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<title>www.salonservicesnw.com  Blogs</title>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/viridis_fashionshow.html">
<title><![CDATA[Fashion Show at Viridis Salon]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/viridis_fashionshow.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Fashion Show @ Viridis Salon April 1 Looking for something fashionably fun to do on a Thursday night? Head to Viridis Salon in Kirkland on April 1 for a full scale fashion show! The Viridis style team will be working with about fifteen models to create high fashion looks to go with each of the show&rsquo;s four themes: Professional, casual, evening and fantasy.   Fashions for the show will be provided by local retailers Seduce Boutique, Promesse and Surreal bridal.  Come early to make sure you get a good seat for the show and enjoy a nice glass of wine while mingling with other guests. Happy hour is from 6pm-7pm and the show/post-show mingle will be from 7pm-9pm.   Salon Services&rsquo; Kevin.Murphy Brand Manager Joy Sebo will be there helping out with the show, so be sure to say &ldquo;hi&rdquo; to this familiar face.  Hope to see you there!]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-03-09T16:13:32-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/colors_of_communication.html">
<title><![CDATA[Colors of Communication]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/colors_of_communication.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Learn How To Communicate with Clients, Staff, Everyone! Colors of Communication is a fun, fast-paced session on recognizing four different communication styles. Learn which style you use, how to recognize the styles of others and get tips on the best methods of interaction with each type of communicator. The knowledge learned in this seminar will improve communication not only in the salon, but in all aspects of your life!This session is taught by Matthew Fairfax, principle of both James Alan Salon and Northern Torch Consulting. For over 20 years, Matthew has been involved in all areas of Human Resources, including: compensation, benefits administration, organizational development, labor relations and group facilitation & training. Monday, March 8, 20101pm-5pmSalon Services & Supplies740 SW 34th StreetRenton, WA 98057$50 (Cost includes Colors of Communication book, a $25 value)To Register, Call: 800-251-4247, x226]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-03-03T16:41:29-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/customer_appreciation.html">
<title><![CDATA[We Appreciate Your Business!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/customer_appreciation.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Customer Appreciation Day is March 8th - Come Save Big!One day only! This is our largest professional savings event of the year, and our way of saying &ldquo;thank you&rdquo; for being our loyal clients. Join us for some seriously deep discounts on products you use every day: All Kadus color on sale, 20% off select sundries, 80% off Brocato brushes and much more! There will also be demonstrations, product knowledge experts on hand to answer your questions and much more. Hope to see you there!]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-26T10:41:24-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/stella_monteverde_cakebread.html">
<title><![CDATA[Cut-A-Thon to Help Stella!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/stella_monteverde_cakebread.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Stylists, Band Together &ndash; Join the Help Stella Cut-A-Thon A great friend of Salon Services, Dayna Cakebread is a both a dedicated (uber-eco-friendly) salon owner (Belle Epoque) and a devoted mother to her two children, which is why we were saddened to learn that one of her daughters, Stella Monteverde-Cakebread has been recently diagnosed with AML Leukemia.      Fear not, though, for Stella&rsquo;s prognosis is terrific and she&rsquo;s is receiving superb medical treatments at the Doernbecher Children&rsquo;s Hospital in Portland, OR. Over the next two years Stella will receive an aggressive course of treatments that will include chemotherapy and several extended hospital stays. And as we all know, medical care does not come cheap these days, which is why we&rsquo;re asking for your help!   We&rsquo;re looking for salons in and around the Portland area (or anywhere, really!) to lend a hand to a fellow stylist by hosting a Cut-A-Thon event to help Dayna and her family with the quickly growing medical bills.   Here are some quick details:]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-11T18:21:24-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/curlinterrupted.html">
<title><![CDATA[Brocato CurlInterrupted Smoothing Gel Treatment]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/curlinterrupted.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Brocato Introduces CurlInterrupted semi- and demi-permanent smoothing treatments! With the increasing popularity of smoothing treatments and relaxers, it&rsquo;s clear that sleek, straight hair is a look that many of your clients desire. But some of those clients won&rsquo;t be interested in having their curls smoothed out for an extended period of time. This choice between staying curly and going straight either permanently or for a very long time has left a gap in the market &ndash; and this is where Brocato&rsquo;s new CurlInterrupted Smoothing System comes in.         In addition to the line of CurlInterrupted shampoo, treatment and balms the you and your clients have come to love,  Brocato now offers  you a smoothing system to let your clients go straight for 7-10 shampoos, or 10-12 weeks. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-11T11:49:25-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/marion_cotillard.html">
<title><![CDATA[Moroccanoil Creates Glam Red Carpet Style]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/marion_cotillard.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Marion Cotillard&rsquo;s Red Carpet Hair, Courtesy of Moroccanoil  At this year&rsquo;s Golden Globe awards, French actress and nominee Marion Cotillard hit the red carpet looking like a glamorous movie star of years gone by, and stylists everywhere took notice of her amazingly sophisticated hairstyle.  Her hair was styled by celeb stylist Robert Vetica who Moroccanoil Treatment to give moisturize the hair before styling. As he created the look he used Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling cream while styling and finished the look off with Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-09T12:55:12-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/dermskin.html">
<title><![CDATA[Dermalogica's Wurwand Says Teen Spending Up in Downturn]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/dermskin.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Jane Wurwand, founder and chief executive officer of Dermalogica, talks with Bloomberg about her skin-care company&#39;s products, strategy and performance during the economic downturn. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-05T12:40:01-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/accessories_catalog.html">
<title><![CDATA[Introducing: SSS Accessories Catalog]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/accessories_catalog.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Introducing: The First Ever Salon Services Accessories Catalog! We love to make life easier for you, which is why we are proud to offer you our brand-spankin-new Accessories Catalog.  This should make reordering your small supplies and sundries a cinch! With full-color pictures, pricing and item numbers, it&rsquo;s never been easier to order and reorder your supplies.    We&rsquo;ve squeezed in as many items as we can &ndash; hot tools, disposables, brushes & combs, makeup brushes and much, much more! Log in with your Customer ID to download a digital copy: http://www.salonservicesnw.com/promotions_currentclients.php, or contact your Sales Consultant for more information. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-04T16:10:34-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/social_media_pictures.html">
<title><![CDATA[Makeup Promo Idea: Social Media Makeovers]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/social_media_pictures.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Help Your Clients with Social Media Profile Pic Makeovers!  With the internet and social networking sites connecting our lives in ways we never imagined &ndash; job searches! friendship! dating! &ndash; but there&rsquo;s one important element that many people overlook: a good, professional looking photo to go along with your profile.   Studies have proven that people who are considered attractive are more successful in their careers, which is probably especially true in this industry, and the importance of looking good in your profile on a dating site goes without saying. As adults, though, it&rsquo;s not like we have school picture day where we look our best and have our image captured by a professional photographer.              Good Profile Pic! Pretty & Professional!         Bad Profile Pic: Amatuer & Unprofessional]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-04T11:23:35-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/three_minute_rule.html">
<title><![CDATA[The 3 Minute Rule]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/three_minute_rule.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[This is an interesting concept, more for end user than salon pro &ndash; from an article in the Harvard business review&hellip;  While there are obvious ways to gain significant customer understanding, such as surveys and focus groups, some of the most interesting insights come from less direct analyses. Take our three-minute rule as an example. You can learn a great deal about customers by studying the broader context in which they use your product or service. To do this, ask what your customer is doing three minutes immediately before and three minutes after he uses your product or service&hellip; The three-minute rule helps highlight unique cross-selling opportunities. Many years ago, I remember doing some ethnographic research on female drug-store shoppers. One fascinating pattern we saw was that a significant number of women picked up a disposable camera after putting newborn diapers into their shopping carts. Follow-up interviews confirmed that snap-happy moms were often new moms. Placing disposable diapers close to inexpensive disposable cameras furthered this purchase pattern and would not have otherwise been an intuitive merchandising or cross-selling strategy.  (To learn more, visit http://blogs.hbr.org/tjan/2010/01/the-threeminute-rule.html)  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-02-02T12:09:12-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/waxing_class.html">
<title><![CDATA[Waxing Class: Coming Soon to YOUR Area]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/waxing_class.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Waxing Class w/Demo & Practice Waxing services are in high demand, and offering them to your clients can bring in a lot of money for a very small up-front investment.  Did you know that a single can of wax can yield up to $900* in professional service revenue? Sounding good? Well, first you&rsquo;ve gotta know what you&rsquo;re doing. Whether you&rsquo;ve already added waxing to your services menu or are just considering it as the next logical step, join Jessica Campbell**, 12-year waxing veteran and owner of Spa Scotta, as she gives you tips and tricks to get you started in waxing or enhance your existing expertise. The class opens with a discussion of waxing techniques and methods for making waxing treatments lucrative for your salon, followed by a hands-on application practice session and ending with a Brazilian waxing demonstration.  Participants should come to the class with at least 3 weeks of hair growth and will serve as models for each other. No nudity is required of students participating in this class. Upcoming Dates/Locations: Salt Lake City &ndash; March 8, 10am-2pmSpokane &ndash; March 22, 10am-2pmPortland &ndash; May 24, 10am-2pmSeattle &ndash; June 7, 10am-2pmMedford &ndash; July 19, 10am-2pm Ask your Sales Consultant for more information, or call 800-251-4247, x226 to register.* http://www.skininc.com/treatments/hairremoval/19217529.html    ** Learn more about Jessica Campbell & Spa Scotta http://www.salonservicesnw.com/blogs/SpaScotta.html ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-29T14:09:15-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/moroccanoil_light_luminous_hairspray.html">
<title><![CDATA[Moroccanoil Unveils Two New Products]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/moroccanoil_light_luminous_hairspray.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[New Moroccanoil Products Coming Soon &ndash; Very Soon!  Moroccanoil has expanded their line again with two much needed and often requested products: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray and Moroccanoil Light. Both will be available by mid-March. Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Won&rsquo;t leave hair looking brittle or dried out, but instead will maintain shape and style while adding a burst of shine! This Luminous Hairspray leaves hair manageable, not sticky residue and holds your do all day long. Did we mention it gives your hair serious high-wattage shine? This is a must-try product for both new and die-hard MO fans.                       Moroccanoil Light Moroccanoil&rsquo;s signature oil treatment has lightened up! This new formulation gives the same shiny, smooth and miraculous results as the original formula, but in a lighter consistency that is perfect for fine, fair and chemically treated hair. All the same benefits, with the same Argan oil as the signature ingredient. The perfect complement to the original formula, now you&rsquo;ll be able to offer a Moroccanoil treatment product to all your clients!]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-28T16:06:58-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/davines_texture_code.html">
<title><![CDATA[Davines Texture Code]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/davines_texture_code.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Quickly Approaching Class: Davines Texture Code + / -Learn to create the textures your clients with they&rsquo;d been born with. Davines perms and relaxers are respectful to hair while delivering soft, sculptural waves and curls, or smooth and shiny locks. Leave this class with improved technical skills and an advanced understanding of the ingredients and how they work together to achieve the desired results. Texture Code + 9am-12pm: Add texture, volume and dimension in this interactive Davines perm demonstration.Texture Code - 1pm-5pm: Subtract unwanted curls and frizz, during an enriching Davines relaxer demonstration. Monday, February 1, 2010Salon Services & Supplies740 SW 34th StreetRenton, WA 98057$40 Per Session, $60 for BothSpaces still available! To Register: Call our registration line: 800-251-4247, x226Contact your Sales ConsultantEmail us at education@salonservicesnw.comVisit your local showroom]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-26T12:55:24-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/valentines_day.html">
<title><![CDATA[Get Ready For Valentine's Day]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/valentines_day.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Do You Heart Valentine&#39;s Day? You may not like it, or even consider it to be a real holiday, but let&#39;s face it -- Valentine&#39;s Day is a great time to sell gift cards! Now that you&#39;ve given the general public some time to get over the exhaustion of the winter holidays, consider bringing out Valentine&rsquo;s décor. Winter can get a bit drab and boring, a little color is a much needed pick-me-up. Valentine&rsquo;s Day also gives you a great opportunity to keep the retail train rolling after the holiday season. You can even bring any leftover non-holiday-specific gift packages back to the shelves. Kevin.Murphy, Brocato and Dermalogica all came in holiday-neutral packaging this season, so they should be able to sell as Valentine&rsquo;s gifts for all those special someones. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-19T18:17:47-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Davines_NYC_Academy.html">
<title><![CDATA[Davines: Luxury Hair Technology NYC]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Davines_NYC_Academy.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Davines Presents  Luxury Hair Technology: Advanced Cutting Session in NYC: This intense session is taught at Cristiano&rsquo;s gorgeous studio salon at Union Square in the heart of Manhattan. Cristiano and his colorist will reference Davines collections as well as key architecture, design and fashion images. These one or two day comprehensive, hands-on classes balances cutting techniques with color to help you envision and create the complete image in your own hair design.             About Cristiano Cora: Christian trained and worked at famed Vidal Sassoon for 20 years: first in London, then Los Angeles and finally New York, eventually being named Vidal Sassoon Creative Director. To learn more about Cristiano, visit http://www.cristianocora.com/home.html   Dates: February: 7 & 8March: Sold outApril: 11 & 12May: 16 & 17June: 27 & 28July: 19Cost: $260/Day  For more information and registration please contact: Becca McHugh at 212-924-2470, x11 or rmchugh@davines.us.   Have more questions? Please feel free to contact Kristal Baker, your friendly Davines Brand manager at 425-870-8677 or kbaker@salonservicesnw.com. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-14T15:36:03-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/urbanna.html">
