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Monday, November 4, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Breaking into the business...Show Business that is...Swimming pools and Movie stars.
How did you become a Television and Film Hairstylist?
I get asked this question ALL THE TIME. But you know what? I don't mind. I am actually happy to answer it because I was asking the same question 20 years ago.
My career as an "On Set" hairstylist has it share of ups and downs. The upside is that I am very lucky to do a job I love. The creativity is endless and I work with some amazing, talented actors and wonderful, funny and dedicated crews. I have traveled to many interesting locations and have had private conversations and once in a lifetime moments with some of Hollywoods biggest stars. I am proud to call many actors and crew members I have worked with over the years friends of mine. If you have a connection, the friendship can stay long after the production. I am still in touch with actors from my very first job: Babylon 5. I can't believe they just held the 20th Anniversary of Babylon 5 at the Phoenix Comicon in May. Twenty one years I have been a film and television hairstylist...wow. I had no idea where this path would lead me back then. It has been an amazing ride. Hair and makeup artists work very intimately with talent. Of course there are many I have lost touch with, and for the limited time we worked together, the experience was still fun and the many memories remain. You can share a lot of life stories in a hair and makeup trailer. I have heard many a heartbreak, health issues, success stories, some of the best and worst jokes ever and of course shared tears when things get tough. We work long hours and often drive home very tired from a 12, 15 even 17 hour day. The hours...THAT is the downside of our business. It never use to bother me until I became a mother. When I was single the hours didn't phase me. I could sleep in the next day or make up for not seeing friends by packing in lots of get togethers over the weekends. When you have a family Show Business can make you reflect on what is really important and what your priorities really are.
No one really tells you about the long hours, late nights, or the time away from your
family. I think what many people see is the glamour of Hollywood sets and the fame of the celebrities that you get to hang out with and work on. They fantasize how fun it would be to travel in those circles. Maybe even become famous themselves?!? Again, it all sounds great and looks exciting to the outside world but to those who work hard every day...we know it is just a job and we long to get home to our families most nights.
I do have many young hairstylists find me through my blog, mutual friends, fellow crew members, family members and even through my website. I always enjoy hearing from hairstylists who were once like me...wanting to "Break into the Biz". I want to share a story of why I ALWAYS try to help and advise anyone who comes my way.
Out of High school-I was an aspiring writer. I was working my way through college by cutting hair. I had been an editor for my high school yearbook and I was Features Editor for my college paper and thought someday... I could be a journalist or novelist or maybe freelance writer after college. I went to beauty school right after high school, because my parents always said "It is good to have a trade-something you can always fall back on to support yourself." I think they worried about my pursuit of writing and it's lack of financial stability. Which is why they completely supported my voyage into Cosmetology School. It made them feel I was safe...I could always find a job or make some extra cash.
I had to wear the traditional white, unflattering 'nurses' uniform to my school every day. It was a 9 month course if you go full time, every day, which I did. I went to school in McHenry, IL which was about a 40 minute drive from my home. I loved going there. I enjoyed the scenic drive, quickly learned where the cops set their speed traps along my route through the farmland and discovered many restaurants in the area where other students and i would grab lunch every day and chat about...you guessed it...hair. I had been doing hair since I was young and I have the butchered barbie dolls and shaved stuffed animals to prove it. In High School I was always doing everyones hair for the school plays. It was just something I enjoyed...and found I was good at it. Of course the fact that I had naturally curly hair in a period when Farrah flips and waves were popular helped to fuel my desire to get good at hair. I realized if I was good at braiding...I could hide my curls with braids. And that is what I did. I also used way too much 'Sun In" spray and turned my hair orange-y blonde. Yup, I thought I was so cool.
Anyway, I graduated and worked pretty soon after at Fantastic Sams. Yes...Fantastic Sams. It was a wonderful way to learn. I had so many different heads of hair coming in the shop that I really got to put my school skills to the test. My knowledge from school books and hands on experience came in handy. I had many different kinds of success stories and failure as well with haircuts, colors and perms. I had a boss, Vicki Miller, she was like a big sister. She was the manager and use to help me when I was in over my head. One of the best things I learned here was speed. I became really fast and really good. Practice paid off. My ability to be quick with people in my chair made me money but also still helps me today in the hair trailer. On set time is money...no one wants to wait on talent. You have to be fast...but not go too fast or your client will feel rushed and think you have not done a good job. I eventually worked my way up to Assistant Manager and then had toe good fortune of learning how to actually run a small business at a very young age. I was 19. It was eye opening. Again, thanks to Vicki for giving me that chance. I was there about 2 years and then decided to move on to a salon closer to my home in Gurnee. I found Off Broadway Hair Salon, a cute little place owned and operated by Voula Katres. She was such a good business woman role model...I learned a lot from her as well. How lucky I was to have these wonderful female role models. I perfected my color skills and gained new clients and really grew as a hairstylist. One day, we did a commercial for her shop to air on cable...that was fun. Lights, cameras...I did the makeup oh it was a blast. We hired some local models from Chicago-I was inspired to work on my makeup skills but there were no schools back then like there are today. I sought out a Theatrical Makeup Class at the famous Goodman Theatre School of DePaul. I had to meet with the Dean as it was very unusual to admit a student who was not an acting major. I just wanted to take a class, makeup, thats all. I passed the interview and was allowed to take the semester with a class full of hopeful actors who thought I was weird. Thats ok, I knew I didn't really fit in...but I had fun anyway. I learned how to shadow and contour faces and completely change a face by manipulating it with a brush and face paint. It was amazing! My teacher, Nan Zabriskie, was so kind. She also gave me other tasks like theater wigs...the care and cleaning of them...so I could learn how they did it for the school. I found it all fascinating-I had never been exposed to behind the scene stuff and it was scary and cool all in one.
I became the regular makeup girl for weddings, proms and special occasions at the salon. It was smart to expand my upon talents of hair coloring, cutting, styling and to add to my growth and profit margins another skill that got me noticed and made me money.
Then, one day in 1991 the event that changed the course of my life happened. I was walking around a mall in Libertyville, IL when I stumbled upon the film production of "Curly Sue". For those of you who do not know this film, it starred Jim Belushi and being a girl from Chicago...having a Belushi sighting was a BIG DEAL. We worshipped The Blues Brothers and here is his little brother right in front of me. Wow. I had no idea what got into me, I was a bit shy back then...but I took the chance and walked up to a person with a headset on and asked "Um, where are the people who do hair or makeup?" The PA (production assistant) pointed over to a few people sitting on camping chairs behind a bunch of Directors chairs and a monitor. They were setting up for the next shot and were just talking to other crew members. The whole way over I was telling myself..."Don't turn back! You can do this!" I had no idea what I would say, but as I walked up a sweet woman turned around and said hello, her name was Sam Mayer and she was a real live makeup artist. I must have turned bright red but somehow found my voice and told her I was a student at the theater school and wanted to know if she knew if I could learn makeup anywhere else in town. She invited me to sit and asked "Is Nan still teaching that class?" I was shocked and nodded yes. She, like me, had taken that class-and then she explained that she decided to move to Los Angeles because that is where the schools and work are. Sam actually spent the next 2 hours with me. Her actors were not working so she showed me around a bit explaining what things were and how it worked but the most important words she said were the first after our meeting. She looked me in the eye and said "I am happy to tell you how I got started but I need you to make me a promise, ok?" "Of course!" I said. "When you become a makeup artist in the business and someone comes to you and asks you for help or advice...I want you to promise me you will take the time and talk to them like I am talking to you right now. That way we, as artists, keep the positive circle going my dear. Can you do that?" She was smiling...and so was I.
And that was it. I made the promise and I have lived up to that promise to this day. Such a generous, loving woman who had the spirit of sharing, and helping and wanted to pass on her knowledge to a total stranger. I was in awe and I was eternally grateful. Without Sam, my life would not be what it is today.
Sam introduced me to some crew members, she let me watch a few takes, she introduced me to Jim Belushi...I could barely speak but kept my cool and did ok. The most memorable was meeting Ve Neill. In my world, Ve Neill is a superstar. I knew who she was because I always watch the credits on the films I see and she was the makeup artist on all of my favorite makeups! She had done Edward Scissorhands, Dick Tracy, Beetlejuice, The Lost Boys...I knew who she was when Sam said her name.
Ve Neill looked at me and sized me up. She told me how she was one of the first female makeup artists in the business and that it had been a tough road. It was mostly a mans world and she had to work twice as hard to get to where she was. She actually told me I probably won't make it...it is a hard business to break into. She gave me a reality check, an honest one-- not in a harsh tone at all. I was actually grateful for her bluntness. But in the end, she softened a little and sincerely said "Good Luck, I hope you make it." I thanked her but she had already turned, they were calling for her on set and Sam excused herself as well for touch ups. I got a quick hug and she was off to set as well. Sam and I had exchanged addresses and said we could be pen pals and when I moved to LA to let her know.
