Q: Name, Position, Years with LP, Years in the industry.
A: Michelle White, Prestige Account Manager, involved with L’Oreal Professionnel for 18 years, licensed in the professional beauty industry for 28 years.
Q: Team members can come from all walks of life, they have many talents, tell us about your background and how you got interested in working in the professional salon industry.
A: I love everything about the craft! My history started on the west coast. While working behind the chair I offered to help out at the local beauty and barber school, while one of my former instructors was out on maternity leave. Helping out at the school was where I discovered my desire to inspire young stylists. I returned to the school as a full time instructor with a goal of making a difference in each student’s life and career.
Five years later, I made a personal move to the east coast and my career with L’Oreal Professionnel began. Moving from education to sales was a new experience. Now, 17 years later, the adventure is just beginning. The road has taken me from San Francisco to Paris, with the good fortune of working with some of the most elite stylists in the industry. I love the being a part of stylist’s seeing the world of L’Oreal Professionnel.
Q: How do you stay on top of your game as a resource to your salons and what are some of the resources you rely on?
A: I keep up with all the trade magazines, constantly reading. I am a product junkie and am constantly asking questions about competitive brands. I try to be informed about any service that I would want to provide if I was behind the chair.
Q: How do you keep your salon teams informed and motivated?
A: I have a strong believe in three words: Motivate, Educate and Promote! Keep it simple and always own your information and empower the stylists by becoming partners on their journey.
Q: What does your ideal salon look like?
A: Creative, open to change without limitations and loyal.
Q: How do you ensure that when you visit your salons, they have the best experience possible each and every time you visit?
A: We enter all salons with the finest products, fashion forward information, current education and amazing business programs. I always have a goal of becoming partners with each salon. Listening to all aspects of their business and helping them to achieve their goals
Q: What was one interesting thing you heard lately while visiting a salon?
A: L’Oreal Professionnel and INOA are shaking the industry up…in a good way! Salons that have never given L’Oreal Professionnel a glance are seeking us out and are very open to change.
Q: What is something that surprised you lately?
A: What doesn’t surprise you in this industry?
Q: Give us an example of a challenge you came across in a salon and what role you played in overcoming the challenge?
A: In today’s economy everyone is tightening up their spending. Through conversations with salon’s we have the ability to help them streamline their purchases so the benefits of a full commitment to one brand are at their fingertips. We have an unlimited portfolio of choice, from Strictly Business to marketing with LP Plus. We have access to the finest products and the most creative team of education available in the industry to date, whether local or abroad we will create a path for a great future.
Q: What salon related accomplishment are you most proud of right now?
A: Partnering with 3 salons that were at a gold level and bringing them to Black Elite in six months. Watching the momentum grow is amazing!
Q: What is one trend (good or bad) that you see with salons right now and what are you doing about it?
A: Many salons are hungry for education and life has changed for the availability to travel for great inspiration. L’Oreal has made it available to have Portfolio level education accessible to in-salon through the Elite Loyalty Program; another education option available when they are fully committed to the brand.
Q: Please share a snippet of wisdom that you would like to impart to the team.
A: Try to share your loyalty and love of the L’Oreal Professionnel Brand with your accounts, they buy what you believe and support (they buy you). Loyalty means:
- Shop across the brand
- Visit frequently
- Support them and they will refer others
- Partner with them and they will be immune to the competition
