Monday, January 28, 2013

02.08 : Not A Snob, Just Professional

Good evening Rockstars + Lambs,

I am happily sitting here sipping a Perrier and reflecting on my life.

Can I be honest with you?

My life as a CEO has gotten busier.  Lots of books, budgeting, etc.  Seriously,  I have been number-crunching since January 1st.  I don't think I've ever crunched this many numbers EVER! 

Recently, I've taken my schedule and done a complete overhaul of how I look at business.  Whether or not I'm with guests 6-days a week does not mean anything.  I was advised by Stever Robins (author of "Get It Done Guy" podcast, column and book) to look at my schedule and take two of my days and make them "admin" days.  So, I decided Mondays and Fridays would be those days.  Even if I'm with guests, I tend to book-keeping, bill paying, payroll, ordering and inventories those days. Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, I think purely salon and sometimes my creative life. 

As you know, this past year has a been a year of transition for me.  I opened the salon and continued to grow my brand as a writer, blogger and educator.  With all four facets of my life, we add in radio-show guest host and sometimes event guest speaker, presenter and host.  So.... how do we get this balanced.  The fact is, I'm doing twenty jobs and managing my own career crazily because I'm at the bring of "will it" or "won't it".

If I get busier and starting touring with this company heavier, obviously, there's more income coming in.  The blogs and my column do not yield me any income.  They do propel my business forward and help keep me relevant though, so they are important. My creative life is very important to me.

Something I've pulled away from for months now is going out with friends and buying things for them.  Funny how they vanish, huh?  No buy, no friend.  Experiment complete.  

Wanna know something funny?  I'm not even sad about it.

I'm too fucking busy to be sad about shallow bitches, anyway.. but I digress.

As I've propelled myself into my business and it's many facets, I've taken time to work in my salon at the desk nightly and balance the books, look at profits and losses in great detail and even had my first "administrative" day of the year today.  It wasn't too bad!  I worked a good six hours (4 at Studio JRy and 2 at Rockstars and Lambs). It helped catch me up when I know an hour after I'm finished with clients just won't suffice.

There have been events and invitations brought my way that I have declined more than normal.  We're taking declining 8/10 events at this point and even my family has gotten in on it.  Really, what more do you have at the end of the day?  Your partner, your children, your family is what matters. Alot of the time we do what we need to for the well-being of our families.

I used to be prey to anything my clients wanted, at this point in my career, I'm not.  I have a life too.  I have business hours.  I saw a very good former client of mine that said she left me merely because I'm "not convenient" to see.  Sorry.  You have a life and so do I.  I respect your time, please respect mine.

With all the hussle and bussle, I have to say, my intern/assistant has been a huge asset for me.  Sometimes, it's boring and we do not always get to doing hair, but her helping me with tasks around the salon helps me greatly!  I love it!  I need an assistant for my house.

Today as I was walking down the street to the salon, a girl stopped me and asked me if she could apprentice to be a make-up artist.  I said she needed to register in a program, gets some months in on the floor and come see me.  She looked at me with her marijuana-tinged person and said, "gees.  I just want to do make-up!"  

Well, we all wanted to be whatever it was we set out to be, the fact is that there's a way to go about that.  Either you are made for this industry, or you are not.  At this point, she isn't. She's not serious.  She smelled like weed and was sitting outside a coffee shop in a camisole with her greasy hair pulled back revealing her greasy face.  Gimme a break, baby girl.  When you get serious, I will too!  That was her answer.

At one point today, I went through part 1 of 4 education DVDs from Joico.  I am so proud of this company and can't wait to grow with them.  As someone that prides themselves on being a top-notch colorist, I learned that there is always places to refine once's self.  For me, it's my presentation and verbiage.  

I've taken to new procedures in my salon to reflect what it is the company is looking for.  So, if you notice something different, it's merely a reflection of my growth.  Comedically, I had a close friend of mine tell me recently she didn't like it/- it's not "her Josh".  Well, my love, yes it is.  This is just the big-boy Josh.  It means no ranting on Facebook, not validating what people say on Facebook, not tweeting as much or even spending time validating behaviors and comments I find unbearbable.

It's not being a snob, it's being professional.

Don't think it's just my professional life that has changed.  Since November 1st, I have lost 18 lbs and have started to look at my wellness seriously.  It doesn't mean I don't drink still, it means, I watch my intake.  I meditate twice daily and have learned that turning off my phone is a good thing.  I don't always want to be made available.  I'm sorry if you've known me for year (some of you have) and I don't answer Facebook messages and texts anymore, it's not that I don't love you, it's that it's not a union we need to have anymore.  

What I'm saying, very kindly is, I have no time for games.  I do, however, have times for people that like to work hard and play hard and can respect my time when we're not together without gossiping about me, bashing me or trying ot tag me 20x on Facebook. 

The world is not Facebook.  It's a beautiful tool to share projects and events in our live and funny little pictures, but it's not everything.  My family is my everything.  My clients are my most important asset and my relationships outside the internet are what matter most to me.

Respectfully,
Josh Cooley

Sunday, January 13, 2013

02.07: Heaven

Good evening Rockstars + Lambs,

I have been to Heaven and back.  Yes.  Heaven.  Heaven is the best word, place, everything I can think of to explain this week.

As many of you may know based on posts on social media outlets that I was in California for a few days last week and this week.  I had the opportunity to train with a fabulous company.  The fact that Joico took the chance to invest in me is absolutely remarkable.  Do you know what a compliment it is to be treated like a prince?  Seriously.

