May 2008
CALFORNIA
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 944226 • Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Information: 1-800-952-5210 | www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
In 2007, SB 797, which would have continued the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board), was held in committee under submission. Due to inaction from the state legislature, the bill died.
It is now anticipated that the Board will become inoperative on July 1, 2008. In accordance with Business and Professions Code section 101.1 (b)(1), the Department of Consumer Affairs (Department) will succeed to and will be vested with all of the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities and jurisdiction of the Board and Executive Officer that is not otherwise repealed or made inoperative.
While the transition of a Board to a Bureau is unfamiliar territory for some of us, it is not foreign to the Department. It has occurred on several occasions in the past. The most recent occurrence involved the California State Athletic Commission, which was sunset for a six-month period. During that period of time, the Commission’s responsibilities were carried out as a program under the Department. The program continued to operate and consumer protection was not compromised in any way. Just as the Director sought the advice of licensed professionals and the public on matters concerning boxing and the protection of boxers and consumers during the period the Commission was sunset, the Director would do the same in this case.
For purposes of planning, the Department is operating under the assumption that there will be a period of time (minimum of six months) when the functions of the Board will transition to a Bureau within the Department.
The Department intends to work with Board staff to ensure continuity of service to consumers and licensees. Towards that end, the Department anticipates nearly all functions to be carried out as they are today. Staff will continue to exercise judgment and perform administrative functions relative to licensing, enforcement, and consumer protection. The only difference is that, instead of reporting to a Board, they will report to the Director through a subordinate Bureau Chief.
With respect to public and professional input, the Department fully intends to establish one or more advisory committees that will meet publicly and provide the Director with policy direction similar to what currently occurs under the Board structure. Members of the Board will have opportunities to participate. The only anticipated difference is that instead of the Board making final decisions, the Director will do so.
In summary, the Department is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and appreciates the Board’s staff commitment to reaching the same end.
As we head into the uncharted waters of uncertain economic times, we are assured of one outstanding fact for our beauty industry. We are essentially recession proof.
This was true in the 1980s and in the 1990s. But what does this mean? It means that as long as we take great care of our clients, offer superior customer service and perform our services beyond their expectations, we will weather the oncoming storm. Recession doesn’t mean that our clients don’t have the money; it just means they will be careful how they spend it and if they are not happy, they will spend it elsewhere.
Image and marketing also play a large part in establishing your identity and making sure that it is in alignment with the way you want to brand your salon. One way to expand market share is to diversify and broaden the appeal of your services.
With the aging of the baby boomer generation, many are targeting the desires and needs of this once youthful group. With the boomers now cashing their first social security checks, they are seeking wellness and services that will keep them looking good beyond the middle years. Thus, the boom in hair color and treatment services that do everything from camouflage the gray and fight wrinkles to products that combat the aging process in the hair and on the skin. They want to look hip in the corporate boardroom and sexy in the bedroom. When it comes to this market, they may be getting older, but they couldn’t look better doing it.
The multi-cultural market is another market long overlooked. Clients with ethnic hair only patronize those salons they think understand their hair textures. Many are now going to multi-cultural salons where the diversity of texture is the order of the day. The array of techniques and products that are available to anyone who wants to draw this fashion forward and quality driven clientele is theirs to market to. From hair enhancements such as braids, weaves and extensions to new and more friendly chemical texturizing products, there is much to offer this culturally diverse segment.
The focus on the long overlooked male market is something that has been addressed seriously only in the last 10 to 15 years. Where the barber culture once ruled this domain, a new breed of upscale male oriented styling and grooming salons are flourishing. Offering everything from traditional shaves to facials for men and from classic barbering to precision haircutting, the men’s grooming arena is growing and claiming a place of its own on the industry map. There is also a growth in hair color for men, whether to make a fashion statement or to turn back the clock and blend away the gray.
Many in the industry are also focusing on the future with child-oriented salons. Beauty-makeover birthday parties and salons with chairs that look like racecars and airplanes create a child-friendly environment that is good for the children and parents alike. It is a good thing for the parents to deal with their kids’ hair needs in their environment rather than forcing the children into the adult salon culture. Franchises of these types of salons are growing at a brisk pace, indicating a healthy new niche market is emerging.
In the end, it’s the salons and stylists with the most satisfied clients that win in any economic time. Superior service, great creative and quality driven work plus savvy marketing opens new frontiers with regard to your future new clients. It will assure your continued and prosperous growth in the days to come.
CALFORNIA
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 944226 • Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Information: 1-800-952-5210
www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Staff Members:
Kristy Underwood — Executive Officer
Denise Johnson — Assistant Executive Officer
Theresa Rister — Board Analyst
Board Members:
Jerry Tyler — President
Richard Hedges — Vice President
Marlene Gadinis • Frank Lloyd • Jerri Ann Walters DeeDee Carlson • Ken Williams • Socorro Farias
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology does not endorse any article, product, advertisement, or service contained in this newspaper. If you have any questions or concerns about the contents of any article in this newspaper you believe may affect you as a licensee, you may write to: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, P.O. Box 944226, Sacramento, California, 94244-2260
