Speaker 1 0:01

Hi, welcome to blue leaf connections, where we talk all things, cosmetology, barber, and aesthetics tonight. Pretty much Blueleaf connections is where we bridge the gap between the student and the licensed professional. So tonight I am actually doing a live podcast. this is the second live podcast. The, my guest tonight is Laffarah Shaw. I just wanted to talk to Laffarah about one of her niches, one of the things that she really loves to do, and while we're talking about it, we're going to relate it pretty much to the student because Blueleaf connections is about bridging the gap between the student and the licensed professional. Then at towards the end of the podcast. If you guys have any questions, we will be answering questions. Um, any comments just , um, chime in. So Laffarah, I've been working with you for awhile and you have a passion for kids, AKA little people. How do you connect so well with kids? Um ,

Speaker 2 1:14

I connect well with kids because I have a , a very high tolerance for them. Um, in order to work with kids, you do have to have a very high tolerance for them because they like to move. They're thirsty. They got to go to the bathroom. They , um, they just, everything in the world happens in that chair. So if you don't have a high tolerance for, what's going to go down, when those kids sit in your chair, I don't think you should be a kid stylist, but being a kid stylists do not work for all stylists, but it does work for me.

Speaker 1 1:51

Okay. What's what's the youngest age of what's the youngest age you styled. And tell me a little bit about how she was, or he was

Speaker 2 2:01

what is the age the youngest you styled, I want to say is two , but there are limitations to styling. The two year olds. I can't style all two year olds because not all two year old sits still, but I have sowed as young as t wo sitting still. And, u m, it wasn't the best experience, but it wasn't the worst either. And when I say best and worst, I , I don't mean that like in a bad way, I just mean, u m, I had to really know how to handle that child while doing their hair. Because again, that child moved a little, that child cried a little a nd that child, u h, you know, did a lot of things, but we got through it and I was good with it because, u h, I was able to calm the child down by, y ou k now, giving them breaks as needed or telling them how cute they were g oing t o look when it was done or you things like that. So you just g otta have a , you g otta know what you're doing when dealing with these kids.

Speaker 1 3:05

Okay. So you just laid out 10 20 tips about dealing with kids. Can you give just like a specific golden nugget tip to a new stylist or a student who has a kid in their chair? What's something that you've done. That was a sure thing help that helped get you through that service that you can share.

Speaker 2 3:36

Um, I sometimes keep candy on my station because kids love candy. So you keep candy on the station. You're going to offer the kid candy if they're crying or something to drink, or maybe have the parents that bring , um, you know, their tablets or something like that. Uh, it's a few different things you can do to keep that child under control as much as you can. But , um,

Speaker 1 4:00

So candy, is it lollipops? Lollipops, lollipops. Okay . I'll keep that in mind. I'll keep that in mind. What , um, when you do kids over the past year , uh , years, I've noticed that once you get the kid, you kind of secure the mom or the odds. So where's your strategy and like, okay, I'm going to start doing kids. And I know if I do kids, I'll get the mom, I'll get the aunt, I'll get the family because you have a lot of families. Whereas do you know some stylists just only do the mom? Like I do a lot of moms. I don't per se do kids. I like kids. We love kids and beliefs align , but when it's someone better at the salon who does kids, I generally pass them over to someone who I know that has a background with kids. So has it helped you maintain or get the full family band doing kids? Yeah .

Speaker 2 4:59

Yeah. I do a lot of families. Uh, I didn't really go in and taking the child thinking, Oh, I'm going to get the grandmother, the mother, the sister, brother.

Speaker 1 5:07

It ended up I that . Okay. What's one of the biggest challenges that you've had when doing a kid like to made you think, maybe I don't know if I'm gonna do kids anymore. Has that ever happened? Really? Okay. Um ,

Speaker 2 5:23

Let me tell you a little story. One time I had a child sit in my chair and it started out good, but the child cried and cried and cried, and I did everything I could to calm the child down, but , um, it, nothing worked for the child. So eventually to keep the child out of distress and to keep me , uh, from the child, not liking me. Um, that's important. You want the , I want the kid to like me. I want the kid to be comfortable around me. Um , because when they know that they are comfortable and that you care, they tend to do a little bit better, but this child, for some reason, just she wouldn't give. So , uh, the parent had to end up taking the child and, and I do that child today. She is older now. She loves me and she cannot believe she did that to me, but it's okay. She was a child, she was a baby. She was like two and it happens .

