Searching for optimism in the midst of uncertainty and fear
Author: Kim Creekmore
“Optimism doesn’t mean we sit back and wait for everything to get back to normal. It means that we trust that everything will work out for us regardless if we can see that clearly or not.”
-Kim Creekmore
Hi Family,
What a wild ride this has been. So many of us were hoping that if we had to be out of the salon it would be for only a short time and that we would see the impact of the stay at home order quickly.
Boy were we wrong.
For many of us in California we have been out of the salon for over a month. I closed CULTIVATE March 18th and we were instructed by Gov Newson on March 19th to close.
I’ve been witness to all of the emotions running through our industry. Our Group the Salon Professionals of San Diego, has shown the best and the worst of what uncertainty can do to ones state of mind.
It is so important now to recognize that we may have a completely different view than one another; but It is time for the shaming and keyboard fighting to stop.
I am guilty for feeling the fear of not having everyone on board the same mission as me, but I am recognizing now that we have to move forward and work together to beat this.
Holes have been exposed in our industry and the way we have been accustom to doing business.
Far too many of us are realizing they may not be getting government aid and don’t have any savings or very little savings.
Some stylists are deciding that now is the time they need to go back to work; that they can’t go another day without bringing income into their homes. They may feel like the risk of not making money now is more of a risk than contracting and spreading the virus.
There are many of us are choosing to stay closed to do what they can in hopes they are protecting themselves, their family and community.
And sadly some will close salons, or leave the industry to find jobs that can guarantee paychecks and pay into unemployment.
But I know for a fact that MANY of us will survive this. We will find normalcy in a new normal. We will be stronger together when we come out of this, but we have some work to do.
It’s important to take this time and think about what it means to go back to your salon with more restrictions on how you will be able to operate. Look to states that are already reopening and plan for the very worst case scenario. If the restrictions are less you can be pleasantly surprised.
Look to the recommendations coming down and “try” to purchase the supplies you will need for at least 6 weeks post opening. Some of you received "virtual” appointment money, if you have that money still sitting in your cash app account; use that a money to buy supplies. And let the people who gave you that money know how you are using it.
I’m also recommending that you do an IG live or a FB live and use the operating guidelines from Georgia as a template to prepare clients for the return to the salon. Let them know things may be similar or not, but will definitely feel different for a while.
We can’t go back to March and start over, we can only move forward from here. Right now it seems a lot harder to find any positive news in the uncertainty of it all. But there are things to be grateful about.
We’ve weeded out the people who no longer serve us, we have started new friendships, we’ve seen generosity and love, we’ve had time to heal achy shoulders, feet, hands and backs. We have spent time with our families and have had beautiful conversions with friends.We’ve supported others in their sadness, we have been lifted up and loved on in ours.
Optimism doesn’t mean we sit back and wait for everything to get back to normal. It means that we trust that everything will work out for us regardless if we can see that clearly or not.
We have a choice family, we can look at the possibilities of what our new future will bring, or we can focus on what’s wrong with it. I hope you choose to see the possibilities.
As always, I am here for you if you need any support. Lots of love,
Kim Creekmore