Mind + Body: Reading Glasses
It is so important as a professional that cares about their career to continue your education. Continuing education does not always mean taking a class. You can learn a lot from books. I try to read at least 2 books a year that will help me shape my career as a stylist. Books that can help you with your career do not necessarily only have to be written by hair specific authors. Expand your learning, from sales to achieving inner peace. Below are a list of the top 6 books a stylist should read in their lifetime. The numbers in which they are ordered does not reflect where I would rate themes, I enjoy all of these books for different reasons. Some of the books listed below were ones that mentors have suggested. Thank goodness for amazing mentors!
- Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding The Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty by Peter Lencioni This book was suggested to me by Tim McClean, style master for Kevin Murphy. Getting Naked is a pretty fast read and it touches on the fears we have when dealing with our clients. It teaches us that it is so important to maintain a level of vulnerability with our clients to be successful in our client relationships. I really suggest this book to both new and seasoned stylists because our business is based on client retention and our relationships with them.
- Meditation In A New York Minute by Mark Thornton We all need to take a minute to breathe. We must take care of our mind and bodies first and foremost so we can give our best toour clients. This book is great at giving you guided meditations for a busy bee lifestyle. Breathe in the positive vibes and let out the negative ones.
- Spin Selling by Neil Rackham For anyone who has ever wanted to retail like a boss, this book has your name written all over it. If I would have never been in copier sales for a year of my life I would have never known about this amazing book. I keep a copy of it near by and loan it out often. Spin Sales will help you identify what you need to get your product moving. I recommend this book to anyone who has trouble with retailing. It gives you a new look on sales and that your clients are asking you to help them solve a problem.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie An oldie but goodie, this book is amazing for human relations, which will translate to client relations. It is not surprising to me that this book tops many lists of great business books.The authors greatest counsel is that agreeable people win. In our industry it is so important to stay positive and agreeable. If this book doesn't help you with business it will for sure help in your personal life, which is just as important.
- Suite Success by Ryan Weeden If you knew Ryan you would want to read his book! Ryan is a successful stylist, he started Masters of Balayage and he owns a very successful salon in San Diego. If you have a salon suite or are thinking of making the move in that direction, you need to read this book. I got a lot out of it as an independent stylist. He dives into marketing yourself, social media marketing and how to set yourself up for success. It is a really wonderful and inspiring read. I read it in a few days and I am so glad I took the time to do so.
- Little Off The Top by Michael Cole When you see Michael Cole live, it is hard to not want to hug this man. His book saved my career and changed my life. I was in a bit of a rut… I read his book and did the exercises that he suggests. The book is great because it is a bit of a workbook as well. If you read this book it will change the way you think. It serves as a great reminder that we are all leaders in our own right and that we create the change we want.