My other blog http://nufacesinternational.blogspot.com/Imagine building an empire that started with $200. Or going from the YMCA to the Georgia World Congress Center, Dr. Bronner did it. I attended the Bronner Brother's Hair Show
this August 2010. I must admit it has changed a lot since the 90's when I first started attending. The show went from being exclusive to licensed hairstylist/barber, educators or cosmetology students to being open to anyone with money. It use to be, the show we talked about all year. Now it's the show only outsiders [people not in the industry] talk about. It's sad, because we[stylist] need that conference. It's where we go to learn about the new trends, brush up on our technical skills and network with like minded individuals. So what happened? Did the Bronner Brother Family hit hard times and no longer care about the integrity of their fathers business? Or did we as stylist, invite our family and friends to the conference because we didn't want to go alone? Hmmm, I think it's both. One of my friends is a nurse and had a conference in Chicago. She invited me, she said her company is paying for everything, so I'll have a place to stay. All I have to do is get there and pay for my food. I ask can I go to the conference? She replied NO, Tonya it's for nurses only. Naturally, I'm not interested in the field of nursing so hearing NO was not a disappointment. But imagine if she said yes. That's means I would probably leave the conference with samples of new meds, I get to hear all insiders secrets and more importantly, I would hurt the integrity of the industry. So why do we do it to this industry? Leaders like Bronner Brothers; WHY am I sitting in class next to women, who don't know how to cut a bob or don't know shear angles? WHY am I sitting next to women who don't know the difference in semi and demi color. Well based on their questions in the classes, I made my way over to them and through conversation I found out that they are NOT a licensed stylist and have never been to beauty school. However, they have "always done hair at home." How did they get tickets without showing their credentials? Why did she have an entire product line in her possession? Give me a break!!!!
this August 2010. I must admit it has changed a lot since the 90's when I first started attending. The show went from being exclusive to licensed hairstylist/barber, educators or cosmetology students to being open to anyone with money. It use to be, the show we talked about all year. Now it's the show only outsiders [people not in the industry] talk about. It's sad, because we[stylist] need that conference. It's where we go to learn about the new trends, brush up on our technical skills and network with like minded individuals. So what happened? Did the Bronner Brother Family hit hard times and no longer care about the integrity of their fathers business? Or did we as stylist, invite our family and friends to the conference because we didn't want to go alone? Hmmm, I think it's both. One of my friends is a nurse and had a conference in Chicago. She invited me, she said her company is paying for everything, so I'll have a place to stay. All I have to do is get there and pay for my food. I ask can I go to the conference? She replied NO, Tonya it's for nurses only. Naturally, I'm not interested in the field of nursing so hearing NO was not a disappointment. But imagine if she said yes. That's means I would probably leave the conference with samples of new meds, I get to hear all insiders secrets and more importantly, I would hurt the integrity of the industry. So why do we do it to this industry? Leaders like Bronner Brothers; WHY am I sitting in class next to women, who don't know how to cut a bob or don't know shear angles? WHY am I sitting next to women who don't know the difference in semi and demi color. Well based on their questions in the classes, I made my way over to them and through conversation I found out that they are NOT a licensed stylist and have never been to beauty school. However, they have "always done hair at home." How did they get tickets without showing their credentials? Why did she have an entire product line in her possession? Give me a break!!!!
Now I do understand that many of us don't like traveling alone. Bring your kiths along for the ride, get them set up in the hotel, and while you're at the trade show they can tour Atlanta. At the end of the day, you guys meet up for the Trade show competition, concerts, comedy shows, etc. But you don't need them sitting next to you in the classrooms, (and got the nerve to ask questions) or on the exhibition floor buying products. Let's get it together.
I predict, that in a few years, we will hear things like, "the the haircare business isn't what it used to be. And the stylist doesn't support some of the black own haircare conferences like they use to." This is sad because the trade show has some of the best technical stylist in the world. You can't beat the quality of education you get for such a low price. But we miss out on most of it because we're sitting with so many kitchen-ticians asking basic beauty school questions like "how do you cut a bob?" What!!!!!
BRONNER BROTHER WE LOVE YOU AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO ENFORCE YOUR COMPANY RULES OR SIMPLY RAISE YOUR STANDARDS.
Don't be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.
You can't fly with eagles if you hang out with turkeys. (Dr. Nathaniel Bronner, Sr.)
You can't fly with eagles if you hang out with turkeys. (Dr. Nathaniel Bronner, Sr.)
It's time that Bronner Bros, start asking to see your license before they give you access to the trade show. It's time stylist stop bringing their kiths to an industry event. And together we can fulfill the late Dr. Bronners vision.
Tonya L. Stokes