I drove home in a daze. I vowed to show Ve i could make it. I wanted to show Sam she had not wasted her time on me. I knew things would change and that scared me. I had a very comfortable life in Illinois. I had a family that loved me. I had good friends, a great client list and a boyfriend who was so sweet and treated me well. I knew none of these people would understand my desire to leave and start all over again in a strange town in a very weird business. But...I found a direction...a path...I knew I had stumbled onto a chaos I wanted to be a part of. I am smiling now just typing this. Remembering that feeling...so hard to put into words. The day you learn your path is a powerful one. And for some, there can be many paths...but this one really shifted everything for me. Determination took over and I saved everything I had and moved to Los Angeles a year later. Yes, Sam and I kept in touch...and when I moved to LA she invited me to come to set on the 20th Century Fox lot. Again giving me some advice and showing me around, she even bought me lunch! I tried, believe me I tried to buy it for her in the commissary!
My first few months in LA I took time to learn my way around. I had never left home before and I was a farm girl in a big city...and it freaked me out and sucked me in at the same time. I got a job at a hair salon being a shampoo girl, starting all over. I had flown out to LA before moving there and got my California Cosmetology License so I could legally work in the city I moved to. I would advice ANYONE to do the same thing. Be able to provide for yourself...LA is an expensive place to live, have a way to support yourself, like my parents said! It will make it a lot easier to stay if you can pay your bills!
I met a cool photographer, Vincent Versace-(yes, related to the Versace) who did a lot of actors head shots. He had a great skill for capturing people with natural light. I worked with him on Sundays, doing hair and makeup for $75.00. I eventually went up to $100...big time! I would put music on in Vincent's apartment in Los Feliz and do their makeup and hair, then go with them out on various locations to shoot a few hours and touch them up. I also held reflection boards and learned a ton about photography thanks to Vincent. He always fed me...think he felt sorry for me being so new...great guy and amazing chef by the way! Vincent... thank you for giving a new girl a break and for being so kind and supportive on my dreams.
I also went to local film schools like AFI and put a business card on their bulletin boards. I worked for $100 for a 3 day shoot more then once. I learned. That is what I needed. I built my kit up and got the feeling I could handle this business. Whatever they threw at me I was able to keep up. It was learning on the job. I recommend that to anyone who wants to learn. Know that you will not make money at first...that is part of the process. I worked at the salon for a year and saved everything I earned to support myself in my first year in LA.
The pivotal moment came when the hairstylist I was working for got a call that the pilot he had down makeup for had been picked up and was going to series. He invited me to come on as his assistant and I eagerly accepted. This show was my way in. I worked for $100 a week on the beginning. I ran errands watched as the hair and makeup teams worked and became friends with the special effects makeup team and really learned from those guys all the amazing things they could do with makeup. I was thrilled to be on a set. Within a few months I got a raise and became a full time assistant doing both Hair and Makeup as it was a non-union show. When you are non-union you can do both. When your show turns union...you have to choose. And happily the stars aligned two and a half years into filming and Babylon 5 turned into a union show and I became an official union hairstylist. I truly loved doing makeup, and special effects makeup...but hair was my first love. I was doing wigs, hairpieces, sculpting styles into Sci-Fi history and I really loved it. I was also well aware that there were more makeup artists in our union then hairstylists. Almost twice as many actually. So I was told. I made the decision to stay with hair...and I assumed I would always work as there were less hairstylists in the union as competition. That choice has paid off...I have always worked since the age of 24. If you are curious please feel free to IMDB me, every job is there...and you can see there is hardly a break in there anywhere! I am not complaining...I feel very lucky and blessed to have a good career and a solid reputation for being someone a production can rely on. I try to employ friends that have helped me along the way and always attempt to spread the work around. I believe you get back what you put out.
I want to thank all of the hairstylists who write to me. I try to answer you all personally and I am dedicating this blog to all of you! For being brave and reaching out to me, for having the courage to pursue your dreams and keeping the faith when some days it is hard to.
Good luck to all who choose this path in the entertainment industry. It is a fun filled road and also a tough one but I am a big believer in following a dream because if you don't you will always wonder "what if". I knew I could move on if I tried and failed but i would not forgive myself if I never believed in myself enough to risk it and try.
I send good vibes out to you all and hope some of this helped you in your pursuit of a dream.
My best as always-
HairFerry Flying Out.
xo
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
What I've learned falling down the Manufacturing Rabbit Hole.
As a single mom entrepreneur I have had to walk down many an unknown path. I have had to blindly seek out manufacturers for each item I design for my line of products. My goal is to have everything made here in the USA. A seemingly difficult task as most people think everything is manufactured in China.
Despite popular perception, the United States is still the world's largest manufacturing economy, producing 22% of the world's manufactured products, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, a Washington, D.C. based trade and lobbying group. China comes in second, at 13%, and Japan is third, at 11%, says Erin Streeter, the group's assistant vice-president for communications.
The difficulty that I face, like most startup entrepreneurs, is finding a manufacturer locally that will take a chance on a brand-new product like mine with small production runs. This is true regardless of whether I choose locally or head overseas.
I am not getting on a plane to China. Besides, my father would be utterly disappointed that I was not keeping my promise to him to proudly advertise my 'made in the USA' logo. Overseas production is not interested in my small volumes anyway. I am not a 'high volume company'... yet. :-) So for now, I need to approach potential manufacturers with the basic understanding of what my company needs, have a handle on probable costs, (I am funding this project myself!) and most importantly; have a finished, perfected prototype that is patent protected.
Lucky for me, I have met many Marketing and Social Media consultants through various friends who have given me some AMAZING advice--- ALL of which I am very grateful for. To Gregory Markel (Infuse Creative), Scott Muldrum (Pollin8), and Michael Chaleff (Practical Influence)...I thank you all for your time, advice and support in my endeavors over the last 3 years. I advise anyone out there to ALWAYS be open to listening when other professionals in your field offer their history and counsel. In the business world it can help you navigate some huge pitfalls just by learning of others mistakes and help you recognize good opportunities when they come right at you. From my discussions with these experts and now friends, I learned to focus on what really matters in my company.
So, for those out there wondering, here are some truly basic things the pros advise you to have together before beginning the manufacturing process. Here is a list...get your pen ready.
1. Have a complete Prototype.
Engineer your design, have a complete understanding of how it will be produced.
(injection mold, cut, sewn, what?)
2. Have a manufacturing budget.
Know what you (and your investors) can afford and how much you are willing to spend.
3. Business Plan (write one!)
This can be a one page summary of your project. Include details about the status of your design, it's costs and price targets, the quantities you'll be starting with, how the product will be sold, the status of any patent applications you may have filed and whether you have gotten interest in licensing the manufacturing or marketing rights to the product. Manufacturing plants cannot tell you if they are capable or interested without these important details about your product and company plans. Before you can write this you must determine your goals and objectives for your company.
I also find myself constantly googling articles about small business start-ups, tips, ideas, successes and even seeking solace in failures and other companies tough breaks. It helps to know I am not the only one who has weathered some storms. I have had set backs, many in fact. But I feel it is all part of my journey. As my dad would say you won't appreciate it if it is handed to you...when you work hard for it, it tastes so much better. Ok, my dad also says he is "Finer than Frog Hair" all the time too so...take what quotes you like from him.
Here is the link: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/203254
Also another great post by AJ Kumar: 5 Daily Habits for Effective Social Media Marketing
Here is the link: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225609
The article: How to Find a Manufacturer For Your Product, by Christopher Hann was the helpful to me presently. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223777
As an inexperienced small business owner I am grateful for advice. When I was a pregnant mother, everyone and anyone who saw my bulging waistline gave me advice everywhere I went. Back then, I couldn't stand it, made me crazy actually. This life experience is SO similar to childbirth, I am giving birth to a business. But this time if friends, family, strangers, internet, business moguls...you name it, if they offer any advice-I will take it! I crave it! Throw it at me...I want to hear it. I will listen and appreciate whatever words of wisdom I can obtain. To me business advice is like the rain. The softer it falls, the longer it dwells on me, the harder it falls-the deeper it sinks into my mind.
I have accomplished this manufacturing task once so I know that I can do it again. I did it on my own. Maybe luck? Maybe fate. Maybe being prepared made all the difference.
I had a complete Prototype. I sought out a place that could make my Hot Spot Mats. We re-designed and then created a mold for silicone. I had a complete understanding of all the details about my product. What materials were in it, what temperature it needed to resist, all the possible uses it could have.
I had a manufacturing budget. I knew how much money I had to invest in this initial project to launch my company. I did not have any other investors. It was a great risk, and there were some tough times stretching my paycheck to cover my rent, my sons school expenses, food, gas, and manufacturing costs. I will be totally honest, there were nights I could not sleep. I worried about spending money on my inventions and not putting it aside for my sons.
Late at night, in the dark...this is when you have to believe in yourself, your ideas and your goals. As I walked the hallways and listened to the sounds of my sons breathing in their restful sleep I had to find the strength to continue. Am I making the best choices for our future? it crossed my mind constantly. I was trying to create another source of income and way of life for our family so we can hopefully have more time together in the end. I wanted to keep going for that reason alone. It is hard doing it by myself... being a single mother. I had no partner to tell me it was ok or that I am doing the right thing. I do not have that voice in a tough moment at home that says "I am with you! You can do it honey!" I wish I did, but I don't so it is ok. I have learned to trust myself and my instincts. I think for me...I had to learn to rely on faith and endurance. I will keep the momentum going as long as I can and expand my company with new products to manufacture in the years to come.
