The gift of giving back to the community that supports you

   I grew up with a great aunt who had Down Syndrome. I was quite young but she always seemed so young, vibrant and happy. Even though her communication was limited, I felt unconditional love and looked forward to every visit with her.

   About 3 years ago,  Ethos received a letter from Cosmopolitan Industries asking for volunteers to cut hair and do hand treatments for those who attend Cosmo.  I instantly felt a connection to this act of philanthropy and called the volunteer coordinator back.  Needless to say,  our phone call to offer some volunteer time, was the only one out of all of the Saskatoon hair salons in the phone book!  

  We attend Cosmo once a month to offer them our services.  The haircuts are quick and sometimes difficult depending on the level of disability we are dealing with and usually the polish doesn't last much more than an hour.  But it doesn't matter, the conversations are heartfelt,  the human touch is likely much needed for some of these people and honestly,  I usually leave with a great douse of medicinal laughter.  

  It is so easy to forget why we go if I have not been in awhile!  When I am overwhelmed and trying to organize this monthly and juggle everything else.

   I was reminded this Saturday when a lady and man entered the store,  the why of volunteering.  

They walked to the front desk and asked "Is this the salon that works with Cosmopolitan Industries?"  I replied "yes we have for just about 3 years now" 

    She started tearing up and continued to tell me that her daughter attends Cosmo and what a difference Ethos has made in the lives of those who go there.  

Her tears turned into a cry and I stepped out from behind the desk and hugged her.  

   It almost brought this pregnant lady to full on sobs to see a mother with such sincerity and to receive the gift of a simple thank you.  It made me so proud  that  team we have built at Ethos all have  big hearts,  because I know that sometimes it is not easy being a day maker but they do it and they do it with grace!!   

Love and light 

Forever grateful

Crystal 

It's a great day at Ethos

Between trying to finish up the last touches on Ethos SalonSpa & Barber, managing a growing team of 20 (and would still like a few more stylists/Barbers) and at this point sleepless nights (8weeks until this babe arrives) time just seems to slip away. Hence the silent blog.

I have a great story about the loyalty of one of our clients from last week.
Now,  this is not the first time that this has happened and we are truly grateful to have guests like Cheryl and Irwin who care so much about our business that they stand up for us, when we are too busy to notice. The story goes something like this:

This past Saturday we were slammed.  It was the afternoon and Brooke and I had just switched shifts.  Daniel had come up to help a lady with home care while Brooke was busy filling the day with appointments.  Needless to say, the lady Daniel was helping thought she would help herself to what Daniel recommended the second he left her side.

Our guest Irwin was waiting patiently for his haircut with Priscilla, observed this lady putting the product in her bag, walked up to her, confronted her about her actions and brought her back into Ethos as she attempted walk out the door with about $120 worth of Aveda products.

Long story short, security held her in the mall until the police showed up and this 17 year old girl now has a court date for shoplifting.

Irwin left with a free haircut and was our hero for the day.

It is moments like these that I realize how much our guests value Ethos and would interject themselves into an unknown situation to do what's best for our business.

Thank you Irwin and all the others who would do the same!