Fall is officially in the air when all you crave is a bowl of hot soup and some crusty bread.
My friend likes her soup creamy, while I prefer texture. Differences aside, the ritual of eating soup with someone is conversation enhancing.
I guess that’s one reason they call it ‘comfort food.’ Where was this taken? Good Spoon Soupery on Front Street.
Philadelphia is filled with brick and cobblestones. In this way it reminds me of Montreal. Built to endure. I wonder whether the next generation of building materials will leave such a legacy. In 100 years will we re-purpose the structures that are erecting today?
On her side, Tania imprinted in her repertoire the way I liked to do my hair. That said, she always asked what I wanted to do and loved it if I let her decide. I showed up on time, as a good client should do. If there was something I didn’t like, the fact that I was loyal made her feel safe enough to weather feedback.
Now Tania – at the time – worked in a small boutique salon. The owner didn’t do any promotions, and along the way, Tania wanted to grow her own business. She asked me what to do. I suggested Pinterest and Instagram which have since worked for her. Even and especially as she made her move to a large salon.
I have picked up some business insight through salon hopping that I want to share with you. As an entrepreneur, yogini and writer all in one, I know how to teach and learn. If we are attentive, we can see this gift and recycle it into useful information.
Some background. I left Montreal though still maintain contact with Tania. I appreciate her consistency even more now. I was a loyal client – did not chair hop at all. Until I moved to the states.
For a few brief years in New Jersey, I was also loyal to one salon. However, after I moved more than 10 minutes away (it soon took 45), I made my escape. I say escape because there was one occasion where the salon blamed me for their bad color job. “You asked for that” they said.
No I have dark hair and never asked for a blond streak. You weren’t paying attention because you were over booked and didn’t care all that much about my business. Also, I said I wanted to grow my bangs and you did what you wanted to do. Not what I asked. It was time to break up.
Break up, take a new direction. If it isn’t working, try something else. Whether you need find a new hairdresser or broaden your online presence with a new strategy.
Communication is key. The type of communication is even more important. A client should give clear directions. Providers need to inform. This way, there is less chance of misunderstanding. Also, both parties, when in doubt, should ask for clarity.
A skillful provider listens and aims to facilitate their client’s goals. Otherwise, the client should re-evaluate (see #1). However, sometimes one receives good advice but doesn’t want to listen. That is on you. Nonetheless, express yourself as the song says.
Sometimes consistency and resilience builds loyalty. Other times it isn’t in the cards. I have learned to aim for brand loyalty and steady business (trust). To build a regular client portfolio. In tandem, looking for growth and opportunity factors in that life involves some flux.
Sometimes the customer or provider is not our ‘kind of client.’ I set this stage so you will understand the type of client I am. You can please me. I give chances when the situation warrants them. I am a professional and expect this in return.
However, since my move to Philadelphia, salon hopping is all I’ve done. Why is that? Here are the top 5 reasons why I won’t go back for more.
Curiosity got the better of me so I turned sleuth and contacted my friend, Cristy Galster. You may know her if you live in Delaware. She owns Robert Cris Salon. I asked her several questions to get first hand insight into the phenomena known as salon hopping.
I absolutely discourage salon hopping. I think the only one who suffers is the client, even though it is their doing. If you’re going to salon-hop, do it for styling only while you interview for a stylist or colorist. Salon hopping and chemical services are never a good idea. The client doesn’t always remember what they told their previous colorist, and the new colorist has no idea what the previous colorist(s) has done to the hair. Too many “cooks in the kitchen” can lead to disastrous results.
Communication is key!! I prefer to have a consultation with any potential clients so that we can both determine if we are a good fit for each other. In my experience, the consultation is the most important part of the service, but it is always where both parties fall short. Clients try to speak in “our language” which ultimately confuses the professional, and the professional doesn’t ask the right questions which confuses the client. It ends up being a losing situation all the way around. I personally prefer that clients bring pictures so that we can dissect it and fully understand each other.