I did not have a business plan. Ok, busted. I still don't. I have not needed it yet. But I got my faith and endurance right? Business pros please do not shake your fingers at me! New Business peeps-do not follow me on this one. Make a plan.
A few days ago I dropped off my newest caddy prototype to begin the manufacture process and a completely new molding process. Luckily I am working with a familiar manufacturer so I feel good about all the progress we are making at the moment. We are doing the first "sample" and then I give my notes and we discuss what changes occur before we finalize the cost and status of making a new mold to mass produce my caddy's. It is the same basic process I went through for my silicone heat mats. The manufacturer and I work as a team. We have to be on the same page and agree on the design structure for the complete process to work out in the end. I trust his experience and he listens to my ideas and incorporates them, This is a healthy partnership.
I also left drawings and sketches of another idea I have had but did not have a prototype for. The owner said he could actually make the prototype for me! So when I return for my next meeting with him I should have a caddy prototype sample and a "name a secret still" prototype sample. TWO more additions to my product line! Just need to patent them both...working on it.
Now, I have also invented a new type of cape. It is really cool and I recently finished the prototypes for it. (comes in Black and Brown) Super cool design. Cannot wait to share that one with you all-but I am currently working on applying for a patent for it, and then considering the notion of selling the manufacturing rights to an existing cape company. It is good to have options and legally protect your options.
In an upcoming blog I will certainly discuss the benefits of lawyers and patents and contracts oh my!
But for now, still sticking with my plan of all products by HairFerry Inc being made in the USA.
(gotta make dad proud!)
And...I will be sure to keep you posted on the status of my manufacturing adventure. I promise!
HairFerry flying out!
Despite popular perception, the United States is still the world's largest manufacturing economy, producing 22% of the world's manufactured products, according to the National Association of Manufacturers, a Washington, D.C. based trade and lobbying group. China comes in second, at 13%, and Japan is third, at 11%, says Erin Streeter, the group's assistant vice-president for communications.
The difficulty that I face, like most startup entrepreneurs, is finding a manufacturer locally that will take a chance on a brand-new product like mine with small production runs. This is true regardless of whether I choose locally or head overseas.
I am not getting on a plane to China. Besides, my father would be utterly disappointed that I was not keeping my promise to him to proudly advertise my 'made in the USA' logo. Overseas production is not interested in my small volumes anyway. I am not a 'high volume company'... yet. :-) So for now, I need to approach potential manufacturers with the basic understanding of what my company needs, have a handle on probable costs, (I am funding this project myself!) and most importantly; have a finished, perfected prototype that is patent protected.
Lucky for me, I have met many Marketing and Social Media consultants through various friends who have given me some AMAZING advice--- ALL of which I am very grateful for. To Gregory Markel (Infuse Creative), Scott Muldrum (Pollin8), and Michael Chaleff (Practical Influence)...I thank you all for your time, advice and support in my endeavors over the last 3 years. I advise anyone out there to ALWAYS be open to listening when other professionals in your field offer their history and counsel. In the business world it can help you navigate some huge pitfalls just by learning of others mistakes and help you recognize good opportunities when they come right at you. From my discussions with these experts and now friends, I learned to focus on what really matters in my company.
So, for those out there wondering, here are some truly basic things the pros advise you to have together before beginning the manufacturing process. Here is a list...get your pen ready.
1. Have a complete Prototype.
Engineer your design, have a complete understanding of how it will be produced.
(injection mold, cut, sewn, what?)
2. Have a manufacturing budget.
Know what you (and your investors) can afford and how much you are willing to spend.
3. Business Plan (write one!)
This can be a one page summary of your project. Include details about the status of your design, it's costs and price targets, the quantities you'll be starting with, how the product will be sold, the status of any patent applications you may have filed and whether you have gotten interest in licensing the manufacturing or marketing rights to the product. Manufacturing plants cannot tell you if they are capable or interested without these important details about your product and company plans. Before you can write this you must determine your goals and objectives for your company.
I also find myself constantly googling articles about small business start-ups, tips, ideas, successes and even seeking solace in failures and other companies tough breaks. It helps to know I am not the only one who has weathered some storms. I have had set backs, many in fact. But I feel it is all part of my journey. As my dad would say you won't appreciate it if it is handed to you...when you work hard for it, it tastes so much better. Ok, my dad also says he is "Finer than Frog Hair" all the time too so...take what quotes you like from him.
www.entrepreneur.com is a GREAT website.
I recently read: 10 Tips for the First-Time Business Owner. Good info! Thanks to Scott Gerber for writing it and sharing his thoughts I agree with all 10!Here is the link: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/203254
Also another great post by AJ Kumar: 5 Daily Habits for Effective Social Media Marketing
Here is the link: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225609
The article: How to Find a Manufacturer For Your Product, by Christopher Hann was the helpful to me presently. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/223777
As an inexperienced small business owner I am grateful for advice. When I was a pregnant mother, everyone and anyone who saw my bulging waistline gave me advice everywhere I went. Back then, I couldn't stand it, made me crazy actually. This life experience is SO similar to childbirth, I am giving birth to a business. But this time if friends, family, strangers, internet, business moguls...you name it, if they offer any advice-I will take it! I crave it! Throw it at me...I want to hear it. I will listen and appreciate whatever words of wisdom I can obtain. To me business advice is like the rain. The softer it falls, the longer it dwells on me, the harder it falls-the deeper it sinks into my mind.
I have accomplished this manufacturing task once so I know that I can do it again. I did it on my own. Maybe luck? Maybe fate. Maybe being prepared made all the difference.
I had a complete Prototype. I sought out a place that could make my Hot Spot Mats. We re-designed and then created a mold for silicone. I had a complete understanding of all the details about my product. What materials were in it, what temperature it needed to resist, all the possible uses it could have.
I had a manufacturing budget. I knew how much money I had to invest in this initial project to launch my company. I did not have any other investors. It was a great risk, and there were some tough times stretching my paycheck to cover my rent, my sons school expenses, food, gas, and manufacturing costs. I will be totally honest, there were nights I could not sleep. I worried about spending money on my inventions and not putting it aside for my sons.
Late at night, in the dark...this is when you have to believe in yourself, your ideas and your goals. As I walked the hallways and listened to the sounds of my sons breathing in their restful sleep I had to find the strength to continue. Am I making the best choices for our future? it crossed my mind constantly. I was trying to create another source of income and way of life for our family so we can hopefully have more time together in the end. I wanted to keep going for that reason alone. It is hard doing it by myself... being a single mother. I had no partner to tell me it was ok or that I am doing the right thing. I do not have that voice in a tough moment at home that says "I am with you! You can do it honey!" I wish I did, but I don't so it is ok. I have learned to trust myself and my instincts. I think for me...I had to learn to rely on faith and endurance. I will keep the momentum going as long as I can and expand my company with new products to manufacture in the years to come.
I did not have a business plan. Ok, busted. I still don't. I have not needed it yet. But I got my faith and endurance right? Business pros please do not shake your fingers at me! New Business peeps-do not follow me on this one. Make a plan.
My manufacturing update:
A few days ago I dropped off my newest caddy prototype to begin the manufacture process and a completely new molding process. Luckily I am working with a familiar manufacturer so I feel good about all the progress we are making at the moment. We are doing the first "sample" and then I give my notes and we discuss what changes occur before we finalize the cost and status of making a new mold to mass produce my caddy's. It is the same basic process I went through for my silicone heat mats. The manufacturer and I work as a team. We have to be on the same page and agree on the design structure for the complete process to work out in the end. I trust his experience and he listens to my ideas and incorporates them, This is a healthy partnership.
I also left drawings and sketches of another idea I have had but did not have a prototype for. The owner said he could actually make the prototype for me! So when I return for my next meeting with him I should have a caddy prototype sample and a "name a secret still" prototype sample. TWO more additions to my product line! Just need to patent them both...working on it.
Now, I have also invented a new type of cape. It is really cool and I recently finished the prototypes for it. (comes in Black and Brown) Super cool design. Cannot wait to share that one with you all-but I am currently working on applying for a patent for it, and then considering the notion of selling the manufacturing rights to an existing cape company. It is good to have options and legally protect your options.
In an upcoming blog I will certainly discuss the benefits of lawyers and patents and contracts oh my!
But for now, still sticking with my plan of all products by HairFerry Inc being made in the USA.
(gotta make dad proud!)
And...I will be sure to keep you posted on the status of my manufacturing adventure. I promise!
HairFerry flying out!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
A few days to enjoy just being a mom...
Hello...
On December 21st our show, The Office, shut down for Hiatus (show biz for "we stop filming") until January 7th, 2013. During this time off, I always feel pressure to work on HairFerry. I try and plan meetings, continue to fine tune new products and of course do any projects around the house that need to be done. With two young boys...there is always something. I look forward to seeing friends, playing with my kids and sleeping in past my usual 4 to 5am wake up calls that I have when I am working on set full time. But the thing that really gets me excited about these small breaks in filming is being a mom...full time. That opportunity is priceless to me.