<title><![CDATA[January Featured Salon]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/urbanna.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ January&rsquo;s Featured Salon: Urbanna Natural Spa & Salon  Staying focused on the environment, sustainable resources and using/retailing natural, earth-conscious brands, Urbanna Natural Spa & Salon has become the first Davines MultiSpace salon in the Spokane area. This month we spoke to Urbanna owner, Linda Biel, about opening her first salon and her desire to keep it green.  What makes Urbanna unique? For us, because we&rsquo;re a salon and spa, there really isn&rsquo;t anything else like us in the area. Except for the one at the Davenport &ndash; and that&rsquo;s really something entirely different. [Davenport is a historic hotel with a conservative salon/spa in the lobby.]   Since we&rsquo;re a little more on the total side, you can have multiple things taken care of here, so it&rsquo;s really convenient. You can get your hair, manicure, pedicure and facial without running all over town. You guys JUST opened. How has it been going? It&rsquo;s been hectic that we opened right before the holidays, so there was a lot of crazy running around, decorating! It was really super fun, but now that it&rsquo;s January I wish we could have Christmas back!  How are you getting the word out about your salon?We just partnered with Starbucks (we haven&rsquo;t worked out all the details) so we might be selling some of their teas and helping each other. We do a lot of grassroots marketing, passing out cards, promos. We&rsquo;re up on Facebook and Twitter.  You&rsquo;re the first Davines MultiSpace salon in Spokane; did you know you wanted to go with Davines when you started? Or did it just come along at the right time? It&rsquo;s actually kind of interesting, because most of my staff comes from Aveda, but I wanted something different. I wanted to find something that was aromatic, eco friendly and that had a lot of different options in the shampoos, conditioners, and the styling aids. Plus simple, nice packaging. I love it.   During my search for the perfect product line, Christy Hawkins [SSS Downtown Spokane Sales Consultant] showed up and was amazing! She hit every single thing that I was looking for! Several others approached me but nothing hit my expectation like Davines. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-12T17:10:01-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/brocato_taylor_swift.html">
<title><![CDATA[Swift Gone Straight]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/brocato_taylor_swift.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Sam Brocato Gives Tips on How to Get Taylor&#39;s Straight New DoCheck out http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2009/12/10/momentous-makeover-taylor-lautner-do-you-recognize-this-woman/ for Sam&#39;s advice on how to acheive this perfect shape and style. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-06T17:58:02-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/thank_you.html">
<title><![CDATA[We Love You Too]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/thank_you.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Nothing warms our hearts quite like knowing how we positively effect our dear clients&#39; lives. So we&#39;re thrilled when we receive the occasional "thank you," like this one from our good friend Mandy Zelinka. Thanks right back, Mandy, we love you too!]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-06T12:33:02-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/bamboo.html">
<title><![CDATA[Introducing Bamboo Lash & Brow!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/bamboo.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Bamboo Lash & Brow products are a new, natural alternative to the current chemical-based lash/brow enhancement products on the market.  Both Bamboo Brow & Lash are created from natural plant ingredients, which have been scientifically proven to stimulate and enhance hair growth.Some of the main benefits of Bamboo products include:&bull; Lengthens, as well as volumizes lashes&bull; Natural ingredients do not irritate skin/eyes&bull; Can be used with lash extensions &bull; Safe for use on both upper & lower lashes &bull; Botanical ingredients gradually tint lashes/brows&bull; Double Applicator, both wand and liner, increases coverage & penetration &bull; Can be worn under makeup, just allow to dry before applying cosmetics &bull; Used correctly in just 4-6 weeks your results are truly amazing! ]]></description>
<dc:date>2010-01-04T11:34:29-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/kaur_lounge_holiday_contest.html">
<title><![CDATA[Winner of Our Holiday Contest]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/kaur_lounge_holiday_contest.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Kaur Lounge in Bellingham Tops our List as the Festivest!We&rsquo;ve said it before: &lsquo;Tis the season to be retailing &ndash; and nothing helps draw attention to potential holiday gifts like attractive merchandising. We asked you to submit pics of your finest, most festive holiday displays, and we are now proud to announce the winner: Kaur Lounge of Bellingham, WA!    The Kaur team took their decorating seriously and developed a salon-wide décor motif that was both festive and tasteful, which can be hard to do! We loved the way their décor looked luxe, but could be replicated fairly inexpensively. Throughout the salon, Kaur featured big, nicely wrapped gift boxes that looked like they&rsquo;d been turned out by the pros at Nordstrom. Their shelf décor was even designed to draw their guests&#39; attention to the retailing area, complete with suggestions, like, &ldquo;perfect stocking stuffer!&rdquo;          Click on for more pics!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-12-24T11:17:23-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/diversion.html">
<title><![CDATA[Diversion Article SalonToday]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/diversion.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Great Article on Diversion from Salon Today&ldquo;Yes, diversion is an annoyance; I stress the word annoyance,&rdquo; Ducoff says. &ldquo;The primary reason consumers buy professional products in non-salon outlets is convenience. Given this, I am dumbfounded at the number of salons that surrender retail sales to convenience outlets. They fail to use what convenience outlets can never compete with&mdash;the professional recommendation. &ldquo;Salon technicians have their client&rsquo;s undivided attention for extended periods of time. The advantage is clearly in the salon&rsquo;s favor&mdash;but only if salons capitalize. Sadly, salons surrender retail sales to convenience outlets because they just don&rsquo;t build the systems and skills to play the professional retail game to win. Those who do have little reason to waste energy on diversion.&rdquo;http://www.salontoday.com/ArticleLanding/tabid/130/Default.aspx?tid=1&ContentID=837251]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-12-15T15:12:06-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/free_keratin_demo.html">
<title><![CDATA[Free Marcia BKT Demo]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/free_keratin_demo.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Salon Services Presents: Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Treatment &ndash; FREE Demonstration  Introduced in 2006, Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment is a revolutionary process that completely smoothes frizzy or excessively curly hair, while repairing damage and leaving hair soft, smooth and shiny for up to four months.   If you don&rsquo;t already have a Smoothing Treatment available in your salon this is your opportunity to be introduced to a potential new revenue stream, as Keratin Smoothing Treatments generally start at $250 per treatment and generally takes about two hours.   If you do already offer a Keratin Smoothing Treatment, it will be worth your time to come see the process and amazing results of Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment, as instructor Emmett Henley takes you through the entire process, answers all your questions and discusses why Marcia Teixeira is simply the best smoothing treatment on the market.  Monday, December 14, 2009 Salon Services740 34th Street SWRenton, WA 9805710am-1pm OR 2pm-5pm  Monday, January 11, 2010 Salon Services303 E 2nd Street, #2Spokane, WA 9920210am-1pm OR 2pm-5pm Monday, January 18, 2010 Salon Services5059 NE 122nd AvenuePortland, OR 9723010am-1pm OR 2pm-5pm FREE! ($50 Value)  To register, please call: 800-251-4247, x226 or contact your Sales Consultant.   ADDITIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS COMING SOON TO: SALT LAKE CITY, BOISE, MEDFORD AND ALBANY/CORVALIS AREAS. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-12-09T13:19:31-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/friends_and_family_tomorrow.html">
<title><![CDATA[Friends & Family Sale Tomorrow!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/friends_and_family_tomorrow.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Our Friends & Family Sale is Tomorrow!  Tomorrow, Saturday and Monday are the big days! Visit any of our 8 showrooms for our biggest prices cuts of the year, and the only time of the year our unlicensed Friends & Family can take advantage of wholesale (and below!) pricing.  ·         40% off Japonesque Makeup Brushes·         Up to 50% off Fusion & Hot Tools Items·         30% off select Brocato Travel Size Items·         25% off select Earthly Body products·         70% off all Jessica Simpson Hairdo Clip-on Extensions·         Up to 30% off AG favorites                                                                                                                     ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-12-03T17:01:39-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/merchanding_contest.html">
<title><![CDATA[Holiday Merchandising/Decor Contest]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/merchanding_contest.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Holiday Merchandising/Decor Contest! Win a $120 Display Case! For fashion lovers and holiday lovers alike, one of the best parts of the holidays is the gorgeous, often outlandish window displays showcased by high end boutiques and department stores. Holiday merchandising has risen to a high art in its own right. We&rsquo;d like to see you get in on that! How does your salon or spa decorate for the holiday? Chic? Crazy? Avant Garde? To inspire you to pump it up this holiday Salon Services has decided to host a merchandising/decor contest. With an actual prize! All you have to do is send us a photo of your very best holiday merchandising display or salon décor and Salon Services&#39; dedicated staff will pick the TWO very best entries.The prize is a white Davines metal Apothecary Cabinet that can be utilized to merchandise any line, not just Davines.  The value of this prize if $120! Below are the nitty gritty details:How to enter:  Send a pic of your best merchandising display &ndash; of any Salon Services product line to, kkinney@salonservicesnw.com.  Include your name and salon.Prize: Davines Apothecary Cabinet, $120 valueDeadline:  Monday, December 21, 2009Winner announced: Thursday, December 24, 2009Contest open to all Salon Services client. Multiple entries are encouraged. Check out the display we created at our Renton Showroom, featuring the Davines Apothecary Cabinet &ndash; which is the actual prize!  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-12-03T12:06:09-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/marcia.html">
<title><![CDATA[Introducing Marcia Teixeria Keratin Smoothing Treatment]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/marcia.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Salon Services Introduces: Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Treatment Salon Services is proud to announce we are now carrying a different brand of keratin smoothing treatment, Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment. Keratin treatments provide you with an opportunity to integrate a new revenue stream into your salon, and offer your clients a highly requested service. Salon Services chose to distribute Marcia Teixeira Keratin Treatment because of its spectacular results, low fume levels and affordability.  The History of Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-12-03T11:09:00-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/dermalogica_online_sales.html">
<title><![CDATA[Dermalogica to Retail Online]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/dermalogica_online_sales.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Dermalogica to Sell Products Online with Web-Partnering Program  As some of you may have heard, Dermalogica is now going to make their products available online. However, their commitment to professional skincare businesses remains unwavering. Although you may hear rumors to the contrary, Dermalogica will not be selling their products at wholesale prices and professional products will not be made available to the general public.  Dermalogica views this as a way for their existing clients, primarily spas and skincare clinics, to further their retail reach. Many skincare businesses sell Dermalogica products through their websites anyway, so this is a natural extension of that process. Dermalogica wants to stress that this is a web-partnering program; it is absolutely not about undercutting your business.  The Dermalogica Web-Partnering Program can work in two ways:]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-25T18:35:20-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/EuforaFoundations.html">
<title><![CDATA[Eufora Foundations I]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/EuforaFoundations.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[EXCITING, INSPIRATIONAL CUTTING WORKSHOP: COMING SOON! Eufora Foundations I: This three day workshop that focuses on classic, horizontal perimeter shapes, blunt and graduated. WHO: This class is perfect for seasoned stylists as well as recent beauty school graduates.WHAT:  Students will learn that excellence in this core haircutting system is a critical component of success behind the chair. Course includes theory, demonstration, hands-on instruction and business building strategy. WHEN:  January 10-12, 2009]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-25T17:36:39-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BeingSpoiled.html">
<title><![CDATA[December's Featured Salon]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BeingSpoiled.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[December&rsquo;s Featured Salon: Being Spoiled  This month&rsquo;s featured salon came to our attention through our consultant, Lisa Watkins, who has had an amazing experience out in the field, working one-on-one with this salon owner, creating results that have been both tremendous and inspirational for both parties.   The salon is called Being Spoiled Salon & Spa, in Medford, OR, owned and operated by Kathy Tannahill. Kathy has built a beautiful salon and therapy center in her home and had had a hard time building her business. Kathy did not have a mission statement or a written course of action on how she was going to build that business but she had a few goals.   In one of their monthly get-togethers in August Kathy set a goal of gaining 50 new clients, which was in line with her new goals and mission statement. As of this November Kathy has gained 25! ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-25T11:53:34-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/deedee_sample_bags.html">
<title><![CDATA[Dee Dee's Friends & Family Sample Bags]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/deedee_sample_bags.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Special Deals in Renton Showroom  Our first guests in the Renton Showroom that meet a certain purchase level will be rewarded with the chance to get gift bags filled with samples of our hottest products.  THE FIRST FIVE CLIENTS who purchase $100 or more will receive Dee Dee&rsquo;s Deluxe Sample Bag, containing: ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-24T13:52:54-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/friends_family_sales.html">
<title><![CDATA[MORE Friends & Family Deals]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/friends_family_sales.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[More Friends & Family Deals Revealed!  Don&rsquo;t let your pals down &ndash; they&rsquo;ll wanna know about these savings! 18% off Renewlash Up to 57% off Fusion & Hot Tools Items Save $2 on 100ml Moroccanoil Treatment Save 32% on 4.25oz Pearatin Serum      .]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-23T19:10:08-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/phagans_charity_komen.html">
