.

Now, I will say that one thing that surprised me was when she got a motorcycle. I have ridden all my life and love to ride, so it really surprised me when Suzer got a motorcycle. It has given us a chance to ride together locally on occasion. She has been a passenger in the past, but now she rides on her own. I suppose that keeps in line with her desire to always empower others, as she is a real motorcycle enthusiast now and is living proof what confidence and positivity can do for someone. She not only talks about empowerment; she lives it, too.

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An older sister by six years, Tierney Eyton, wasted no time in describing her younger sister Susan in just three words: beautiful, vibrant and straightforward.

“Susan is absolutely beautiful, and I don’t think she has ever fully realized this,” Tierney expressed. “Sometimes it makes me cry just thinking about it. She is also very vibrant and to the point just like our mom was. She wasn’t always like this; she grew into these traits. She has had so many fun experiences in her career and in her personal life, and those are what continue to make her who she is today.”

As for the professionalism Susan exudes behind the chair, Tierney leaves no positive word overlooked.

“I think she is brilliant and quite the artist with hair and make-up,” she emphasized. “In fact, you should have seen what she did at my daughter’s wedding. Susan literally transforms people. She had me as a model on TV once. Me? I was nervous. Susan? She loves the camera! After the makeover, my skin was like porcelain. Susan just knows what to do. She listens to her clients. I have sometimes witnessed her interacting with her clients. She genuinely tries to help each one, and not just with their outer experiences.”

Tierney also applauds Susan’s natural tendency to connect people with each other.

“She is such a relational woman,” noted Tierney. “I have learned so much from her. I admire how brave she is when she makes decisions about things in her life. If she decides to do things, she just does them. She is not necessarily a perfectionist, but she does have high standards for herself. Even when she decided to buy a Harley, she was scared at first, but she grew into it. IT was definitely a surprise to me when she did that, as she always tends to pour herself into her work and her clients. But I told her when she was considering getting that motorcycle to just do it. You only have one life!”

And honesty is something that clearly runs through Susan’s veins.

“She is like our mom was in that way,” reflected Tierney. “You either liked our mom or you didn’t. She wasn’t known for her filters. Mom was kind of a diamond in the rough, I guess. Susan often reminds me of our mom in certain ways, but she can pick and choose her words.”

And what about that penchant for resiliency?

“From what people say, Susan is definitely a lot of fun, and she is quite the people person,” said Tierney. “She is so uplifting and encouraging, but I think that comes with a cost. You have to be ‘on’ all the time when you do what she does for a living, and if you put yourself on the back burner, you might not always deal with the things you personally need to deal with. I think she does this on occasion. But she has a heart for people, especially for her clients and friends. She is resilient for sure!”

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This chapter goes hand in hand with what I was saying about working and making money. Yes, you have to work to make money. But do you work hard or do you work smart? I have been guilty of working hard – and still do – but have been figuring out ways to work smarter. Why be so stressed all the time? Shouldn’t you love what you do? (If you don’t enjoy and love what you do, perhaps you are reading the wrong book!)

I will be the first to admit I am not book smart. No, I am not lacking in intelligence, but I think my common sense is a far greater barometer as to how my intelligence meter moves its needle. I have been told by friends that I am one-of-a-kind. I appreciate that compliment, but in reality, we are all one-of-a-kind. You just have to know how to make your own light shine.

Let’s face it. As hair stylists, we are artists of another kind. We are creative and expressive. We speak who we are through what we do. However, we also have to have some sort of business sense or the financial end of our career could plummet. I do know that being an independent contractor – as most of you will be or already are – is not for everyone. You have to manage your own money and the state’s money. Plus, you are managing retail! That’s a tall order.

But when I refer to business sense, I am also speaking outside of products, numbers and bottom lines. I am referring to how you want to leave your mark in this world. You are essentially selling yourself and the products you believe in. For me, I am very people-oriented (as if you haven’t figured this out already!), and I truly care about others. I exude positivity. I love that. But don’t confuse that upbeat mindset with never having had a stumbling block. I have no shame in admitting that I went to therapy when I was in my 20s. I had several issues to sort through and talk about: losing family members, traveling a lot, separating from my husband at the time – and I had to get it all off my chest. Fortunately, I found a counselor that worked for me.

I can tell you this: if you ever feel the need to speak with someone professionally, do it. But if you are not comfortable with that person, then get out and fine another one. This is all about finding the balance (one of my favorite words!) that works for you.