I cannot put into words how much it means to me to take my sons to school. To pick them up, to stay and watch school assemblies. To volunteer in their classrooms and to just have play dates with them and other families. Even small talk, seemingly simple chats with other moms about kids, home, life make me smile.
The entertainment industry can be really difficult on families. As the Head of the Hair Department, I am on set with actors every day while filming. I watch continuity, take care of them, design new characters hairstyles and attend production and logistic meetings. It is rare when I can leave for a few hours, or have a half day off. Even on slow days, I give my team days off but always feel I should be there to make sure production stays happy. When the actors work...I need to be present, available and watching. My hours are long, and some days I can start at 5:12am and work until 8:00pm. I live about 40-45 minutes away from the studio I work at so you can add the travel time to my day and get what I am saying. Long days. When I get home, I help with homework, make lunches, go through backpacks, and help my sons get ready for bed, lay out my clothes for the next day...and usually drop into bed wiped out. Sometimes I will read. (I love reading!) It calms me down and helps my mind get sluggish and stop it from processing my busy day. Then, the whole long day starts all over again. I could have my wonderful sitter Sara make lunches...or make dinner...but I really want to make their food. I guess it's the Mid-Westerner in me. I love cooking, I want them to know I care enough to make their food, pack their lunches with care. No matter how busy I am, they come first. I would never want them feeling work was more important than them although they do understand that work sometimes keeps me away when they want me home or at school with them.
I made a difficult choice this holiday season. I did not go home to Gurnee, IL to see my father. I have been working so much I really liked the idea of staying put...and I am saving to buy a home for me and the boys. We are renting, due to my divorce and selling of our family home. We are in a wonderful neighborhood, but small apartment with no yard. Honestly, having nothing to garden and dig into is getting the better of me. I also really need a garage for all of my hair tools. Keeping a storage unit is another expense and the drive to get equipment and holiday items...well, it gets old. Anyone who has a storage unit can surely relate. I am hoping and planning on moving by April or May into a bigger place with a small yard and a garage. Fingers crossed...it will happen.
So the decision to stay in LA was a financial one. I am saving all I can and need to stay in town in spite of my guilt and sadness about not flying home to Grandpa. We are planning to go in July and celebrate July 4th. That will make up for it, at least that is what I keep telling myself.
The holidays flew by. I was delighted to cook and bake every day. Made my mom's Apple Pie for the boys! I packed in dentists visits for all of us, took care of much needed repairs on my macbook-it had been going crazy and not allowing me to email, and had a few grown up dinners with friends. It was wonderful to have the Christmas decorations up at home and enjoy time with my sons with lights twinkling all around us. We played games, went to a trampoline place called Sky High in Camarillo and jumped like maniacs, had a few afternoons with friends and of course lot's of movies and snuggles. Thankfully, they are still young enough to want to snuggle with mom. I treasure every second and hope it continues a little longer.
I thought it would be fun to keep a journal of one day as a "MOM". I have kept a journal about my small business for the last year or more so one day can't be too hard right? I picked Wednesday..ok I had the idea on Tuesday night. I wanted to show the other side of my life. In this blog and with my life I have had to compartmentalize. I divide myself, don't we all as parents? There is the business me, the mom me, the work 'on set' me. I have written about work and HairFerry...I wanted to spend a day writing about my favorite thing to talk about, being a Mom. So here it is...a day when I am not at work on set...I am just enjoying a day as a mom.
On December 21st our show, The Office, shut down for Hiatus (show biz for "we stop filming") until January 7th, 2013. During this time off, I always feel pressure to work on HairFerry. I try and plan meetings, continue to fine tune new products and of course do any projects around the house that need to be done. With two young boys...there is always something. I look forward to seeing friends, playing with my kids and sleeping in past my usual 4 to 5am wake up calls that I have when I am working on set full time. But the thing that really gets me excited about these small breaks in filming is being a mom...full time. That opportunity is priceless to me.
I cannot put into words how much it means to me to take my sons to school. To pick them up, to stay and watch school assemblies. To volunteer in their classrooms and to just have play dates with them and other families. Even small talk, seemingly simple chats with other moms about kids, home, life make me smile.
The entertainment industry can be really difficult on families. As the Head of the Hair Department, I am on set with actors every day while filming. I watch continuity, take care of them, design new characters hairstyles and attend production and logistic meetings. It is rare when I can leave for a few hours, or have a half day off. Even on slow days, I give my team days off but always feel I should be there to make sure production stays happy. When the actors work...I need to be present, available and watching. My hours are long, and some days I can start at 5:12am and work until 8:00pm. I live about 40-45 minutes away from the studio I work at so you can add the travel time to my day and get what I am saying. Long days. When I get home, I help with homework, make lunches, go through backpacks, and help my sons get ready for bed, lay out my clothes for the next day...and usually drop into bed wiped out. Sometimes I will read. (I love reading!) It calms me down and helps my mind get sluggish and stop it from processing my busy day. Then, the whole long day starts all over again. I could have my wonderful sitter Sara make lunches...or make dinner...but I really want to make their food. I guess it's the Mid-Westerner in me. I love cooking, I want them to know I care enough to make their food, pack their lunches with care. No matter how busy I am, they come first. I would never want them feeling work was more important than them although they do understand that work sometimes keeps me away when they want me home or at school with them.
I made a difficult choice this holiday season. I did not go home to Gurnee, IL to see my father. I have been working so much I really liked the idea of staying put...and I am saving to buy a home for me and the boys. We are renting, due to my divorce and selling of our family home. We are in a wonderful neighborhood, but small apartment with no yard. Honestly, having nothing to garden and dig into is getting the better of me. I also really need a garage for all of my hair tools. Keeping a storage unit is another expense and the drive to get equipment and holiday items...well, it gets old. Anyone who has a storage unit can surely relate. I am hoping and planning on moving by April or May into a bigger place with a small yard and a garage. Fingers crossed...it will happen.
So the decision to stay in LA was a financial one. I am saving all I can and need to stay in town in spite of my guilt and sadness about not flying home to Grandpa. We are planning to go in July and celebrate July 4th. That will make up for it, at least that is what I keep telling myself.
The holidays flew by. I was delighted to cook and bake every day. Made my mom's Apple Pie for the boys! I packed in dentists visits for all of us, took care of much needed repairs on my macbook-it had been going crazy and not allowing me to email, and had a few grown up dinners with friends. It was wonderful to have the Christmas decorations up at home and enjoy time with my sons with lights twinkling all around us. We played games, went to a trampoline place called Sky High in Camarillo and jumped like maniacs, had a few afternoons with friends and of course lot's of movies and snuggles. Thankfully, they are still young enough to want to snuggle with mom. I treasure every second and hope it continues a little longer.
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| Caramel Apple Pie-before sauce... |
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| and after sauce is poured...just about to go in oven! |
I thought it would be fun to keep a journal of one day as a "MOM". I have kept a journal about my small business for the last year or more so one day can't be too hard right? I picked Wednesday..ok I had the idea on Tuesday night. I wanted to show the other side of my life. In this blog and with my life I have had to compartmentalize. I divide myself, don't we all as parents? There is the business me, the mom me, the work 'on set' me. I have written about work and HairFerry...I wanted to spend a day writing about my favorite thing to talk about, being a Mom. So here it is...a day when I am not at work on set...I am just enjoying a day as a mom.
Wednesday, January 9th, 2013
A DAY AWAY FROM SET...TO BE A MOM.
4:30am Everett is coughing loudly in his room. I wake and get cough syrup from the bathroom. He is hard to wake up but I get some medicine down... and rub his back as he falls back asleep. 15 minutes later he seems peaceful...I watch him sleep for a few minutes more and then crawl back into bed.
6:30am Alarm clock rings out and I jump up and hop into the shower. (Letting the boys sleep a little longer) I dress and set the breakfast table and go to wake up the boys from their slumber.
7:00am Breakfast is ready and boys are at the table dressed and eating.
7:35am After brushing teeth and getting shoes, coats and backpacks on- we are ready to leave for school.
8:00am We walk to the MPR room, it's too cold outside to meet on the playground. School Spirit assembly begins and I sit with Connor and have a big, goofy grin on my face. I am just so darn happy to be there! They sing a new school song, I love every second of it. My youngest sits on my lap the whole time---well, except for when we stood to say pledge of allegiance. I think this has been a perfect start to my day. Assembly ends and the kids file off to their classes with their teachers. I stroll happily to my car wondering what it would be like to be able to do this every morning. I am sure I would never take it for granted...ever.
8:20am In my car and heading to Burbank...I stop for some Starbucks, an Iced Venti Chai Tea makes it much more pleasant to drive in LA traffic.