<title><![CDATA[Doing Good]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/phagans_charity_komen.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A Good Time to Do Good  The end of the year is a great time to raise money for a good cause, since many people are in a giving mood anyway.  Below is a story that inspired us, and hopefully will inspire you to do some good for a cause that means a lot to you.  This tale of success comes from Phagans&rsquo; Cosmetology College&rsquo;s Vice President  & CFO, Kristie Davis:   ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-23T18:25:13-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/jane_wurwand_voiceamerica.html">
<title><![CDATA[Jane Wurwand Talks Business]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/jane_wurwand_voiceamerica.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Dermalogica&rsquo;s Founder on Business & the Entrepreneurial SpiritHere is a great, inspirational read (and listen) issued as a press release from Dermalogica and picked distributed by PR Newswire.  If you have time, we would HIGHLY recommend you listen to the original broadcast, which can be accessed by the link below.  Calling Weary Entrepreneurs: Dermalogica Founder and Owner Jane Wurwand on VoiceAmerica&#39;s Stars of PRLOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- If you want to be woken up when the recession&#39;s over, kindly reconsider. According to Dermalogica founder and owner Jane Wurwand, now is the time for entrepreneurs to sow the seeds of optimism, resilience and innovation. With the mantra that "life comes in unexpected waves," Wurwand expounded her inspired wake-up call of positive thinking on the November 12th episode of VoiceAmerica internet radio network&#39;s Stars of PR, a show about the public relations, marketing and branding business.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-19T18:28:54-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/moroccanoil_Interview_sweepstakes.html">
<title><![CDATA[Morrocan Oil Interview & Sweepstakes]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/moroccanoil_Interview_sweepstakes.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Interview w/Moroccanoil&#39;s Carmen Tal & Amazing Moroccanoil Sweepstakes!Moroccanoil co-owner, and Executive Vice President of Marketing & Product Development, Carmen Tal, was featured in this month&#39;s Las Vegas Spa Association newsletter. Carmen is considered to be one of the most influential women in the beauty industry, who has been on the forefront of the company&#39;s meteoric rise.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-18T11:30:12-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/savings.html">
<title><![CDATA[Friends and Family Specifics]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/savings.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Tell Your Friends, Family, Neighbors, Enemies, Everyone!  With just 12 days to go until Friends & Family, our purchasing department has finally unveiled the list of specific savings you&rsquo;ll be seeing in our showrooms December 4, 5 and 7&hellip;                 ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-17T18:40:38-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/therapearl_intro.html">
<title><![CDATA[Introducing TheraPearl]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/therapearl_intro.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Pain in the Neck? Pain in the Spa? New Solution.  Forgive us as sounding all salesy, but we&rsquo;ve got to let you know about our latest line of products that are unlike anything Salon Services has ever carried, and that we think will fill a gap that might be lacking in your salon or spa environment. Not everything that happens in a spa is relaxing and blissful. Sometimes a therapeutic deep tissue massage can leave a client in pain, and in need of hot or cold therapy. A new solution for your salon or spa is TheraPearl.  TheraPearl was developed by a leading doctor as a superior alternative to leaky ice packs or dripping hot towels. TheraPearl packs are designed to conform to the skin&rsquo;s contours to provide consistent hot or cold therapy for the desired areas. TheraPearl packs are 100% reusable and doctor-recommended.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-16T18:45:49-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/holiday_hair_makeup_trends.html">
<title><![CDATA[Holiday 2009 Hair and Makeup Trends]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/holiday_hair_makeup_trends.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Holiday Beauty Trends 2009  You are your client&rsquo;s greatest resource when it comes to beauty, and as the holiday season approaches, your industry knowledge and fashion expertise will be essential in preparing your client for their holiday festivities. Familiarize yourselves with this season&rsquo;s latest trends, and remind them that their most valuable fashion accessory isn&rsquo;t that elegant evening handbag, or diamond studded tennis bracelet, it&rsquo;s THEM!  Check out our holiday beauty forecast, and help your client to create the perfect look for any occasion. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-12T16:20:54-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/walmart_style_marketing.html">
<title><![CDATA[WWWD: What Would Walmart Do?]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/walmart_style_marketing.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[WWWD? So it&rsquo;s not really an age-old question, but a good thing to examine as we approach the holiday retail season:  What would Walmart do?   While there are various schools of thought on the mega-retailer (evil-overlord, inventory management genius, small business killer, etc), the fact of the matter is that Walmart is the world&rsquo;s best-in-class retailer. So why not follow their lead in developing sound strategies that are aligned with today&rsquo;s economic climate?One Price for Several Items...]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-10T14:10:54-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Babak_Teals.html">
<title><![CDATA[Photography & Hair Seminar]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Babak_Teals.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Babak & Teals Photo/Fashion/Hair  Salon Services has learned about a rock &lsquo;n roll, totally inspirational opportunity coming your way this February.  Here to train aspiring NW photographers for the first time is Babak &ndash; a rock star photographer (who&rsquo;s actually shot tons of rock stars), who also happens to help win NAHA awards for most contestants who use him to photograph their entry work.  Babak is internationally recognized for his ability to capture and convey the sheer craftsmanship and artistry of great hair design. While most photographers only shoot the hair or the model Babak understands the importance of the whole.  Joining Babak are stylists DeAnnalyn and Ryan Teal who will provide hands-on styling that will work in conjunction with Babak&rsquo;s photography instruction... ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-09T17:45:26-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Cheap_Holiday_Decor.html">
<title><![CDATA[Decorating On The Cheap]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Cheap_Holiday_Decor.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Decorating on the Cheap! Pulling together a holiday look for your salon that is both purchase-inducing and good cheer-generating doesn&rsquo;t have to break the bank &ndash; it doesn&rsquo;t even have to break the piggy bank!  A consumer survey from 2006 estimated that Americans spend a total of $16 billion (yes, 16 BILLION) on holiday decorations each year; roughly a quarter of which were spent on the winter holidays. These outrageously high outputs of cash mean one thing, though: there&#39;s plenty of good holiday décor to be had on a second hand basis...  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-09T12:33:24-06:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Youngblood_Valerie_Hernandez.html">
<title><![CDATA[Youngblood Holiday Looks]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Youngblood_Valerie_Hernandez.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The Essence of Elegance by Youngblood&#39;s Valerie P. HernandezWe&#39;re in the middle of a beautiful Fall season. As we head toward the holidays and Winter, I would like to share with you some of my favorite products to recreate a classic, yet elegant look.  First and foremost I want to remind you all just how important appropriate skin care is, especially as the temperatures get colder and the air gets drier. These months can be a little harsh on our skin. Always begin with a good moisturizer. After your favorite skin care regime, start all makeup applications with our exceptionally lightweight Mineral Primer . Not only is it a great antioxidant, but it also feels amazing on the skin. It helps control shine, diffuse the appearance of fine lines and large pores AND enhances the performance of your makeup, creating a smooth pre-foundation surface.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-06T13:50:44-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/32_days.html">
<title><![CDATA[Friends and Family]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/32_days.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[12 DAYS &#39;TIL FRIENDS & FAMILY!!!!HUGE SAVINGS!!!TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!TELL YOUR FAMILY!!!WE CAN&#39;T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!! SAVE UP TO 70%!!!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-11-02T13:44:36-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Movember.html">
<title><![CDATA[Mo Moustache, Mo Money]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Movember.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Mo Moustache, Mo Money = Movember We may be headed for winter, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean nothing&rsquo;s growing. We have just entered the magical month of MOVEMBER. Movember is a month-long fund-raising event that continues throughout the entire month of November wherein men fundraise and collect sponsorships to grow long, glorious moustaches to raise funds for prostate and testicular cancer research.How does it work? Mo Bro&rsquo;s (growers) and Mo Sista&rsquo;s (mustache lovers/supporters) start by going to www.movember.com to register and join teams. Or they can go it alone if they want, although the site suggests a Mo Bro should find a Mo Sista for support and vice versa. Once registered &ndash; let the fundraising begin! The website offers a variety of ways for Bro&rsquo;s and Sista&rsquo;s to fundraise during the month (and growing period) and the culmination of the month of fundraising is to be a Gala Parte where the Bro(s) shave off their magnificent &lsquo;staches. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-30T19:19:24-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Drugstore_Haircolor_Oprah.html">
<title><![CDATA[Drugstore Color and O Magazine]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Drugstore_Haircolor_Oprah.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Drugstores, Oprah and the Battle of THE BOXA rainbow of glitzy, perfectly aligned packages, gorgeous models beaming at you with blinding white smiles and perfectly coiffed and colored hair, expertly designed boxes screaming out to you about &ldquo;gray coverage!&rdquo;, &ldquo;perfect highlights!&rdquo; and &ldquo;multi-dimensional color!&rdquo; Welcome, friends, to the drugstore hair color aisle. Even the most loyal salon clients stray from time to time, and these indiscretions often start right here in the drugstore. A trip down this aisle may have your client thinking, &ldquo;$12 to get that perfect color on the box? And I can do it all by myself?&rdquo;, &ldquo;Look at that model; I&rsquo;ll look just like that!&rdquo;, &ldquo;Why on Earth would I go back to my stylist and pay $50-$200 for the same look?&rdquo; and even &ldquo;Heck, I bet I can make it look better!&rdquo;Salons have always competed with &ldquo;The Box,&rdquo; but this month The Box is being backed by an improbably powerful ally &ndash; Oprah Winfrey, Queen of the World. Almost anything Oprah mentions on her show or in her magazine has potential to become &ldquo;the next big thing.&rdquo; Her power over American spending is simply staggering. So we were dismayed to see the article &ldquo;How to Get A+ Haircare at Home&rdquo; featured in a large spread in November&rsquo;s O magazine. The article proposes that you can easily get salon quality results from The Box if you simply know all the tricks. We found very misleading since the tips and tricks listed were a bit advanced for the average at-home user (mixing two colors together, using one level of bleach on the mid-lengths and another at the ends). READ MORE]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-29T11:25:56-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/SpaScotta.html">
<title><![CDATA[Featured Salon November Spa Scotta]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/SpaScotta.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Spa Scotta: November&rsquo;s Featured Spa Spa Scotta is an amazing skincare destination, recognized  for their excellence by Seattle Metropolitan, Seattle, American Spa, New Beauty and was TWICE named in the Allure yearly A-List.  Salon Services has been lucky enough to have a wonderful working relationship/friendship with Spa Scotta. In fact, owner Jessica Campbell has recently taught a few Brazilian waxing classes at our Renton, WA headquarters. This month we served Jessica up a barrage of rapid-fire questions to gain some insight into her successful and much-acclaimed business.  What did you do before you go into the business?I worked for a health insurance company looking at doctors&rsquo; credentials to see if they were good enough to be on the plan or not.  How did you get into the business?When I was a kid I always wanted to be a hairdresser.  But going to college was the thing to do in my family. So I moved out to Seattle, but the economy kind of sucked so a friend said &ldquo;why don&rsquo;t you go to beauty school?&rdquo; I started at Joico and finished up at Greenwood. Then decided I wanted to go back and get my cosmetology license.  Why did you choose skin over being a hairdresser?It just resonated with me more. Quite frankly I wasn&rsquo;t a good hairdresser, but I was a really good esthetician. READ ON!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-28T17:17:54-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/AMNW.html">
<title><![CDATA[Kevin Murphy on AM NW in Portland]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/AMNW.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Last week Salon Services had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Kevin Murphy in Portland, where he demonstrated his latest tips and tricks to more than 100 adoring fans and the Salon Services team.  What some of you might not know is that we were lucky enough to get Kevin an appearance on Portland&rsquo;s local morning show AM Northwest. Click here to see the show clip!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-27T20:29:54-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/pageants.html">
<title><![CDATA[Beauty Pageants Get Ugly]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/pageants.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Making Beauty More Beautiful Beyond those sparkly dresses, blinding smiles and beautifully bronzed bodies we see on stage, is an alternate universe of beauty insanity that has ignited international debate and media controversy. We&rsquo;re not talking about another drug scandal, discovery of nude photographs or another politically incorrect war of words. Making headlines most recently is the country of Venezuela and their willingness to push beauty to the extreme. Venezuelan women have won more international pageant titles than any other country.How do you ask? Well, to start with: The MissVenezuela School. Think military-beauty-boot camp, or maybe an Olympic training facility for gorgeous pageant hopefuls who undergo months of intensive training &ndash; bring on the rigorous make-up, modeling and etiquette drills!  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-21T19:27:03-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Friends_and_Family.html">
<title><![CDATA[Countdown!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Friends_and_Family.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[45 Days...until our Friends & Family Sale!!!!!!!!!Get ready to save up to 75%...]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-20T19:20:36-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/AskKevin.html">
<title><![CDATA[Questions for Mr. Murphy]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/AskKevin.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Kevin Murphy in PortlandHave a burning question for Kevin Murphy? Well now&#39;s your chance! We&#39;ll be interviewing Kevin THIS THURSDAY and would love your input on what questions you&#39;d like us to ask him.What would YOU like to know?Holiday hair questions? The direction hair fashion is turning? What the newest looks are going to be? How runway hair will translate to real life hair? Please let us know! We&#39;d love to be the voice for you!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-20T11:20:49-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/GoodHair.html">
