What They Don't Tell You at the Hair Salon: Just Let Me Introduce Myself

What They Don't Tell You at the Hair Salon: Just Let Me Introduce Myself: Occupy demonstrators Heather Gautney for the Washington Post Newspaper writes this about the collective voices of concerned and fed up ...

Just Let Me Introduce Myself

Occupy demonstrators

Heather Gautney for the Washington Post Newspaper writes this about the collective voices of concerned and fed up Americans who are participating in the history making demonstrations taking place across the country, Occupy Wall Street movement. “We are all leaders represents a real praxis, and it has a real history.” They are also my sentiments exactly. 

Who am I? Just let me introduce myself, I am Ladosha Wright. I am a Blogger. I am a managing and instructor of cosmetology in the state of Ohio. I feel the plight and the anguish of those who participate and support the demonstrators of the Occupy Movement. Cosmetologists in the greater Cleveland area are too concerned and fed up with the state of the cosmetology industry as it relates to education, jobs and laws.

We are all leaders. We too want to know, "how is that many have paid an excess of $16,000 (and more depending on when they graduated from cosmetology school) for an education in cosmetology, passed a state board examination and is somewhat ill prepared to meet the demands of the workforce?" Not being able to meet the demands of the job only means one thing, no job. For those who have a job in a salon, the starting pay is very low. In addition, the gradual climb to make a living above poverty level is a slow and hopeful one.

There are so many reports that the beauty industry generates well into the billions. To be more precise Giulia Heiman, a writer for an online information site About.com Guide writes, “according to the Economist Magazine, 160 billion dollars were spent in 2009 on beauty products and services. And this shows no sign of stopping.” My question to the writer of the Economist Magazine is exactly whose salary are you looking at that is a part of that 160 billion dollars? I know of no cosmetologist, nail tech or esthetician who generate a six figure gross or net salary. 

There are so many myths surrounding the careers of beauty professionals. Some examples are; the popular myth that our industry is recession proof, that it is a great alternative for those who cannot get into college and it is a great career to enter if you want to make fast cash is untrue. There are more myths, such as, this is a great career if you want to set your own hours, wear whatever clothes you like and work any place you want are also untrue. It is those kinds of myths that have contributed to the fall and demise of a great industry

I personally and professionally am fed up like those in the Occupy Movement with the fact that I am still paying back my student loan for an education cosmetology that misled me to make a life changing decision based on a lie from the admission officer who did my intake and prepared my financial aid. 

So like the demonstrators of the Occupy Movement, I told my story over and over until my voice was heard. Ohio Senator Shirley Smith heard my story. As a result, we put together a history making event for the voices of concerned beauty professionals in the greater Cleveland area to unite, meet and voice their concerns in a symposium. We are all leaders. Like those demonstrations in the Occupy Movement, I knew I was not alone.  Senator Shirley Smith, salon owners Monica Daniels-Green, Aziza Yasmine and Nuccio Basilisco offered their expertise to help grow the movement. The result was overwhelming. Close to 200 licensed beauty professionals gathered at The Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, where the Director of the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology Jim Trakas heard our voices.  

As a result, changes are being made as you read this blog and a second symposium will be held in North Royalton, Ohio on Monday, November 7^th.  The Occupy Movement was bound to happen sooner or later. President Obama stated in one of his State of the Union Addresses that there was a time in America when if you went to college or got some sort of trade, you were almost guaranteed a good job with a decent salary/wage, benefits and a degree of job satisfaction. He is right. I do remember those days. What is happening in our country where education means very little in the world of work?

We know one can only learn and be trained with so much based on the 1500 to 1800 hours required to become eligible to test to become a licensed beauty professional in the state of Ohio. Nevertheless, we want to get what we paid for. After all, just because you go to a community college doesn’t mean you will be receiving inferior education and will be earning less money.

So, just let introduce myself….