The Fresh Perspective...

Just shut up and clean already!

if all my supplies looked like this?

It’s Spring!  We must get ready! Everything will be fresh and new soon so let’s get prepared!  Ugh!  Like we don’t know?! Marketing ploys to get you in the season for more spending and purchasing and ‘buying’ into themes and concepts that make a difference? Really?  My cynicism is on fire this post!

Get your life together, throw out those old things.  Get your closet in shape, get ready to show your flesh! It’s all too much but yet, I can say that I look forward to all the “spring” marketing.  I love a new beginning and an excuse to make a to-do list.  What do you like?  Does this time of year make you want to be better and accomplish more?  Does it make you want to vomit? 

does this ‘spark joy’?

This is the time we take stalk of how much more we need to accomplish before the sun warms all things and we are in full on summer mode. It almost seems like we live for this? We live for the preparation of the seasons ahead. We are always looking for the next thing to motivate us. At least I am… Humans, we are the best, subscribe below!

-peace

The Fresh Perspective...

ARE YOU NICE?

Winter is coming to an end and we all know what comes up next, SPRINGTIME! For some of us, this is our jam! For others, it’s another change that is dreaded. Puddles, rain, remnants left from the various snowfalls hardly seem springish but in Manitoba, you know how it is. When stages end and new ones begin, it’s hard not to look back and see where you were. Life hasn’t been easy as of late…

what a nice smile

so nice!

I haven’t been that nice actually. For real, somewhere during the turmoil of 2022 I began to stop being nice.

I was annoyed 9/10 times everyday. Folks weren’t kind, folks weren’t nice and it drove me crazy! I began to realize that I too was part of the problem! I would focus on whatever task I was into and wouldn’t look up to engage anyone or anything. If I was on a run, I would never look at the oncoming runner. Walks too! My eyes just face forward. NOT NICE.

There were a few times I smiled at a face and was met with nothing. Even at times I would say ‘hello’ and not an answer at all! Nothing! I think that’s when I became less nice. Tired of people being tired, I too started slipping and I started being unkind or rather, out of touch and out of connection.

This entry is reminding me that I actually like being nice and I like engaging humans in real life. I do. Sometimes though, it’s easy to forget. Be nice and subscribe to this blog. Hehehehe 😉

-peace

It's a new dawn, a new day, and a new life?

We are about to embark into the coldest season of the year, and even though it’s been a rough year (pandemic, everything) I’m looking forward to all the newness that fall brings. It’s been hard navigating the current standards of our culture as a business owner, AND a mother! Can I just say that I have never been in so many ‘emotional’ situations in my life! From the changing business standards and our changing social standards, I’m learning, growing and developing more and more each day!

if you don’t succeed…

While changes in my life are inevitable, I’m looking forward to the changes here, at the shop! The pandemic has forced us to re-evaluate how we currently run the business and how we HAVE BEEN running the business until the shut downs of 2019. This time we are challenged with how to stay open in spite of our stylists being unreliable because of illnesses. At first, we noticed that clients were cancelling and now, it’s the stylists! These cancellations and closures have slowly made us aware of how inconsistent and slightly unreliable a service industry can be. What to do? How do we solve this issue?

so many rules, so many changes

Full disclosure, I’m not sure what all the answers are, but I am here, ready and willing to find out! This day and age, online businesses are truly taking off! Our hair salon has not yet evolved to doing haircuts online but hey, maybe one day?

We can really feel the power of online sales when we deliberately make posts to move our followers to our site. E-commerce is a new area for me to learn about but like I said, new things are now my jam? We are hoping to develop a little more on this platform by offering unique items that are sustainably made/sourced and that will make your life easier, while staying local and close.

Our body wash and lotion have been exclusively used by all the Okwumabuas in my house! I prefer body wash over bar soap because I find the bar soap really dries my skin out. Freshwash (body wash) DOES NOT. It is almost like a cowash for your skin! It’s moisturizing AND cleansing at once! I love how it makes my skin feel during the shower and afterwards as well. The lotion is pretty great too, but I double up with shea in the cooler months as Freshbody (body lotion) is quite light. It’s great for the summer or if you need a light layer of moisture.

