A chance to make an impact as a hair stylist...
Over ten thousand children are estimated to be diagnosed nationally with cancer in 2016.
American Cancer Society – Last Revised: 01/27/2016
Availability of authentic “children’s wigs”is estimated to run short by more than 50% in 2016, -Styles.
This is how our story began…
Our primary mission at HHF is to try and meet this shortage while providing authentic “high-quality children’s, and young adult’s wigs”. To accomplish this, we need to obtain a large amount of good-quality, finer texture hair. An essential requirement needed for making authentic kid’s wigs of this type. Not easy to come by. (This will alleviate having to use re-purposed adult wigs for use on children, which look ridiculous.)
A majority of this problem stems from 80% of the ponytails that are donated are not meeting wig making requirements, according to the 3 top wig charities in the US; Wigs for kid’s, Locks of Love, and Pantene. Coincidentally most of the hair is being thrown in the garbage. A stark contrast to what the donors thought was happening to their hair. So HHF decided to conduct a study. The study measured whether having the additional assistance of a professional hair stylist could improve the quality of ponytail donations harvested. And to also determine the current amount of “usable” wig hair available for making appropriate wigs.
Based on the study’s results HHF concluded that by improving the quality of hair donated by only 10%, that would increase the percentage of appropriately harvested hair by 30%. HHF then could meet the required wig manufacturing objective and close the gap on discarded donations by over 50%. Resulting in being able to provide wigs for better than 80% of the children over the next five years. Desperately needed for those children whose hair needs are not currently being properly met.
Founded by hair stylist, RichE Styles, Hair Heroes was born out of a difficult search in obtaining a child’s wig for a very special customer. While searching for the wig, RichE discovered that no wigs were available that looked like they belonged on a child’s head. The more he searched, the more he found kid’s wearing adult size small wigs.
Then RichE discovered that the main reason for this shortage was that 80% of the ponytails donated were being thrown in the garbage because they cannot be used for making wigs.
As a hair stylist, Riche wondered why more hair stylists are currently not involved in the hair donation process. Shortly after RichE began a 5-year study, and discovered that there existed no valid reason why hair stylists do not participate more, other than because there is no leadership or monetary incentives motivating them to be involved, other than to only cut and mail in ponytails occasionally. Relying on his own financial means and years of successful business experience, Hair Heroes Care Foundation was born.
Hair Stylists hold the key to helping overcome this problem…
In searching for a solution HHF then measured the cost of producing a true child’s wig and determined that 10% of the cost to create it could be shared among hair stylists across the US, without compromising the charitable purpose of the foundations function. This fact helped to seal the decision to partner with hair stylists under an elective compensation incentivized program. Provided that their assistance was practical and easy to implement into their existing businesses. To accomplish this requirement, a lot of work went into developing a program that could handle the challenge.
The Hair Hero Rescue program is a secure, simplified internet based community website network. Is organized in such a way that an average person with a computer or smartphone can quickly navigate and obtain virtually any needed resource (forms, event calendar, volunteer help, etc.). Providing a complete set of tools for the hair stylist, designed to accomplish harvesting quality hair donations.
As the Hair Hero Rescue Program began to take shape, HHF realized that further incentive for hairstylists in its ordinary course of business could also be included. For example, a “Community Business Growth and Development Program” is offered to hair stylists at no cost for additionally participating in fitting children with custom wigs. For example, member-stylists are introduced to new customers and are also recognized in the companies local advertising. The stylist or salon is then additionally included in the advertising as a charitable member for all of the community to see. Un-published volunteers, on the other hand, are registered on the website as non-members and are provided required access to portions of the website for filling in forms pertaining for their involvement. Memberships and Registered Users both have support access. Although memberships come with privilege, and provide valuable networking opportunities. Including a much greater level of reward all around to assist with career growth and positive business development. Keeping in mind HHF plans to provide education grants.
Though its free to participate and volunteer. Memberships are available at five different levels of involvement. Entry level membership is inexpensive costing only a few dollars per month, and is used to offset the costs of operating such a vastly capable network. All the memberships are designed to provide significant help to hair stylists who would like to grow in his or her career, in their respective community.