Speaker 1 6:24

Okay. So can you share with, I guess our audience and share what maybe a student, one of your biggest highlights since you've been a hairstylist?

Speaker 2 6:40

Um, the biggest highlight ,

Speaker 1 6:43

Well, can I give some background on you before you answer that question? Okay. So when I, I met L'Affaire what three different times, two different times. So I've known L'Affaire for a while . Lavera has, was in what ? Early childhood education for almost 20 years, 15, 16 years. So you have a background with dealing with kids. So it's like you have a psychology going on knowing how to really move when that kid moves to the left, to the right, knowing how to really pacify that kid because 16 years being in education, you know, some things. So with that being said, she was in education for 16 years and she has always had a gift and a passion of making people, pretty, making kids pretty , um, doing hair, making them smile, taking pictures, just loving on people and kids. Cause she really loves the kids I do . So she's had a long, she's had two long careers. A lot of people only have one career. She's had two long careers. So the highlight and becoming a stylist. Can you share that? Because you know, sometimes people forget what the highlight is. They forget why they want it to do this. And can you remind us or tell us something?

Speaker 2 8:03

Um, I love, love, love working with kids. And a lot of people don't understand it just because of , uh, I guess the patients you have to have for them. But , um, I love working with kids. It, I like making them pretty and handsome boy or girl or whatever. Um, I like knowing that they trust me, they love me. They know that they're in good hands when they're with me. And at the end, I love the hugs and kisses that they give me. I really do. It makes me feel like , um, that they trust me. And when you feel like someone trusts you, it's a big deal.

Speaker 1 8:42

Yes it is. Because not only is the parent trusting you with that child's hair, they're trusting you with their child. Right? So that, that says, it says a lot. So I will say Laffarah is amazing with kids. One of her niches is she does the kids and the family just really falls and they want her to do their hair as well. So she has a lot of families. So speaking of families, I thought we could make this podcast a little bit interesting. We talked about it earlier. We have kids. Yeah. You got a kid and we definitely have, can I got two kids, so let's bring them in and see what they're going to say. Why are we going along ? Um , Gary yell , you guys. I'm so sorry.

Speaker 3 9:28

Hey, Hey, Hey. Be at T and J BT and J. That's sounds like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. BT and Jay , can I get you guys to come in? So this is like , it's really, really tight. Wait, wait. So let me get B and T to crawl under the table. This way, Jay , you come here, come here. Can I get you guys to come in? So we're going to get in real. Hold on top right here. Wait, wait, wait, hold on. Let me, let me come out and I'm letting you and Jane come down this way. Oh Jesus. Okay . Okay. Here's one. Oh, wait, wait, what are we doing? We're going to , um , we're going to talk to y'all wait a minute. Wait a minute. I got it . Come on over you guys. This is where you gotta sit, right?

Speaker 1 10:33

Yes, you can see . So basically

Speaker 3 10:36

You don't, you're not going to sit. Okay . Oh, y'all want me , I bring the kids and why don't we bring the kids in ? Um , I'm unsure. Are you all , let me I'll . Hold on . We got it. It's good. But what I do every day , high tolerance , I think he wanted to sit on this lap

Speaker 1 11:01

So he could see. So you guys come in,

Speaker 3 11:08

Let's introduce our kids. Okay. So this is William Williams say hi. Okay. So if I stopped the live video , um, and abruptly, you know why William is six. This is basket. What's up. And what's your real name? Um , let me get you to sit back . And this one is mine. This is JJ.

Speaker 4 11:36

Hi guys. Hi. Y'all I am nine years old and I am fourth grade. I'm doing very well. Okay .

Speaker 3 11:42

Okay. But we didn't ask you all [inaudible] okay . Okay. So I want to ask a question and I want everyone to answer at one time. Jay is going to be first. Jay, Jay, sit up . My question to you is do mama right now. Okay? Okay. All right . How is it being the son of a hairstylist? I like it. Okay. Well , why do you like it?

Speaker 5 12:13

Because she does all this stuff. So that way she could hold down for me, hold down for me and my sisters hold down for that house so that we were able to have a roof to live under.

