SalonLife Update
Thursday, June 26th, 2008SALONLIFE’08 RESCHEDULED FOR JULY 2009
NCA shows it cares by helping salon professionals overcome business challenges.
Chicago—June 18, 2008— Gordon Miller, executive director of The National Cosmetology Association, announced today that the SalonLife ‘08 Conference & Expo, originally scheduled for August 9-11 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, has been rescheduled for July 2009 at the same venue. The NCA Board made this decision based on feedback from salon professionals in regard to their current challenges resulting from economic conditions, the devastating floods in the Midwest and the prohibitive costs of air and ground travel.
“Our ‘NCA Cares’ theme is much more than a slogan—it’s a guiding principle that influences every decision we make. We reached out to beauty professionals across the country and they told us that given the current economic climate and the natural disasters in the Midwest that are affecting a large portion of our attendees, this was not a good time for them to be away from their own ‘salon life.’ When we combined that with the challenges of travel for attendees who live farther away as well as our industry partners, speakers, vendors, sponsors and the media, our board of directors believes that this decision best serves all of our constituencies. As disappointed as we are after two amazingly successful SalonLife events in 2006 and 2007, postponing this year’s conference and expo until next year is simply the right thing to do for our members, our industry partners and our association.”
“Going forward, we are committed to creating a virtual network that’s designed to provide ongoing education, tips and techniques to help all NCA members thrive in spite of current challenges. If they can’t come to the SalonLife, we’ll bring our SalonLife to their ’salon life’ throughout the year in new and exciting ways,” says Miller. To that end, NCA will:
- Launch a new approach to a virtual conference that brings strategic, creative and fun business-building, artistic and inspirational information to NCA members—so they don’t have to travel—and keeps our community connected all year long.
- Enhance the NCAcares blog (subscribe at www.ncacares.org) to continue to keep NCA members and industry partners up to date and in the loop.
- Foster mentoring programs and other activities that will again help NCA’s members stay connected.
“We applaud the NCA for putting its members first and making this tough decision,” says Reuben Carranza, managing director, North America P&G Professional Care, “We at P&G Professional Care Brands, including Wella, Sebastian and Graham Webb, are committed to supporting NCA’s initiatives to connect its members through new and exciting programs and events.”
“John Paul Mitchell Systems has chosen SalonLife as one of its annual events, as we believe in the value of its mission to provide relevant business, balance and beauty education with integrity—something so needed in our industry today,” says Nina Kovner, vice president of marketing. “We support NCA in this decision and look forward to connecting with all of the great salons and stylists at SalonLife ‘09.”
Adds Neil Ducoff, founder/CEO of Strategies and author of the upcoming book, No-Compromise Leadership, “In making this decision, the NCA board held fast to its mission and values of ‘creating career success with integrity’ for its members. This is a true, authentic example of no-compromise leadership. Moving forward with SalonLife, given the devastation from the floods in the midwest, would only compound a frustrating situation for all involved.”
The National Cosmetology Association (NCA) is the largest organization of salon professionals in the world. Its mission, since its inception in 1921, has been and continues to be to ensure that working salon professionals have the tools and resources available to create career success with integrity. For continuous updates on SalonLife ‘09 and other initiatives, visit www.ncacares.org or call 312.527.6765.
A recent survey of salon professionals validates the truly entrepreneurial nature of salons. Our research projects that 35% of working professionals are salon owners, 29% are booth renters, and just 23% are commissioned employees and 6% salaried (leaving 8% as managers, educators and other). That means a whopping 64% (owners and renters) of all professionals as “self employed” and responsible for running their own businesses. 
With the high rate of career failures for all categories, we can’t help ask the question, “How do we inspire all to avail themselves to more education focused on how to best manage your business and finances?”