You Don't Own a Salon. You Own A Business.
In his latest blog, Leon Alexander Ph.D., challenges industry conventional thinking to help owners add more to their bottom lines.
Remembering Jill
As stylist Jill Etzold Kester was losing her battle with breast cancer in 2004, one of the last promises that salon owner Barbara Nolasco her was to start a foundation to help other stylists in her condition. Through the Jill Foundation, and a multi-salon cut-a-thon, that's happening.
October 11, 2012
2 min to read
Stylist Elisa Griego, with her daughters Angelina and Gabriela, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and is in the process of chemotherapy. As she prepared for surgery this month, she was honored with a $2,500 check as the first recipient of the Jill Foundation.
In early 2004, stylist Jill Etzold Kester was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and although she fought hard, she lost her battle that October, leaving behind two young daughters. She was just 43 years old.
Kester worked at Artistic Hair, owned by Barbara Nolasco, in Orange County, California. Like many other salons in the 1990s, Artistic Hair had been inspired by MODERN SALON’s Mirror Image campaign to organize an annual cut-a-thon for breast cancer awareness, and since its first event in 1998, which raised $1,500, Nolasco had donated the money to the American Cancer Society.
“Shortly before she died, Jill and I were together in her hospital room, and she was adamant about me starting a foundation for stylists in her condition,” says Nolasco. “Jill had always been involved in our cut-a-thons and she thought the money could aid stricken stylists who struggled to pay bills when they couldn’t work. Our 2004 cut-a-thon was our most successful, raising $12,000. A week later, Jill lost her battle.”
The team from Artistic Salon in Orange County, California, at last year's cut-a-thon to raise funds for the Jill Foundation. This year, three other salons will join the effort to raise money for the new philanthropy that aids local hairdressers battling health issues.
Nolasco made Jill’s dream a reality, when she launched The Jill Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that aids stylists in Orange County who are facing breast cancer. While the cut-a-thon remains the foundation’s main fund-raising tool, this October Artistic Hair is getting help, as four other local salons pledged to help raise funds in a joint event.
“Typically, hairdressers don’t have great insurance, and as a group, we avoid going to the doctor which means we find out about illnesses like cancer later when they are more difficult to treat,” says Nolasco. “This industry is so giving, and we thought it was time that we unite and work together to help our own.”
While the foundation is still in its infancy, Nolasco has plans to grow the effort and reach of the foundation. “We’re taking it slow, but who knows what this could become.”
To find out more the foundation and how your salon can get involved, visit thejillfoundation.org.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Salon Management
Are Your Stylists Doing Free Hair on Your Time? Introducing the 'Win-Win' Staff Services Playbook
In her latest blog, Amy Pal helps you develop your own clear guidelines around complimentary free employee services.
Caring for Your Caregivers at the Front Desk
From managing air traffic on busy days to handling frustrated guests' complaints, your front desk team often serves as the salon's emotional shock absorber. From a customer service lesson from the DMV to a list of strategies for caring for your front line, our experts offer ideas for alleviating stress, celebrating wins, and setting goals.
by Stacey Soble
What's Really Happening with Salon Retail and How to Reclaim Your Revenue
According to the KIM Report, top-line salon revenue appears steady or slightly up, but that growth is driven primarily by service price increases. Beneath the surface, retail performance and client visit frequency (appointment drift) are under real pressure. In his latest blog, Alain Audet offers strategies for keeping your salon's retail sales strong.
Trimming Your Tax Bill by Putting Family on the Payroll
Putting your family to work in the salon offers some real tax benefits, but you have you have to play by the rules of the tax code to claim them. Azarvand Tax Law's Leticia Skrabut, Esq., shows you how.
The Art of the WOW Experience
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
Why Wellness Belongs on Your Salon's Growth Plan
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salons can grow with this movement.
Why Your Revenue Looks Good But Your Business Feels Stressed and What to Do About It
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Why Your Holiday Season is Won in September
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
Appearance Standards are the New Dress Code
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
Working Through the Gray Areas of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
5 Things Every New Stylist Should Learn Early
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
The Four Numbers Every Salon Owner Should Know
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Your Salon Can't Survive Without You. That's the Problem.
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Waiting for the Right Time Is a Decision. Here's What It's Costing You.
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A Partner in Business and in Life
At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.
by Stacey Soble
Back to Business with the Pinstripe Trend
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
by Stacey Soble