Can it Be?

Can it be? Is it really going to be April Fool’s Day tomorrow?

I’m updating, looking up at the soaring red rocks of Sedona, from my casita at the Enchantment resort. Majestic and magical, these natural wonders are indeed a sight to behold.

Now, many of you who know me know I’m far more a city boy . . . so for me to be preparing for a hike on the nature trails, with Dennis Andres from “Spirit of Sedona” is very different . . . and very exciting!

I’m here in Sedona attending a Golden Circle Gathering . . . A “Busting Loose” group that’s looking at innovative, “mind-blowing” strategies for supporting our team, our customers and our business. Surrounded by brilliant minds and an abundance of interaction, this is the shot in the arm that one needs in confusing times like these . . . re-ignighting passion around the wonderful world of business and the beauty industry!

Following this I’ll be attending a “Phase 2 Players” retreat at the Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, where “phase 2 players” from all over the world will gather for a weekend of coaching and innovative idea exchanges . . . I won’t take up a lot of space here to explain . . . watch for my upcoming “adventure” blog, soon to be up at www.phase2terry.com . . .

On to business, what’s going on at NUOVO you ask? Several of the NUOVO Team recently attended a razor cutting seminar by Gerard Scarpaci, Artistic Director at the AVEDA Institute, New York City . . . It’s safe to say that this seminar was nothing short of amazing, with all of us walking away with equal parts of knowledge and excitement! . . . Bravo Gerard! . . .

April will be a busy month at NUOVO . . . April is Earth Month . . . and many of us (Team NUOVO) will be walking in support of clean water projects by Global GreenGrants. Please consider making a pledge to support your favorite “walker”. Yours truly will be there with “Paint” and “Pi”, my two youngest schnauzers . . . (if they promise to behave themselves!)

Organic French lavender, “Light the Way” candles are available at all NUOVO locations, specially priced at only $10, with 100% of the proceeds going to support Global GreenGrants.

Stay tuned for more information on how to pledge/support this worthy cause . . . Perhaps you’d even consider walking with us!

AVEDA is launching some very exciting new products! Embrightenment is a new line of skin care that addresses the challenges of any “dark clouds” you may be experiencing in the skin arena; check it out with Dee or Dena, our amazing estheticians.

We’re also very excited about the arrival of AVEDA’s Sun Care line . . . products formulated to summer-proof your hair from sun, salt and chlorine damage! . . . coming soon . . .

And speaking of summer . . .”frizzies” beware! . . . It’s time to make your Keratin Protein Complex smoothing treatment appointment . . . insuring smoother days for summer. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this revolutionary treatment, and find yourself “texture challenged”, make an appointment with one of our stylists for a complimentary consultation.

In closing this update, I’d like to express sincere appreciation for all the support so many of you have shown us through some rather trying times: The loss of James’ mother, Mimi, and his need to be with his family during some very important weeks, thank you all for being so very supportive . . . And special KUDOS to our Team (with a capital “T”) who stepped up to the plate without hesitation.

Also, the transition of my beloved little Jake (my 14 yo schnauzer, “Dweezil’s little brother”) . . . on to his adventure in Infinite Land! . . .

All for now . . .

Where has the time gone ?!

Where has the time gone ?! . . . I swore I was going to update this blog once a week . . . or at least a couple of times a month ! Well in my own defense, I did need to learn “Contribute”, a software that allows me to update my blog all my myself . . . no middle man ! . . . Thanks to the expert instruction by Marje Cannon of Blue Intl Marketing Group.

The holidays flew by and yes I did go to NYC for one night. Actually, it was a lot of fun while I was in the middle of it, scoping out fashion, hair and cosmetics . . . and the store windows to boot ! The winner: Louis Vuitton, corner of 5th and 57th . . . they “scrimmed” the entire building complete with blurred neon lighting . . .

I had a picture of it to insert here for you but it doesn’t seem to want to co-operate . . . Marje ! . . . (was going to try to call her for some coaching yesterday . . . yeah, right) . . .

(and, oh yes, for the foodies in the group, I did have some great restaurant experiences (yes in 24 hours) with my friend Courtney (concierge @ the Four Seasons Hotel) . . . after unexpectedly running into Courtney while I was having lunch alone at Fred’s in Barneys (no lie), we headed to dinner in Tudor City @ Convivio (formerly L’Impero) . . . lunch the next day @ Milos (Greek cuisine specializing in seafood, in the 50’s on the east side . . . amazing)

January’s already over and we’re staring right into the eves of Valentine’s Day! James and I returned from Connecticut as Certified Strategies Coaches. Proudly graduating from a program that has provided us with tools for fine-tuning and improving our team-based culture. Having become financially “literate” has become extremely advantageous as we’ve been faced with some tough decisions during these times . . .