Junior and senior stylists are totally different. Junior stylists tend to be more passionate, but lack experience. Senior stylists have experience, can still be passionate but are usually not as open to criticism or new techniques because what they’ve done in the past has always worked, which can be the beginning of the end because the beauty industry is about the next new style. You have to stay current in this industry or you will be left behind.
Word of mouth has worked in the past, but with social media our industry has really changed in the last five years. I am currently working on our social media presence as well as revamping our current space. I believe in investing in our clients. What has worked for our employees is to reward our clients with a complementary haircut when they refer a few of their friends to see their stylist. Premiere Philadelphia is a huge industry show that is happening this weekend for the first time. I hope to be inspired as I attend all of the classes. Btw my website needs A LOT of work!!
What’s next? Hopefully we will soon have some kick ass content on Cristy’s site soon. Her aim to invest in her clients can be targeted in our content strategy. For now, this blog has provided her with a back link, some great press, and shareable content. What lessons will you learn today as you #livelocal?
Living in Philadelphia, one of my weekly pleasures is to go to one of the local farmers markets. I’ve been to Rittenhouse Square, HeadHouse and Redding Terminal Market. Lately, I go on Sundays to the new market on Front Street near Hope. It is in its initial stages and getting the kinks out.
I’m due for a visit to Redding actually. I know my fish guy Eduard is wondering what happened to me. Al, my butcher already knows I’ve been busy because I ran into him on the El. Point being I still favor the same stalls whether in one city or another. I still favor connecting.
The local farmers markets I frequent tend to be the friendly ones. The places where you can say “hey my husbands steak was chewy last week. Is it my cooking or should we try a different cut?”. And they say, “try this, I won’t charge full price. You let me know if you like it next week”. There is a certain familiarity involved. I’m not trying to get anything free, but I do typically shop where they earn my business and respond to my needs. In return, they get consistent business. Great ROI.
Now if you are someone I don’t buy from, let me explain. Either I just don’t need what you are selling. Or, you are flat out too expensive. I understand you represent fresh and organic. That your product is good quality. No argument.
But local farmers markets should want return business (see point #1). All businesses should want return business – what I am even saying! They should spend some time understanding the neighborhood – their client and audience. And many do. It’s what makes them enjoyable to support.
The newest market in Philly that I’m watching is the one in Olde Kensington/Fishtown. There are some things I think are well done, some that are evolving, and some that a few of us are perplexed by. Remember, I build relationships and that involves talking to flesh out interesting data.
I’ll give an example. Around here, the rare house has a flower garden. Apart from the small selection at Acme, I have seen some local florists sell their bouquets both at this new market and at Riverwards.
Now Riverwards is a bit overpriced. But it sells produce that is fresh and local so I do go. I’m definitely drawn to the flower sections at these places, but there is no way I am going to pay $18 + for wild flowers. I feel this price is exorbitant. I can’t justify it my grocery budget. Instead, I’ll just go across to Greensgrow and buy a $5 fern. The few people I mentioned this to agree. Don’t take advantage of your community people. It isn’t going to work for you long term.
The wild flower controversy makes me wonder- does this stall have a long term strategy? Do they appreciate the value of consistent buyer loyalty? By comparison, there are some folks who are really making an effort. They seem to want the market to grow and expand. Hellos are interchanged along with very light conversation. Cudos to Lost Bread and Good Spoon.
Relationship building is a cornerstone of successful local businesses. In this case, I am sure the local farmers markets in Philadelphia would agree. I’m certain its a key component of success period. Today’s customer wants to shop where it’s responsive. If not, you wouldn’t care if your site was mobile friendly. FYI if I ever post on your social media feed and you don’t answer, I hit delete. Let’s keep the ‘social’ in social media please.
Check out a local farmers market and see what it teaches you about brand identity, engagement, and strategy. Stop and enjoy the bread, soup, food trucks, PA cider, produce and more along the way. It’s a really nice way to learn and #livelocal.
