On July 13,  the same day that California’s governor announced the state was largely closing down again, the International SalonSpa Business Network reached out to members with an industry white paper titled “Hair Salons: A Licensed Industry Prepared to Stay Open.”

“As many states have seen surges, we believe there will be continued unpredictability and increased likelihood that additional shut downs may occur,” wrote ISBN Government Relations Committee Chair Rhoda Olsen of Great Clips on behalf of the ISBN Board. “We believe that salons should be allowed to stay open, given their regulated processes.”

Both the U.S. and Canadian versions of the white papers emphasize the following facts:

• Salons are one of few retail businesses that are licensed, inspected and already comply with aggressive safety and sanitation processes.

• Salons are well positioned to remain open and fully comply with additional requirements.

• Salons are continuously inspected by the state boards of cosmetology.

• Salon owners have made significant investments to open safely.

• Initial demand was high, but business has fallen off and any additional shut downs would increase the likelihood of more significant financial stress for the salon owner and stylist.

• Licensed professionals/salons and are well prepared to execute all disinfecting and required processes effectively.

“White Papers have been effective in communicating our strength as an industry,” Olsen says. “We will continue to monitor state and provincial activity and ask for your help in identifying states where voter voice advocacy campaigns or other efforts may be helpful.”

Click here to access the white papers.