9:20am I arrive at Matz Rubber company. I am here for a meeting with the owner. I wanted to discuss the next product, my caddy design. I have a rough prototype to show him, and one other idea for a portable hot iron holder that I know his company can make for me. I am greeted with a hug by Khara, and I pay for the Black mats I have ordered, I was running low on mat supplies at home. I spend the next 20 minutes with Phil, the owner, in his office pitching my next two items that I want him to make for me. He likes them. He has ideas...and says he will make a sample for me of each item...but he is going to Las Vegas this week and won't be able to meet with me for about two weeks. I love this company! They are always honest, never promising something they know they cannot deliver and they never say what they think I want to hear...they just tell the truth. Refreshing! This company has been in business since 1954, and it shows. Their catch phrase on their website is "Service is not our motto - it's our pledge!" The 22,000 square foot facility has 40 employees and 20 presses with 15 materials available. I can say with all honesty-this is a company that lives up to it's pledge. We agree to meet again in two weeks and I will bring a more polished prototype for him to work with.
10:20am I am close to my friend's office so I decide to stop by and say hello. Bill Holmes and his wife Alice have been wonderful, trusted friends since I moved to LA. They are from my hometown Gurnee and they have become my family in California. I used to babysit their three kids when they were young...all three are unique, funny and truly amazing. I love them all. Now the oldest is planning his wedding! Tikes they are all grown up and it freaks me out. (note: I am of course doing hair for this wedding, poor kids didn't have a choice!) I am bringing Bill a signed cast photo from The Office, one of his students had seen his and asked for one. Bill has been a voiceover actor/director for 30 years and teaches Voice Over skills, directs, and hosts voiceover classes in his studio in Burbank. Actors always fly though and record/audition every day, all day long. And as anyone who knows Bill will tell you- there is always time for a few dart throws after the audition is over. I stay for an hour enjoying chatting with him, and his daughter Marissa. Her sense of humor matches her beauty...I adore her. Bill actually talks me into recording a commercial plug with him, it is for google-about a couple planning their wedding. He gives me some direction and we do a few takes. He will send all recorded voices later today. It's funny, I am NOT an actor, but I record my voice anyway, giving in to peer pressure. It actually ended up being pretty fun to do with him...just don't tell Bill I said that. I leave smiling, I always do. Any amount of time spent with the Holmes family always makes me happy.
By the way if anyone is interested in doing voice overs, contact Bill!
www.voiceoverdoctor.com
phone: 818-506-5647 email: VODoctor@gmail.com
11:40am I head to my favorite nail spa in LA-Oasis Nails in Burbank.
12:00pm Since I am close, I see if they can fit me in...SO happy when they can. I have a gift certificate from Skyler Samuels (actress who played Chloe King) that I brought just in case. I sit at in my spa chair, close my eyes and relax---I was up at 4:30 with my son after all---and as the two women begin their work on my nails I sigh happily and appreciate being a girl.
1:10pm Leave with perfect nails and head home to get the boys.
2:05pm Pull up at school and park. Walking up the long sidewalk I can hear the kids playing in the school playground it is a wonderful sound. I wish I heard it more. I quickly spot the boys and tell them to gather their things. We go inside and I sign them out from the YMCA. (Love YMCA! They saved this single mom) We decide to skip back to the car, don't know why, but we do, filled with laughter and cheers as we race to each get their first. Ahhh the simple joy of picking the kids up!
2:30pm I explain we have to stop at Best Buy, my phone charger broke and we will need it for navigation and phone charging. Of course they want to check out the Wii collection of Skylanders while we are there. Thankfully, no pieces we don't have. Whew.
3:15pm Home and begin doing homework. Both the boys know the drill...we sit at the table, and work on everything together. Snacks provided of course!
4:45pm I notice an email about PayPal and a charge I do not recognize. I contact Paypal online not thru the e-mail sent, it is "scam-spam" trying to get info from me. I notice it does not look right and contact fraud alert at Paypal. I go online and safely enter my account to get the real contact info I need. I really hate these kind of crooks don't you? As a person who has had her identity stolen I take it seriously and deal with it. Worth the time trust me.
5:30pm I start dinner (Mexican) and help to put away homework stuff. I set out Everett's Cub Scout clothes, we have a den meeting later to get ready for so we have to eat and get on the road. Of course there is always time for dessert...ice cream is the choice tonight. (the boys ate it so fast I didn't even have a chance to snap a photo! All I could get was the empty bowl.)
6:30pm The boys feed the cat and the fish as I finish clean up in the kitchen. Connor carries an ipad to the car. It keeps him busy during the hour long den meeting. He is not a cub scout so we play math bingo and other educational games while Everett participates with his fellow scouts.
7:00pm Den meeting in Oak Park begins. Everett sits at the dinning table with his den, Connor and I sit off to the side in the living room at our den leaders home. The boys are learning some first aid techniques tonight. They read about it and then try wrapping bandages on each other. Yes, it starts good...then breaks out into chaos...but the boys are having fun though.
8:10pm We leave Oak Park and head back home. We are all feeling the long day hit.
8:30pm Happy to be home! We all get into pajamas and brush our teeth. Boys need to wash their faces and hands. I lay out their lunch boxes to pack in a few minutes after I tuck them in.
8:58pm Boys cleaned up and ready for bed and tucking in process. One of the best parts of any day!
9:00pm Read one short book in bed with them...then shower their tired little faces with kisses and hugs.
9:16pm Done packing lunches and have them in fridge. Sandwiches made the way they like it. Their favorite sun chips, fruit, granola bar and juice. Ready for open school backpacks in the morning. I can just tuck them in and go. Coats are by the door, I also line up their shoes and un-tie Connor's shoe laces so he can tie them up himself. He has a hard time getting the knot out so I help to prep the shoe laces for him the night before. Lily, our cat, inspected my work and gave approval as I took the photos. I clean up the house, and turn off the lights room by room.
9:17pm Must kiss my kids faces again. They are fast asleep, but I cannot help it, I stare and I admit here and now... I love watching them sleep. So peaceful and sweet. It makes my heart smile.
9:30pm I sit on my bed in my room and see my prototype of my caddy on my dresser. I stop and stare thinking...how can it be better. I grab a red marker and X off the changes I had discussed earlier in the day with Phil at Matz. I can see how it will look...it is really getting there. I mark the places where I will change the structure and when I replaced the cap on the red marker I know I am done.
10:05pm Putting the red marker away for the night. Eyes are demanding I close them. as I sit on my bed once more I suddenly remember our clothes in the dryer...ugh. I stand with a sigh and begin to fold laundry. Making my stacks of clean clothes for each of us...I clear out the dryer and finish my last task of the day.
10:36pm Hello bed! It is great to finally lay down and rest. It has been a full, productive day...but I had a day, as a mom, with my sons. I am so grateful...it is worth every tired muscle.
Mom falls asleep and ends her day.
I would never say it is easy. I can get even more tired being a mom then being on set at times...but I appreciate and love my time with my sons. I feel so grateful when I am with them. They are the reason I work so hard to make my small business succeed in the future. I want to spend more time with them and less time on sets. My schedule can be so rigid and confining. To have more flexibility on my hours and personal time would be more then ideal...it would be a dream. That said, I am not afraid to continue to work hard, just choosing more free time with my family in the future but what working mom wouldn't?
I love looking for quotes to share with my sons about family or life. I looked up some tonight to add to this blog post. Quotes that spoke to me...maybe they will to you. Because I am not defined my my job or career, it is my family and my life experiences that define me and reflect who I really am.
Without doubt, no matter how successful my company may (hopefully!) become, my greatest accomplishment in life will always remain my two amazing sons. They humble me deeply.
Quotes from other well known, working moms:
10:20am I am close to my friend's office so I decide to stop by and say hello. Bill Holmes and his wife Alice have been wonderful, trusted friends since I moved to LA. They are from my hometown Gurnee and they have become my family in California. I used to babysit their three kids when they were young...all three are unique, funny and truly amazing. I love them all. Now the oldest is planning his wedding! Tikes they are all grown up and it freaks me out. (note: I am of course doing hair for this wedding, poor kids didn't have a choice!) I am bringing Bill a signed cast photo from The Office, one of his students had seen his and asked for one. Bill has been a voiceover actor/director for 30 years and teaches Voice Over skills, directs, and hosts voiceover classes in his studio in Burbank. Actors always fly though and record/audition every day, all day long. And as anyone who knows Bill will tell you- there is always time for a few dart throws after the audition is over. I stay for an hour enjoying chatting with him, and his daughter Marissa. Her sense of humor matches her beauty...I adore her. Bill actually talks me into recording a commercial plug with him, it is for google-about a couple planning their wedding. He gives me some direction and we do a few takes. He will send all recorded voices later today. It's funny, I am NOT an actor, but I record my voice anyway, giving in to peer pressure. It actually ended up being pretty fun to do with him...just don't tell Bill I said that. I leave smiling, I always do. Any amount of time spent with the Holmes family always makes me happy.
By the way if anyone is interested in doing voice overs, contact Bill!
www.voiceoverdoctor.com
phone: 818-506-5647 email: VODoctor@gmail.com
11:40am I head to my favorite nail spa in LA-Oasis Nails in Burbank.