Speaker 3 12:22

Man . That was a good answer. That's a good, good answer. Okay. So Morel , how is it being the son of a hairstylist? It feels good because , um, she, because I love, because I just got my here , but it's kind of sad because that's what you got to answer. The question. You a son of a hairstylist. Do you get sad? Because I'm at work. Sometimes you get like, how do you feel? Like, does it make you feel happy or you feel happy because she got her own business. And she's talking about a year to you guys, so it can help you Dyson students. And she's a really good mom. Oh, that's the best good . Now I need you to, to answer this question, like a big guy. How does it feel? Being the son of a hairstylist wall ? She does it every time makes podcasters . And when she does hair, she just breaks us a lot of money. Okay. I think your answer is long enough. That's [inaudible] Oh, you got some more? Okay. Finish it. Hurry up Sandra, about her as when she makes the here, look at let's look into speak louder. When I'm at the hair as what is it? Pretty as pretty and stuff. Um, we, we get a lot of money. Okay. Well that's the mouth . Okay . Okay. Well , he's not , he didn't mean it . He just loves you. So you like being, everybody's watching you guys, you know that? I have a question. Okay, go ahead. Let's question . How did you know mr . Farah ? I guess it's go for everybody. We're going to start with Jay . Jay . How, how good do you think I am at doing hair and be honest. Like totally honest.

Speaker 5 14:27

You're good because you do mine and you y'all both went to hair school. So y'all kinda know how to do it.

Speaker 3 14:33

Jay, are you talking about me too ? Like , just call be good. We kind of know what we doing. Okay . I like that . So when you think of your hair, your hair,

Speaker 5 14:41

I think it's good because I remember when it was really short and ever since you've been doing my hair, it's been growing.

Speaker 3 14:48

Yeah. I promise. I didn't tell him to say that, but his hair grow. I grow

Speaker 2 14:52

Here .

Speaker 3 14:53

Do you have the little girl ? Like, this is something that we really did . Um , we didn't rehearse. No , because I really think it might've . I don't know how it came out. I just said , Hey, just call him out here at the fair . Let's see. What's going to go. So I'm going to get you guys to slide back under. Tell everybody you got some else you want to say about, Oh , well we'll do that on another podcast on your hair. Okay . Put that down. Put that down. No, it's not. We're going to get your podcasts before they go. Let them know what salon they make . Everybody in the rural need to come to [inaudible] okay. Be careful. Y'all don't be so loud. Oh my gosh. Okay. So what about the high tolerance you have to have now? How are you feeling ? That's why when people call, I say, hold on the phones for you. It's a mom and she has three-year-old twins. And you say, I can get you. And she's so humble when doing the kids. She never tells me no. When I hand her that phone. Oh my God . Somebody say my hands is full. My hands are full. Oh my gosh. Yes they are.

Speaker 2 16:26

They are. We work . We got this. We worked hard. And um, everything that is given we deserve, I think so too. We have long , we worked long days. What's your thanks .

Speaker 3 16:41

So this is what you're going to hear in the background. You're going to continue to hear the kids. I'm sweating real. I'm sweating a lot. Y'all gotta take my glasses off. So, Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh .

Speaker 2 16:58

This is everyday though. This is, this is everyday . Well, this is everyday in your chair. Yeah,

Speaker 3 17:03

We just experienced right now. Uh , but it's not three at once. It's just one. Sometimes it feels like three at one, but it's like that in your chair .

Speaker 2 17:12

Okay. Cause , um , I'm okay with it. I love the kids. They love me. And um, I hear it all in my chair. You know, they tell me they

Speaker 3 17:21

I'll tell you too much. They do

Speaker 2 17:24

Sometimes . Okay. I'm going to tell you sometimes they love me. Sometimes they hate me. Sometimes they like my hair. Sometimes they're like, ms . LA , are you going to wear your hair like that today? I'm like, I came to work like this, right? They love me. We have a ball in the chair though. The kids love me and the kids tell the truth. They, Oh my God. They tell the truth.

Speaker 3 17:41

Tell too much of the truth. Oh goodness. Well, pretty much putting this episode together,

Speaker 1 17:50

Moving forward with going live. The purpose of this episodes is so you can get our perspective of being a hairstylist and seeing the benefits of doing kids and getting the whole family it's for some people, which is for the Farrah and some people it's, you know, it's, it's not for, but that's her niche. And I want to say just about every client that sits in her chair, she does the , you do the whole family. I do the whole family . Even when it comes with the , the football player, the high school football players, the moms, you relax, you color, you braid, you twist. So you do a lot of athletes and you do a lot of their moms , or you do a lot of kids who starting off with dreads . She starts dreads off. So she does a lot. So if you get that type, like if it's something that you really want to do , um, that could be a niche. And instead of, you know, I always say every client that you do, depending on your demographics, you're going to make a thousand to $1,500 a year off of each client. So she's getting a family of four and just one pot. So multiply that by four. And then all the families you have, I'm not trying to tell your business. Okay, but this is, but this it's . So the young stylists and the students can kind of have a perspective of, you know, when you put dollar amount to something, it makes sense sometimes. Yeah .