<title><![CDATA[Good Hair Movie Explores Black Hair Culture]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/GoodHair.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Chris Rock Examines the Practices, Processes and Attitudes of Black Hair In limited release this October, Chris Rock will bring us a thought-provoking (and sometimes hillarious) look at the culture of black hair, in his new film Good Hair. We&#39;re thinking this is going to be a must-see movie for stylists and artists of all races. Click on to read the full description and review of this breakout documentary, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-18T11:34:44-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/hair_religion_dryers.html">
<title><![CDATA[Hot New Dryers]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/hair_religion_dryers.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Have Faith in Hair Religion  Are you ready to be blown away by Hair Religion&rsquo;s latest must-have styling accessory?! Get ready to impress your clients and be the envy of your salon with the new designer collection of hair dryers by Hair Religion. Made in Italy, these styling tools feature tourmaline and ionic functions that work to produce negative ions, encouraging the hair to dry faster while preventing static and frizz. The AC energy-saving motor has 1750 watts of power, multiple heat and fan settings, a removable lint filter, and a one year warrantee. The designer collection is lightweight, ergonomically crafted, and currently available in Koi and Dragon designs.Dedicated to bringing the most beautiful and professional grade hair products to the industry, co founder Tomi Ilic explains that &ldquo;Hair Religion believes in the beauty of hair and knows that all stylists require the creative vision that makes hair beautiful. Our products are designed to help make that just a little bit easier.&rdquo;Set to arrive in the next few weeks, these designer dryers are sure to go fast. Contact your Sales Consultant today to find out how you can get your hands on the latest beauty accessory of the season!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-12T19:30:16-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/vibrastrait_flat_iron_brocato.html">
<title><![CDATA[Vibrastrait_flat_iron]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/vibrastrait_flat_iron_brocato.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Brocato Introduces New VibraSTRAIT Flat Irons, World&rsquo;s First Vibrating Sraighteners! You might think a vibrating flat iron is just a gimmick, a fad that couldn&rsquo;t possibly have any actual benefit. But these vibrating irons offer far more than that. VibraSTRAIT&rsquo;s vibrations, or (oscillations) help separate the hair so the heat diffuses through it more effectively, allowing you to smooth the hair in fewer passes. Plus, say goodbye to snagging, tugging and pulling! Some of the bells and whistles include:]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-08T17:35:35-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Real_Beauty.html">
<title><![CDATA[Makeover Site]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Real_Beauty.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Must-See Makeover Site! Ever stare at yourself in the mirror and have a brief, yet courageous moment in which you vow to chop off your hair, channel Rihanna&rsquo;s rocker chic do&rsquo; and embrace that alter ego of yours? Maybe feel discouraged by the recent string of bad dates you&rsquo;ve encountered, and just wish for a moment that maybe Katie Holmes&rsquo; innocent page boy bob could bring you closer to finding your Prince-Charming-Tom-Cruise-Dream-Man? How about those lips, ever wonder what they would look like with just a pump of collagen and a hint of that bold red lip stick you&rsquo;ve been eyeing? With www.RealBeauty.com &rsquo;s new virtual make-over application you can! That face lift, brow wax, and dye job are just a click away. Hearst Magazines Digital Media and ModiFace Inc, joined forces last week to launch a technologically enhanced beauty make-over tool that allows users to upload photographs and instantly see how they would look with new hairstyles, colors, and cosmetics. Not only does this tool include familiar branded cosmetics, but the automatic face calibration technology instantaneously detects the regions of the face on which to apply make-up, making this product the only one of its kind in the market place. In future phases, the enhanced facial scanning will allow users to visualize anti-aging and simulate weight-loss!READ MORE & SEE PICS!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-07T12:36:25-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Davines_Radio.html">
<title><![CDATA[Natural Ingredients]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Davines_Radio.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[How to Read & Understand Your Beauty ProductsFinding the right beauty products to use on your hair and skin is a real challenge for consumers. How do you know if the beauty companies are honest with their ingredients? For example, did you know that the FDA allows beauty products to claim they are &ldquo;all natural&rdquo; with as little as 5% total natural ingredients? Below is a link to a radio broadcast with special guest speaker, and SSS Davines Brand Manager, Ms. Kristal Baker. Her knowledge of natural ingredients and modern product science will help you understand how to choose your next products, and spot some empty promises. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LifeStyle-Beauty ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-06T19:20:52-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Education_Request.html">
<title><![CDATA[Pipe up for Education]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Education_Request.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[What do YOU want to learn? Hello Salon Services Clients & Friends,We are about to begin the process of setting up our Education Calendar for the first 1/2 of 2010. Can you believe how fast 2009 went by? Anyway, we need your help to ensure that YOU get the level and type of education YOU want/need in YOUR area. Some potential classes would include:Cutting:Modern, classic, long hair, short hair, barbering, razor cutting, texturizing, etc. Color:Corrective, introduction, speed-foiling, foiling, etc. Styling:Updos, longhair dressing, blowouts, etc. Makeup:Introduction, Special occasion (prom/wedding), makeup for photography, eye makeup, different skin tones/nationalities, etc.  Communications:Colors of communication, Think Tank, culture building, etc Business:Increasing retail, human resources, financial management, etc. Other:Waxing, anything else. Please let us know if any of these interest you, or shoot us any other suggestions: kkinney@salonservicesnw.com. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-06T19:07:59-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Kevin_Murphy_Holiday_Gifts.html">
<title><![CDATA[Kevin Murphy Holiday]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Kevin_Murphy_Holiday_Gifts.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Have a Very Murphy HolidayThis season the awesome design team at Kevin.Murphy has come up with some absolutely gorgeous holiday gift packs that will look stunning on your shelf and entice your clients.The best thing about the Kevin.Murphy holiday gifts? The packaging isn&rsquo;t overtly holiday or wintery, so they&rsquo;ll sell just as well for Valentine&rsquo;s gifts, Mother&rsquo;s day, etc., so you don&rsquo;t have to worry about putting them on clearance as the holiday season comes to a close. Angels Bearing Gifts of Hold features an Angel Wash & Rinse, as well as the much-acclaimed Sessions Spray.High Roller lets your clients pump up the volume with Anti.Gravity, Sessions Spray and the hotly anticipated Kevin.Murphy curlers &ndash; recently featured in Lucky magazine.         Celebrate Straight comes in a gorgeous minimalist packaging, filled with the new Protection Wash & Leave-In Protection, accompanied by Straight.Defence heat protecting balm.See More! ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-06T13:10:40-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Holiday_Contest.html">
<title><![CDATA[Merchandising Contest]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Holiday_Contest.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A  Fight to the Festivest! For fashion lovers and holiday lovers alike, one of the best parts of the holidays is the gorgeous, often outlandish window displays showcased by high end boutiques and department stores. Holiday merchandising has risen to a high art in its own right. We&rsquo;d like to see you get in on that! How does your salon or spa decorate for the holiday? Chic? Crazy? Avant Garde? To inspire you to pump it up this holiday Salon Services has decided to host a merchandising contest &ndash; a Fight to the Festivest, if you will. With an actual prize! All you have to do is send us a photo of your very best holiday merchandising display or salon décor and Salon Services dedicated staff will pick the TWO very best entries.The prize is a white Davines metal Apothecary Cabinet that can be utilized to merchandise any line, not just Davines.  The value of this prize if $120! Below are the nitty gritty details:ENTER OUR CONTEST TO WIN YOUR OWN METAL APOTHECARY CABINET. How to enter:  Send a pic of your best merchandising display &ndash; of any Salon Services product line to, kkinney@salonservicesnw.com.  Include your name and salon.Prize: Davines Apothecary Cabinet, $120 valueDeadline:  Monday, December 14, 2009Winner announced: Friday, December 18, 2009Prize delivered on or before:  Thursday, December 24, 2009Contest open to all Salon Services client. Multiple entries are encouraged. Check out the display we created at our Renton Showroom, featuring the Davines Apothecary Cabinet &ndash; which is the actual prize! READ ON!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-02T19:47:22-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/YoungbloodStarterKit.html">
<title><![CDATA[NEW Youngblood Starter Kit]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/YoungbloodStarterKit.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Youngblood Introduces NEW Starter Kit! Just in time for the holiday merchandising/retailing rush, Youngblood has come to the rescue with a starter kit package to appeal to every woman who enters your salon. The kit includes everything you client needs to get started with Youngblood. They come in Light, Medium and Dark. Each pack contains:·         Two Loose Mineral Foundations·         Crushed  Mineral Blush·         Mineral Rice Setting Powder·         Kabuki Blending Brush·         "Try me&rdquo; size Hi-Def Mineral Perfecting Powder These are packaged very similarly to Bare Minerals starter packages and make a great alternative for people who have already tried (and not been satisfied) with those products.  They&#39;re just the right size &ndash; and price point &ndash; for almost any client. The entire pack retails for just $45 &ndash; a retail value of $150. This is a great opportunity to introduce your clients to this wonderful and skin-healthy line.  These will be available to ship around the second week of October! Make room on your shelf!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-01T16:20:20-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/EuforaOwnersThinkTank.html">
<title><![CDATA[Eufora Owners' Think Tank w/Don Bewley]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/EuforaOwnersThinkTank.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ The Ultimate Salon Business Management Experience, with Eufora CEO, Don Bewley Eufora&rsquo;s Don Bewley leads the discussion as salon/spa owners and managers come together to learn valuable, proven business methods that help create successful, profitable salon teams. In this relaxed, open format, owners and managers are encouraged to share success stories and brainstorm solutions for common problems.Ten reasons to attend the Salon Owners&rsquo; Think Tank:1. Become a stronger leader in your salon.2. Learn how to conduct powerful & meaningful meetings.3. Create a compelling vision for your staff.4. Prioritize both yours and your staff&rsquo;s goals & dreams.5. Get results with Eufora&rsquo;s Eight Essential Steps to Financial Success.6. Discover strategies to attract & retain new clientsClick here to read more!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-01T15:55:46-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/James_Alan_Matthew_Fairfax.html">
<title><![CDATA[Featured Salon October]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/James_Alan_Matthew_Fairfax.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[October&rsquo;s Featured Salon: A Peek inside James Alan Some salon owners rise through the ranks of stylist before transforming their talents into salon ownership. Not so for Matthew Farifax, owner of James Alan Salon. He took a much more roundabout way of getting there. With Matthew&rsquo;s background in human resources, communication and consulting, we wondered how he came to own a large, successful salon. &ldquo;I married into it,&rdquo; says Matthew, &ldquo;My ex was a stylist and co-owner of James Alan Salon when I met him in 1987. 12 years later, we bought the salon and finally I bought him out in 2007.&rdquo; This week we sat down with Matthew to learn more about the success and methods employed at James Alan. You&rsquo;re not a stylist yourself, how do you mesh well into the salon world?Firstly I love the creative, fashion and style aspect of the industry. Plus, my background is all about people and so is the salon and spa industry. What is the best thing about James Alan Salon?Definitely our team and our connection with the community.Why did you name the salon James Alan? The former owner&rsquo;s middle name was James, and my former partner&rsquo;s middle name was Alan. They put them together to form James Alan, so there really is no James Alan and that makes it easier if we sell the salon someday. Plus it&rsquo;s a great name. Do you have a philosophy or design aesthetic you ascribe to? Personally my look is minimalist, clean. I&rsquo;m all about the set up of things allowing the energy to flow. Right now our dispensary doesn&rsquo;t flow right. In creating workable spaces that flow I like to have things that move easily, which is why our mirrors/station dividers are on casters. What product lines do you carry? (This doesn&rsquo;t have to be limited to Salon Services lines.) We carry AG, Loma, Pearitin, Brocato, Dermalogica, Pre de Provance Soaps, IM hair accessories, Youngblood and Moroccanoil.  We just recently found out about Moroccanoil&rsquo;s full line. Once we got it in we did $1,000 sales of it in one week!  And we carry Towel Dry, a new men&rsquo;s line that we actually helped  to formulate. How do you choose your lines? First of all we look for things that are carried by Salon Services, and I&rsquo;m not just saying that. We think Salon Services offers the best lines, and we have a great relationship with them. It&rsquo;s all about relationship. Also, A) the products have to perform, B) have great education to support them, and C) look great on the shelf.  Shelf appeal is very important.  Click on to read more! ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-10-01T12:27:22-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/ag_news.html">
<title><![CDATA[AG Hair Cosmetics – Didja Know?]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/ag_news.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[AG Hair Cosmetics &ndash; Didja Know?AG Hair Cosmetics may be a mature brand, going into its 21st year in operation next year, but didja know they&rsquo;re still making waves?Didja know that &ndash; ·         AG Ultradynamics was recently named the Top Hairspray from Elle magazine?·         AG is entirely paraben-free?·         AG&rsquo;s newest product fastFWD dry shampoo is safe to use on extensions?·         AG is the only professional hair products featured in the Emmy gift bags?·         AG will be in the Oscar® gift bags for the 2nd year?·         AG&rsquo;s Action Green initiative to reduce they&rsquo;re eco-footprint resulted in 56,000 gallons of wastewater saved, 91.7 million BTUs of energy conserved and 132 trees saved by printing their Style Guides  on 55% recycled paper?Keep an eye on AG as they continue to evolve and prove they&rsquo;re still a forward-looking, innovative brand. Learn more about AG here.    ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-24T13:32:50-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/homecoming_dance.html">
