For this week’s installment of Punching the Clock I made my way down American Avenue to First Impressions. Carin Dietrich has operated the full service salon for 17 years in downtown Norwich and has been in the business 27 years.
Upon entering, I was greeted with a smile and sat down to talk to Dietrich about her passion for her career.
“I just love my job,” she said. “Being my own boss is great, but it’s actually more like my clients are my boss.” She shared her knowledge of operating a salon alone and the importance of trying to be facilitating to her clientele.
Dietrich explained she had an open spot just before I arrived and if she had left her shop, she would have missed a walk-in that stopped by. First Impressions is usually by appointment only, a policy she has had for years due to her normally packed schedule. However, she had an opening and had she taken a break she would have missed an opportunity to serve a customer.
“This job is more physically demanding than most people think,” she explained. “I am on my feet about ten hours a day.” Dietrich works on average about 40 to 45 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday.
At this point in my visit, a client arrived. She was greeted with the same friendly demeanor as I was, and sat in the chair for her cut. Neither Dietrich nor the client had to say a word about what she was getting done to her hair ­– it was just known.
Having been at her location for so long, Dietrich explained that she and her clients have a relationship that transcends the typical hairdresser/client relationship.
“I know their families, children, parents, friends, cares and hobbies,” said Dietrich. She went on to explain that she sees her elderly clientele weekly, and has become not only their friend, but caretaker in a sense. Often times the clients’ children are grown and out of the area, and they look forward to their weekly time at the salon to visit and get their hair done.
While Dietrich finished up with her client, I perused around the salon, and noticed the bin of toys for children to play with while waiting, the plethora of magazines, and the shelf of hair-care products available for purchase.
“I did a girl’s hair for a prom, and she became the queen,” said Dietrich. “Then it hit me ... I did her mother’s hair for her wedding 23 years ago. It really is great that it has been a generational thing for me. It is so much more than doing hair, it’s being a part of families.”
We went on to discuss how her comfort level with her clients is a big plus in the business, and how new clients take her out of her box, which is appreciated too. She is constantly continuing to educate herself on new techniques and styles, and stated the importance of education in the business. It is also important to inform the clients, she said.
Before Dietrich’s next scheduled client arrived, she waxed my eyebrows. I tried to step out of myself as she did it, and couldn’t imagine the pressure it would cause me, or how I would feel if I messed up. Aside from a couple seconds of pain and a few minutes of uncontrollable watery eyes, all was good. As a child, Dietrich was the first person to cut my hair. Oddly enough, having been a client for more than 20 years, I hadn’t taken the time to actually step outside of the box to see what actually goes into it as a whole. While definitely rewarding, it seems pretty stressful.
Her next client arrived and she went right to work knowing what he wanted. She explained to me that in the industry women weren’t always allowed to cut mens hair, but she enjoys cutting both womens and mens hair. After she completed his cut, it was time for me to sweep up.
Mind you, while it does not sound like a difficult task to sweep hair off the floor ... it is harder than it looks. There were still pesky stray hairs all over after my sweep-job, so Dietrich explained a more effective method. She stated the floor is always swept and clean before the next client is seated. As she operates alone, she not only does the cutting, coloring, styling, but also the cleaning, phones and scheduling.
Dietrich explained I could not really perform other duties than sweeping, maintenance or phones, since I am not licensed. That was fine by me ... I’ll leave that up to the professionals.
“We’re going to petition to have the street name changed to American Beauty Ave.,” Dietrich said jovially. She explained there are three salons on American Avenue in Norwich and each has established its own clientele. “It is nice having neighbors that do what you do.”
For more information visit her Facebook page by searching “First Impressions Hair Design by Carin,” or call 336-CUTS (2887).