Before salons ramp up for the busy fall and holiday seasons, take some time to invest in yourself and your team at the Elevated Stylist Retreat.
As Canada’s first all-inclusive experience designed specifically for hairstylists, The Elevated Stylist Retreat is a three-day getaway that combines educational workshops with wellness activities.
“As hairstylists we need to be more mindful, not only with our guests but with ourselves,” says Jody Kezar, co-founder of The Elevated Stylist. “We keep thinking about the next appointment and what’s next. When you focus on being present you experience less stress, anxiety, depression and burnout because your brain is not working overtime thinking about a million different things that you have to do.”
Kezar co-founded The Elevated Stylist with long-time friend and colleague, Sonia Yarkhani. They are the co-owners of the Toronto-based salon, Evolve Hair Studio, where they’ve had their own experiences with burnout.
“We were working almost five days a week, trying to manage our staff while trying to expand our salon at the same time. It got to a point where we were burnt out, and had to make a decision to work differently,” says Kezar.
With a focus on education, mindfulness and meditation, The Elevated Stylist Retreat will teach attendees a wide range of cut and colour techniques, along with social media and branding tips from special guest educators, hairstylists and influencers Jamie Sea (@prettylittleombre), Farhana Premji (@xo.farhana), Brian Hickman and Jayne Matthews. High-performance coach Kevin Dubrosky will teach helpful business skills, and mindfulness experts Reena Ruperelia and Anna Gala will share tips to reduce anxiety and avoid burnout.
“The hair industry is at a point where we need to come together, especially with social media, and support each other—face to face,” says Yarkhani. “There’s nothing that beats a human connection. Instagram is great for connecting with people, but it’s going to be really amazing to be able to recognize people and meet in person.”
In addition to the educational classes, the retreat will include plenty of wellness activities, such as yoga, hiking, canoeing, archery and more. Attendees will be staying in cabins, enjoying the great outdoors with bonfires, and will have a private chef preparing all meals and snacks.
“We want to build a community,” says Kezar. “Our [slogan] is ‘Together we rise.’”
The Elevated Stylist Retreat will be held on September 27-29 at Camp Manitou in Parry Sound, Ont. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit elevatedstylist.com.
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