12:00pm Since I am close, I see if they can fit me in...SO happy when they can. I have a gift certificate from Skyler Samuels (actress who played Chloe King) that I brought just in case. I sit at in my spa chair, close my eyes and relax---I was up at 4:30 with my son after all---and as the two women begin their work on my nails I sigh happily and appreciate being a girl.
1:10pm Leave with perfect nails and head home to get the boys.
2:05pm Pull up at school and park. Walking up the long sidewalk I can hear the kids playing in the school playground it is a wonderful sound. I wish I heard it more. I quickly spot the boys and tell them to gather their things. We go inside and I sign them out from the YMCA. (Love YMCA! They saved this single mom) We decide to skip back to the car, don't know why, but we do, filled with laughter and cheers as we race to each get their first. Ahhh the simple joy of picking the kids up!
3:15pm Home and begin doing homework. Both the boys know the drill...we sit at the table, and work on everything together. Snacks provided of course!
4:45pm I notice an email about PayPal and a charge I do not recognize. I contact Paypal online not thru the e-mail sent, it is "scam-spam" trying to get info from me. I notice it does not look right and contact fraud alert at Paypal. I go online and safely enter my account to get the real contact info I need. I really hate these kind of crooks don't you? As a person who has had her identity stolen I take it seriously and deal with it. Worth the time trust me.
5:30pm I start dinner (Mexican) and help to put away homework stuff. I set out Everett's Cub Scout clothes, we have a den meeting later to get ready for so we have to eat and get on the road. Of course there is always time for dessert...ice cream is the choice tonight. (the boys ate it so fast I didn't even have a chance to snap a photo! All I could get was the empty bowl.)
7:00pm Den meeting in Oak Park begins. Everett sits at the dinning table with his den, Connor and I sit off to the side in the living room at our den leaders home. The boys are learning some first aid techniques tonight. They read about it and then try wrapping bandages on each other. Yes, it starts good...then breaks out into chaos...but the boys are having fun though.
8:10pm We leave Oak Park and head back home. We are all feeling the long day hit.
8:30pm Happy to be home! We all get into pajamas and brush our teeth. Boys need to wash their faces and hands. I lay out their lunch boxes to pack in a few minutes after I tuck them in.
8:58pm Boys cleaned up and ready for bed and tucking in process. One of the best parts of any day!
9:00pm Read one short book in bed with them...then shower their tired little faces with kisses and hugs.
9:16pm Done packing lunches and have them in fridge. Sandwiches made the way they like it. Their favorite sun chips, fruit, granola bar and juice. Ready for open school backpacks in the morning. I can just tuck them in and go. Coats are by the door, I also line up their shoes and un-tie Connor's shoe laces so he can tie them up himself. He has a hard time getting the knot out so I help to prep the shoe laces for him the night before. Lily, our cat, inspected my work and gave approval as I took the photos. I clean up the house, and turn off the lights room by room.
9:17pm Must kiss my kids faces again. They are fast asleep, but I cannot help it, I stare and I admit here and now... I love watching them sleep. So peaceful and sweet. It makes my heart smile.
9:30pm I sit on my bed in my room and see my prototype of my caddy on my dresser. I stop and stare thinking...how can it be better. I grab a red marker and X off the changes I had discussed earlier in the day with Phil at Matz. I can see how it will look...it is really getting there. I mark the places where I will change the structure and when I replaced the cap on the red marker I know I am done.
10:05pm Putting the red marker away for the night. Eyes are demanding I close them. as I sit on my bed once more I suddenly remember our clothes in the dryer...ugh. I stand with a sigh and begin to fold laundry. Making my stacks of clean clothes for each of us...I clear out the dryer and finish my last task of the day.
10:36pm Hello bed! It is great to finally lay down and rest. It has been a full, productive day...but I had a day, as a mom, with my sons. I am so grateful...it is worth every tired muscle.
Mom falls asleep and ends her day.
I would never say it is easy. I can get even more tired being a mom then being on set at times...but I appreciate and love my time with my sons. I feel so grateful when I am with them. They are the reason I work so hard to make my small business succeed in the future. I want to spend more time with them and less time on sets. My schedule can be so rigid and confining. To have more flexibility on my hours and personal time would be more then ideal...it would be a dream. That said, I am not afraid to continue to work hard, just choosing more free time with my family in the future but what working mom wouldn't?
I love looking for quotes to share with my sons about family or life. I looked up some tonight to add to this blog post. Quotes that spoke to me...maybe they will to you. Because I am not defined my my job or career, it is my family and my life experiences that define me and reflect who I really am.
Without doubt, no matter how successful my company may (hopefully!) become, my greatest accomplishment in life will always remain my two amazing sons. They humble me deeply.
Quotes from other well known, working moms:
"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." -Sophia Loren
"Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials." -Meryl Streep
"There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one." -Jill Churchill
"A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's." -Diana, Princess of Wales
(This last one may be my favorite!)
"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." -Phyllis Diller
Gotta have a sense of humor right?!?
HairFerry blog was started as a way for me to share my adventures of small business risks, rises and falls. I could not overlook the influence my being a single mom has made on my choices from day to day. I gamble daily and face the instability of small business ownership. I fully understand the odds are not good, but I plow ahead anyway. I have faith. It feels right. And it is for my family's future.
It was fun to write and share my "mom" day with you.
Until next time...HairFerry flying out!
(aka Everett & Connor's mom)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
A New Year has arrived.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!
Can you believe 2013 is here?
Wow, what a month...actually...what a year! I've been really busy at my usual day job, running the hair department for "The Office" and of course full time job as "Mom". We are finishing our final season so the episodes have been packed full of fun surprises for the fans...not leaving a lot of spare time for me to focus on my side business. That said, I feel I have made some real break throughs in December and heading into January I feel happily optimistic, I've even managed some fun outings with my boys as well. it was a good year all in all.
AT LAST, I finally have my Cape design and my Caddy design sorted out!!! I am so close to actually having a 'product line'! Although i do love my little Hot Spot Mats, they were very good to me and really got my name out there in the industry last year. I am starting to get recognized by my industry peers too. It's funny, at union meetings or social get togethers when I introduce myself, many folks stop and ask..."Kim Ferry, as in the 'HairFerry'? I have your mat...I love it!"
I usually blush automatically, smile, and thank them immediately for having a mat.... secretly down deep I am so thrilled they even know my company name! More people then I knew had bought my mats. It makes me so happy and really excited to share my new products under development with everyone. I think these items will be helpful, useful, unique tools and I cannot wait to get them out there.
Cape Design.
I had an idea for a one-of-a kind, social media minded cape. You know what hair capes look like right?:
Well, I had a local shop, J & M Costumes help me flush out ideas for the final design. I supplied them with 2 already made capes and I just needed to incorporate my new idea into what was already out there. Can't write what that is just yet...as patent is still pending and good ideas can be easily stolen and mass produced. I will say i really thought it would not be that much work, they are professionals and could probably complete the task in a few days. I also must say they were very nice and helpful but I did remind them I am on a budget, that I needed to do this as cost effective as possible. The owner, Leo, assured me he understood. The supplies needed to incorporate my idea were only $33.00. Only charges left were for time spent on testing materials in the heat of a dryer and sewing together my new design...how much could that be? As I got my first prototype back, I noticed right away how heavy it felt, too heavy for most clients to wear around their neck. I tried it out at work on a few friends and sure enough it was not working, but J & M had already began the second one, I had asked for two capes...I figured I would need two, one to keep and one to take as a sample to show prospective manufacturers in downtown LA. I am still really trying to make everything in my line in the US and not ship out to China. I remember leaving J & M and telling Leo I wanted to pay him for the work done so far, he reminded me the materials only costed $33. Don't worry, I won't charge you until it is all done. (I should have got an estimate right then and there....) but I simply smiled and ran back to work as I was on my lunch hour and had to rush back for afternoon touch ups.
I knew I would need to make further adjustments when I figured out positives and negatives of these two new capes. The details would surely be clearer after more 'on set' and 'in the trailer' testing. Unfortunately, the second cape I had left behind at J & M got lost for a while in their shop. I swore I had not picked it up as they were sewing it when I picked up the first one...but Leo thoughjt I had picked it up and that is where it got weird. Remember, every time I tried to pay and get an estimate...Leo was saying "Don't worry, I know I can trust you, I don't want to charge you until we are done". Well, as he looked up the costs of materials, $33.00 and the first cape time was fast...he said I wasn't in much to him...he would e-mail me the final bill. I was only in about $100 in labor. I figured maybe another $100 or less...I could live with that. NOTE to all: The final bill I received weeks later was $576! (for two capes...to get altered...NOT made from scratch, not expecting them to provide any material, I brought completed capes) Another lesson learned...ALWAYS get WRITTEN estimate... period. I really need to do that. Anyone reading this should too. Let my many mistakes be a lesson to you all. I have been told one thing and then hit with stupidly high cost bills later and they are all given with sincere explanations...ugh. I mean really, 9 hours to adjust 2 capes? At $60. an hour? I had hired my local seamstress the first two example capes myself. $60.00 total bill. But for final changes and testing...I went to J & M. Thought they would be reasonable because it was such a small job for them. Anyway...very nice people...but lesson learned, my bank account took a big hit on this one.
