15th May 2025
Go on …. jump …. take that risk …. feel that FEAR …. reap the rewards.
If you never do it, you’ll never know. FEAR stops us from doing things in life that we, later on, look back on and think …. what if?
Recently, on holiday, I was faced with doing a zip wire challenge, and as I am not the most adventurous thrill seeking person, I was filled with FEAR! To add to my FEAR factor, it wasn’t one long zip wire, it was 8 short to medium length wires which would have me hurtling across ravines in a state of sheer panic. The first one was very short and I managed it without too much effort, believe that if you will 🤣. The second was longer and the drop was steeper and I clung onto the wires so tightly that I ripped my bicep …. #OUCH …. The choice I was faced with was to not continue, trek through a rain forest on my own to get back to the start point, or continue. I decided to face the FEAR factor and continue, and after completing all 8, I was elated, it was such a sense of achievement and I was glad I made the right choices. Choice No.1 was to do it, choice No.2 was to continue and push through the pain barrier and continue facing my FEAR.
And what on earth has that got to do with salon life? It’s all about the fact FEAR holds us back from doing things that might end up being brilliant choices, not only for the business, but also for the salon owner, the salon team and the clients.
Doing something that pushes us out of our comfort zones is always challenging, it’s the FEAR of the unknown, but until we try, we never know. Changing product suppliers does not involve as much FEAR as hurtling across a deep ravine on a thin wire, but it does involve risks. What if you decide to change and then the products you choose don’t deliver? What if you move to a different colour house and the tones aren’t what you expected? Those kind of changes are ones you have to seriously look at before you make the move to something new. That’s why independent, salon exclusive brands offer you the chance to get to know their products before you commit. Here’s a fact …. testing out new shampoo, conditioner, styling and finishing products involve zero FEAR. Here’s another fact …. testing out a potential new colour range does involve an element of FEAR, but it really is just the fear of the unknown, and once the colour and activator has been mixed, applied and developed, most of that initial panic dissipates, and with the help of a good educator and lots of online education, the change to a new colour brand becomes effortless.
It’s your turn to take your zip wire experience and learn from it now, you never know where it might lead. Take the risk and reap the reward.
Me, I’m looking forward to sky diving, swimming with sharks, paragliding across The Alps and bungee jumping off the Burj Kalipha. (well perhaps not, but zip wires are definitely my new thing!!)
