Season 3

Season 2

Season 1

 

Blogs
blogger imageView All Posts

Tabatha Coffey

I Can Transform Ya

Tabatha reflects on the highs and lows of her trip down memory lane.

Feb 22, 2011

This is my favorite episode because even after the six week check in, I often wonder how the salons I've tried to help are doing. I'm often hopeful about some of them, because I feel like they have changed, and some of them I am truly concerned for, because I feel like they still haven't got it. So it was really exciting (and a little nerve racking) to go back and check in with some of my favorites and some of my problem children! I had the opportunity to visit Tantrum Salon, Chicago Male, Refuge for Hair, and Martino Cartier Salon, as well as Plush and Eclectic. And what I discovered surprised me.While we didn't have time to show all of these salons on the episode most of them are doing very well.

When I went back to Plush for the six week check in a year ago, Kimmie told me she had really changed and had not reinstated her credit cards or frivolous spending, but I wasn't sure if she could keep it up. Visiting Plush a year later I saw a salon owner that had totally turned around. Kimmie was responsible, she was putting her business over her friends, she wasn't spending frivolously, and she had paid down a lot of debt. Kimmie had made some great new additions to the salon adding a beautiful color bar, hiring some new stylists and a fabulous new esthetician, and there was a new education program in place. I was really proud of Kimmie and her staff for stepping up and taking the salon seriously, and I wish her continued success. I know she is on the right track.

Eclectic Salon had been a very emotional week for us all. Owner Jaqui had just declared personal bankruptcy without telling the staff, and Jaqui had totally checked out of her business. Visiting six weeks later I found an owner that was in a much better place emotionally but still had a lot of work to do to follow through with her dream and get the multicultural salon back on track. Visiting Eclectic a year later, I was amazed at how different Jaqui was. She was in charge and taking charge, and it was so great to see. It had been a rough year for Jaqui, because she had to make some difficult choices and let some staff go because they weren't following her new rules. Stephon had sadly passed away, and it devastated Jaqui. But she really kept her focus and drive and built a fabulous new team and was offering education. The salon looked amazing (as did Jaqui), and I was so happy to see Andre and Jazz still there helping the stylists and Jaqui. Eclectic is doing really well, and it was great to see them all again.

Post comment as twitter logo facebook logo
Sort: Newest | Oldest

It was completely clear when Miriam wouldn't answer a direct question with direct answers she is either still completely up to her eyes in debt, running some sort of scam on her current business partners or both. Thanks for the updates and a great season, Tabatha!

Tabatha, it was so good of you to come to Elan's yesterday. I learned a lot from what you said. I also found myself inspired that some of the things you implimented in your own career, I have done myself. I, also wrote my name on salon cards when I first started out and went about to hand them out. I, also, give 3 of my business cards to my clients and give them a gift if they send me 3 of their friends. Thanks so much! Mike Foss

I'd really like to see how Christoper Hill Salon is doing. Alexis is the single most obnoxious owner I have ever seen on the show, and Tim is such a pansie pushover it's sad. I would be very suprised if they're thriving. But I'm sure Alexis got a new, full-sized fridge by now thanks to her Summa Cum Laude MBA from USC!

I think what I loved best about this episode was YOUR reactions Tabatha!! You were truly happy for the salons who had made it & I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the hug you gave Mario! That was a pretty awesome hug for someone who "doesn't like hugs" ALSO...congratulations on you receiving the key to the city!! That was so touching!! You do amazing transformations at the salons AND with the stylists/owners as well! I admire your dedication & love of what you do!

"...she is...running some sort of scam on her current business partners or both."

Actually, I rather think she's doing something more illicit and perhaps illegal. Cream-corn wrestling is not the stuff of salon owners.

I was pretty much amazed at the creamed corn wrestling shtick! and that you didn't call her out on that one more... Miriam's facial expressions told everyone that she was giving you a line of shtick as well. will miss you on sunday nights Tabatha!

I love, love LOVE the way you tell it like it is! I, like Nattismom, would like to see you revisit Chirstopher Hill Salon. As much of a miracle worker that you are, I'm afraid it will take an exorcism to get Alexis to see the light.