Today’s installation of #LiveLocal is a reflection on inequality. As a yogini for over 20 years, I notice many inequalities in my body. One shoulder higher, one groin stiffer, one hamstring looser. It’s all the more pronounced when you practice. These things are visible in the apparent strength of some muscles, and the weaknesses in others.
The topic of inequality came up for me today because I took a yoga class in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, I took a yoga workshop. It was very hard to work with the inequality in my body. The dominant parts were moving faster and not letting the weaker parts get stronger.
See, the goal is to honor differences while striving towards more harmony. Moving as one. Perhaps the front thighs could soften while the back middle buttock band could firm up? I think yoga prepares us to think about, if not move towards, equality, first in our body.
I did a google search to see which query comes up first in organic traffic. The question it seems is “what best defines inequality?” Underneath, there was a quote by the University of Edinburg. They say,
“Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are not treated differently or less favorably , on the basis of their specific protected characteristic, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age.
Promoting equality should remove discrimination in all of the aforementioned areas. Bullying, harassment or victimization are also considered as equality and diversity issues.”
So obviously…there are many layers to inequality. My question is where did it come from? Why did it start?
I think tracing an answer back to its source is important. It gives you a better grasp of who or what made the decision to be stronger. Why is it that women don’t feel equal to men? Where did that come from? Why did it start? Why is my left hip less painful? Where did that come from? Where did it start? You get the gist.
A dose of reflection on inequality is certainly one way to stay humble and compassionate. On and off the mat. Enjoy the lessons learned from being in your community..#livelocal!
I was at a course last week called Intro to Content Strategy over at GDI in Center City, Philadelphia.
Great setting for break out hands-on practice with other participants. Our task, by the end of the course, was to develop a Content Strategy for a non-profit. But, we first were asked to define content strategy by teacher, David Dylan Thomas.
If you’re wondering what content strategy is, the Content Marketing Institute has this to say; “Content marketing strategy, content strategy, and content plan. People often use these terms interchangeably (which is understandable, as the lines are somewhat blurry), but each is a bit different.” It’s a good article to refer to.
Content Strategy is loosely “anything that delivers a message in a specific context.”
Here’s an example. Take any item on your desk or your person. That bottle of water you are drinking, or the watch you are wearing. Those lavender wipes that you de-stress with. In itself, it is a thing.
Now, frame the shot and photograph it (in your mind’s eye). Think of how that picture could be interpreted by others who see it.
What might they think?
What do you want them to think?
Can you line up the visual so that your audience gets the point?
For instance, if you were trying to sell the thing, would you make money? If you are attempting to inform, would anyone think you were an expert?
Once you have the image, caption it – “refreshing” or “durable.”
Think of how you’re going to share it. After all, its a fantastic photo, kick ass caption and everyone ‘has to see this!’ Would you write a blog? Use it on a CD cover? Research elements for an article? Upload to social media? Work it into your website?
When it comes to content strategy, you want to plan things (pun intended) out so they achieve your goals. What you do today affects tomorrow.
“Meditation may help us see that this path we call our life has direction; that it is always unfolding, moment by moment; and that what happens now, in this moment, influences what happens next.” – Jon Kabat- Zinn
Mindfulness practice teaches us to be attentive. It isn’t about hanging on tightly to a goal the way we do in business. Yet we learn to move towards a specific direction. A mindful mind can act with clarity.
The clarity illuminates the path. That’s why I believe content strategy involves mindfulness.
You can read more about Olde Kensington in an article I wrote for Homes.com. It was really fun to actively research and get to meet some local business owners.
I can describe the Start (it) Up Energy as a melting pot of words. Youthful, professional, gritty, established with a side of modern. It has the ability to pull people in with anticipation. Perfect example – Honeygrow is opening its first test kitchen in Fishtown.
Start (it) Up energy is also a forcefield of continuing development. It spawns a lot of construction and entrepreneurship. Does this follow in the path of hipster friendly venues? Tattoo parlors, thrift shops, breweries, yummy grub?
Start (it) up energy and development go hand in hand of course. Someone sees potential, has the capital to act and re-shape a cultural landscape. The people who gravitate to this type of environment like the idea of being in on something that is growing. I do.
