What is a team?

IF you ask Wikapedia, it is this...

A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize his/her strengths and minimize his/her weaknesses. Team members need to learn how to help one another, help other team members realize their true potential, and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond their limitations.

Here is how the definition of TEAM applies to our school...

This time each year our students are getting ready for some HUGE events. InSalon is just one of them. It is a hair show and student competition in St. Paul, MN that we attend and compete in every year. This event is a big deal for us because it is our opportunity to prove our talent and take home trophies to add to our collection of talented students and industry leaders for Josef's.

As we prepare for this event, I can't help but notice how our school really demonstrates the definition of team.  Here are some examples of things I have observed:

Our NEWEST students  (who started school in September) are attending the show - but with the main agenda of cheering on the rest of our student body. They have been encouraging the other students and are making signs to hold during the competition to show their support...

This in turn has helped one of our New Talent students Carrie to go forward with confidence and know that she will be supported at the event...

Because she is supported, she has passed on some of her confidence to Sarah, who after some serious personal conflicts was thinking about dropping out of the competition, but now is going forward...

These examples are just a few compared to what is actually going on daily right now as our students really maximize their TEAM'S potential.

Our amazing instructors, including Mr. Mario and Mr. Joseph are so important in this competition as they encourage and help the students realize their true potential and create an environment that allows everyone to go beyond their limitations.

If you happen to be at InSalon this weekend - look for the beautiful team of people - all supporting each other and all wearing this year's Josef's t-shirt.  Feel free to join us - as we always have room for more - if you want to know the love and kindness that our team has to share.

Best of luck to everyone and a special thank you to our models for your time and commitment too! We love you all so much!

Red Carpet Dreams come TRUE for Hairstylists! Join me...

Come and take a trip with me....ready?

We are guests at a fabulous event for Cosmetologists at the Downtown Minneapolis Convention Center.  We pull up to the Hilton hotel and the energy has already arrived with the bustle of beautiful women and men - all dressed well with gorgeous hair.

Upon arrival we receive a gift bag so heavy we have permanent shoulder dents from carrying the bags of products and hair supplies back to our luxurious hotel room. We are giddy with delight as we  can't wait to try them out and maybe even share with our friends back home!

Next stop - our first meal. We are surprised to see that we will be dining with 3,000 people total! The room is elegantly put together and the food is so delicious! After dinner we are to meet in another room for the entertainment of Dana Carvey.  We walk in and are greeted with the smell of popcorn and all the candy we can eat, all while we laugh so hard we cry.

The next day begins with great food and amazing speakers. The entire day is filled with education, fun, hair competitions, hair products, energy that only Cosmetologists can bring and an inner peace knowing you just may have the BEST "job" ever.

As day turns to night - it is time to get our evening gowns. From cocktail dresses to ballgowns, we walk into the most gorgeous room filled with unbelievable creativity, beauty, uniqueness and the best people watching event you will ever find!

During the evening we are overwhelmed as the MC's of the night announce award after award recognizing so many for their continued efforts in our profession.  What strikes us is the genuine support and love this group of 3,000 people has for each other. They whistle, cheer and cry in celebration as their friends, managers, leaders, mentors, co-workers and family members get called on stage in recognition.   The night concludes with a dance party and conversation amongst friends.

The next day is a conclusion of the last two days, more awards and a hair show that always brings excitement in our industry! To showcase unique talent and be continuously inspired and send us all back home with a little piece of love, influence, ah-ha moments and forever changed is a mission accomplished!

As we drive home exhausted, yet filled to the brim - I must ask - aren't you glad you came with?

Happy 30th Birthday Great Clips! Thank you for inviting us to celebrate with you!  http://www.salontoday.com/news/Great-clips-172292341.html?ref=341

College Fairs

You know fall is here when you see a caravan of college cars traveling across your state to visit high school students and help them make informed decisions about their future plans.

I have the pleasure of doing this for Josef's School of Hair Design - where I get to talk about every one's favorite subject - HAIR, MAKE-UP, NAILS, BEAUTY, CREATIVITY and FUN!

What a joy to meet hundreds of young people every fall and each person is so beautiful, unique and inquisitive about what their future could hold.  It is so exciting to know that they have their entire future ahead of them. It is also a great responsibility to guide them in the right direction.

Is Cosmetology, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology or Skin Aesthetics the right direction?

No one can answer this question for you. They will try. Really try! Some will push you to do it - because maybe you have done their hair for prom and they know you are good. (I am the one who pushed my aunt into this profession and 20 years later she is rocking the industry and even just did hair for Wilson Phillips.) Some will warn you not to - tales of bad hours and low pay. (For this, I suggest you do your own math and define for yourself what you consider "bad"hours.) Family and friends and college reps will all try to give you insight to your best future possible.

However - you and you alone are living this life - so you need to tap into what feels natural, exciting and something you can be passionate about!

Scary? Maybe.
Exciting? YES!

My advice - do your OWN research! Tour as many colleges as you can. Job shadow as many people as you can. Find out what is important to you - money? benefits? vacation? family? ASK people you know who are living the good life. How did they get there? Steps they took. LISTEN! They might have good advice. ;) 


I will leave you with some links that may help clear up some things about our industry.
www.bloom.com  www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com www.jsohd.com

Why do you want to be a part of our New Talent Team?

Josef's has a New Talent Team that our students are able to be promoted to upon demonstration of skills, qualification of hours and grades, a letter of intent and an interview. Our New Talent team gets to be a part of special events and education. I thought I would share with you tidbits of the letters submitted this month:

Josef's School of Hair Design has taught me to do many things I never thought I could do. This school has made me stronger and more confident in myself. My passion for hair as increased greatly! I love it more than ever before!

While at Josef's I have had the thrill of competing in the Josef's Annual Fashion Awards as well as the Spring Photo Awards. Josef's has allowed me to improve my skills through the numerous advanced classes and experiences offered to me.

Josef's has helped me grow as an individual and become dedicated in something I have a passion for.

Thank you for considering me as a member of the New Talent Team. It is an honor and I am grateful to be reassured that I have chosen the career meant for me.  

 

 

Why I chose Josef's West... by Sarah Ritter

My life-changing decision happened during my senior year at school when I decided to go to Cosmetology School at Josef's West Academy, Fargo.

Deciding factors for me were: Affordability, Quality of Education and Location

During my school visit, I realized quickly that Josef's is so much more than these factors. Tuition includes fab equipment and books and at West I even got additional skin care education.  I am graduating as a "triple-threat" in the industry because I am well trained in hair, skin and nails!

I could also tell during the visit that the environment was one of a supportive family and the instructors were very involved in the students' education.

All the information I gathered during the tour made me so excited to start school!

As I am graduating, I KNOW that I chose the right school. My training was excellent - all the advanced classes were so helpful! The instructors are so knowledgeable and my classmates made school fun and a positive place to be.

                                      Sarah with one of her clients at Josef's West Academy