I love the way you approach each takeover, how you really dig in and unearth the problems, then guide the salon owners toward permanent solutions. I own a small business and wish you were able to come by my shop and give us a makeover. Even if, hopefully, its just a wee little one!

Congratulations on making your show the best of them all on Bravo. I love it and am going to miss Monday late nights.

I cant wait for season 4. Tabatha is so amazing.

Tabatha, I use to watch you all the time. I would rush home from work just to see if you were on, because I enjoyed your show so much. Now I never see you since it seems like you are never on. They have those housewives on all the time so nothing else is on. I hope you are going to be on again soon

Hi Tabatha,Most of us has worked at this salon for 20 years or more. we have had 4 owners. A year ago a gal who is in the navy reserves, bought the salon.help.... sighned helpless

hi i was wondering if you make over schools salons its kinda bizzy but it need a little work in side the school the owner is professional they are very good there & i like to see the the school look a little better if i go back so i can feel more comfortable ! its on 1 Isaac street in norwalk ct its called rinasci acdemy! please let me know

I must admit, that I didn't watch your show in the beginning, but only because, I didn't know about it. What turned me on to your show, was watching you on, "Watch What Happens Live". You asked, I believe it was NeNe Leakes, why doesn't she watch your show. You told her that, on Sunday nights, you are in front of the television, watching RHOA, so she could take time out to go check your show out. I was like, her hair is absolutely gorgeous. I just love it. I love her feistiness, when it comes to her passion. Tabatha, I am tuning into your show now more than ever before. Got it on DVR. I am loving the different ways, in which you are, wearing your hair this season. Keep doing you. I like how you want to help others. People should listen to you, because you are not there to hurt, only to help out. Love you Tabatha! God bless and I wish you much success, all the days of your life!

I totally agree with Maria Hall. That was very nicely put.

This is the first time I have written a comment. I have just finished Tabatha's book. I could not put it down. There was a lot of things that happened in your life that I could relate to. The one thing I regreat is that I never had the "balls" you have. I have been watching you since Sheer Genius. I have my sisters watching you. We can never wait until your next show. Thank you for being who your are, standing up for what you think is right and the example you set for others. You prove that street smarts, hard work and determination can get you what you strive for. Can't wait for your new season.

Tabatha You Rock! I am a 64 year old woman who gave up her weekly Salon visits 15 years ago.I couldn,t take the constant chatter between hairdressers,the gossip about other customers,the yelling across the Salon,the eating at the stations,the other hairdressers commenting on my hair or saying they liked my old color,or selling jewelry in the back of the store.I found a hairdresser to come to my home,and since,my Mother,Daughter,Grandaughter and myself no longer have to put up with that nonsense. What finally took me over the edge was when I asked my Gay hairdresser to put a little curl in my normally straight hair,he loudly proclaimed "Heh! If you want to look like hell,what do I care"...Color me done with Salons!

I just saw the episode of Browns & Compamy, Miami. YOU did a wonderful job, and that boss, Nikki, she should sell the business to the employees or to someone else who cares about the business and employees. I don't have any interest usually in salon takeovers, but your approach is straight forward, dynamic and fair. You tell it like it is. I just happened to be channel surfing while on vacation and saw your show. God bless you for cleaning up messes. If the business fails, it's because they din't take your advice. Great job and kudos to you and for Bravo having this show on.

Tabatha....Thank you. I'm a Korean. I'm not a hairdresser, but you are my mento. You chage my life. So Please keep going.

Just like another poster I perused through here and read...I was on vacation doing things that I haven't really done a lot of in recent years, e.g., like watch TV, and couldn't sleep early this morning so I happened to catch the Season 3 marathon (I assume that's what it was). How fortunate I was! It's amazing the mindsets that too many business owners have...I mean, I appreciate that I can be quasi-free in America but the 1%ers of this world have done a number on our minds and too many of us have no phukin' clue what it means to be "adult" about Life's situations - we all make our fair share of mistakes but sheesh! Thanks to The Universe for Tabatha...she shoots straight - how rare is that, these daze? - she genuinely cares, her passion is contagious and I phuk with anybody who has the balls to rock the same color albeit black [which gets a fashion pass by default] on every show...my kind of woman, my kind of individual. Thanks Tabatha for your contribution to the world, and thanks for inspiring me to take a closer look at some of my own ideas to help others...and myself.

