Welcome to the team!

Steven Soto is the newest member of the Andis clipper cutting educational team. Steven brings proven experience, solid technical skills, and a warm and engaging personality to the stage. Steven lives and works in central Florida and will support Andis’ educational programming on the east coast. Look for Steven at a show in your area soon. Listen for him in Spanish as well as English too, an added qualification that will be valuable to him, Andis and you!

Betcha' can't... Bet I can!

I have been sharing my idea for the fast and easy cutting of a bald fade on textured hair for quite some time. Just like my reverse blend classic taper, the idea is to cut the top first and taper/fade down the sides, avoiding the hard “fade point” line around the head. I have been claiming to be able to complete this cut in 7 minuets.

I guess that because I am the Andis expert, no one has questioned or challenged this claim… until yesterday. A group of barber students surrounded the Andis booth and asked if what they had heard was true? Can you really cut a bald fade on textured hair in 7 minuets? Of course I can was my reply. With that, one of the guys plops down in the chair and says, “lets go, cut me”.

I asked for a minute to get my tools set and get the client draped and ready. I grabbed my Andis Ceramic Advanced and off I went. About 9 minuets later I was done. The crowd agreed that I was allowed the extra two minuets as I was demonstrating and explaining and this slowed me a bit. I also offered up that since I am not cutting hair daily in a shop I am not in fighting trim and not capable of cutting at peak speed. I wonder how fast I could cut it with a little practice?

Vision Quest

My recent classes have had a renewed focus on visual issues when cutting. One reason for this has been the introduction of the HeadLight clipper and T-Light trimmer. My new mantra, and the tag line we are using to promote the tools, “you cannot cut what you cannot see” is true, easy to understand, and has really resonated with hair cutting professionals. The other area where this line has become more popular is in the use and application of the world famous Andis clipper combs. The white comb for dark hair and black comb for light hair schtick has been a staple of my classes since the day Andis offered the white comb for sale. The addition of the promotional line “you cannot cut what you cannot see” has made the tip more memorable and applicable. Sales of the two combs are at levels never seen before and show no sign of slowing. I cannot help but wonder if this is just another reminder of the aging graying baby boomer factor in American demographics. Hair cutters are grabbing anything that can help stave off the challenges of getting older. Remember, this is coming from a hair cutter who got bifocals a few years ago and is now the not-so-proud owner of trifocals. My lenses offer distance, reading and a custom hair cutting length from my eyes to a head of hair approximately 18 inches away. I cannot cut what I cannot see.

The World is Flat

I am about 1/3 of the way through a really important book. Thomas Freidman’s The World is Flat. This is a powerful look at the world in which we are living and how it is changing in amazing ways and at amazing speeds. If you want to get ahead, or even hope to keep up, keep your job or keep yourself relevant in the coming years this is a must read. My copy will not be back to the library for a while. You had better get your own.

Time to compete!

It is not too early to be planning for your entry into the Bronner Bros. show barbering competition coming up on Feb. 18, 2007 in Atlanta, GA. The World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta plays host to this big hair show event and the competition is a must see part of the weekend. Andis has been the sponsor of this event for several years. It is a great event for all who participate. Each contestant receives FREE Andis tools and equipment to use to compete and keep afterward. Bronner Bros. awards cash prizes to the top 3 place winners. It is a great place to showcase you talent and take your clipper cutting career to the next level. See you in Atlanta!

Ruby

A gem of a tool is now shipping out to a beauty supply distributor near you. The inferno red, Ruby, cord/cordless clipper trimmer is now available. This is Lola’s more sophisticated sister. Ruby features the same high performance motor and stainless steel precision blade of Lola with the addition of cord/cordless technology. Ruby offers a powerful combination that will release your creative freedom. Get yours today!

Andis Tattoos

I see them all the time. This one was offered up at a barber school last week in Chicago. I have NEVER seen a Wahl tattoo or an Oster tattoo… kinda says something, doesn’t it!