Start (it) Up Energy to be sure causes repercussions. Demographic shifts, surge in home values, garbage, opportunity, crime rates. There is a good article that explains gentrification in Philly here.
Gentrification is a big part of this energy. Yet not all areas that are gentrifying have start-it-up energy. Food for thought.
It occurred to me today that the expression ‘breaking bread’ may have stemmed from the fact that in the olden days (before white bread), the loaves were dense. Maybe their bread knives failed like mine and people had to literally tear a piece off the loaf. I visualize the bread being passed along a table in a room painted SALON DRAB (Farrow and Ball).
Yes, ‘breaking bread’ is a play on ‘breaking bad’.
I think it is usually an expression related to eating, and I have certainly enjoyed many shared tables of stimulating conversation and yummy food. The loaf above is from Lost Bread and I had it with this Big Spoon spread called chai spice.Breaking bread with others has connotations of community. Community is my topic in this installment of #LiveLocal. This week I met a few new neighbors and we introduced two fellows (pilots) to each other who have crossed paths but never met. It felt fortuitous. And, it symbolizes what my husband has wanted for a long time – a neighborhood, community and roots.
I also met some neighbors from a few streets over. We were chatting about issues pertaining to a developer. Again, community. Getting together from across fences has a very powerful vibe. Especially when you share a concern like basement flooding. Half our block got water this week. Bye rug, you will be missed but not replaced.
On that note, I walked into a store in Old City (Parisa) just for fun and ended up meeting the lovely owner and taking a photo which is perfect for an upcoming article for my client, Homes.com. This after a trip to Moko Beauty where I met the talented Monique. It seemed like my day was replete with exchanges between people in the community. A day of breaking bread.
Thanks for reading
I am drawn to doors and doorways. The mere act of opening a door takes courage sometimes, in special occasions. As you open a door, who knows – you might confront the unknown.
There are cliches associated with opening a door too. And symbols. Like opportunity. Freedom – getting out or going in.
The experience of walking through a door can be unique. In the sense that sometimes when you open a door the experience on the other side can be transformative. First time meetings, feelings etc. You can fill in the blanks.
Alternatively it can be routine or ordinary, like when you come home. Unless that stresses you out. Anyway, the doorways of Philly are really something to take notice of. I think many of them I must walk by dozens of times. Here are some stand-out doorways from around and about.
This red door in Northern Liberties makes me think of the expression ‘opportunity knocks’ and has those high columns that feel like either wisdom or judgement. I had a meeting there. I also feel like it says ‘rehab’ on it. Some of the older features kept (it was a church) but it’s also modern, functional and bold.
This turquoise door is set in brick (with the sun just so…) says calm, and reminds me of space, sky and ocean. It’s in a building that has kept lots of its brickness and vibes of tech, yoga and a cross between Brooklyn and Old Montreal.
This elegantly carved wood doorway on Walnut Street seems to say ‘get grounded!’ Super earthly and elegant. I have some of this wood carving at home and it definitely reminds me of Montreal boutiques. Some of which I know are no longer around.
Stay tuned and #livelocal
The Philadelphia Rowhome is the predominant style of housing in the city. If you are buying or selling a house in Philadelphia, chances are it is a row house. Row houses are everywhere, from old city to Roxborough. They come in various shapes and sizes from the smallest that measure in at 400 square feet to the more modern styles that are graced with one car garages.
To know the history of the Philly row and look beyond the (sometimes) homogeneous facade, offers some great insight into what you might look to own or, market to sell. Read more about Row homes in the full article for Homes.com here
While the lack of foyer is not something I like, I’m starting to appreciate the compartments of the home. At times, the shared walls make me feel connected to some neighbors and community. At the same time, we all value our privacy.
Yes, the row is growing on me. Whereas I once thought the row home didn’t have any personality, I now look at at the facade and wonder what unique features lie behind them. How do the owners make use of their space? Does each floor have its own personality?
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