In Search of Dinner During Redken Chile Symposium

My summer was busy! In July I traveled to the Chilean capital of Santiago to conduct training with Redken Chile for hairdressers not only from that country but from neighboring Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. To stage the event, I had help from the 30 Latin American members of the Redken Artists Network (RAN). While Redken’s U.S. Symposium in Las Vegas attracts nearly 10,000 people, the capacity crowd at the Hyatt Santiago hit 400. But last year they had only 100, so this felt just as exciting as Vegas! Here’s how my week went:

July 2-3—Pre-show meetings with Redken Chile’s corporate staff and show team. Gave about 50 models my “short hair is the new long” talk, which cut the pool by half. Selected nine models among those willing to get their hair cut. No time for dinner.

July 4—So nice of the Chileans to wish me a happy Independence Day! Holiday at home, but workday here in Chile. Precut and precolored models, rehearsed makeup looks and did wardrobe fittings. Went from 8am to 10:30pm. Good exhaustion! But too late for dinner.

July 5— “Train the trainer” with the RAN. Explained Redken’s Principle-Based Design cutting system. Popped in (Redken colleague) Chris Baran’s awesome “Fuel for Design” video. Check it out at www.chrisbaran.com. Dinner? Nada.

July 6—6am call time to prep models for morning and afternoon Look and Learn seminars, where I shared two haircuts and some finishing skills. Shy Chilean culture came across as cold audiences. It motivated me to get them to open up; translators conveyed my emotions perfectly. By the end the hairdressers were clapping, laughing and jumping up and down! On their way out I shook everyone’s hand and thanked each person. They were so grateful; some were in tears! We motivated them to think differently about the industry.

Room had to be broken down and set up differently for 8:30 theatrical show, so didn’t get my hands into hair until 7pm. Still did what was necessary for a good show, and finally got on stage at 10:15. Luckily, everyone was patient.

Three models had massive volume. It was explosive! For “Changes,” I demonstrated as the Spanish-speaking voiceover talked about current directions in hair. Audience went crazy, loving that we did it in Spanish! Redken people said they never saw their audience act that way. Also loved when I did “Stitches,” using special 40-foot thread and needle to sew up the model’s hair while music played. In the lighting, it looked like the hair climbed up the head by itself. So cool!

Afterwards stayed for the dance with a d.j. People came over to talk and take pictures with me. Did I eat? Not much.

July 7 and 8—Conducted smaller morning and afternoon hands-on design workshops while Chilean colleagues Ricardo and Louisa did the color workshops, then traded groups. Walked them through a haircut and finishing tricks; everyone got a mannequin. Had a translator, but I speak enough Spanglish that the hairdressers couldn’t hide anything from me!

Best thing about these two days: dinner! On the 7th it was awesome Peruvian cuisine with Sergio Castro, general manager of Redken Chile. I ate the best fish with spicy yogurt sauces. Chilean wine is very good! On the 8th, all the participating Redken artists were invited to the Miguel Torres restaurant, where each course was served with its own wine. We all celebrated our accomplishments, and the Latin American artists signed a pictorial book on Chile for me. Now I can look at that book anytime and relive my time there!

This trip helped me work on my goal to communicate with people better and better. It’s wonderful to travel internationally, because your communication skills are constantly challenged. Had to read the audience and also communicate with the Redken artists, because I want them to be able to conduct the same workshops when I’m not there. As a Redken artist, coach and mentor, I know that communication is so important, and every culture is unique.

The same thing is true for you. Every client who sits in your chair is unique. Communication builds wealth, and the client consultation needs to become a strong piece of communication. It’s a lost art, requiring an understanding of different personalities. But once you establish your knowledge, trust and sincerity with clients, your communication will build your wealth.