As I continue on with the blog and videos on YouTube, I'm you'll get bits and pieces of in-depth lessons and experiences I had while there.  I can't possibly fit all of this into one blog.

One thing I can tell you from last time I wrote to now that I have been doing some MAJOR thinking.

Where will I be in 20 years and what do I want?
In 20 years, I'll be close to 50 years old and will have hopefully opened the salon of my dreams and had some success with a couple books, education courses and shoots.  I can't pray for awards or accolades, but it would be nice to have that too.  A partner and a child would be fabulous and a penthouse in a larger market and a house in a smaller area are something I pine for.  Is it realistic though?

I think it is.

As I returned for California, I came home to my family and clients rejuvenated.  I also spent two fabulous days with a very fabulous person I have come to know.  As Friday rolled around, I was thinking, "I can get some rest tonight and beat the jet-lag" only to be greeted by my best friend.

We had a beautiful evening out, talked one of the best talks ever and closed the bar.  The next day at work, I was happy, but recongizing that I was no longer in California.  I had dinner with an actress-friend of mine and we had a few cocktails.  

Talking to her about the new additions in my life left me glowing.  Talking to my best friend the night prior, he said, "you have a really good aura around you right now."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  Have I come full circle?

What going to this event in California showed me was is that I am very special and that there is no one on the globe like me.  I am very direct, very passionate and very enthusiastic about what I do.  I do, however, hate drama and only feed it in toxic relationships.  When you're away for five days in another state and come home to dread seeing "certain" individuals, I think it's pretty fair to say that I've identified the toxicity in my life.

I have chosen to give it no life. 

Nope.

No more from me.  No more obsessing.  I'm analytical by nature, but to obsess is not me.  I am a beautiful human being and a child of God.  When the Creator made me, he made me very special and very likeable and very marketable in many aspects of my life; I like that Josh.

As I met with, ate with, drank with and worked with major executives, celebrity stylists and hairdressers from around the country, I realized something: life is too short to put myself in one box.  Staying around is what I've always wanted, but I have seen a part of life that could be easily attainable.  Developing products, developing education for other hairdressers, speaking to professionals ... those are all things I want to do.  

A friend of mine in California would love for me to come work with him, but I know in my heart the time is not now.  Three years from now, maybe, but not now.  

As I sat there, looked at the message I was reading and thought, in 15 years, I will be 43 years old, I want:

-a partner
-a child
-a brand
-a successful career
-books
-happiness
-opportunity
-security

Those are realistic to me.  It means, once again, toxicity is not allowed.  

So, in conclusion, I want more opportunity.  I want to chase love.  I want to chase my destiny with as much drive and passion as exudes when I write...

2013 is looking to be super transformative.  I am asking for blessings and in order to receive them, I am willing and open to accept what the Creator has planned for me.

Namaste, thank you California, thank you Joico, thank you to my two fabulous friends and my "fabulous smile". You're all my Heaven.
-JRy

Thursday, January 3, 2013

02.06: Could 2013 Complete Me?

Greetings Rockstars + Lambs...

Let me start by saying... I am in a positive head space today. Yes.

Last time I sat at my desk to write this blog I was terribly sad and honestly, between you and I, I can't be that sad person or that mean, bitchy person. It's not fun. People don't like it. Friends don't like it. I certainly can't stand it.

Since I blogged last, I have made a lot of changes mentally regarding people in my life. I have had to take a large step back from someone I gave too much power too. Love the person to death, but my investments are not yielding any revenue in loyalty or dedication. All while chasing one person's affection, I have eliminated everyone else. Really Josh? You're better than that.

For the holidays, I was happy to be off Facebook and Twitter and loved posting my love of food on Instagram.

As I enjoyed time with my family, I realized, life is good. Stop looking for the bads. Ever been in that spot? It's a very sad space to be in because it spirals out of control and ANY LITTLE THING can set you off. At least, for me, that's what happens.

As you may have gathered, I'm a bit moody. lol. (what an understatement). I discovered that I have partner-fever.

You know how when ladies have baby-fever? I have that! But I want a partner. I want to share my world with someone. I want to fall madly in love and I woke up Christmas day praying for love and asking the Creator for guidance. Love shouldn't be this hard...

He answered by eliminating a bond I cherish. Well, not exactly taking it away 100%, but allowing me to see what it was: just friends. I invest too much in some people. I love them with my heart, but sometimes waving a white flag has to be the case.

As I sat in my loft on New Year's Eve alone, I poured a glass of wine, tears drying, and fell asleep by 10. The next morning, I awoke to go for a morning walk, came home and started making a list of goodies to take to California and things not to forget.

Looked at Twitter. Didn't want to tweet.
Looked at my phone. Didn't answer my Happy New Year messages.

The day went by, a walk followed again and another. I played some Lana Del Rey and started to cry. I said in my head, "lord... just gimme a sign."

As I sat for lunch, I drank a martini and went home. Nap #2 came and I awoke to look at all my social media. Remember, I've been on a break?

As I open my inbox, I see a message from an unlikely person. I didn't think anything of it.

Let me tie this story together for you... I found what I was supposed to see. I was given a void in my life to make way for a new addition to my life.

I said I would try something new in 2013 and I'm not a dater and certainly not one to hook up (like some people I know). I started texting someone. Four hours later, my little heart pitter-pattered familiar warm thoughts and feelings...

Could 2013 complete me?
We'll see.

Here's to love in 2013. Cheers, lambs.
JRy. xoxo