<title><![CDATA[Go! Fight! Win! Homecoming!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/homecoming_dance.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Ahh, to be young again. Remember the excitement, that rush of energy that accompanied the first few months of the new school year? Even if you weren&rsquo;t one of the jocks or &ldquo;cool kids&rdquo; who were interested in Homecoming Dances, Winter Balls and things of that nature, chances are you were at the very least secretly interested in seeing what everyone would wear and how they&rsquo;d style their hair. However you felt about it back then &ndash; right now teens are abuzz over Homecoming and preparing to drop plenty of their own and their parents&rsquo; money on things like hairstyling, makeup, manicures and more. If you play your cards right, you might even be able to get them to come to your salon in groups. This gives them a friendly, fun atmosphere to feel beautiful and pampered, and can help you fill your books for the day.So how do you drive these high school beauties into your salons? ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-23T17:42:09-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/makeup_2009.html">
<title><![CDATA[2009 Holiday Makeup Trends]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/makeup_2009.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Here are the six makeup trends for Fall 2009 that you won&#39;t want to miss:One:When it comes to foundation makeup for Fall 2009, it&#39;s all about sheer color that allows natural skin to shine through: A natural, glowing appearance without a lot of time spent in front of the mirror. Check out the new Youngblood Hi-Def makeup for lightweight, oil-free formulas that perfect the skin but still look soft and natural. Or, you can learn how to make your own tinted moisturizer using your favorite moisturizer and loose foundation. Youngblood picks:Hi-DefYB PrimerTwo:When it comes to eye makeup trends for Fall 2009, go for rich earth tones that appear to have come straight from the forest. Think deep moss greens, luxurious golds and rusty metallics, plus smoky browns and warm greys. Look for dark colorsthat are matte and velvety in texture, with a touch of shimmer coming from those metallics.Youngblood picks:Pressed:Zen, Gilded, Czar and Storm Loose:Haze and CashmereThree:The cat-eye makeup that was popular in Fall 2008 is going to be modified for Fall 2009. Instead of following the retro-inspired swoop up of the days gone by, the cat-eye for 2009 is about making a horizontal line, without the upswing at the tail. Youngblood picks:Minerals in the Mist Eyebrow Brush Raven Loose Eyeshadow TIP: Spray your Eyebrow Brush with Minerals in the Mist and press into your Loose Eyeshadow to create an instant liquid liner!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-23T14:35:47-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/nostril_waxing.html">
<title><![CDATA[Nose Waxing]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/nostril_waxing.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Nostril Waxing, Anyone? Salon Services has recently heard a lot about the practice of NOSE HAIR WAXING, and as with any new(ish) beauty treatment, we wanted to learn more about it, and thought you might like to as well.When thinking about this treatment, several questions spring to mind:#1 &ndash; Ouch! How bad does that hurt?#2 &ndash; Won&rsquo;t I get sick without nose hair to filter out bacteria and other contagions? #3 &ndash; How exactly is this done?#4 &ndash; How much are clients willing to pay for this treatment? ....]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-21T19:34:58-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/cool_aprons.html">
<title><![CDATA[Cool New Aprons]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/cool_aprons.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ SUPER FUN HAPPY APRONS!Coming soon to Salon Services: Adorable aprons to keep you looking good, while you make your clients look good. We won&#39;t give away all 9 patterns we&#39;ll be getting in stock in the next month or so, but here is a sneak peek:Be sure to check in with our showrooms soon to see all of the patterns once they&#39;re in stock!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-21T18:38:34-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/salon_services_friends_and_family_2009.html">
<title><![CDATA[Friends and Family 2009]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/salon_services_friends_and_family_2009.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[OMG &ndash; Massive Savings For Our Friends & Family!December 4, 5 and 7 all eight Salon Services showrooms will open to the general public for a once-yearly savings extravaganza.   Get ready for product demonstrations galore and savings of up to 75%. This is a great opportunity to pick up all sorts of goodies for holiday gift-giving, stocking up and self-pampering J  Extended hours allow for maximum flexibility &ndash; the sale will be held from 9am-7pm, giving you an extra two hours to shop. You might want to try to get here early though, as quantities of some items are limited, and sure to go quickly.   Stay tuned &ndash; we&rsquo;ll update you on specific deals as the sale draws closer!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-21T14:12:34-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/wwd_dermalogica_diversion.html">
<title><![CDATA[Derm on Diversion]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/wwd_dermalogica_diversion.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Dermalogica on DiversionThe September 14th issue of Women&rsquo;s Wear Daily featured an article on the issue of skincare product diversion Dermalogica to mass market retailers. The article gives details on how the so-called &ldquo;gray market&rdquo; of diversion happens, and backs it up with some startling facts about diverted products. WWD sites independent lab tests which have found that diverted products are often: ExpiredExposed to unsanitary conditionsBeen opened or tampered withUndergone numerous ownership transfers, increasing quality risks &ldquo;That means consumers everywhere are putting something that&rsquo;s potentially harmful, unsafe and definitely less effective on their skin,&rdquo; WWD quotes Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand as saying. &ldquo;The availability of product that&rsquo;s lacking integrity concerns me not only as a manufacturer but as a consumer.&rdquo;We can&rsquo;t show you the full article, since WWD is a subscription based online source, but thought you&rsquo;d enjoy knowing Dermalogica&rsquo;s commendable stance on the issue. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-18T19:15:53-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/felicity_davis_JBUsalon.html">
<title><![CDATA[Hands-on with KM's Felicity Davis]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/felicity_davis_JBUsalon.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Get your hands dirty with Kevin Murphy&#39;s righthand woman, Felicity Davis. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-11T13:39:54-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/eufora_global_connection.html">
<title><![CDATA[Eufora Global Connection]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/eufora_global_connection.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Calling all Eufora Devotees! Eufora&#39;s annual business, technical and team-building extravaganze, Global Connection is coming soon! To be held in sunny San Diego on November 8 & 9, this life-changing event will recharge your passion for your business and your craft. Breakout sessions for the event include:The Success StrategyTaking on the Competition & WinningYour Super Star StaffRaving Razor CutsWay Short/Way CoolProgressive ArtistryThe Contemporary Maleand many more!Further information and instructions on how to register can be found at, http://www.euforaglobal.com/mm5/merchant.mvcEufora Elite Team Members & Regional Educators receive special pricing!Want more Eufora education in the meantime? Salon Services has the following classes coming up:Eufora Classic Coiffures - Elegant UpdosRenton, September 28, 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pmEufora Owner&#39;s Think Tank w/Don BewleyRenton, October 18, 9am-4pmSpokane, October 19, 9am-4pmEufora Advanced CuttingMedford, OR, November 2, 10am-3pmFor more information, or to register call 800-251-4247, x226 or email education@salonservicesnw.com. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-10T18:08:07-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Kevin_Murph_Portland.html">
<title><![CDATA[Meet Kevin Murphy!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Kevin_Murph_Portland.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Mr. Murphy Goes to Portland!We can only assume that if you&#39;re reading this that you&#39;re already in love with Kevin.Murphy products - the building blocks of true style. If this is true, then we also have some great news for you: We have an opportunity for you to meet and learn from the master himself.Kevin Murphy will be in Portland on Thursday, October 22nd at the stylish Ace Hotel to demonstrate looks he developed for Melbourne Fashion Week, at which he has served as the Creative Hair Director for the past six years.Kevin will be working on...]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-10T12:40:36-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/elle_davines_momo.html">
<title><![CDATA[Elle Mag Gives Shout out to Davines Momo]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/elle_davines_momo.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Got clients that want to grow their hair long? Elle Magazine suggests Davines Momo Shampoo & Conditioner. But don&#39;t take our word for it: http://fashion.elle.com/blog/2009/09/the-perfect-products-for-growing-out-hair.html. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-04T18:27:13-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Davines_Dinner_Seattle.html">
<title><![CDATA[The Five Senses of Davines - Seattle]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Davines_Dinner_Seattle.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Stylists Experience the Five Senses with Davines This Monday, Salon Services was lucky enough to play host to an incredibly unique event from the dynamic minds at Davines.  Both Davines devotees and those seeking to learn more came together for a sensory experience in a chic studio space. Guests sipped Italian wine (naturally) and chatted among themselves in posh dresses and shoes to die for (Patricia at Embellish, we&#39;re talking to you). "It was really nice to see people dressed up for the event," commented Kristal Baker, friendly local Davines Brand Manager, "you don&#39;t see that much in Seattle. It really speaks to the elegance level the Davines brand has going for it."A five-star meal was expertly prepared by Chef Alvin Yu to illustrate the way the same ingredients that nourish the hair with the Davines Finest Pigments line can also be used to nourish the body. Saffron curry pasta showed off flavors from blonde nuances, while walnut ravioli demonstrated the flavors that make up the rich browns. Many stylists commented on how the experience was "so Davines," from the beauty of the venue, to the gracious service from Salon Service staff members, to the celebration of hairstylists as true artists, "The link [Chef Alvin Yu] made between being a cook or a chef, and a &lsquo;haircutter&#39; or a stylist. That was very powerful," remarked Becky....]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-03T17:55:01-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/ag_stylist_with_substance_contest.html">
<title><![CDATA[AG Stylist with Substance Contest]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/ag_stylist_with_substance_contest.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ Contest Alert!This year AG Hair Cosmetics introduces their first annual hair contest - the Stylist with Substance competition. Enter your street-wearable styles created with AG products for a chance to be featured in AG&#39;s annual Style Guide which is distributed to more than 17,000 salons in the US, Canada & beyond. Check out AG&#39;s creative director Jami Symons as he explains all the details. Good luck!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-09-02T17:36:53-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/frontdesk.html">
<title><![CDATA[Fabulous Front Desk]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/frontdesk.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Life at the Front Desk: Going the Extra Mile  A helpful, attentive and knowledgeable front desk staff can be the make or break factor for a client&rsquo;s satisfaction with your salon. Ideally front desk team members will be the first person to welcome a client to the salon, and the last to wish them well on their way. But make no mistake: The role of front desk coordinator is not a simple meet-and-greet position, it is a non-stop whirlwind of customer service, scheduling, retailing, inventory management and making sure they go the extra mile to make every single client feels special and well-attended to.   We recently spoke to a few of these masters of multitasking, Jake Pinon from Steven Barrett Salon and Nichole Heu with Stylus to get their insider perspective on managing this chaotic and important position. Both of these busy professionals are known for their impeccable customer services skills and development of client relationships.  How long have you been with your salon? Jake: I&rsquo;ve been here since just before we opened, around middle of May &ndash; we actually opened on June 9. Before this I was assistant manager at Marco&rsquo;s Two Union Square. Nichole: I have been with Stylus since we opened, which was April of 2008. Do you think there any preconceptions about front desk staff? Jake: It depends on who you ask, but there are two extremes: One is that we&rsquo;re below &ldquo;the help&rdquo; and get treated as such. Or people really appreciate...]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-31T12:32:17-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BodyTherapies.html">
<title><![CDATA[Dermalogica Body Therapies]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BodyTherapies.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ Thermal Body Therapy Treatments by Dermalogica® From the Roman Thermaes, to the Turkish Baths to the present day luxurious day spas, heated water has always been the cornerstone of body treatments.  The word &ldquo;spa&rdquo; originally meant &ldquo;health through water,&rdquo; and today is synonymous with luxury and pampering.  However, with the increased focus on luxury, the importance of the skin&rsquo;s heath is frequently lost in the body therapy experience.   Dermalogica believes that today&rsquo;s body therapy experience should be a collective homage to ancient traditions and modern technological wonders, designed to benefit both the emotional state and the body&rsquo;s health.     Join Salon Services&rsquo; own in-house Dermalogica educator, Colleen Flynn, for two dynamic days of hands-on... ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-27T16:05:46-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/lowlights.html">
<title><![CDATA[Long Lasting Lowlights]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/lowlights.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Tips for creating Long Lasting Lowlights - from Kadus Guy, Jesse SkittrallArggh! It is that time of year again! If you are anything like me (and I think you are) your guests have gone from blond to blonder over the summer, then went outside in the heat and sun, and their hair is now "Blonderexic." As the summer comes to a close and we move into fall and the lovely tan fades, our guests learn that their new faded skin tone blends with their hair color, often leaving them washed out. This will undoubtedly leave them wanting more contrast without going completely back to their natural tone. The answer? Lowlights!Here are some great tips to create lowlights that last:]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-24T18:21:15-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/helmethead.html">
<title><![CDATA[Featured Salon]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/helmethead.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[September&#39;s Featured Salon - Helmet Head, Seattle, WA Our featured salon this month is the only salon to be found in Seattle&rsquo;s up-and-coming Georgetown neighborhood &ndash; Helmet Head. We chatted with Helmet Head co-owner Heather Tubbs about her life in the biz, her salon&rsquo;s personality and how they&rsquo;re getting ready for the upcoming holiday rush season.  What did you do before Helmet Head?I worked at one other salon before we opened Helmet Head, which was where I met (co-owner) Sammie. It was a shi-shi, foo-foo place downtown, so I got really good exposure to some very high end clients.  So you must have learned a lot there? It was a good start and taught me a lot about how to NOT run a business. Seeing the mistakes made in that salon taught me to spend within my means and grow at the right pace.  What made you choose the name Helmet Head? It was Sammie&rsquo;s idea. This area is kind of&hellip; well it used to be&hellip; so, there&rsquo;s lots of motorcycles and scooters here, lots of dudes, we didn&rsquo;t want to be scary to men and still appealing for women.  How has Helmet Head grown over the years? ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-21T14:34:06-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/davines.html">
