Ideas please

[leftyladyfrommo]

I have a friend who has been a hairdresser all of her life. And she is good at it - esxpecially with cut and color.

She is 63 and like a whole lot of others of us this age is faced with having to start over. So we are playing with some ideas that might really work.

Do you think that a salon that specializes in beautiful cut and color for silver haired (really just for older women) might work?

Mostyounger people just want to go to younger, hip sylists. But the population is really aging and I got to thinking that maybe a salon that specializes in care for older women really might work - gorgeous silver color (or platinum or beige - you know what I mean) and really pretty cuts.

And maybe a makeup line that is very flattering to older skin. That sounds awful but there are some lines of makeup that are a lot better for older women.

A place where women can go to not try and look 40 again but to just look really good right at the age they are?

Any ideas?

[flvegan]

1. The hairdresser my mom used to go to in MA had a shop just like that.

Catered to the retirement crowd. She really liked it for the reasons you mentioned, plus she didn't really want to go somewhere that there'd be nothing but hipsters and whatnot yammering on cell phones and tweeting/facebooking. The radio had her type of music on and the other clients were more like her. It's comfortable. The salon my mom went to is in a small town, but she was very successful with it. The hairdresser has got to be in her late late 70's and still sharp as a tack.

[madmom]

2. I would love something like that. I always

tell them "I know I'm not 21, so please don't try to make me look that way". Seems younger girls just want to do the most "hip" cuts and styles. Good Luck to your friend!

[Heidi]

3. If she can brand herself as a specialist in this area, I think it's brilliant.

Maybe a feature article in a local newspaper and a website with examples of her work and testimonials would be great way to start. But word of mouth always seems to be the best means of promoting one's skills and integrity. :hi:

P.S. For example, if I knew of a stylist who specialized in red/auburn hair, I'd see that stylist and no other and would gladly pay the price.

[madamesilverspurs]

4. Great idea!

And if she can get licensed to do "house calls," even better.

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. Do you need a special licsense for that?

I thought about that, too. Someone who can go to older people's homes since they have such a hard time getting out.

[madamesilverspurs]

13. A few years ago

a cosmetologist friend got a special license that let her make the rounds of nursing homes and assisted living places. I think, but won't swear to it, that she said it also covered going into private homes.

The regulations likely vary state to state, worth checking into. I have another friend, retired beautician, who came to my home when I broke my ankle earlier this year and couldn't negotiate my stairs. There's a population always in need of that service. Hope it works out!

[PassingFair]

5. We have a salon here called "Grey"...

They have an older clientele.

They've been around for a long time,
so they must be doing something right!

(Although, I'd call mine "Silver", instead...)

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. I was thinking maybe Salon Silver? n/t

[madamesilverspurs]

12. Or maybe

"Hiyo, Silver!"

or


"Delilah's Power Cuts"

[sarge43]

6. Excellent idea.

It's about time we started celebrating our age instead of trying to hide it.

I especially like the idea of the makeup line with maybe classes, at least tips, to show how to apply to enhance the mature complexion.

[rurallib]

7. A huge bubble of us are turning grey.

If there is sufficient population in the area, I think she has a big winner.

[The empressof all]

8. Salons like this are not so uncommon

They are frequently attached or adjacent to retirement housing or senior centers. The one I go to is actually in a supportive living complex.

She may want to get the phone book out and look and see where the seniors are and locate around there. She also may want to network with local Senior Centers and Assisted Living Centers to see if they have a need for an "in-house" Hair Dresser. The gal that I go to started out by making visits to this Senior Building and when a retail spot opened up below it was a natural fit for her. I don't consider my self a Senior quite yet but I'd rather go there than the frou-frou or teen salons.

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. OK. That's a good idea, too.

I'm wondering about the cost. We don't have a lot to get started on.

This will have to be small shop that doesn't cost an arm and a leg a month for rent. She is very good at decorating so will be able to make it very pleasant just with some simple sorts of decorations.

I was thinking maybe mirrors on the walls - but most of us senors don't really like to see ourselves in mirrors all over the place.