Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1250436
N ot a m e m b e r ? J o i n at a s so c iate d h a i rp rofe s sio n a ls .c o m 15 "For me, a mask will be very important when I reopen. I plan on being very vigilant about the cleaning," Aultman says. "One thing I will be doing when I shampoo a client is placing a clean towel over their face to protect them as well as to protect myself." Carlie Rawson is a stylist at our Lynnwood, Washington, location and, understandably, has other concerns. Rawson, also one of my art team members, suffers from asthma, which places her in an at-risk category for COVID-19. As the mother of two small children, there is a definite fear factor that she must face when it comes to heading back to the salon. However, she is committed to returning. Earlier this month, Rawson partook in the Barbicide Certification Program in preparation for reopening. And, moving forward, she will allow just one person at a time inside her suite. She also plans to wear a mask and will require her clients to as well. Like Aultman, she is planning extra time in between appointments to clean and sanitize. For Rawson, her clients are more than just customers. Like most of us in the industry, they have become family. They are friends and people she cares about. When you consider this bond, being a stylist is not an easy profession to walk away from—even if there are some risks associated with it at this time. Like me, Rawson knows this has been a tough time for most stylists. She candidly credits the online education our team has provided for helping her remain grounded through the recent uncertainty. "I am taking each day as it comes," Rawson says. "The opportunity to keep up my education has helped me keep my spirits up. The team has done an excellent job. Anything to keep the creative juices flowing." When I hear feedback like this from Rawson and others, I am humbled. My resolve to have strategies in place to reopen safely will remain a priority for my corporate team as each state develops its own set of regulations. We will come back. I still believe that this is the greatest industry in the world . . . and the industry is resilient.