That being said, one of the questions I’m asked consistently, both at NUOVO and out and about is: “How’s business ?” . . . Well this “economic confusion” has impacted everyone, including NUOVO. What concerns us most is watching some of our dear friends and clients faced w/ circumstances no one ever dreamed of.

At NUOVO we’re looking, every day, for ways to pitch in and help . . . Watch for more and more special values in the very near future. We appreciate all your support and looking forward to serving your beauty needs for years to come.

Wow . . . serious stuff . . . While the aim of this blog is to entertain and inform, I can’t help but feel that this needed to be said . . .

On an exciting note, I had my initial tele-conference with Meredith Dawson, literary agent with Moveable Type NYC. Meredith is a New York City based literary agent that has taken interest in my book project . . . a guidebook for women on reclaiming their power ! . . . Very exciting ! . . . We’ll see . . .

Gotta run for now . . . we have our all team meeting this morning at 9am . . . all of the NUOVO team in one room ! . . . and I have to be on time !

Make sure to appreciate the ones you love this Valentine’s Day . . . and remember NUOVO’s here to help with many expressions of just that !

Big marketing meeting

Big marketing meeting this morning at Anexio. Great team . . . am really excited about the possibilities ! Lots of value to bring to NUOVO guests. In this recent economic climate, we’re excited to be exploring ways to show appreciation to those who have so supported us as a company and a team. Stay tuned for exciting offers . . . especially as the Holidays unfold . . . Speaking of the Holidays . . . our Customer Appreciation Celebration at the First Street location was a rousing success. Thanks to all who attended and took advantage of a 20% savings on all open stock AVEDA and free AVEDA dollars connected to purchases of NUOVO Holiday Gift Cards . . . a promotion slated to last until December 14th . . . (making an encore performance on Friday, December 19th from 6pm to 9pm during our Customer Appreciation Celebration at the Lifestyle location in Southgate Plaza) . . . woops . . . now known as Westfield Shoppingtown, Southgate.

Another celebration you ask ? . . . Oh yes ! . . . Many of you missed the first one at the First Street location, and asked if we might be repeating it. Now, please know, this was a blast for us, as well as our valued guests that attended. And far be it from us to leave the other two NUOVO locations feeling neglected. So . . . Friday, December 12th we’ll be holding another celebration from 6pm till 9pm at Southgate and another on Friday, December 19th from 6pm till 9pm at the Landings . . . 20% savings on all AVEDA open stock products, specially priced Holiday Gift Sets, FREE AVEDA dollars via our NUOVO Holiday Gift Card Promotion, not to mention treatment demonstrations . . . and . . . organic wine and nibbles ! . . . It’s worth a “drop by” whether it’s your event of the evening or you’re on your way to one of your fabulous holiday parties . . . or perhaps on your way to Michael’s on East Lobster Night !

Backtracking a bit . . . big THANKS to our team member Courtney Franklin for doing a fabulous job on our Style Magazine shoot for January ‘09 . . . we lucked out in the fact that we had a fabulous model, Risa, visiting from Japan . . . if it doesn’t come in your Sunday Herald Tribune (the first Sunday of each month) pick one up in the Herald at Starbuck’s or Publix . . .

Big happenings in January ! . . . After 13 month coaching certification course, James and I will be graduating as Certified Strategies Coaches ! . . . It’s been an exciting adventure and we’re both looking forward to our future with Strategies. Part of our responsibility will be that of coaching other salon owners around the country (actually, the world) on Team Based Culture and No Compromise Leadership . . . speaking of No Compromise Leadership, pick up our coach’s new book by that title. Imagine my surprise when author and friend Neil Ducoff, during his book signing, told me to check out the acknowledgments . . . and, oh yes . . . there was yours truly mentioned !

Dinner tonight with fab photographer Barbara Banks, Linda Jacobs and Lotus boutique owner Wendy Getchell at Libby’s . . . love it ! . . . we needed a place like that !

Sunday . . . off to NYC . . . leaving Sunday morning . . . returning Monday afternoon . . . I know it sound crazy, but I gotta see those store windows ! . . . inspirations . . .

I’d love for this, the maiden entry to go on and on . . . but . . . I have until the end of today to finish this, in between our team’s one-on-ones . . . seems that’s how my life’s been scripted these days ! . . . If you want something done, find the busiest person you know . . . that said, one more thing, big THANKS to everyone who made “Paws on the Catwalk After Dark” benefiting the Humane Society such an amazing event . . . My co-chair and partner in crime Gayle Guynup (editor of Style Magazine) made me swear this was a one year term . . . I’m caving . . . thinking we may just have to pull a Michael Bloomberg and serve another (very rewarding) go-around next year . . . more to come . .