Thoughts and Prayers
In an age of Twitter “thoughts and prayers”, Jason Backe is leading the battle cry wondering where are our pro beauty manufacturers? As the Covid-19 crisis rages on, Jason has posed the question…
Are manufacturers doing enough?
Jason said: I feel so strongly about pro beauty manufacturers and distributors stepping up to help save the salon industry during this pandemic. I put this series of videos on my story yesterday and got an amazing response. I am posting them to my feed to start a conversation. Personally, I am terrified about what COVID-19 will do to my new business and I know a lot of you are in the same boat as me.
@tedgibson and I bet the farm to launch @starring . When the shutdown happened every single revenue stream suddenly stopped. Whatever balance we have in our checking account is all we have until this is over. Its a very scary time. Im less afraid of catching the virus and absolutely afraid af financial devastation. We have been very loyal to our manufacturers and THEY NEED US MORE THAN WE NEED THEM. Its time for them to do SOMETHING more than a greeting card social media post or freezing payments. I am anxious to hear your thoughts.
Restaurant vs Salon industry
Gabriella Briganti hit us with an interesting line of thinking surrounded the differences in how the restaurant community went into action regarding the crisis of closures. We saw these same sentiments from commenters on Jason’s post. People pointing to the restaurant industry as an examples of ways to rise up.
@artistrybygabriella dm’d us “I feel like we need more support from our salon and beauty industry! I understand a lot is going on. But we need to act now. The big names of our salon and beauty industry need to come together as a community and get the word out! What we need monetary assistance now!
The restaurant big names are on the news spreading word about their service industry and how people can help. We are service just as they are, and at least some are still with curb side options. We fall short of that. Who knows what will happen for our industry.We need as the hair industry, to be on main stream media spreading word how people can help as Tom Colicchio, Guy Fierri and other restaurateurs have.
Where's our backing? What are we doing for our industry RIGHT NOW! I reached out to Wella three times and they said three times "we're working on it" what?! It's about raising awareness. Where's the backing and support from these big names we've spent so much money with?
Are discounts and billing freezes enough?
As we have seen companies rolling out free education, billing freezes and home delivery + commissions, hairdressers have begun to debate the effectiveness of these strategies on social media.
While Aurilla Goldsmith appreciates the education being offered by companies, she could do without the sales pitches and wonders if someone will step in.
We are all scrambling to find ways to stay connected with clients and generate additional sources of revenue as we bleed cash and sit at home eating our feelings. Melissa Wagner found relief in R+Co’s affiliate link where they are giving stylists a 40% commission on sales that the company ships directly.
The question remains… what do we expect from the companies we have loyally purchased from for years? Is there an appropriate response or is this just bad luck that salon owners should be expected to weather alone?
Who is actually helping
Not all manufacturers are sitting idly by as the world spins out of control and hairdressers worry how they will pay their rent…. we have begun compiling a list of how you can find our industry making an impact. (This is ongoing and continuously being added to as things happen)
PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund gives $500 to hairdressers.
Beauty Changes Lives gives $1000 grants to hairdressers.
Paul Mitchell is now producing hand sanitizer.
CHI is producing FDA-approved hand sanitizers with aloe vera from their organic gardens. They are donating $1 million in hand sanitizer to the cities of Houston and Tomball, TX.
Coty is making hydro-alcoholic gel for medical and emergency services, as well as for Coty employees working in the plants. Kris and Kylie Jenner have also partnered with Coty to make hand sanitizer for medical workers in southern California.
Davines Group delivered more than 50,000 units of hand sanitizer to retirement homes and health-care and charitable organizations in a week.
The Estée Lauder Cos. plans to reopen a Melville, N.Y., manufacturing facility to make hand sanitizer for “high-need groups,” including medical staff.
Henkel is shifting production in some facilities to make disinfectants for “public institutions and professional groups.”
L’Oréal is distributing vast quantities of hand sanitizer, as well as donating $250,000 to Feeding America and matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar. They are also donating $1 million of personal care and hygiene products to Feeding America, as well as surgical and N95 respirator masks to local hospitals.
Shiseido is gearing up to make hand sanitizer in its New Jersey production facility, which is currently closed, during the week of April 6.