Next stop...Back to Washington!!

So here is what is going on....paper work has been mailed to get my barbers Lic. in Washington. I am leaving in two weeks back to Spokane which has become my home away from home. Will be working at a restaurant as I also get my hands dirty back behind the barber chair. I will be looking for a shop to call home a few days a week, which I am excited for!!

I am also contemplating taking on the role of Rep for a company called Hairgum. I have been back and forth a few times about what the job would consist of so I guess we will see what pans out, especially after the move!

Look for more blogs and infor as things come together over the next few months!

Over night in LA....

So we all know that to make that money I have to hustle over-priced coffee to the masses. So on Monday after I have been up since 5 am I called my wife and told her to get a bag together cause we are blasting out of here....straight to the city of angels. Got a hotel in El Segundo for the night.

First thin first was to grab some dinner so we tracked down the Grill Em All truck (winners of the Food Networks Great Food Truck Race). Had the Molly Hatchet and some fries tossed in truffel oil....Best dinner in a while.

Tuesday and we were up and headed to Santa Monica for breakfast at Ye Olde Kings Head for just some of the best English food in LA. I am not talking about bastardized American versions of English food. This place is legit. The only place I can drink beer with my breakfast and not feel guilty or like a drunk Irishman!!

The rest of the day was just spent hanging out....found multiple Floyd's Barbershops, Rudy's on Melrose, Shorty's Barbershop found on Highland ( I think that is where it was). So many cool barbershops through out Los Angeles.

What is the point of this you ask...food, barbershops...etc. The point is to get out there explore what is going on and if there is nothing around that interest you blast away for little while and see what the rest of the world is doing. Do not eat at the same restaurant they have where you live meet some locals explore other neighborhoods....trust me you will like what you find!!

Cheers
Frankie

Looking out for your clients!!!

So Barberbshop Blog just posted a link on twitter to a recent product review of AXE 3 new shampoos and I quickly responded with my opinion of the products I have used; "my wife hates the smell of AXE and there shower Wash dries out my skin...mediocre product that is a heck of a marketing machine!"

I believe we as barbers should be looking out for the well being of our clients. Taking care of our clients is more then just cutting there hair and throwing 'em out of the chair and on to the next cat. Just cause our clients can get shampoo and pomade/gel for cheap at the wal-mart does not mean they are getting a good product.

Just like salons work with there clients on recommending the right haircaire products, barbers should be looking out for there clients in the same way....also these days if you play your cards right it can down right profitable!! You heard me PROFITABLE.

The key is educating yourself on what is going on in the game of mens grooming and more importantly understanding the needs of your clients.

The following companies have good mens lines. B Men (Tigi), American Crew, Redken For Men (Redken), Layrite (Layrite). This is just to name a few.

In the end all I am saying is we really want the best for our clients from the time they sit in our chair to the time they walk out the door all the way to the time they return to our chair!! Just a thought.

Cheers,
Frankie

Happy New Year!!!

So the holidays are over and 2011 has started; I hope everyone had a great Christmas season!!

I am not one for new years resolutions because the truth is we make unrealistic goals and in the first few months that's it (if we make it beyond month one!). But this year I am working on a few plans....I am going to be headed down south to meet with Anthony who owns several barbershops in So. Cal. and hoping to get a job in one of his shops so I can ge back to what I love and that is being behind the chair full time....Until then I plan on spending all my time off with my buddy Luis who owns Covenant Barbershop here in Fresno. This are things I can do and look forward to doing.

If you are going to make plans for the new year...be realistic and do not give up on your plans or goals.

Have a great 2011
Frankie

what a wierd week...

So maybe not so weird kind of normal actually. Spent a day at Covenant Barbershop with my boy Luis and actually ended getting a few haircuts in. My brother came in then I cut Audie (owner of Audie's Olympic Tavern in Fresno) and a couple of other walk in regulars. It really made my day....A bit out of practice but still felt like I belong there!!

What else happened....Oh yeah the United States got screwed out of the 2022 World Cup by FIFA and gave it to Qatar....Kind of lame but as a football fan in the U.S. we have to push on and continue to show support for the game in our country. I know this has nothing to do with barbering but man I really love the game!!

Ok back to the whole barbering topic.....So as I am hanging out in the shop I am watching Luis as he does his fades and the one thing he continues to tell me to do is to work in steps. The more I think about this the more it really applies to all haircutting. Not just clipper cutting ball hair cutting in general. When you are a young barber or even a stylist it is easy to get a head of yourself but if you take this stuff one step at a time your speed and skills will pick up and you will become that professional that you desire to be!

One last thing check out JoshXOs Weapon of choice airs live every Tues Thurs and Sun @ 7pm pst on www.joshxo.tv Pretty informative stuff!!

Cheers

The holidays are upon us....

and the truth is I am ready for it to be over. The job that pays my bills is driving me nuts. I mean Christmas stuff up two weeks before thanksgiving how lame!!

So it is really easy to get cranky during the holidays but just remember the person in your chair may be just as cranky as you are....make there day a little brighter. Bend over backwards to give all your clients the best service you can. Make there holidays a little better even if that person is just a walk-in.

A thank you, good conversation and a handshake can go a long way!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Frankie The Barber

here is what is going on....sigh

In a fit of desperation to not only see my wife build her clientele and just see me get to cutting the way I want to I came up with a brilliant idea. The Fresno Bully Rescue is holding an event called "Blues and Bullies" so I contacted them last night and said my wife and I are interested in making a donation for there raffle at this event. They were so stoked!! The wife is donating a certificate for a cut and color and I am donating two certificates for haricuts and they men will also receive a gift pack from a product company.

You know the old saying you need to spend money to make money....sometimes you need to give stuff away to get people in the chair!!

I called my buddy Luis today and asked....If I can get some clients built up could I use his extra chair and he said "Yeah". So it's a step in the right direction. Try to learn as much from Luis as I can....learn as much on my own as I can and just push forward.

Fingers Crossed!!