We have some other products available for a subscription services so that you don’t have to think about coming in to get your hair products or lifestyle products. You can sign up to have them automatically ordered and set up for delivery or pick up at your own convenience! We’re here to help you, help us, help you! 😉

just one step at a time buddy

As the year continues to unfold, we are hoping that some small changes will help keep our doors open for as long as possible. We are chnaging our salon software and will also be making changes here, to our website, in order to capture more sales. While cutting, coloring and styling hair is my main focus and the shops main source of revenue, this NEW way has made it almost impossible to see the future without more “digital” services.

The online store is open 24 hours a day and while my chair is not available all day everyday, freshairboutique.ca is. It’s seems like this is the number one way that we can make some financial progress without relying or depending on service providers. It makes me sad that folks are seeming less dependable these days, but that’s just how things are now. The sooner we accept the changes, the sooner we can move on.

remember the time?

Thanks to all who support us! You might be sitting in our chairs, or only shopping online, but either way helps and either way supports. Now that we are in the last quarter of the year, we really hope that all of you consider our online store while you’re shopping for back to school items or holiday gifts or whatever your heart desires. We are always open!

-p

It's Wednesday!

HAIR

I did it again! Ok, not me, Niasha this time, but I have new hair! I always wear a sleep cap and use the satin pillowcase when I have fresh hair! As soon as a week passes, I’m just sleeping on all the cotton I can find. It’s like I forget that my hair needs to be covered in order to last. I can’t seem to figure out why I only cover for the first bit. As soon as I see some fuzz, I’m done! Finito! NO MORE CAPS.

sorry bout the lighting but you get it. it’s new and long and blondish…

Which are you? Diligent hair coverer, or like me, wild with the best intentions of protection? I mean, my hair IS in a protective style already right? That’s not enough?

Call 12044149023 (Winnipeg) if you want to make an appointment for single box braids (like I have) or check out our online store if you’re looking for satin pillowcases. Happy Holidays!

It's Wednesday!

FITNESS

I’ve been using the Peloton app for three months now and I am VERY impressed with my results. It’s a wonderful miracle, this thing we call the human body. And it never seizes to amaze me the way that my body has showed up for me time and time again. Through numerous pregnancies and fitness challenges, she has supported me through.

should i get a bike? a peloton?

I have taken a year off running (i’ll be back in june) and I am now seriously considering getting a bike to ease up on my aging knees. The app sparked a new awareness and I think that’s all we need sometimes to jump start our health hopes.

get it!

With a new year around the corner, maybe this is a good time to start a new fitness regimen? Also, maybe not? There are so many ways to stay active and healthy and if working out isn’t for you, look into other options. Life is short.

I can finally do these!

It's Wednesday!

ECO BOUTIQUE

I know i’ve done this before, but these are all the items I use from our boutique. We don’t just sell this stuff ‘just because’ you guys! I mean, everyone knows that ‘sales’ are essential to business and essential to how the hair industry works. Heck, it’s essential to our lives. So. We need to ‘buy’ stuff. Let’s try to make it count!

Here’s what I got!

the full haul

1. Last Object- Last Tissue, Last Swab and Last Tissue big box

2. Freshwash and Freshbody

3. Well Kept- Razor, Razor kit with blade bank and extra blades, Ingrown Oil, Shave Oil, Small sponge, and agave cloth

4. 6Babe Beauty- make-up remover pads

5. Ursa Major- Night cream

6. Truth Balm- Lip chap

7. Pure Anada- body butter, Eyeliner ad mascara

8. Uashmama- paper bag

9. Brush Naked- bamboo tooth brush

It’s no secret that my passion for all things sustainable and environmentally responsible is almost unquenchable! It’s one of the ways I challenge myself to grow and develop even more. It’s a challenge sometimes trying to be sustainable, but I’m here for it!

Since you’re here, comment and win a free mystery bag!😉