Highlights to Heaven Read Free Page B

networking and exchanging ideas. When we first opened, we had a high turnover. After talking to several people at TSA, I realized the ambience in my salon didn’t offer anything special.”
    “But this place is fantastic.”
    “The decor is exceptional, no?” He tapped her arm. “But I’m not talking about the physical setup. If you want to keep personnel, you have to offer them an environment they won’t want to leave. Continuing education is one of our main thrusts. You have to keep yourself fresh and provide a comfort level so new stylists aren’t afraid to ask questions. They want more than money and medical benefits. Every two months, we have a meeting where we conduct training sessions and practice new trends. The entire staff is responsible for our success, not just any one of us. That’s why you shouldn’t hire just anyone off the street. You need people with enthusiasm and passion to join your team, and you must provide opportunities for them to grow.”
    “Having a good location helps, too,” Marla muttered, noting the jewelry adorning most of his yuppie clientele. Las Olas was a tourist mecca, and the winter season saw pedestrians crowding the sidewalks. His salon was located in a perfect locale to attract walk-ins as well as regulars. He offered good advice, though. She had to try harder to fill her vacancies.
    “Come, I’ll give you a tour.”
    His hair had grown thinner, although its light wheat color didn’t run counter to his fifty-something years. He had covered his gray in a natural manner that Marla admired. As her former mentor pointed out the accoutrements at each station, she observed his effeminate gestures with growing interest.
    “We have fourteen styling stations, six shampoo chairs, four nail-care consoles, three rooms for facials, waxing, and massage, plus a color lab,” Cutter boasted with a slight nasal twang.
    “What’s over there?” Marla indicated a couple of booths where customers hunched in front of computers.
    “Those are Internet stations. Clients can surf the Web while they wait for their timers to ring. They also like to play with our digital imaging services. It shows how they might look with different cuts, styles, and colors.”
    You’re a little too high-tech for me, pal . Providing quality customer service was her priority. A good scalp massage with a shampoo went a long way toward making your client feel relaxed, not to mention promoting healthy hair. That was more important than all this machinery, in her opinion.
    “I’m impressed,” she murmured instead. “Tell me, are you still doing your signature highlights? I remember you tried to teach us in class, but no one could get it right. It’s the blend of different levels you use, plus the technique.”
    He beamed widely. “Naturally, you must have the requisite talent. So much of what we do is pure artistry.”
    Baloney. You just didn’t want to give away your secret . “I think I met one of your customers. I recognized your distinctive highlights pattern. It’s such a great look, Cutter, that I was hoping to learn the technique. Maybe now that I’m more experienced, I could grasp the principles. Are you willing to teach me?”
    “You’ll have to come to one of my seminars, dear.” His voice had lost some of its warmth. “I work for Regis in my spare time. We do a lot of their photo shoots here.”
    “I see. Do you have a mailing list so I can be notified when you’re doing one of the workshops?”
    “I’ll be sure to let you know.” Grasping her by the elbow, he steered her toward the reception area. “How do you like the West Broward location? I’ve been thinking about opening another salon out there.”
    “You want to expand?”
    “Why not? We’ve gained quite a reputation.” He lifted his narrow nose in the air.
    “Sounds like you’re busy enough already.”
    “Having a business plan is what makes it happen. If you take in good money, you can do what you want. You should make in