Similar to how HHF partners with other charities, hair stylists also gain a partner in charity.
Working as a team, we accomplish a very necessary and important role in society. Charitable recognition and community support go a long way in a hair stylist’s career. Giving back generally provides rewards many times well beyond the immediate horizon. For me, it just feels good to play a role in helping children by sharing our talents and resources. Say’s Styles.
Interested? Registration is Free.
A hair stylist’s first step to begin to participate in receiving compensation for hair is to go to the website and register. Registration allows access to the necessary forms required for selling hair to HHF. Additionally, various help tools are offered to assist a stylist with their clients and grow into this opportunity. (HHF reminds everyone that although involvement is free, it has a charitable mission, therefore organized efforts are regularly made to improve the costs of operating the charity.)
If after you register and are just curious about participating in a greater capacity, memberships information is available under “Join Our Cause”, on the website’s front page menu. Where a summary explanation of each membership level is available for viewing.
Learn about hair valuations and why membership has its privileges in the pages at your right.
Note: That the above is a guide and not a guarantee. The valuation depends upon the quality of the hair. As the hair length increases the spread in price valuation widens because the hair is older, compared to shorter younger hair. Therefore, having a greater chance of not meeting usability standards for wigs. The length of hair that most often has the highest percentage of usable strands averages around 14 inches. The weight of the hair is important too. Though due to the many variables that affect weight, it is very difficult to estimate hair value based on the weight of raw donated hair. Please also note that the prices provided in the Estimated Wholesale Hair Value Guide above favor Caucasian or European hair. HHF accepts Asian and African American hair, although the valuations will be lower.
A short lesson on how raw hair is evaluated for wig use.
When making a wig, the hair is knotted, producing a four-inch return hair. Meaning that individual hair length most often must be greater than twelve inches on the majority of the wig. Our wig makers will use shorter hair as filler hair around the edges only. Requiring less of it. So frequently the shorter hair is discarded and holds a much lower value. To avoid any misunderstandings and to maximize value- When a donor client has hair that is around 12”, have them grow it longer than 14″ before cutting. The prices are significantly better per inch for hair of 16″ and above. So longer is better in this case.
We cannot accept hair shorter than 8″ as the hair will not be long enough for making a wig at all. Hair that is dry or that has too many split ends cannot be accepted either as the quality will not meet the standards required to make children’s wigs. Hair valuations fluctuate. Like any other supply and demand item, as demand increases valuations increase. When demand decreases valuations go down. When there is an excessive amount of a particular color or texture, valuations might drop. And in some cases may not be purchased at all. Therefore, when hair doesn’t match up with requirements, it will be returned if not otherwise designated.
When HHF receives hair for wholesale purchase, a valuation will be placed on the hair in the form of an estimate and sent via email to the senders’ email account. To receive compensation for the donated hair the donor or stylist is required to sign off on the estimate. This process uses a simple digital signature or physical signature obtained by printing and mailing in the email form.
The hair is graded according to usability which accounts for the variation in the price range. The total length of hair sent in may not reflect the price outlined above as it may require cutting. Any part of the hair that does not meet or exceed wig manufacturing requirements subtracts from the fair value of the hair in the grading process. The remaining portion of hair includes the final valuation which is the estimated buying price.
Summary of Minimum Requirements for Hair To Be Accepted:
Length | Minimum 8” of usable hair (Often the bottom 2-4 inches have to be cut off due to dryness and split ends.) |
Limited Exception | Hair cannot be too dry and/ or have too many layers (as this renders the hair unusable) |
Unacceptable | Heavily processed/ curly / wet / plaited or braided hair can’t be purchased |
Presentation | Hair must be securely tied in ponytail |
If your hair DOES NOT MEET the above requirements, we will be unable to purchase your hair, and it will be returned to you or discarded if no other instructions are provided.