Speaker 2 19:26

And um , I will say doing hair, it's , uh , it's a really great career to be in. Um, if , if you love it and , but you have to have a passion for it and to make great money, like on any job, you can make great money, but doing anything, doing anything. But when you are in the industry of doing hair, you have to really put yourself out there because this is your business. Nobody, if nobody else don't do it , you have to do it. I know you guys see me posting pictures all the time of me, my kid , my hair. Um, but that's what you have to do. And this is where the students, you gotta post, post post. And , um, that's how I got, well, that's my experience. I post a lot. I wear a shirt that says my name. I send my kid to school with the shirt on, with my style's Baila Farrah . And , uh, I get business.

Speaker 1 20:20

It works, it doesn't work. And it makes a difference .

Speaker 2 20:23

It makes a difference. So to all the students, you, if you are in the, a student that is really wanting to do hair , um, go for it. It's a lot of money there to be made. Go for it. Be consistent, be passionate, be passionate, be the best you that you can be.

Speaker 1 20:41

And if you need help and you need a mentor, call me on welfare and we can give you tips. We'll Def, that's what this podcast is all about. I'm pretty sure she has a different perspective than I have. And my perspective is different than ours. I'm so happy. You guys

Speaker 2 20:56

Are watching what'd you do kids.

Speaker 1 20:59

I , um, I have a couple of kids. That's like, I'm like, why would you ask me that?

Speaker 2 21:07

What , how you feel about, because you have a lot of sizes that will, and you have a lot of status that won't, and it's not a good or a bad thing. It just is what it is. You know, I like

Speaker 1 21:16

Giving the stylist and the salon that I'm at, who does the best job. If you didn't work there and a kid wanted their hair done. Absolutely. I would do it. And I would do my very best. But because who is that ?

Speaker 2 21:32

Ms. Alexander. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt, but I see she put, you guys make me wish I had finished. I had my glasses on. I'm so sorry. I love doing hair. You definitely have to love it. Um,

Speaker 1 21:43

That's my bestie. She should finish

Speaker 2 21:45

You still, you still can finish. I don't know your bestie, but I'm just reading your comment and you should finish. Go, go for it. You can do it. Um, if you love it, like you say, you do, and I'm just, I'm reading and I'm squinting. I'm so sorry. I can't see. But , um , real Alexander, I think you should go for it. If you have any questions, call your best friend or I can be your best friend. You can be your best call me too . I can't take her , but you can do this real Alexander that just caught my eye down . Yeah, I'm sorry.

Speaker 1 22:19

It's never too late. What was I saying? I forgot because I just cut you off asking me about if I do kids. And I say , what I like to do at the salon is if it's something that I know someone at that salon does better, then I give it to them. So I know you do kids better. So I give it to you. So why would I keep something for myself when I know that you've mastered it and you could do a better go back, go back. Sorry. We're almost done. You guys

Speaker 2 22:46

Got to know how to do those kids.

Speaker 1 22:48

I wish you wouldn't move to Jacksonville. That'd be great. That would be so great. So

Speaker 2 22:55

Do you want to add anything? Um , no, I don't think so. I just want people to know that , um, I do kids, but if you are a stylist that don't do kids, it's not a big deal. Um, everything is not for everybody. So I like kids. Not that the other stylists don't like kids, but , um, it's just not for everybody. It's not for everyone. And some days I don't, I have my days where I'm like, I need a break from him because I'm a woman, but that's okay. Um , I'm human and I take my break and then I'll be ready to go full force again for the next few months with them . So with that being said, bring your kids to me. Um, I love on the kids. They love on me and ,

Speaker 1 23:38

And we'll make it happen. That's all right. Well, we're going to sign off. Thank you guys for joining blue connections. My name is Tamika Morgan, my special guests. L'Affaire Shaw. We both work at Blueleaf salon. Blueleaf connection. It bridges the gap between the student and the licensed professional. Thank you. You guys have a good night.

Speaker 3 24:09

[inaudible] how good was my answer? Your answer. Y'all get back. Don't touch the phone. Let me see the lines I wrote . I started sweating then my mouth. I said, Oh God, I , I , my breath and Snick , I need a peppermint. My mouth started getting dry. You guys want, you want something to eat? Yes, ma'am. I'm not tonight. We're gonna go. We're gonna go.