Tooting my own Horn?

“Madison Magazine is pleased to announce that Lily’s Head Space has been included in this year’s Best of Madison’s Readership Poll for the Best Hair Salon category. We have been conducting this survey for over 30 years and people anxiously await our March issue every year to view the results…”

I have a difficult time with self-promotion. In fact, I’m so bad at it that I’m uncomfortable when people pay me a compliment. It has held me back professionally for my entire career. And that is really sad because I know I’m a damn good hairdresser. I’m passionate about what I do and proud of the work I produce. I also know that I’m not the best fit as a hairdresser for everyone, and I’m actually okay with that. I don’t need all of the clients. I just need the ones who appreciate what I can bring to their lives once every 4-6 weeks.

I have some of the most amazing clients. And I’m not just saying that. I actually look forward to seeing them. I take my time with them. I work with them and I work for them. And it is due to their support that I am able to be my own boss. I started my own business during the worst part of the recession and I didn’t fail and I’ve been growing slowly but steadily since then. I’m coming up on my 4th anniversary of being in business for myself and I have to make some decisions about where I want to take my business.

Paying bills is a must. The cost of running a business goes up every year. I think I have a fairly good grasp on what my career means to me and what it means to be a professional hairdresser. Maybe I want to share that with others and create a job or two for young hairdressers. Maybe I just want to feel more secure financially. I want to be a little busier. I want to be able to give myself the exposure to the changing trends, which involves travel when you live in Wisconsin. I also know that Madison is a town of transients. I need to make sure that when a client moves away that there’s someone to fill that spot in my books. As much as I like where I am, I’m ready for more and it’s time to set goals, and then toot my own horn, even though I’m not inclined to do so.

The best way to get the income I need to grow in the direction I see myself being the happiest is to put butts in my chair and heads of hair in my hands. The only way to do that is to make my blip on the map glow a little brighter. What’s more visible in the Madison area than the Best of Madison awards? I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a voting contest. I’m a single person who does hair and I don’t have the staff or clientele that the salons who usually win have. And if I could run a business that didn’t need to make money I would not even play the game. But this year I think the boat needs a little rocking.

I’m asking everyone I know to help me and help other local businesses by voting. The distinction is kind of a big deal in spite of the politics involved. It’s possible to vote once/day. 25% of the categories must have a vote to validate your ballot. Only vote once/day and don’t use multiple e-mails to vote more than once. Spamming is a no-no and can get the votes disqualified. If you’re not in town or it’s been awhile since you’ve been here, let me know if you need suggestions or better yet ask another Madisonian for suggestions if you know one.

So…TOOT TOOT! Vote HERE. I don't know that I'll win, and I don't know if it's possible. But if I don't try, I'm accepting failure. And I'm done doing that.