I paid the cost, in full, a whopping $576.00 even though they lost my second cape for over a month. I felt I had to pay it because they have a long standing relationship with The Office wardrobe and prop departments..and I do not want to make waves and they did help me sort out some important structure related details. I mostly because I made a mistake by not getting exact numbers from Leo. I should have asked what their hourly bill was, or what he thought it would cost with testing, I could have tested myself and only paid for sewing. Anyway, HUGE lesson learned. They are a big business with large overhead, of course they are going to cost more then I imagined. I was foolish to think otherwise. So...please... learn from my mistakes.
Moving on.
At least I have the final concept. I know what to alter and I have met a lovely lady, Rachel, who can help me finally complete my capes this month. Rachel rents an apartment from a dear friend of mine, Cindy. Cindy and her husband have a full apartment under their gorgeous Spanish style house. Rachel is a beautiful lady full of excitement to design and create. She had just moved in, and is a seamstress who moved to LA to get into designing. She is really helping me find the final cape material, and sort out design details of the cape. I never have the time to go downtown to the fabric district and look at rows of samples, select proper materials, but now she has become my eyes and ears. She met with me on my lunch hour at work, and then another day, when I had my two sons in tow...at a Starbucks not far from Frends Beauty Supply. We went over color, style and neckline. I definitely want Velcro neck, snaps never really fit right, and the velcro will go with another cool element of my cape so...just waiting for her to do one cape in Black and one in Brown. Why those colors? Well, most hair capes are in grey and black, I want to be different, and those two colors will not really clash with anyones skin or hair color. I took under consideration that colors like red, green, yellow and blue, like my mat colors...just cannot be used in hair cutting or salon capes. When coloring hair in a salon or doing makeup in a hollywood trailer...the cape will reflect onto the skin and hair. A green or yellow cape can make your client or actor look sick. Or if you are coloring a clients hair, contrasting cape colors can really throw off the end result. So, sadly, I cannot make 10 capes in all 10 of my Hot Spot mat colors...but it was a nice thought for a minute! (I figured some where down the line I would be asked that so i wanted to address it here)
Black and Brown...that will be enough for me and my line. I already have the cape product name but holding on to that info until my Patent is solid and legal. :-)
Caddy Design.
I have been working on this idea since day one of founding my business. I had always planned to launch with the caddy first, then the heat mats, then everything else my mind created for my line. Fate had different plans. If you have read my other posts, you will know that the caddy just simply fell behind. With false promises from many different people and companies, it just hasn't had a chance...until now.
I had time resently to ask Tim, our construction coordinator on The Office, a few questions about my caddy design. He is really an amazing guy. So patient and nice. He sketched out a concept from my awful sketch and verbal descriptions... and he added some really clever modifications. A sample was made and I was able to take it home with me on our last day of work. I have it sitting on my dresser, in my bedroom. I have been just staring at it...thinking, processing what could make it really more functional or more unique then anything out there. My mind keeps swirling ideas...but nothing lands the first day home. I look again at the other iron stands out there. The only stands and or caddy's I have seen that seem to sell the most look like this:
It is sold at most of our beauty supplies for $26.95. Lucite, with 3 outlets attached that really do not work. If you plug one iron into it...it blocks the other two outlets. Also, it breaks very easily using it every day in the trailer. It wabbles and the irons are never really stationary. They move and the plastic can melt or warp the way this is designed. The irons are really close to each other, not enough room for the heat to escape properly. But, it is the only thing out there that holds more then one iron/blow dryer other then the 'metal-clamp on" table stands. These table stands have a whole other world of issues though. See images below.
This little item sells on ebay for $7.75. It does not mention in the description what it is made of or exactly how much heat it can take. What I aim to design is a truly functional, multitasking caddy that can appeal to everyone and be used on counters and walls. It will be much clearer how much heat it can handle and the design will tie in my Hot Spot mats as well! It is coming...and this is when the final concept hit me.
At exactly 8:45pm on December 22nd....I had it. I had gone to my bedroom to change into pajamas and get my sons ready for bed, we were all tired from the busy day and holiday parties. I sat on my bed and started staring at my prototype. I had put a dryer and one iron in the caddy to try and stir ideas and it had worked. I reached forward to my desk that sits close by my bedroom door and grabbed a red sharpie then began to draw directly on the clear lucite caddy. I made lines on the caddy and traced where I thought lucite should be cut and altered. I created new perimeters and shape ideas. When I had finished, my oldest son walked in and watched me grinning from ear to ear while jumping up and down looking at the changes I had made. He smiled and looked at me like I was crazy...I smiled goofily back and told him I had finally fixed everything I had been trying to figure out for almost a year! He very sweetly hugged me and tolerated my explaining to him what I wanted to change. My wonderful 8 year old, Everett, was there to share the moment of success with me, even though he was just on his way to tell me my youngest had fallen asleep on the couch, and that I had to carry him to bed. I had no problem with that. I felt like Wonder Woman. I had fixed the design that had eluded me for far too long.
I just needed a solid, inspirational prototype to stare at, and mold with my eyes. I almost cannot wait to talk to Tim about it, but we are on vacation and I do not want to bother anyone from work. Jeez! I really want to incorporate my modifications...I wonder if I can contact him? No. Must be patient. I will have to wait to go back to work on set and talk to Tim when I get back. I am SO not good at waiting when it comes to this business. The only comfort I have is that Art Dept usually goes back a week before crew so odds are that he will be there nest week and I can sneak in and have a chat.
How grateful I am to know so many talented, kind people. I know I will sort this out in the next few weeks. Then I can show the design to Matz Rubber Company. They can possibly do a mold...that would take it in the true direction I want to go. I have enjoyed doing business with them and Cara is amazing over there. In fact, I have to pick up my last order of Hot Spots in Obsidian. While there, I had hoped to bring a current caddy, but maybe I can bring the one I have and show that until the final one is done.
Well, I will end this post here. I still have one more round of Prototypes for cape and caddy but closer then I have ever been to manufacturing them at last. I also have had some marketing people contact me about moving my business forward and offering to give advice. I am always open to ideas and help so I will meet with them and keep you posted on what direction that goes. I know I need to continue to work on the patents, and make sure all of my ideas are protected. I have a lawyer, Gordon, that I trust. he has my company trademarked. He knows entertainment law and comes with high integrity. I am even open to the idea of selling the concept for the capes...and getting royalties. That will be decided after I chat with a new contact I just got. A lawyer friend of a friend who just sold some concepts after patenting her idea...and the end result was very profitable. I am open to anything. I want to ask questions, make phone calls and really move forward this year. I never pass on anyone offering their knowledge of small business experience. You never know where it could lead. I will continue to plow ahead in the New Year and I hope my readers continue to stick with me.
To those who have come and read these words, and bought my mats or even just met me on a set, a photo shoot, or in my home town and gave me positive support...I want to say thanks. I am hanging in there. I am feeling a wonderful momentum and I know this hard work, numerous mistakes and lessons, and simple drive to succeed will pay off.
I hope your holidays were wonderful and wishing you all the best in the coming year. Good luck to all on their own adventure.
HairFerry flying out.
Can you believe 2013 is here?
Wow, what a month...actually...what a year! I've been really busy at my usual day job, running the hair department for "The Office" and of course full time job as "Mom". We are finishing our final season so the episodes have been packed full of fun surprises for the fans...not leaving a lot of spare time for me to focus on my side business. That said, I feel I have made some real break throughs in December and heading into January I feel happily optimistic, I've even managed some fun outings with my boys as well. it was a good year all in all.
AT LAST, I finally have my Cape design and my Caddy design sorted out!!! I am so close to actually having a 'product line'! Although i do love my little Hot Spot Mats, they were very good to me and really got my name out there in the industry last year. I am starting to get recognized by my industry peers too. It's funny, at union meetings or social get togethers when I introduce myself, many folks stop and ask..."Kim Ferry, as in the 'HairFerry'? I have your mat...I love it!"
I usually blush automatically, smile, and thank them immediately for having a mat.... secretly down deep I am so thrilled they even know my company name! More people then I knew had bought my mats. It makes me so happy and really excited to share my new products under development with everyone. I think these items will be helpful, useful, unique tools and I cannot wait to get them out there.
Cape Design.
I had an idea for a one-of-a kind, social media minded cape. You know what hair capes look like right?:
Well, I had a local shop, J & M Costumes help me flush out ideas for the final design. I supplied them with 2 already made capes and I just needed to incorporate my new idea into what was already out there. Can't write what that is just yet...as patent is still pending and good ideas can be easily stolen and mass produced. I will say i really thought it would not be that much work, they are professionals and could probably complete the task in a few days. I also must say they were very nice and helpful but I did remind them I am on a budget, that I needed to do this as cost effective as possible. The owner, Leo, assured me he understood. The supplies needed to incorporate my idea were only $33.00. Only charges left were for time spent on testing materials in the heat of a dryer and sewing together my new design...how much could that be? As I got my first prototype back, I noticed right away how heavy it felt, too heavy for most clients to wear around their neck. I tried it out at work on a few friends and sure enough it was not working, but J & M had already began the second one, I had asked for two capes...I figured I would need two, one to keep and one to take as a sample to show prospective manufacturers in downtown LA. I am still really trying to make everything in my line in the US and not ship out to China. I remember leaving J & M and telling Leo I wanted to pay him for the work done so far, he reminded me the materials only costed $33. Don't worry, I won't charge you until it is all done. (I should have got an estimate right then and there....) but I simply smiled and ran back to work as I was on my lunch hour and had to rush back for afternoon touch ups.
