How many people wake up in the morning excited to go to work? How many people get to go to a place of employment that they love, that they feel inspired by, that they feel seen and heard and supported by? This world that we’re living in, it can feel so isolating (even more so over the last 2 years!) and difficult.  It’s compounded by a need to work to survive, rather than work to thrive. The cost of living, the housing market, child care, all of it can be so overwhelming that we’re just surviving each day.  We can hate our jobs, but know that we have to do it or else what? Or we are in such incredibly toxic environments, feeling like no one is really listening or seeing us, just another cog in the wheel of corporate greed without anything to do about it. 

I am fortunate that I’ve never worked for a big name corporation, aside from McDonald’s when I was a teenager, that you’re just another numbered employee.  I’ve mainly worked for small, locally owned and operated businesses which is an entirely different vibe in most cases. When I became a business owner myself, it increased my understanding of just how important YOU are as a client and the value of support.  But I have been in environments not conducive to happiness, enrichment, fulfilment or understanding.  And it’s incredibly draining - I bet far too many people can relate to this. 

I find myself, as I grow and mature (ugh, who wants to acknowledge getting older haha) that I want to align myself with certain businesses because of who they are, how they treat members of our community and humanity in general.  I find myself wanting to frequent locally owned businesses - especially those who have similar values to myself. When I started with Bounce, I had no idea what that would mean for me.  I was in the midst of an incredibly difficult year (arguably my hardest one ever) and made the difficult decision to leave the veterinary profession.   This was almost 5 years ago now! Wow! Let me tell you, this environment, this team, they’ve changed my life.  The one thing, to me, that a successful business (and I’m not necessarily talking monetary success, but success as a whole, as a team, as human beings) is the ability to recognize, understand and pivot (yes, pivot! Like Ross yelling during the couch move….those who know, you know haha).  Running a business takes an understanding of those around you. And in some cases, a recognition that the team that works, they’re human beings with real lives, real needs, real feelings.  And that’s exactly what I have received being here. 

I have children (four to be exact) and sometimes, as a parent, that means last minute call aways, sickness, sadness, injuries, or just a time they really need me.  And I’ve never been made to feel like I need to make a choice over being a mom and being an employee. If you had visited the salon from 2018-early 2020 (pre-pandemic) you may have even been greeted by the cutest little ringette curled brunette, which would have been my toddler.  There were some times I had no other option, so it was either not come in to work, or bring her along - so along she came,  in fact, if I didn’t bring her, I think I’d have been in “more trouble”!  I may have created a bit of a monster here because she ALWAYS wanted to come to work, she’s 6.5 now, still wants to come with me, and the HARDEST part of the pandemic restrictions for her was not being able to come to work with mommy anymore. The environment that I get to be part of, it’s second to none really.  There is this beautiful collaboration of talented, open hearted, innovative, spirited human beings that I get to watch, help, oversee, be in awe of and have in my life. What I’ve also learned over these last 4.5 years is that this industry, like so many others, can have a lot of toxicity to it, a lot of misconceptions, a lot of inequality (for both the stylist and the client), gender and racial bias, a lot of competition and challenges and is one to believed to be a stepping stone to a “real job” and not one that anyone can earn a living wage with. I’m proud to say that we strive to knock down those misconceptions, those stereotypes and inequality. Inclusivity and an environment that people can be themselves is one that makes me happy every day.

PS!  As an outsider being “inside”- the science and scientific knowledge needed to give you that perfect colour, that perfect cut, it’s amazing!  These people don’t just “Do hair” - they create it, craft it, instil confidence, form bonds and genuinely care. If there’s anything we learned about this industry during the lockdowns, it’s that what the team does IS important and valued, having “great hair” isn’t just about being conceited. It’s so much deeper and meaningful! If you had told me 6 years ago what my life is like today, I would have laughed at you and told you you were crazy.  I could not be happier with the vibes, the values, the freedom, the work:home life balance, fulfilment and enrichment.