UPDATE: a Virtual Tip Jar for Salon/Spa/Tattooers, etc.
“Dear PoPville,
I’m reaching out today as my compatriots and I at the barbershop have been discussing our futures through this uncertain time.
Our shop has been closed now since March 7th to do our part as citizens to curtail this virus. While we still retain our jobs at this time, many of us in the (Beauty) Industry have not been so lucky. Just like the much of the service/restaurant industry, we do not get paid unless we are working, having hands in hair, and as one might imagine this comes with risks to ourselves, our families, our clients, the city et al. Unemployment would amount to a fraction of a fraction as far as we are considered.
We feel we have not seen our industry represented besides the other areas of Service in the media. We have seen wonderful apps materialize such as Virtual Tip Jar, But there is no spreadsheet cell for Salon/Barbershop/Stylist. There has been much outreach to the restaurant community and they still have walk-ins stocked and product to move. Though their solution may be short lived, they have skills on which they can pivot. We are rooting for their success! Outside of doing house calls, which may be our one saving grace (though still comes at great risk) we have no export beyond our touch.
We would like nothing better than to be back at work having the backs of our clients and setting it all right again. Being a place for them to speak their minds and set them at ease, and putting them back together again best foot forward. We fear that very soon there won’t be a shop to for you or us return to at all.
So I am reaching out to you, to hopefully spread the word to our community. Support your local Stylist/Barber! If you know their Venmo, contribute, if you don’t, contact their Salon Owner and ask them to post the details. If you have their number,or social media handle, reach out! It’s probably time to call the Mayor’s office again too! We welcome any ideas or support that may come as a result, and see this as a true opportunity to better ourselves and our community through, and long after these days.
We will continue to do what is in our hearts which is to serve our communities in the best way we know how. Until then, I hope to see our industry represented along side our Service Industry brothers and sisters. My we all be carried through to the other side.”