American Crew Blog – Insight, Education and Style Trends in Men’s Haircare

Melissa Williams Shares Her Salon’s Fund-raising Story

Gould’s Day Spa & Salon is a family owned and operated chain of Salons and Spas and one Cosmetology School, a total of 14 locations in the Memphis, Tennessee Area. I have been working with Gould’s 17 years. I learned about the American Crew Military Edition Program thru a close friend of mine. The Program encouraged American Crew’s salon community to hold fund-raising events for the USO and provided us all of the materials we would need to hold the event. I encouraged my salon to participate in the program, as I personally have known soldiers who have fought for our country and have been grateful for the programs the USO provides them.

Three years ago on October 13th my close friend’s son, who was stationed in Afghanistan, was injured in a roadside bomb and then was transferred to Walter Reed. I visited my friend and her son while he was healing, and it was there that I really started to understand why it was important to “support our troops” as well as all the good that the USO does to give back. After leaving Walter Reed I wanted to know how in my life I can continue to give back. As my friend always says about the time her son spent at Walter Reed and meeting all the other soldiers – “you just don’t know” until you really start to meet and talk with the other soldiers and their family. Then you really understand the sacrifice they all make.

After my experience at Walter Reid, I always thank a soldier if I see them in an airport or just out and about! Gould’s wanted to give back and decided to participate in the program by holding our own USO fundraising event on October 3rd, 2011 in our School, Gould’s Academy. We sold USO t-shirts, provided complimentary haircuts for all of those with a Military ID and $10.00 haircuts without a Military ID. We also sold the American Crew Military Edition Product Line in our salons so all of our customers could show their support for our troops! We continued to raise money until the end of November and have raised $2229.43 as of today.

Gould’s loves our Troops and we hope that together with American Crew and the salon community we have shown our support!

I believe that the hard work and perseverance I put in, from day one of Cosmetology school, led me to the place I am today. I believe that education is the way to success. I believe that American Crew is the leader in men’s grooming. Here’s my story of how American Crew has shaped my career.

I always knew I wanted more out of my career than behind-the-chair work. I became very interested in American Crew during my cosmetology training. I would follow the growth of Crew in the industry trade magazines the school carried and the positive impact they were having on hair stylists and consumers. They were an exciting company to track. A fellow student and I made great travel buddies, setting our sights on attending one hair show a year. This is where the love affair with Crew really took off. To see them on stage, listen to the their verbiage and watch them cut and create these amazing looks for men was captivating. I needed to be a part of the culture.

The year I received my cosmetology license, I re-enrolled in school for my educator’s license. The year after that, I attended the American Crew Method 01 course at the Menswork Academy. I remember the very first time I stepped foot into the Menswork Academy. There was all this imagery on exposed brick walls showcasing visuals I had seen in Crew style selectors. There were also blown up head sheets diagramming haircuts. Walking across the concrete floor, I took my seat in the front and readied my notepad. The instructors were so patient and professional, as we jumped immediately into loads of information on: masculine versus feminine silhouettes, cutting from the interior to exterior, the important placement of horseshoe-shaped partings, body positioning, hand position, proper usage of tools, proper product usage and how to retail, effective consultations and how to build your men’s business.

Shortly after that experience, I went back to attend the Menswork Method 02 course. This course strengthened me as a stylist further, even influencing my women’s haircutting. Instead of depending on the work of a texturizing tool, it instilled in me the knowledge to make decisions, using the shear or razor, to control the haircut with guided force.

Setting my sights on a regional education role with the company, I applied to American Crew for a position and was hired as a TeamCrew educator. Refining my skills as an artist and as an educator, I was promoted to an International All-Star educator. Last year, I received the All-Star of the Year award. Most recently I was offered a position as a Menswork Academy instructor.

You could ask anyone on the American Crew education team about their journey to a cultivated spot on TeamCrew or International All-Star. Their stories would all be different. The common theme would be hard work and perseverance. To find out more information on American Crew’s education classes and for a full list of Menswork Academy course dates in 2012 go to www.americancrew.com or login to our stylist site and search under the education tab. Nurture your career and your success with education.

Guest Author: Janelle Eide, International All-Star for American Crew