you could use a haircut

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You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

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The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

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• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
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You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

My name is Jackie Simmons. Pursuing my bachelor’s of fine arts at Indiana University in 2001 brought me from my tiny hometown of Shipshewana, Indiana, to Bloomington, where I remained like so many do. I then decided to follow my mother’s footsteps and earned my cosmetology license at the since-closed Hair Arts Academy. As is best practice in my field, I sought out an apprenticeship to learn the nuances of the trade. I shadowed every salon that could fit the bill, and one owner stood out to me.

Claire Pendlebury accepted me as her apprentice, and we couldn’t have been more different, which in turn meant she couldn’t have been more perfect for my young impressionable career. She was fast, commanding, and funny, where I was slow, subdued, and serious. I learned to become a hairstylist in the basement of 213 South Rogers, and for that, I am grateful.

That salon went through multiple owners, stylists, and locations but remained my home for the next 17 years. In that period, I dedicated my time to becoming the best stylist I could. I took every opportunity presented to me and every class I could walk, drive or fly to. Immersing myself in education ( you can access a non-exhaustive list of educators I’ve worked with here) eventually leads to becoming an educator myself and interviewing heavy hitters in my field through an online publication called The Hair Nerds. My talent lay not only in my innate artistic ability but my constant curiosity to understand the fiber of hair.

It’s that curiosity that keeps me in the industry 18 years later. Two years ago, I joined a new salon only a block from my first apprenticeship. Returning to my roots in this laid-back location has allowed me to execute the elements of hairdressing that are the hallmark of an experience with me.

• Guest Experience
• Meeting/Exceeding Expectations
• Consultative hair goals based on what’s suitable

I’m fortunate that I’ve amassed a community of clients that keep my schedule full, but I don’t want to close the opportunity of working with new guests. I utilize a cancellation list for all new client inquiries that you can access here.