<title><![CDATA[Davines Dinner]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/davines.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The Five Senses of  Davines"If the senses are the pathway to each woman&rsquo;s soul, it&rsquo;s fundamental that they be stimulated with the maximum care and total respect." Breathe in the aroma. Taste the natural flavors. Feel the raw ingredients. Watch as they come together, and get to know every dimension of Davines.Join us for this this interactive sensory experience lets you participate in the creation of a feast of dishes inspired by the natural ingredients of Davines&#39; products. Walnut, tomato, milk, safron, ginger and more come together to feed hair, body, soul. Five-course menu includes walnut/butternut squash ravioli, pickled ginger shrimp and safron curry penne pasta to name just a few.Join us from 6pm-8pm, August 31, 2009NW Work Lofts3131 Western Avenue, Suite 424Seattle, WA 98121$25 per GuestCall 800-251-4247 x226 to reserve your place at the table. Small Davines product kits will be available for purchase at the event so you can take the Davines experience home with you.This feast of the senses will also be in Portland, November 9,and Salt Lake City, November 11]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-19T18:24:16-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/LifeStyleAward.html">
<title><![CDATA[2009 Best Hair Treatment]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/LifeStyleAward.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ All Hail Moroccanoil! Morrocanoil has been named the 2009 Best Hair Treatment Award from Life & Style Weekly Magazine. The panel of voters for these awards included Kim Kardashian, Lara Spencer of The Insider and Life & Style&rsquo;s beauty, style and chief editors.  The award winning products will be prominently featured with a 10-page spread in the Beauty Issue, on newsstands on August 19. Consider picking up a copy or two for your salon, to give your clients a chance to see how highly regarded Moroccanoil really is. More About Moroccanoil:Moroccanoil contains a unique blend of ultra light Argan oil, which has been used by the women of Morocco for centuries to treat their hair, nails and skin. Instantly absorbed into the hair, Moroccanoil eliminates frizz, speeds up styling time by up to 40% and provides long-term conditioning to all hair types.Massage a few drops of Moroccanoil into the hair and it looks shinier and healthier after just one application. With multiple applications hair continues to improve, alleviating split ends and breakage without any oily residue! Ten Words to Describe Moroccanoil:Luxurious            Unique                 Versatile        Exotic      Rich                    Aromatic              Heavenly        Smooth        Sleek                  NourishingUse Moroccanoil Treatment to: Moisturize & Add ShineSpeed dry timeProtect hair during color servicesTame frizzFamous Fans: Salma HayekCarrie Underwood...]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-18T12:27:51-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Hairmats.html">
<title><![CDATA[Matter Of Trust]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Hairmats.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Help Clean the Planet &ndash; Recycle Hair Clippings In 1989, Alabama hair stylist, Phil McCrory watched CNN coverage of the Exxon Valdez oils spill and noticed something: the incredible way the fur of Alaskan otters soaked up oil. With this in mind, McCrory began experimenting with the oil absorption properties of hair clippings from his salon, eventually inventing the &ldquo;hairmat.&rdquo; Hairmats are made by with a machine that pounds the hair into mats, which look and feel like thick felt. The mats can be used to soak up oil spills, then detoxified and remediated as compost material.  Plus, hair clippings are kept out of landfills. Photo courtesy of Matter of TrustTaking the hairmat concept and running with it, Matter of Trust, a San Francisco nonprofit established a network of salons across the country, from which they collect hair clippings. Hairmats generated from the project are used to clean up oil spills all over the world. Recently, however, Matter of Trust has been unable to have the hair processed into mats due to economic and other issues &ndash; leaving them with 18,000 pound of unprocessed clippings in storage! This plight was featured in a recent front-page Wall Street Journal article, which will hopefully draw attention and funding for the Oil Spill Hairmat project. To contribute financially, visit http://www.matteroftrust.org/contribute.html.  You can also begin to help by collecting hair from your salon to donate.  While Matter of Trust works to secure facilities, consider setting aside a box or bin in your salon to start collecting hair clippings to eventually donate. Donations of hair should be kept pending resources for storage and processing. For more information on the project, please visit www.MatterOfTrust.org.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-12T13:09:35-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BeautyBiz.html">
<title><![CDATA[Business of Beauty, Part II: Education & Training]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BeautyBiz.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[This is part two of a three part series of information and insight form the PBA Symposium. Read part one HERE.   Education and TrainingBennie Pollard from Bennie and Friends/BennieFactor products spoke to this point eloquently as he has utilized these systems in his salon plus trains the industry with his successful implementation. He has developed his training around scripting to achieve consistency in the delivery of the information for the clients.While many stylists are concerned with the robotic language that such a technique would instigate, he showcases how musicians frequently do cover songs, which sounds different with everyone&#39;s specific spin of personality. He does video training so the stylist can witness their own message of delivery. He initially develops an image profile of the desired look wished to be achieved by the client. He then will start his recommendation of color cut and retail take away products to recreate the looks at home. In "asking you shall receive" mentality, he educates the clients so they will understand the "how to" capability. The measurement is established for the accountability of the stylist in accomplishing this action with each and every client. It is paramount to overcome the fear and has to be the responsibility of everyone in the salon the high performance caliber intended to succeed with the culture and behavior of the salon staff.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-11T12:12:16-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BBA.html">
<title><![CDATA[Beautiful Business Academy]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BBA.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Boost Your Beauty Biz.Style, cutting edge looks and creativity are among the first things that come to mind when thinking about the beauty industry. What doesn&#39;t immediately spring to mind is the less glamorous side of the beauty business: The business side.Running a successful salon business is hard work, and requires extreme precision to keep things running smoothly. Cash flow, budgeting, inventory management and staffing are probably not what you dreamed of in school, but they&#39;re equally - if not more - important than the actual services you provide. That&#39;s where the Brocato Beautiful Business Academy (BBA) comes in.The BBA is designed to share business building tools and programs that have been developed in real salons. The goal is to help you develop systems in your salon that will lead to growth and the realization of financial and business goals, while encouraging implementation and risk taking. In this two-day program you&#39;ll learn about:]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-07T13:13:58-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/PBASymposium.html">
<title><![CDATA[Insight, Advice]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/PBASymposium.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Insight, Advice From The PBA Symposium Sydney & George just returned from the PBA Symposium, which was jam packed with ideas and solutions to multiple issues confronting the industry. The theme of the Symposium this year revolved around the "The Business of Beauty and How to Maximize Your Profitability by Defining the Future of Beauty Retailing," a landmark study from McMillan and Doolittle based on input from consumers, salon owners, distributors, manufactures and stylists.The ultimate conclusion of the study was that customers desire stylist advice and product recommendations, viewing their stylists as product experts. However, the study goes on to report, only 71% of customers polled were never offered a recommendation! Thus, salons are missing tremendous sales opportunities!The wisdom of this is that every salon can sell more retail product, raise profitability, improve clients&#39; experience and increase client loyalty.So how do you comfortably integrate a retailing system to enhance the customer experience and build retail dollars?There are eight basic components, and we&#39;d like to expand upon one for you each week.1) Commitment, Philosophy and Culture2) Education and Training3) Recommending4) Merchandising5) Strategic Selections6) Creative Promotions7) IncentivesComponent 1: Commitment, Philosophy and Culture, requires a clear commitment from your salon to determine what you clients&#39; retail needs are and how to address them, in every aspect of their salon experience. Visually illustrate your commitment to products by creating appealing product displays and utilization of products at stylist stations and backbar. Education on proper use of products should be provided to the guest via an exceptionally knowledgeable staff. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-08-03T16:51:23-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/featured0809.html">
<title><![CDATA[Featured Salon for August 2009]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/featured0809.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ Do you compulsively Tivo Split Ends? Find yourself suckered into watching marathons of Shear Genius? It&#39;s only natural as an artist to wonder what others - friends, coworkers, competition - are up to. Thus, Salon Services has decided to give you a voyeuristic glimpse into one featured salon a month.ONE STYLIST, TEN QUESTIONSThis month we spoke to Alberto Ruiz, owner and creative director of Switch salon in Salt Lake City. Alberto began his career in 1980 as a makeup artist in his native Puerto Rico, at the tender age of 16. He became licensed in 1982 and began his professional beauty career. Here Alberto gives his thoughts on the industry, his salon and keeping things fresh. 1. What inspired you to get into the beauty industry?I love my job. I LLLLOOOVVVVEEE what I do. I&#39;m like a therapist. I help people express what&#39;s happening on the interior and help bring it out through their appearance. 2. Why do you call your salon Switch?Because we change everything. Our concept is about changing style, changing attitude, changing perception. Creating a total transformation, a total switch.3. What is the average Switch customer like?Open-minded, forward-thinking people who are ready for change - they have to be because we&#39;re brutally honest. 4. How do people typically hear about Switch?Mostly referrals. People like that I offer a holistic experience that encompasses everything about their life and appearance.5. Has Switch been affected by the economic downturn?Nada. Not at all. We&#39;re thriving. We&#39;re in the business of making people feel good and they need that right now. People would rather do something to feel beautiful than splurge on the latest Marc Jacobs bag. Speaking of which, those have actually gotten pretty cheap... ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-07-22T13:29:19-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/SoleSistas.html">
<title><![CDATA[Help us Raise Awareness and Find a Cure for Breast Cancer!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/SoleSistas.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ From now until October 2009, for every bottle of Loma&#39;s top-selling Pearatin Fortifying Repairative Serum that you buy with the pink bow, $1 goes towards the Susan G. Komen Foundation and breast cancer research. Salon Services&#39; Purchasing Manager Stacy Kurtz, along with Owner and two-time survivor Sydney Berry, are taking part in the Susan G. Komen 3-day this September-for the second time! All proceeds raised from the sales of the Peratin pink bow Serum will go towards their "Sole Sistas" team and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. To find out more about the Sole Sista team or donate directly, go to: http://www.the3day.org/goto/solesistasThanks to your support, we have raised over $8000 for the Cure through sales of the pink bow Peratin Repairative Serum! To order, email us at customercare@salonservicesnw.com, contact your Sales Consultant, stop by your nearest showroom or call 800-251-4247 to order your Pearatin today! ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-07-17T11:13:55-05:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/emarketing.html">
<title><![CDATA[Dont Be Scared! Email Marketing, Surprisingly Easy]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/emarketing.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ Quick, easy, and inexpensive -as little as $15 you a month- email marketing programs are one of the best ways for you to communicate with existing and potential clients. Some programs even offer free trials, so you can see whether or not it&#39;ll work for your salon. First, some facts:91% of people 18 and 64 read email1 147 million Americans use email and most use it everyday163% of companies found e-mail marketing the most effective method of customer retention2To generate the same response direct mail costs 20 times as much as email3 Where do I start?Start right now by asking your clients for emails: ask every client when they call to book and keep a signup list at your front desk. Visit other salons&#39; websites. Sign up to receive their emails. Get ideas from their email strategies.  Find an email program that works for you. There are tons of them- MailChimp, MyEmma, iContact, etc. Many offer free tutorials and webinars!Decide what you want to communicate. New services? Special offers? Keep readers interested by giving them something more. Advertisers on TV pay for the shows - giving the consumers something in return. Do the same thing for your clients: In addition to your offers/specials throw in your salons latest skin/hair/makeup/fashion tips. That extra, entertaining "fluff" will keep them interested longer.Set up an email schedule. It is important to create consistency. Decide if you&#39;ll be sending out emails weekly, semi-weekly, monthly - whatever regular works for you. Just do it! The first one is the hardest, it gets easier after that first one - we promise! If you don&#39;t want to figure out the template, contact your graphic or web designer and they can build a template for you. Need a designer? Let us know, we can refer you to one who will work within your budget. Track your results. How many people opened your email? How many bounces? Use these results to improve your next email!To note, you never want to to do email campaigns from your office email account. Here are a few reasons why-You need to follow best mailing practices (the US CAN-SPAM Act): It&#39;s against the law not to provide an unsubscribe link in bulk email. Recipients must be able to opt-out of such emails at anytime. You don&#39;t want people opting out of receiving your individual email communications.They will manage your email list: Email marketing programs will track your list for you, saving you time. They will update unsubscribes and bounces (wrong addresses).They have easy-to-use templates: Most email marketing programs have templates that you can customize, so you can have a consistent look and feel to your emails. You can customize with photos, logos and more. They are easy to use and once you get your template setup all you have to do is pop in new content every week. Track your campaigns: Email marketing programs also have tracking tools that are included. You can track how many of your clients opened your email and if they clicked on any of your links. This is a valuable tool so you can keep improving your campaigns and getting the results you want!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-07-15T17:18:01-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BeautopiaAward.html">
<title><![CDATA[Beautopia Award]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/BeautopiaAward.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Salon Services is Still Beautopia&rsquo;s Number One Services & Supplies was named Beautopia&rsquo;s Distributor of the Year for the second year in a row at Beautopia&rsquo;s annual Distributor Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. Salon Services distributes the manufacturer&rsquo;s Kadus and Brocato line of professional salon products.The Distributor of the Year award is based on each distributor&rsquo;s percentage increase of gross purchases along with the implementation of programs that foster success at the salon level as well.  Programs include product knowledge and education, along with marketing support that allows salons to really flourish.  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-07-15T11:30:49-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/photos.html">
