June 23rd, 2020 UPDATE: 3 Important Things to Note
1) If you are receiving CERB, you MUST re-apply to keep receiving it for each period.
2) If your employer will be rehiring you through the CEWS subsidy, please be sure to find out as much information from them as possible (such as the payment period), because you cannot collect both CERB & CEWS simultaneously. CEWS is retroactive March 15th - June 6th. If you will be paid from your employer through CEWS, you may need to put aside and return your CERB payments to the CRA. Contact the CRA for more information about CERB or CEWS.
3) Starting on Friday, June 19th, the government of Ontario has allowed hair salons in all regions of Ontario except for Toronto, Peel and Windsor to reopen. Hair salons in York Region may reopen.
Starting on Wednesday, June 24th, hair salon in the health regions of Toronto and Peel are allowed to reopen. Windsor-Essex County Health Unit remains closed.
The Retail Council of Canada has released a "Road to Recovery Playbook" .
This can be a difficult and trying time for us in the hair industry, especially if your finances are on your mind.
If you are looking for information in regards to what EI benefits you are entitled to, you may find these links helpful.
The federal Government of Canada announced the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to further help individuals who would not normally be eligible for EI. Whether you are a wage earner, self-employed or a contract worker, you may be eligible for these benefits of $500 per week for up to 16 weeks.
If you were not eligible for to apply for EI, you can find out through the Canada Revenue Agency if you are eligible for CERB and begin to prepare what you will need for your application when the window opens on Monday, April 6th.
CUPE (the Canadian Union of Public Employees) published this FAQ page to help address questions including: Am I eligible for CERB benefits? When can I apply? When will the benefits be processed?
Use this time as an opportunity!
Take this time to build your social media.
Take this time to reach out to your clients.
Make yourself available to your clients to answer their questions about their hair and what you recommend for them in meantime until they are able to see you again in your chair. You can share links to products that you would like them to use. For example, if you are concerned that your clients may turn to box-dye, why not share a a link to an alternative product like ColorWOW root cover up?
If your client has already attempted box-dye and their hair is feeling dry and brittle, be kind and understannding and share a link to a hair treatment that you would like them to order to help improve their hair until they are back in the salon for their professional treatment with you.
You can also consider offering complimentary virtual consultations where your current and potential clients can send you pictures of their hair. Some hairstylists are even offering "viritual haircuts" and are producing social media content showing their clients how they can manage their hair in the meantime.
Our clients come to see us because they LOVE how we make them feel about themselves. This is a stressful time for them as well, and you can set yourself apart and make their day by reaching out to them and being available to help them.
"It is one of the beautiful compensations in this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Most importantly, take this time to recharge yourself as well. You cannot serve from an empty cup, so self care will help you to help others. Self care is different for everyone, so focus on what makes you happy and what makes you feel good.
Because let's face it, we are going to be SUPER busy with our clients as soon as this is all over. So take the time to nurture yourself as much as you can now (physically, mentally, spiritually) so that you are energized and ready to help all of your lovely clients upon your return.