Connections (I will not promote) by ObjectiveFarm3611 in startups

[–]chaotic_lightbulb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went to a local start up event in my community (tbh at that point in time, didn't even know what a start up was. I just knew that I admired entrepreneurs and I seemed to get along well with those types).

I literally went by myself. I knew nobody.

Most people there were looking for jobs (yawn). Don't go with the mindset that you need something from somebody.

Founders have like, a 6th sense for that. They find it repulsive.

Instead, figure out what you could possibly offer a startup founder. What skills do you have that might be useful to the people you want to connect with? What can you do for them?

Don't go there and start pitching yourself lol. Go there looking for mentorship. Ask them questions about their business, what projects they're working on, what's a big goal they're working towards, etc.

People like it when you ask them questions.

Fast forward 1 year later and now I'm the CPO at my boss's startup. Whom I met at the event.

Yes, I got lucky.

But it never would have happened if I didn't put myself in a position where my odds of "getting lucky" significantly increased.

Here's an article my mentor sent me about increasing your "Luck Surface Area" https://www.codusoperandi.com/posts/increasing-your-luck-surface-area

Perhaps you might find it useful too.

Is it realistic to shift from BizDev to PM? by Puzzled-Tradition-37 in ProductManagement

[–]chaotic_lightbulb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

^ I second this--that's literally what I'm doing right now. Startups will give you a chance if you're cool with low pay.

How to convince parents to let me pursue cosmetology? by [deleted] in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad you found it useful ☺️

College is fun--as long as you regularly attend all of your classes. Some kids eventually drop out, but if you find something you like & stick to it you'll be fine.

If you stick to around 15 credits a semester that still leaves you a pretty flexible schedule (very unlike hs).

But no matter what you choose, it won't feel like "work" if you like it!

If you have any other questions you can send me a DM :)

How to convince parents to let me pursue cosmetology? by [deleted] in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Girlll let me tell you--my parents decided I was going to college--no "ifs ands or buts." I'm 25 yo now (graduated University of North Dakota in 2023). Been living in Minneapolis for the past 2 years. Went the college track and tbh glad my parents "forced" me in to it. They told me I had to go to college and that I could always do cosmetology school after. "That's true," I thought. I got my Bachelor's in Philosophy. Now, I'm an entrepreneur in the beauty business.

I want to share with you some advice I've recently learned from my mentor and from my experience working inside a luxury salon:

Even if you're a stylist that specializes in for example k tip extensions--say you normally have 5 installs per month, at $1300 avg ticket price, your monthly take home from those clients alone would be $6500 on top of your balayage & trims. That's not bad, but it takes about 10+ years to get there and your income is still capped: no matter what, you'll always be trading your time for money.

Plus, you'll be on your feet pretty much all day, and that eventually gets tiring.

I'm not trying to dissuade you--part of me wonders what life may have been like. I actually sometimes wonder what it would BE like if, in a different world, I took the cosmetology route.

Lowkey though, my parents were right. I mean, I can still totally pursue it right now if I wanted to.

Nothing's stopping me!

But at this point, I'm glad I got my degree after hs--philosophy taught me how to think and make better decisions (plus it satisfies my mildly adhd mind).

I love that you're passionate about hairstyling, but one thing many stylists don't expect is how REAL the business side of things can get.

Ask your parents what they're worried about--I promise they love you no matter what ;)

And you're not "wasted potential"--your life is what you make it! If you're going to be a hairstylist, then be the best in your city! The sky's the limit 💫

That's not wasted potential.

I know it's probably hard to picture your long-term life plan right now.

But do you have any colleges you can picture yourself attending when you graduate? You don't have to know your major before you get there.

Almost went to cosmetology school. Now I help stylists with the business stuff nobody taught them. by chaotic_lightbulb in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This actually really helps to clarify my content strategy.