<title><![CDATA[Educational Event Photos]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/photos.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Want to see that style a little closer? Missed a technique? Couldn&#39;t make the class? Did you know you can find our recent event photos online? You can! Check out our Flickr page here. We have photos from classes, product launches and events.  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-07-08T16:13:25-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/PBA.html">
<title><![CDATA[New PBA Study Offers Insight Into Salon Retailing]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/PBA.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Professional Beauty Association Sponsers Groundbreaking Beauty Industry StudyAs reported in Women&rsquo;s Wear Daily, the salon industry is potentially missing out on $1 billion in retail sales per year. This figure comes from preliminary results of a study commissioned by The Professional Beauty Association, PBA. Conducted over the past 13 months, analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data from over 450 stylists and 1,000 consumers, this is the industry&rsquo;s largest and most comprehensive statistical undertaking. The survey, entitled Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability, provides plenty of insight into the behavior and thought process of both stylists and consumers, and how their behavior works in tandem. For example, according to the study, 71% of consumers weren&rsquo;t given a product recommendation on their most recent salon visit &ndash; however 34% of consumers responded that they most likely would have made a purchase if a recommendation had been made. The study also discusses where potential salon retail dollars are going, what holds back stylists from making sales, and consumers&rsquo; perceptions of salon versus mass retail products. The study&rsquo;s official release of the results will be reviewed in much greater detail at the PBA Symposium on Sunday, July 19, at Cosmoprof in Las Vegas.To learn more about the PBA symposium, visit: http://probeauty.org/symposium/ ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-06-23T11:21:04-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/move.html">
<title><![CDATA[We're Moving! (But Not Very Far)]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/move.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[This August we&rsquo;ll be closing our Olympia and Tacoma locations and regrouping in a brand new space in Lakewood.  Our new space will allow us to reach more of you, while reducing overhead costs and allowing us to continue offering the best, professional quality beauty products at the prices you&rsquo;ve come to expect.  We know this move will make things a little easier for some of you, and the drive a little longer for others, but we&rsquo;re certain you&rsquo;ll love our new space and hope you&rsquo;ll come see us often. See you soon in Lakewood!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-06-22T16:49:14-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/inspiring.html">
<title><![CDATA[Are you inspired? We are! ]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/inspiring.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[We had a packed house of almost 60 salon and spa owners and managers who joined us on May 4, 2009 for the Inspiring Champions, "Double Your Income Now" seminar. Inspiring Champions was founded by industry veteran Lauren Gartland in 1995, and since then she has impacted the lives of thousands of salon professionals nationally - helping them make more money, work fewer hours and live a balanced life. Lauren has trained over 5,000 individuals nationally in her business workshops. Lauren is rated as one of the top business trainers and success coaches in the salon and spa industry and we learned about her engaging, dynamic presenting style firsthand and were blown away! She told us that we can "double or even triple sales by following the practical and proven strategies in this program-taking business from ordinary to extraordinary!" What we discussed at this event:How to dramatically improve profitsA success formula to gross $1 million+ per yearA proven system to get clients in 2 to 3 extra visits per yearA guaranteed 5-step system on "how to" double service sales without raising prices or seeing more clientsAbout dramatically increasing new client traffic with little or no money How to identify and control the four highest expenses in your business Ways to uncover hidden expenses What past Inspiring Champions attendees have told us:"I found Inspiring Champions at a point in my life where I needed help and direction-personally and professionally. With their help and guidance I was able to turn my financial and professional life around within months.I signed up for a package that they offered where I was able to attend three seminars and have one-on-one coaching for a year...this is the best money I have EVER spent! I highly recommend Cash Flow Camp for anyone that owns or manages a salon...it&#39;s an eye opener"! Lisa Power-Owner, Lisa Power Salon]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-06-04T14:29:35-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/MorrocanOil.html">
<title><![CDATA[Morrocanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner have Arrived!!!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/MorrocanOil.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[ Finally! Morrocanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner have Arrived!After developing a strong, loyal, nearly cult(!) following &ndash; Morrocanoil has finally come out with their long anticipated shampoo and conditioner &ndash; rounding out their line of smoothing, soothing, shine-enhancing products.  The new Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner will delight loyal followers and entice newcomers to experience Moroccanoil for themselves.  The shampoo creates a thick, rich lather, while the conditioner boasts a luxuriously smooth and creamy texture. Both products nourish hair with blends of plant extracts, nutrient-rich argan oil (Morrocanoil&rsquo;s magic ingredient) and fatty acids to smooth and repair hair. Plus, all Morrocanoil products are free of sulfates, phosphates and parabens, and safe for chemically treated hair.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-06-03T13:27:28-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/headcase.html">
<title><![CDATA[Head Case: Salon Consults That Make the Cut - From the Wall Street Journal, 5/28/09]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/headcase.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[There&#39;s no guarantee against a bad-hair day, but you can hedge your bets. For those seeking a style change, most salons offer hair consultations -- essentially a meet-and-greet with a stylist. While some hairdressers charge for the service, in this limp economy, many are offering free or lower-cost advice.                  We took our unruly mop of long hair to four different consultants, both in-person and online, to evaluate the quality of advice on offer. Since we&#39;ve had the same dull &#39;do for several years, we were seeking a change and some tips on how to deal with our thick, curly mane in the humid city this summer. First stop, the Sassoon salon chain, which offers free hair consultations at all locations nationwide. Appointments are available, but we walked into a New York City location near Union Square on a Saturday afternoon and saw a stylist within five minutes. The stylist asked detailed and practical questions about how much time we wanted to spend doing our hair each morning, (less than 10 minutes a day) and how often we straightened our hair. When discussing length, she cautioned that summer humidity might be perilous for a shorter cut. She also gave us feedback about how specific haircuts might not be complimentary to our face shape. Though her consult was short, she patiently answered our questions and didn&#39;t pressure us to buy hair products or adopt a particular style. The stylist advised against coloring, but said she would be happy to arrange a meeting with a colorist if we were still interested. A business card was provided, and we were in and out in less than 20 minutes. High-end salons typically charge for these kinds of consults, but these days some may be willing to bend on pricing. That&#39;s what happened to us uptown at the high-end Christo Fifth Avenue salon. We scheduled a week in advance for a one-hour consultation advertised on the salon&#39;s site for $100. After we inquired about the hefty price, the salon agreed to waive it. Lesson learned: It doesn&#39;t hurt to haggle with the haircutter.]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-05-28T14:08:16-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Runway_Style.html">
<title><![CDATA[Kevin Murphy Runway.Style - Portland Goes Glam]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Runway_Style.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Felicity Davis, veteran runway and session stylist, joined us last week at Chroma Hair Studio in Portland to demonstrate runway-inspired looks using the uber-hip Kevin Murphy line of styling products.  With her own long locks flowing in perfectly-imperfect fashion, Felicity expertly displayed some unique approaches to creating these high fashion looks &ndash; including a messy-sexy updo held in place by nothing more than a thread and gorgeous Birth of Venus style waves.  Kevin Murphy Runway.StylesClick on to see more fabulous pics!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-05-26T12:25:22-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/change.html">
<title><![CDATA[A Skin Care Educator's Story of Change]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/change.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Re-Define the Future event in Vancouver, BC this week and what an amazing event it was! Staying true to her vision and passion - as well as our expectations - Jane Wurwand delivered motivation and promise for the future to all who attended. One focus of Jane&#39;s presentation that I thought especially compelling was the idea of embracing change. As humans we look at change as uncomfortable, challenging and even frightening, but how many life lessons have come in this form? Many!  And most likely we didn&#39;t even ask for them or see them coming. A personal change came to me in the form of an injury. After working as a PST for 5 years at my dream skin center (I stalked them until they hired me - so persistence is key as well!) I was diagnosed with two herniated disks in my lower back. My doctor said either find a new job or....find an new job. There was no option. After deciding that there was no way I was giving up the career I loved and worked so hard to learn, I tried for two more weeks to continue seeing my clients. It soon became clear that my back would be making the decisions now and it had decided that either I was done as a Skin Therapist or that I wouldn&#39;t be walking upright ever again.Devastated, I went back to work at the restaurant I came from and my back regained its strength, but I was unhappy. One morning, complaining to my significant other about how much I hated my job, he said to me with a smile "when I come back inside the house from washing my car, you&#39;d better be on that computer looking for a new job." So, begrudgingly, I did. The first job I saw posted was a position at Salon Services for an educator. I had been to classes before at Salon Services, but wasn&#39;t sure I was equipped with that level of knowledge, let alone the ability to stand up and speak before groups of people -how scary! Since I was supposed to be finding a new job, though, I answered the ad and was called to come in for an interview. Uh oh... what had I started? I made it through the first interview and was asked to return with a model and put together a presentation to deliver for the next one.The day of the presentation came and after explaining in great detail that, "I have never spoken in front of people and I am very nervous," I delivered the information I had been studying since the initial interview. And I nailed it! It was like I had been speaking to crowds since birth, it came that naturally. It was then I realized... I really can do this and really enjoy it. Receiving the first feedback forms from students was the confirmation I needed to prove to myself that I really could teach, and teach well. To this day, I still wonder what would have become of me if I hadn&#39;t challenged myself to do something I believed to be as utterly terrifying as speaking in front of groups. I would never have the insight into my abilities as an instructor, and to top it off I am still working in my beloved industry! I believe my experience is a perfect example of Jane&#39;s advice to, "Refuse to be defined by the events of your life and demand to be defined by your responses to them."Change is often the strongest motivating factor that forces us to grow and learn. By accepting change, embracing it and understanding its value we all become better and more intelligent when dealing with each new challenge or obstacle. As we grow as individuals, change allows us to progress through each lesson and stage in life, providing clarity with each new endeavor.In the economic times we are all facing, we must make sure we change with the times. Are we expanding hours to accommodate our clientele? Simplifying our menu so we don&#39;t overwhelm them? Offering speedy services to our time-compressed client? Targeting clients through newly available technology? It&#39;s all too easy to become comfortable and stick with processes that "have always worked in the past." But the past is exactly that, the past. Look to the future to create your own progress and strive to STAY RELEVANT. Without changing our long standing ideas and looking for new ways to change, we start to see the world pass us by.In order to grow in both our business and personal lives, we must embrace the opportunity for change. Create a different outlook - look through a new window, it may be a window of opportunity. It won&#39;t be easy, but the lessons you learn in the process will contribute to your living successes in exponential and often surprising ways! "See it, believe it, become it."ColleenSalon Services & Supplies Dermalogica Educator PS: You can take a class from Colleen here at Salon Services! Visit our education page and check out some of Colleen&#39;s Dermalogica classes.  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-04-30T14:33:31-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/belleepoque.html">
<title><![CDATA[ The first Zero Impact Salon in the US:  Belle Epoque Salon - Portland, Oregon]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/belleepoque.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Dayna Cakebread, Owner and Stylist of Belle Epoque Salon shares her story of how she got started building a sustainable salon and discovering the "beauty of going green". Dayna Cakebread with Salon Services Owners George Learned and Sydney Berry, alongside industry legend Robert Lobetta at Cosmoprof 2008.  "We connect so much with our clients on a personal level, we can encourage them to give back", said Dayna. This is something that is important to me, my staff and my clients; we are thrilled to see the amazing response we have gotten. It started at Belle Epoque and has quickly spread down Mississippi Avenue".   April is Earth Month. Now is a great time to get to become more green!    How Dayna and her stylists got started:Sign up for the Zero Impact Program: Dayna and her team sold raffle tickets to their clients to pay for this program. They raffled their services as a prize, taking turns in offering the free service. The clients loved getting a chance for a free service and knowing their money was going to rebuilding the rainforests. Call your Salon Services Consultant and they can answer your questions about Zero Impact and get you signed up.Get everyone involved. Have a meeting to discuss ways everyone can make change- setting up recycling and creating a system that works. Matter of Trust is a great organization that recycles hair left from salon services to build mats that help clean up environmental damage in our oceans. Dayna estimates she is able to fill a bin every other week. Call BEST Business Center (this is for the Portland area - if you aren&#39;t in Portland, you can start by calling your utility company. Most offer a free evaluation of things you can change to save the planet and money). Look at your lighting. Dayna switched to compact efficient light bulbs (look for soft white bulbs-less of a "fluorescent" glow). Moving from 150 watt bulbs to 26 watts, has lowered their electric bill by $60 a cycle. Start talking to your clients. Tell them what you are doing and get them involved. Talk to other businesses in your neighborhood. Food waste composting for you and your neighbors? Collecting water runoff for resuse? Share ideas!  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-25T16:23:53-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/demand.html">
