Well its been 8 weeks. 8 weeks since I had to close Icon due to Covid-19. 8 weeks since I could see your smile and create my art. Now when we meet, our staff will be masked and geared up, feeling more sterile than inviting. But this is the new norm. And I wish for nothing more than a warm embrace from the clients who have become family, but I know that will have to wait.
Instead of working, I'm struggling. Struggling to regain my purpose. Now don't get my wrong, my family gives me purpose and I am blessed with an amazing life. I have everything I could ever need. But it's what I can provide to others that makes me feel whole. Some may view my career as superficial. Because I just change appearances. But its so much more than that. I change LIVES. The past 2 months have given me some much needed time to reflect on exactly that. And I've cried.....a lot. I've realized that the connection that a stylist forms with their clients is, hands down, unlike any other profession. I've watched my clients grow, go off to college, get married, have babies. I've been there through the struggles of divorces, miscarriages, abuse, and deaths. I've been witness to it all. Nothing humbles you more than having to shave a woman's head because of chemo treatments, and you watch her pride fall to the floor along with every strand of hair. I am their therapist, counselor, friend, and confidante. An ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. But they have helped me weather my storm as well. My clients were there for me when my Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and when she passed. While I cared for her, I continued to work everyday because their compassion and encouragement helped me get through one of the hardest times of my life. These moments gave me that A-HA moment and I realized that while most work to live, I LIVE to WORK.
I live for the moments when I watch your face light up when you see your new look. The moments you share your life with me. My point is, you trust me. Even when we try something new and you're not happy with the results. You trust me to make it right. So now I know that even in these crazy mask wearing, toilet paper hoarding times, you trust me to keep you safe. I've invested in masks, face shields, disinfectant, and more, because I invest in you. And I won't let you down. Not now, not ever.
So instead of standing behind the chair for 10 hours a day, I'm sitting behind a computer. Sitting...... something I haven't done for over 20 years. Taking classes, watching online seminars, involved in zoom meetings, writing this blog. Not working on your hair, but still working. I'm at the salon setting up for the new normal of a 6 foot distance, hand sanitizing station and various locations of disinfectants. I'm brainstorming with owners all over the country to see how we can prepare to reopen. I'm proving you can still believe in me, and in Icon. And even though we are in the middle of this crazy pandemic, I'm feeling confident that we can come back stronger than ever. So until I can have you safely back in my chair......
Keep your hair game strong