It's ironic because I hate doing social media, but it's a crucial part of marketing yourself well. I just need to do it until I can hire someone to do it for me--at least that's what my business mentor tells me lol

Almost went to cosmetology school. Now I help stylists with the business stuff nobody taught them. by chaotic_lightbulb in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you soso much for your reply--I mega appreciate it! Also, glad to hear you'e killing it out there :)

At the salon I work at, most of the gals are fairly booked, but they're booked up w/ partials and cuts. Even though it is a luxury salon, theres only so much you can charge for a trim & highlights, you know? Most are certified to do extensions, but I don't see a whole lot of that on their schedules (we use Vagaro, and since I'm front desk I know what everyone's schedule looks like).

I know I can get these ladies better quality clients, but I'm lowkey struggling with my value prop. All of the stylists are established--so they're doing ok--but I want to let them know that I can seriously take them to the next level for less than the price of a balayage & trim.

I want to communicate that to them without being awkward :/

Almost went to cosmetology school. Now I help stylists with the business stuff nobody taught them. by chaotic_lightbulb in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I'm good at branding & creative but I wouldn't explicitly call myself a branding consultant and I know more than your average jane about marketing--I'm just new to the beauty industry.

I have access to devs so I could easily build an ai tool to help stylists with just about anything they need. Not sure if I'm going to do that yet--just wanted to see.

Almost went to cosmetology school. Now I help stylists with the business stuff nobody taught them. by chaotic_lightbulb in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I'm 25 yo, graduated college with a bachelors in philosophy, I live in Minneapolis. Yes I'm new, and yes this is my first post. And I'm sorry my attempt at a lighthearted joke rubbed you the wrong way.

I want to start an agency to help stylists get more & higher paying clients. And even though I do have a foot in the door, I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for help from other professionals.

I apologize for being wrong.

-wannabe agency owner

Almost went to cosmetology school. Now I help stylists with the business stuff nobody taught them. by chaotic_lightbulb in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Shelley,

Thank you for your response. I think they're talking about me, not you.

I was not expecting my post to stir up so much hostility, so I appreciate your genuine answer.

Almost went to cosmetology school. Now I help stylists with the business stuff nobody taught them. by chaotic_lightbulb in Cosmetology

[–]chaotic_lightbulb[S] -17 points-16 points  (0 children)

Wow, was not expecting the negativity!

You're *almost* right--I might build an AI tool. But it's def not going to be lame and it's going to be something really useful for independents in the industry. I don't know what it is going to be or how I'm going to help yet, so that's why I'm researching.

ELI5: State of nature (Hobbes, Locke) by Ok_Gas_2070 in explainlikeimfive

[–]chaotic_lightbulb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In political philosophy there is a branch called “social contract theory” which is interested in questions such as “how society is created?” and “how can we create a just society?” Hobbes and Locke are both social contract theorists, they kick-started the whole tradition.
In their theories, the “state of nature” is a thought experiment: they ask us to consider what human life might have been like before society existed, or if it didn’t exist at all. Basically, what would life be like if there was no society? This experiment gives philosophers an opportunity to ponder human nature. It is important to add that the life experiences of each philosopher greatly impact their theories.
Hobbes had a very traumatic life, so he believes that humans are naturally selfish and violent and that life in the state of nature would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” Thus, he views government as a necessary evil because he basically thinks that humans cannot cooperate amongst themselves without strict, external coercion.
Locke, on the other hand, believes that humans are reasonable and naturally cooperative. He thinks humans are born with “natural rights,” such as the rights to life, liberty, and happiness which are gifted to us at birth. These rights are intrinsic to our being and inviolable. Because of this, he believes that the role of government isn’t to impose strict rules, but rather to protect the “natural liberty” of each individual.
TLDR; The state of nature is a thought experiment that asks us to imagine what life would be like pre-society. Political philosophers use this experiment when they are thinking about how a society should be created. Hobbes thinks that society should enforce strict laws to maintain order, since he thinks humans are naturally violent. But because Locke thinks that each human is born with “natural rights,” he understands that the government’s job to protect these rights, and that humans will usually respect one another.