The Hair Hero Stylist – Overview
A stylists’ opportunity for involvement ranges widely. From helping obtain quality hair at hair harvest parties to fitting wigs. But for the stylist who would like to earn extra income, involvement begins once a donor is identified. The stylist then obtains a commitment from the donor client for a future hair donation. An estimated date is set allowing the donor to receive sponsorship assistance from family and friends. Sponsorship support aids the donor in re-enforcing his or her commitment and helps achieve the objective of growing the best quality hair possible. Requiring time, the proper hair care and products. Sometimes requiring a particular long hair growth protection aid, like “silk sleep caps” or specialized services such as frequent split end trims. Growing hair longer offers a stylist an entirely new segment of services and products they can offer their clients. HHF will soon be offering long hair product support to help stylists’ businesses.
When representing yourself as a HHF Hair Hero Stylist you will discover that you’ll receive an increased level of respect from your clients. That’s because your goal of taking care of the donor clients hair serves a greater purpose than a simple haircut. During the donor caring process, you may also find that your donor client will more eagerly support your suggestions compared to your other services. It’s because preparing hair for donation demands an organized approach. HHF provides this tool and others on the HHF website. When utilized in your regular course of practice, will in turn, improve your usual daily business as well. So feel free to use this suggestion and other free organization tools to involve all your clients interactions. They’ll respect you for it. Plus, don’t forget, it’s always a good practice to schedule regular 3 to 4-week hair checkup appointments, in advance if possible, helping maintain a busy book for example.
A stylist can impact the quality of hair donated, improving it on average by 25-30%, achieving a 50% reduction in hair-wasted. Whether direct or indirect, a stylist is a professional who’s involvement is well worth the effort and time spent to assist with improving a medical problem. Especially when compared with a child being forced to wear an adult wig. Considering the underlying reason for providing all these wigs in the first place is so that a child’s self-esteem can be improved, and assisting in providing an additional medical solution. Very few careers offer this kind of opportunity.
The popular culture term “Hero” is used to describe hair stylists who are involved in various aspects of helping the Hair Heroes Foundation. After all kids who are dealing with this kind of challenge frequently relate to a hairstylist involved with them as their hero.
So what level of involvement should I participate in?
There are 5 levels of Hero involvement to consider from a stylists’ point of view. The first step is to determine what stage the stylist’s career is in at the time of conducting this evaluation process.
Only you can determine your current situation or what you want out of your career. But an easy way to consider your ideal level of participation is by adding together each box below according to your desired career objective. Each boxes contents represents a key level in most any career. Add the box count together and that is your recommended level of participation. Either 1,2,3,4,5.
No matter what level you fall into or for whatever reason, (new customers, charitable recognition, sentimental reasons, etc…). The time commitment is not very demanding if your just selling hair. But on the other hand the appearance business is a people business. And what is good for the people business generally requires a few extra hours per month of attention. Bottom line, if your serious about growing a well-rounded long term career, then HHF is a perfect medium for helping you based upon best business practice principle standards. Keep in mind, the greater the involvement, the greater the support. Inapposite, the lessor the involvement the lessor the support. This way everyone is equally compensated for their efforts.
HHF Backs the Cause by Buying Hair from Stylist’s
HHF is an ethically responsible company. We support and promote sustainability in all areas of our involvement. We believe that buying direct from a person (stylist) in the U.S. is more ethically responsible than buying hair from a supplier in another country. Though this sometimes may not always be possible when supplying free kids wigs. Although it is our first choice, and we know that by buying direct that the money we pay goes straight to the seller, and in this case, the stylist. Which improves HHF’s charitable impact for everyone involved.
Hair processing and selling involves five simple steps:
- Obtain a commitment to donate hair from a client.
- Enroll donor on HHF website. You can then print their Client Donor Form from the website. (Donor enrollment is required to receive a Donor Pledging Kit. The pledging kit allows for charitable support incentives for the donor to follow through with in accomplishing their goal. It also provides a method of identifying hair origin which is required.)
- Set a future date to cut the hair in relationship to achieving the hair length desired.
- Outline the plan for the client to nurture, maintain and care for the hair between the commitment time and harvest date. Recommend the appropriate services, i.e.,…split-end trims, conditioning treatments, ect. Making appointments in advance as much as possible in agreement with the plan helps to re-enforce the seriousness of this effort.
- On the date set to harvest the hair, cut the hair making sure to follow the provided guidelines.