learn, earn, & wear.

the year end retrospective blog.
such a cheese-dick thing to do........but oh so satisfying.
oh so enlightening.
oh so self indulgent.


BUT(that's shouting, joshXO) a good retrospective brings good perspective for the future. it allows us to check our proximity to goals, set our needs accordingly, or just realize that some plans are stupid ideas that we need not waste any more energy on. personally i like all this type of overview. it fits into my personality. i was the kid who had new pencils and notebooks for every new phase of the school year, and as an adult i like to start fresh as well. so what did i learn, what progress did i earn, and what scars will i wear proudly going into 2011? more importantly than me just creating a list for you to read, i want this exercise to conjure the idea of learn, earn, & wear in your head......you put your own 2010 up to test.

i opened the doors of a salon this year, so i've had plenty of opportunity to grow this year. even with all the time spent in '09 getting ready i still wasn't ready......it was humbling. even though the salon has been a hit in the city and grows every month the road has been crazy. i've def learned that goals have to be flexible, a business' culture is so very important, and not to rely on anyone else who isn't dependent on the business running to give much of a shit. i learned that as were goals may need to be flexible certain parts of the culture and branding can't be. i also learned to go with my instinct...in branding, in cutting, and in trust(i just read some of 'blink' again, can you tell).

the year did bring huge strides forward for me in baton rouge. we have many great salons and stylist in this city, and in opening 1699 i was able to meet more of them than ever. i had many chances to sit down and learn from business owners(not just in our industry) weekly. as i applied good practices i saw what can happen. progressive thought brings progress. once a tool is picked use it to build what you have imagined, the trick is picking the correct tools(wrong tool example: no one really checks out magazine, newspaper, or locally done tv ads any more....save your money.)

wear your scars. professionally and personally i've gotten plenty this year. as hairstylist one of the hardest things for us to do is to 'get caught learning'. it's not cool, but it's needed. whether self inflicted or caused by others we should admit we have them, but what we can't do is bitch about them....and the last thing others want to hear is us bitching about them(sorry RT, i've given you an ear full a few times). scars aren't an excuse to not step out again....take the pain, swallow it, and get back to work.


micah nickens
janitor
part-time front line
accountant
marketing director
stylist
owner 1699