I knew I would need to make further adjustments when I figured out positives and negatives of these two new capes. The details would surely be clearer after more 'on set' and 'in the trailer' testing. Unfortunately, the second cape I had left behind at J & M got lost for a while in their shop. I swore I had not picked it up as they were sewing it when I picked up the first one...but Leo thoughjt I had picked it up and that is where it got weird. Remember, every time I tried to pay and get an estimate...Leo was saying "Don't worry, I know I can trust you, I don't want to charge you until we are done". Well, as he looked up the costs of materials, $33.00 and the first cape time was fast...he said I wasn't in much to him...he would e-mail me the final bill. I was only in about $100 in labor. I figured maybe another $100 or less...I could live with that. NOTE to all: The final bill I received weeks later was $576! (for two capes...to get altered...NOT made from scratch, not expecting them to provide any material, I brought completed capes) Another lesson learned...ALWAYS get WRITTEN estimate... period. I really need to do that. Anyone reading this should too. Let my many mistakes be a lesson to you all. I have been told one thing and then hit with stupidly high cost bills later and they are all given with sincere explanations...ugh. I mean really, 9 hours to adjust 2 capes? At $60. an hour? I had hired my local seamstress the first two example capes myself. $60.00 total bill. But for final changes and testing...I went to J & M. Thought they would be reasonable because it was such a small job for them. Anyway...very nice people...but lesson learned, my bank account took a big hit on this one.
I paid the cost, in full, a whopping $576.00 even though they lost my second cape for over a month. I felt I had to pay it because they have a long standing relationship with The Office wardrobe and prop departments..and I do not want to make waves and they did help me sort out some important structure related details. I mostly because I made a mistake by not getting exact numbers from Leo. I should have asked what their hourly bill was, or what he thought it would cost with testing, I could have tested myself and only paid for sewing. Anyway, HUGE lesson learned. They are a big business with large overhead, of course they are going to cost more then I imagined. I was foolish to think otherwise. So...please... learn from my mistakes.
Moving on.
At least I have the final concept. I know what to alter and I have met a lovely lady, Rachel, who can help me finally complete my capes this month. Rachel rents an apartment from a dear friend of mine, Cindy. Cindy and her husband have a full apartment under their gorgeous Spanish style house. Rachel is a beautiful lady full of excitement to design and create. She had just moved in, and is a seamstress who moved to LA to get into designing. She is really helping me find the final cape material, and sort out design details of the cape. I never have the time to go downtown to the fabric district and look at rows of samples, select proper materials, but now she has become my eyes and ears. She met with me on my lunch hour at work, and then another day, when I had my two sons in tow...at a Starbucks not far from Frends Beauty Supply. We went over color, style and neckline. I definitely want Velcro neck, snaps never really fit right, and the velcro will go with another cool element of my cape so...just waiting for her to do one cape in Black and one in Brown. Why those colors? Well, most hair capes are in grey and black, I want to be different, and those two colors will not really clash with anyones skin or hair color. I took under consideration that colors like red, green, yellow and blue, like my mat colors...just cannot be used in hair cutting or salon capes. When coloring hair in a salon or doing makeup in a hollywood trailer...the cape will reflect onto the skin and hair. A green or yellow cape can make your client or actor look sick. Or if you are coloring a clients hair, contrasting cape colors can really throw off the end result. So, sadly, I cannot make 10 capes in all 10 of my Hot Spot mat colors...but it was a nice thought for a minute! (I figured some where down the line I would be asked that so i wanted to address it here)
Black and Brown...that will be enough for me and my line. I already have the cape product name but holding on to that info until my Patent is solid and legal. :-)
Caddy Design.
I have been working on this idea since day one of founding my business. I had always planned to launch with the caddy first, then the heat mats, then everything else my mind created for my line. Fate had different plans. If you have read my other posts, you will know that the caddy just simply fell behind. With false promises from many different people and companies, it just hasn't had a chance...until now.
I had time resently to ask Tim, our construction coordinator on The Office, a few questions about my caddy design. He is really an amazing guy. So patient and nice. He sketched out a concept from my awful sketch and verbal descriptions... and he added some really clever modifications. A sample was made and I was able to take it home with me on our last day of work. I have it sitting on my dresser, in my bedroom. I have been just staring at it...thinking, processing what could make it really more functional or more unique then anything out there. My mind keeps swirling ideas...but nothing lands the first day home. I look again at the other iron stands out there. The only stands and or caddy's I have seen that seem to sell the most look like this:
Found these on Ebay for $29.99. They are adjustable to most countertops, but have been known to fall during our trailers travels when we are going on locations. If the clamp breaks, usually you need a whole new stand. The biggest challenge is that with all of our irons and tools in it al once, the stand can get very "top heavy" making it easy to pull off accidentally when in use. Or worse, if an actor gets their foot accidentally looped in a cord, the whole stand can fly off with one step-and yes, the irons are all usually hot, can be dangerous.
And then finally, there are the solo "Flat Iron" stands available. I looked them up on Amazon and this one did not even have a description of what they are made of, but they are anywhere from $10-30 depending on the brand and where you buy it. They look like this:
This little item sells on ebay for $7.75. It does not mention in the description what it is made of or exactly how much heat it can take. What I aim to design is a truly functional, multitasking caddy that can appeal to everyone and be used on counters and walls. It will be much clearer how much heat it can handle and the design will tie in my Hot Spot mats as well! It is coming...and this is when the final concept hit me.
At exactly 8:45pm on December 22nd....I had it. I had gone to my bedroom to change into pajamas and get my sons ready for bed, we were all tired from the busy day and holiday parties. I sat on my bed and started staring at my prototype. I had put a dryer and one iron in the caddy to try and stir ideas and it had worked. I reached forward to my desk that sits close by my bedroom door and grabbed a red sharpie then began to draw directly on the clear lucite caddy. I made lines on the caddy and traced where I thought lucite should be cut and altered. I created new perimeters and shape ideas. When I had finished, my oldest son walked in and watched me grinning from ear to ear while jumping up and down looking at the changes I had made. He smiled and looked at me like I was crazy...I smiled goofily back and told him I had finally fixed everything I had been trying to figure out for almost a year! He very sweetly hugged me and tolerated my explaining to him what I wanted to change. My wonderful 8 year old, Everett, was there to share the moment of success with me, even though he was just on his way to tell me my youngest had fallen asleep on the couch, and that I had to carry him to bed. I had no problem with that. I felt like Wonder Woman. I had fixed the design that had eluded me for far too long.
I just needed a solid, inspirational prototype to stare at, and mold with my eyes. I almost cannot wait to talk to Tim about it, but we are on vacation and I do not want to bother anyone from work. Jeez! I really want to incorporate my modifications...I wonder if I can contact him? No. Must be patient. I will have to wait to go back to work on set and talk to Tim when I get back. I am SO not good at waiting when it comes to this business. The only comfort I have is that Art Dept usually goes back a week before crew so odds are that he will be there nest week and I can sneak in and have a chat.
How grateful I am to know so many talented, kind people. I know I will sort this out in the next few weeks. Then I can show the design to Matz Rubber Company. They can possibly do a mold...that would take it in the true direction I want to go. I have enjoyed doing business with them and Cara is amazing over there. In fact, I have to pick up my last order of Hot Spots in Obsidian. While there, I had hoped to bring a current caddy, but maybe I can bring the one I have and show that until the final one is done.
Well, I will end this post here. I still have one more round of Prototypes for cape and caddy but closer then I have ever been to manufacturing them at last. I also have had some marketing people contact me about moving my business forward and offering to give advice. I am always open to ideas and help so I will meet with them and keep you posted on what direction that goes. I know I need to continue to work on the patents, and make sure all of my ideas are protected. I have a lawyer, Gordon, that I trust. he has my company trademarked. He knows entertainment law and comes with high integrity. I am even open to the idea of selling the concept for the capes...and getting royalties. That will be decided after I chat with a new contact I just got. A lawyer friend of a friend who just sold some concepts after patenting her idea...and the end result was very profitable. I am open to anything. I want to ask questions, make phone calls and really move forward this year. I never pass on anyone offering their knowledge of small business experience. You never know where it could lead. I will continue to plow ahead in the New Year and I hope my readers continue to stick with me.
To those who have come and read these words, and bought my mats or even just met me on a set, a photo shoot, or in my home town and gave me positive support...I want to say thanks. I am hanging in there. I am feeling a wonderful momentum and I know this hard work, numerous mistakes and lessons, and simple drive to succeed will pay off.
I hope your holidays were wonderful and wishing you all the best in the coming year. Good luck to all on their own adventure.
HairFerry flying out.
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