<title><![CDATA[Create Luxury Demand Through Invitation]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/demand.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Invitation-only sales and sites are thriving when it comes to luxury. What ingredients do you need to take from these exclusive events to create experiences to indulge and delight?     As your customer, I want to feel a little spoiled, because I am worth it, or indulge in things that comfort me on a rainy day or during a recession (suppressing fear and depression). Please, stimulate or amuse me and meet more than just my basic needs.  Go further, and satisfy my social needs on top of my personal indulgence (image). Give me a little more than the economy or my budget allows (value). Create moments for me where my spirit can escape from the stress of the every day, the demands placed upon me by others, and certainly from the negativity that pervades my news and information sources.It&rsquo;s about you telling me in some meaningful way that I am more to you than just a customer.   It&rsquo;s about you knowing me well enough not to waste my time. Bringing me moments that delight and inspire me. Creating an experience where I leave feeling &ldquo;filled up&rdquo; and not depleted; where you have made those things I most want readily available at an investment of my time and money where I am convinced that you are bringing me my delights as a special favor, and at a special price.   It&rsquo;s about exclusivity, or the illusion of exclusivity. The creation of a feeling that I am more trusted, more welcome, more relevant to your business than the average joe. It&rsquo;s about events where I will meet other people similarly important to you, and therefore, relevant to me.   It&rsquo;s about creating a clutter-free, hassle free moment in my life. Simplifying the choices to those that are most relevant and making the buying process fast, simple, and pain free. Showing me that I am important to you by being my &ldquo;personal shopper&rdquo; ahead of time, knowing how to bring me the indulgences and delights I crave!Elizabeth Brown, 12monthsofmarketing.net | Be InPulse Branding, Marketing & Design March 10, 2009 ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-16T11:18:58-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Buying.html">
<title><![CDATA[Ten Things We're Still Buying]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/Buying.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Consumer spending may be at all-time low, but there are plenty of things people can&#39;t seem to live with out. Hey, Big Spender, are you out there? You must be, since December 2008 sales amounted to $343.2 billion. What did you buy?While retailers suffer from shoppers changing their behaviors during recessions (mainly by abandoning brand loyalty), says Lindstrom, "There are certain things people won&#39;t give up."Personal care is one of them. That vast category includes everything from shaving cream to perfume to hairspray. From November 2007 to November 2008, U.S. sales of shampoo, acne treatments, skin care gift sets and grooming products increased by 18%, 14%, 11% and 15%, respectively, according to Karen Grant, senior beauty analyst at Port Washington, N.Y.-based market-research firm NPD Group.Consumer confidence is at its lowest point in history and, according to a Jan. 14 report released by the Commerce Department, retail sales were down 2.7% in December 2008 from November 2008 and 9.8% from December 2007.However, $343.2 billion is still something, not zero, meaning consumers still deem many items worthy of the original price tag, says Martin Lindstrom, a retail marketing expert and author of Buyology: Truth and Lies about What We Buy.In Depth: 10 Things We&#39;re Still BuyingConsumers are even still spending beyond the necessities in the personal-care category, it seems. At Nelson Bach, a North Andover, Mass.-based natural remedy company, year-over-year sales of its Rescue® Pastilles have doubled, according to company president Cynthia Batterman.She believes that in a tough economy, when 7.2% unemployment means an increase in those lacking health insurance, many turn to alternative therapies. Nelson Bach&#39;s gummy lozenges, made with flower essence of white chestnut, are said to offer natural stress relief. And at $7 a tin, they&#39;re a relatively inexpensive way to feel just a little bit better."When people put off going to the doctor, they&#39;re more likely to try self-treatment," says Batterman.Seeking an EscapeWhether used for keeping up appearances or curing minor ailments, personal care is--ultimately--about feeling good. Sometimes, that means buying products to escape the reality of the recession."Even if we can&#39;t afford to escape to Paris, we can still afford to buy perfume with &#39;Paris&#39; on the label," says Lindstrom.Read the full article from Forbes.com here. ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-12T11:53:59-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/inspire.html">
<title><![CDATA[Be Inspired!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/inspire.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Meet Brian Suhr and Kirsten Demant, the dynamic Danish team from Davines when they visit Seattle on Sunday April 19th! Brian and Kirsten bring grace and irony to their hairstyling, developing styles that are unconventional, yet in touch with changing fashion. Their work is an expression of creative brilliance, as they strike sparks off each other and keep their eyes open for inspiration from street style while traveling the world in search of new ideas. Their hallmark is ceaseless experimentation lived with enthusiasm and curiosity, fully in harmony with the Davines approach to life. Here&#39;s the buzz after a recent event Brian led in Canada:  "Brian was great. As an artist his work showed a wide variety of looks, proving his talents in both design and execution. It is difficult to create asymmetry that is pretty and not too 80s looking. He did it." TZ"Brian showed user-friendly techniques and presented both runway and commercial styles. It was a great show." DS Join Salon Services as we take a journey with Davines International Educators Kirsten Demant and Brain Suhr. In over 10 years with Davines they have developed a no boundaries approach to hair and a loyal cult following that is constantly blown away by their engaging techniques. They will interpret the Davines lifestyle through hair fashion that is street-inspired, glamorous, fashion-forward&mdash;and most importantly&mdash;wearable.This event will be fun, educational and inspirational. Watch this video to see Kirsten and Brian in action!    Sunday, April 19, 20096:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Herban Feast | 3200 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA Career Investment $99Call 800-251-4247 x226 to purchase your ticket. Save your cash&mdash;use your rewards dollars!]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-10T12:36:17-05:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/econinfulence.html">
<title><![CDATA[The Economic Influence: Spas and Skin Centers]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/econinfulence.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[This industry thrives on trends-the latest and greatest takes on what clients want and need from spas. Multiple spa publications, organizations and Web sites even grandly announce their top 10 lists for what will be big at the beginning of every year. This year, however, things are different; clients&#39; needs and wants have changed, and so the trends may not be as catchy or gasp-inducing or exotic beyond belief. This year, clients need and want spas to make skin maintenance and stress reduction accessible and affordable, and a variety of initiatives are taking place to make sure that happens.Skin maintenance vs. stress reductionThese battling concepts of maintaining skin health and soothing stress from the body are both crucial for clients, especially during this recession. Because of the level of stress that has been stoked by the economic downturn, clients require an escape from their worldly problems now more than ever. But they also need solid results in order to keep spa visits as must-haves in their budgets. "When things are tough, because of the field we&#39;re in, we focus on having a peaceful, serene environment. In stressful times, people need that. When they come here, they don&#39;t want to leave. We have to focus on addressing clients&#39; needs and looking at their stress levels," says Sandra Donovan, owner of Donovan&#39;s Serenity & Wellness Spa in Alpena, Michigan.Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica and a longtime proponent of skin maintenance, believes the recession has brought an end to pampering in the spa. "For me, skin therapy has nothing to do with luxury or relaxation. It&#39;s a necessity, a part of health and well-being like fitness or nutrition. Pampering and luxury doesn&#39;t resonate, and no consumer is going in that direction," she says.Of course, these opposing perspectives both have their merits and in the end, their balance will result in a happy, well-served clientele. "We need to try to reduce stress and be focused on results because clients don&#39;t have money to waste," says Donovan.Read the full article here ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-02T11:44:41-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/tax.html">
<title><![CDATA[Tax Breaks for You!]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/tax.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Read the PBA (Professional Beauty Association) Washington Update on the stimulus act and some of the tax breaks that YOU can take advantage of!  Stimulus & You: Individual Tax Breaks    President Barack Obama will sign the $787 billion federal stimulus package into law in Denver on Tuesday. The legislation includes billions of dollars in spending on items including infrastructure, education, tax breaks for individuals and businesses, help for unemployed workers and aid for state governments.Below is a snapshot of some of the individual tax breaks included in the Stimulus bill:&ldquo;Making Work Pay&rdquo; Tax CreditThe Stimulus bill cuts taxes for more than 95% of working families in the United States. For 2009 and 2010, the bill would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for working families.How you might benefit: About $116 billion would help people who make less than $75,000 a year (twice that for couples) and who have taxes withheld. Individuals will get $400; couples, $800. Individual beneficiaries will start to see about $15 extra per week in their paychecks starting in July. Next year, the $400-per-person benefit will be spread over 52 weeks, so the extra per paycheck will be closer to $7.50.Extension of AMT relief for 2009Each year, Congress creates a temporary fix to keep millions of people from paying the alternative minimum tax (AMT). This bill provides more than 26 million families with tax relief in 2009 by extending AMT relief for nonrefundable personal credits and increasing the AMT exemption amount by $70,950 for joint filers and $46,700 for individuals.How you might benefit: It is not applicable to 2008 taxes due on April 15. Those with 2009 earnings from $200,000 to $500,000 will get about $4,800 in 2010. For incomes of $75,000 to $100,000, the 2010 tax savings will be $500.Read the full article at www.probeauty.org. Be sure to sign up to receive The Washington Update - an e-newsletter designed to keep you informed on the latest legislative and regulatory news affecting the professional beauty industry. The Washington Update is published 8 times a year and delivered directly to your inbox., as it relates to you and your business! ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-02T11:04:21-06:00</dc:date>
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<title><![CDATA[Surviving the Economy]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/spaoffer.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Here is a great example from a local Salon & Spa of how to create a promotion around the tough economy (and the weather)!So, it&#39;s rough out there we all know this. The cold winter climate, the economic climate... You are an urban survivalist!  But, maybe right now you just need someone to rub your feet or receive a relaxing scalp massage. Add 15 minutes* as a love offering from me to you. Take some time for yourself.  Come in for a 30 or 60 minute facial and relax.  Maybe to rest your body for 15 more minute; do that if that&#39;s what you need.Receive my offering of survival: Add 15 minutes* to receive a lip or brow wax or to relax, renew and restore on your next scheduled appointment. My offering of survival to you; for you.A great idea! What kind of promotion ideas has your salon been working on? We would love to hear what has worked for you!  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-03-02T10:55:26-06:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/jamesalan.html">
<title><![CDATA[And For This I Am Grateful]]></title>
<link>http://www.salonservicesnw.com//blogs/jamesalan.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Congrats to the James Alan Salon! They have been selected as the winner of the Healthy Community Corporate Champion Award for their amazing contributions to the region&rsquo;s Neighborhoods and Communities. They will be featured in a special supplement to the May 8 issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal.Recently the staff at James Alan Salon in Shoreline, WA did an amazing community outreach event for the residents of Tent City, a Seattle-area homeless camp. James Alan Owner Matthew Fairfax shares his story about giving back and reminding us that "we are not doing hair; we are touching lives and building esteem".  What an incredible experience. Several weeks ago we were approached by community members asking if James Alan Salon would be willing to cut hair for the residents of Tent City. I&#39;m ashamed to admit, my initial reaction was - "Homeless people in the salon, really?" And then I thought, "Will my team even want to participate in this event?" I forwarded the e-mail on to Keri who heads up a lot of our Community Outreach work and asked what she thought. Without hesitation she said of course we should do it. We&#39;ve done homeless teens, why not Tent City. And with that, the ball was rolling.Within a week, we had our former co-owner, Keith McGlashan coming out of retirement for the day, 11 other team members, front desk team members and even an esthetician ready to participate. Shoreline Top Foods gave us muffins, Starbucks sent over coffee and treats, and Salon Services & Supplies NW donated a bunch of Brocato shampoo to send home with the participants.As we prepared for the event, many of the clients verbalized some of the same internal feelings I had felt. Surprisingly, some expressed what most of us only thought. "What about lice?" or "Are you worried about theft?" Amazing what fear of the unknown can conjure up in our minds.All of that disappeared in the first 5 minutes this morning. The first shuttle of Tent City residents showed up just before 10 a.m. The first thing we heard was - "Thank you so much for doing this - it means so much to us." One after another expressed their gratitude to the team. I was hooked. Then came Faye. She walked in with her hair matted and looking as though she had just woken up. She took a cup of coffee, sat down and drank in silence - her head looking down. Her fellow Tent City neighbors kidding her, trying to wake her up. Eventually, she was ready to go with Andrea to get her hair done, refusing her picture being taken. Forty minutes later, out came Faye, radiant with silky smooth hair. The reaction in the lobby was awesome. Friends, stylist and Barb, the coordinator of the event, collectively ooo&#39;d and awed over her hair. And the tears flowed down Faye&#39;s cheeks as she hugged Barb. At that moment it wasn&#39;t just Faye who was leaking tears. I was once again reminded that we are not doing hair; we are touching lives and building esteem. This was not to be the last emotional experience of the day. Time and again, the grateful Tent City residents left with a smile on their face and feeling just a little bit lighter. And each time my team felt gratitude for the opportunity to give back to our community. It seems so easy to dismiss those members of Tent City as people who have chosen to live that way. To turn away or pretend it is not there. It&#39;s uncomfortable to have to face things we don&#39;t understand. I am so grateful that today I have a new perspective on my fellow citizens and new friends of Tent City.Several years ago while talking with my minister, I told her I had always felt called to the ministry but for some reason just never really pursued it. She asked me, "What makes you think you are not already doing your ministry?" Today, I got it. Every day, my team and I minister to people. We don&#39;t do hair, we touch lives and for that I am grateful.Matthew Fairfax, James Alan SalonMatthew also runs Northern Torch Consulting and specializes in small business improvement, team building, employee retention, retreat facilitation and leadership skill development. Matthew is working with Salon Services to make our upcoming employee retreat a memorable event.  ]]></description>
<dc:date>2009-02-18T16:48:39-06:00</dc:date>
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