When I educated others in this industry, it made it a point to tell people that it is so important to say what is on your mind. When you work with people, you see them so many times over the years. You get to know them. You really like them. Don’t be afraid to express what is on your mind. Just say, “I love your hair. I love your smile. Your make up looks great.” Whatever it is that is on your mind, let it flow from your lips. Just do it. Life is short. Make others feel good about themselves. There is so much power and magic in that. Fill the world with happiness. Let your passion flow. However, make sure that what you say is a warm and sincere compliment. (One caveat: in corporate America, I realize there is a certain line you don’t cross when it comes to giving compliments, as it can be confused with harassment. Fine lines, people! Fine lines!)

If you are in this industry and love it, there are so many avenues you can pursue: stylist; sales rep for a product line; director; or owner of a salon. No matter what appeals to you about this industry, you can still find a job tailored just for you.

And remember your attitude and confidence counts. Those are empowering. Talking to clients is a simple thing….to you…but to them it is HUGE! You are in a unique position to educate them. They are eager to learn new ways to do their hair. They look to you as a source of knowledge and inspiration. Don’t be afraid to share that with them. Show your clients different tools to use. Share your education so they can do their hair well without you in between visits. You may only have an hour or two at a time with them while they are in the chair, but over time, those hours add up to something pretty significant. You are making your mark as a stylist, working smarter every time! You are leaving your legacy this way, making your mark in the world. That is powerful!

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While taking out advertisements and relying on every day word-of-mouth from current clients are great ways to get your business out there and noticed, there are other, less direct, yet equally powerful, ways to ensure your brand is seen and heard. If you have a charitable mindset, then you can begin today. Giving back to the community in which you live is a sure-fire way to deliver a tremendously positive impact on your revenue in the long run. Besides, I know from experience that giving back and helping others is a highly-fulfilling endeavor. There is nothing wrong with feeling good about what you do, even if that means extending a helping hand and expecting nothing in return.

We all know negative news seems to permeate society today. However, good news has just as much traction, if not more, and people love a feel good story. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a writer to create such a story. You just have to have a servant’s heart. The rest will take care of itself. And you can use such acts of kindness and generosity to promote your business on social media, too. While it may seem selfish to do so, it is a great way to gain increased respect from your community and for your business/brand, helping you achieve added exposure in a positive light, resulting in potentially more clients, and well, more money in your pocket. But the best part of having more money (in addition to being able to pay your bills!) is that you can re-invest some of that treasure into continually doing good, whether that means donating your time, talent, services and/or products. The more you give, the more you receive. It’s that simple. Plus, I have to admit, it’s a lot of fun.

I love to get involved with the world around me, and one of the most rewarding activities into which I wholeheartedly dove was my work with the Alzheimer’s Association. I spent four years with this phenomenal organization and served on the gala committee, for which I was co-chair one year. I certainly did learn a lot and met so many wonderful people I never would have encountered had I not decided to pursue this opportunity. I have received new clients who have stayed with me over the years simply because we made a connection at a charitable event.

Additionally, when you are out and about giving of your time and treasures, you just might make connections with community leaders who will in turn get to know you and most likely refer to you as the “go-to” person for their hair and styling needs. However, I will caution you not to go into this with a “what’s in this for me” attitude. People can easily read that message and it will only backfire on you. So, extend your acts of charity to events and causes that truly speak to your heart and your passions. From there you will see unmatched results.

Yes, it may seem like a challenge at times to get out there and do some good this way, but it is a calling that you should put upon your heart as often as you can. There is always time to do good for others. Challenge yourself to do so and remain persistent in your commitment to do so. When you give of yourself, you are not letting go of anything. You are simply opening the door to receiving more. After all, it was once said that when one person gives, two people receive. Think about that for a minute.

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Alright – I just colored my hair with the New View which is a Demi Color from Davines and I just wanted to try it on myself to see how it works. Gorgeous color – intense – pretty intense but I like more red so it’s okay. I want to tell you my formula. I used 666 and I used the clear gloss and I did the 10 volume so I ran out – I didn’t have quite enough of the 10 volume with the two ounces of each of the glass and the 666. So, I put a little bit of the finest pigment clear in there just to make it a little creamier. I left this on 15 minutes – you know just natural, no heat, nothing. And you know you can see in the mirror too where I have some highlights. You know you can see it grabbed a little bit different which I like because dimension is good. But yeah it was only processed 15 minutes and the only thing that’s in my hair right now is the OI oil and the plumping dermafiller and a little bit of like just a moisturizing cream just to smooth down some of my ends. But I just thought it’s really natural so you all could see. I’m digging it! Alright so ciao for now!

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