CA Deregulation and what YOU can do about it
Deregulation is a hot topic these days and people feel very strongly on both sides. We can play devils advocate all day with this topic (and we have), but if you are on the side that DOES NOT want to see your license taken away from you.. here are some things you can do about it.
de·reg·u·late
dēˈreɡyo͝oˌlāt/
verb
verb: deregulate; 3rd person present: deregulates; past tense: deregulated; past participle: deregulated; gerund or present participle: deregulating
remove regulations or restrictions from.
“a law that would deregulate cable TV prices”
1. Call your California representatives
Don’t know how… use this link to find your local representative
2. Write a letter
Not sure what to say? Here’s an example from Janine Jarman, Salon Owner of Hairroin Salon in LA and NYC
To Whom It May Concern,
On behalf of Hairroin Salon I express our opposition to California Senate Bill 999.
I employee close to 50+ employees, 30 of which are in California. Hairroin salon has been in business for 14 years and has over come a recession, writers strike, devastating labor law changes and now the threat of deregulation. I pride my self on the strict training we have at Hairroin and take very seriously our role of elevating our industry. I do not employee any unlicensed stylist, Not even to assist at my salon. All because I believe in the process. The commitment to my industry is rooted in the exceptional education I received at Golden West community College Beauty school. Beauty school is all we have to ensure stylist are prepared to handle not only the complexities of varying hair types and textures but a way to weed out the ones that think its “easy” and not a “skilled “profession.
Let me tell you my story…. One that is a common place in our industry. I started styling hair in high school for all my friends before we would go to school dances. Before hair I had never been exceptional at any thing. With some learning set backs, I didn’t learn to read till about the 3 rd. grade, and never learned to multiply or divide. I was always working very hard for mediocre results.
But Hair! I found it and I was great at it. But to do it for real, I would need to graduate high school, go to the community college ( the only affordable beauty school option) to even begin to be employed in the hair industry! So I did…. by the skin of my teeth graduated high school. Enrolled in beauty school only to be put on the wait list of a very impacted program. I showed up for 3 days until finally enough students had dropped out to make room for me! One of the best days of my life. I struggled thru the theory portion, the long hours and challenging clients. Did you know we spent an entire month on washing hair, drying it and styling it ? 160 hours! And we spent 3 months learning and practicing on one another before we could touch a client, 480 hours to be exact. And oh man, it was terrifying to even work on beauty school clients. That’s when the most students dropped out. By the end I graduated with probably ¼ of the students we started with. Mostly because it was hard, and they couldn’t deal with the demands of the general public. I was great full for each and every person that dropped out. For the first time in my life I was doing something that others couldn’t. With each passing week I fell deeper in love with being a hair dresser and delighting clients. I grew up in beauty school and would not be who I am today if the necessary step hadn’t been there to legally touch another’s hair. If that had gone away like it is threatened today I would have dropped out of high school and just worked at a styling salon. I would not be who I am today with out the due process the hair dressing industry deserves.
Since Golden west I have gone on to open Hairroin salon in Hollywood and Manhattan New York. I have also recently launched an online salon Called Parlour H that provides a opportunity for licensed air stylist to earn commission with the sell of professional products to there clients. It is my dream to continue to elevate our industry and earn back the respect we deserve for a great career option for those that may not otherwise have any. Please don’t undo the hard work of my self, my friends, co workers, mentors and mentees.
6 years after I graduated golden west, I receive a pillar of achievement award from my beauty school. A very proud moment for both me and my family who now no longer worry about what I will be able to do.
Senate Bill 999 would allow individuals without any formal training to dry, style, arrange, dress, curl, hot iron or shampoo and condition hair. The personal, physical nature, and health and safety of these services deserve additional consideration.
Deregulating services completely puts your constituents at risk of infection and/ or the spread of disease. If this bill were to pass, your constituents would not be able to hold the service provider accountable by reporting them to the State Board of Cosmetology, if the service provider harmed their hair, skin and/or scalp. Your constituents would need to hire a lawyer to take action, which is not feasible for many Californians.
Please keep beauty industry service providers licensed and regulated to protect your constituents. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Janine Jarman
Hairroin Salon, Parlour H
Janine@hairroinsalon.com
3. Start a dialogue with others in the industry
You’ll be surprised as to how many people don’t even realize their licenses are in jeopardy. The most simple act of just talking about it can lead to the bigger act – CHANGE
4. Be Educated
Things can go down the telephone line quickly and bad information can spread. Make sure to keep yourself up-to-date with correct information so you can take the best action for yourself. Learn more here
5. VOTE
When the option arises to actually go out and really do something about it, this is the best and most effective way for your voice to be heard.
Get out there. Do something. Make a change!