I'm a man who has really never cared about hair style much at all, my wife turned this show on and I'm addicted. When I watch the show Tabatha seriously makes me feel like im the one in trouble. This show stems through all basic business practices, if your a small business owner and want to get an idea of how your place should be managed, and how customers should be treated I suggest you watch this religiously.. Forget the hair end of it, look at the business side of this

I wanted to check in and say that I'm a new fan of the show. I never watched it because in so many other shows that feature beauty pro as the main characters, it's a total farce. Thank you for setting a tone of professionalism and not sacrificing the stylists' dignity. Very inspirational.

i am watching a rerun of this show and Tabitha made a comment asking five salon owners if they are a "bunch of hillbillies". seriously i am affended of this comment. she keeps referring to them as a bunch of hillbillies. what does she think that all appalachia people are bitter, argumentive and disorganized and stupid? I feel the network needs to apologize AND she needs to apologize. i for one am a professional Registered Nurse, I am affended by her comments. i watch a lot of shows on bravo, well no more. youve lost an avid viewer.

You rock, Tabatha. I hope to see you back, AND soon, although I can and will watch every episode a hundred times. My husband even loves your chit!!

Uh, you really, really rock.

Hi Tabatha! I am watching your show in Madrid, Spain! Even though I know nothing about hair salons, what I love about your show is that it actually focuses on how to manage a small business. As I am a business and management teacher, I am planning to recommend my students to watch your show. You are strong, direct, sometimes a bitch, but at the end of the day, your are SO lovable!

I love this show and I don't watch t.v. much. When are the new shows?

Love The series. When are the new episodes.

love the show!! Can't wait for a new season.

about 2 months ago, i woke up really early and was flipping through the channels. came upon your show, started watching it and have been watching it (when your on) ever since. not the reeuns, unless i liked a certain one, then i will watch it again) ever since. love ya Tabitha.

I recently worked for a spa in Texas and I've never experienced anything so horrible. Can I suggest a visit is needed at this salon? Please email me back. I'm a little afraid to continue on any comments because I would like to stay anonymous. If interested please contact me

Tabatha- I have watched your show time and time again, and I am always amazed that there are such awful salons in such dire need of help. I never thought I would actually see one for myself though. I'm not sure how you find the salons that need your help or if you're even looking for more to save, but if you are there is a local salon that is in need of some major saving. The attitudes at this salon rival those that Tantrum had when you walked in!

Tabatha, so happy your show is finally back in business! And WITH DOGS!! It looks like a fabulous NEW concept, and allows you to show more of that incredible wit and personality!

Cannot wait.

Saw your show today for the first time, and i loved it. I enjoy the way you bring love and light in to a place. I understand that sometimes you have to give tough love to bring life to a place. And i have seen it work on your show. My main reason for this comment, is to explain my problem. I have a friend that owns a salon, and it is doing very bad. she went through a divorce and everything went down hill. I as a friend would like to help her, however i myself am not doing well moneywise. and am reaching out to you to see if you can help put this place back on the map. It's not a big place, nevertheless it is what she has. This salon needs a full makeover. Not sure if you fly out to New York, however if you can find it in your heart to check it out. It would make her day. thank you very much for your time and concern.

Help my family wig business of 47 years this march is in desperate need of a update. My father ran the business and passed away in 1999 of alzheimer's related symptoms. My mother was stricktly the beautician and had to learn how to run the business on her own. i was in San Francisco going to art school for graphics. By the time i got out everyone could do graphic design on thier own computers. So I moved back to Sacramento Califonia where Kathy's Wigs is loacted. I want to let my mother retire and take over the family business. There are a few issues. She is ove $20,000 in debt plus over $10,000 in loans for the business. Plus I am unempolyed and heavy in debt from shcool loans. There is no way for me to help her. The rmodle woul include the entire business being gutted, my father glued the most hideous carpet (black and orange plaid "Halloween everyday") to absestos tiles. It is a nightmare for me plus my mom just is not the mos organized person. Organized her files once and found stuff from the 60's she had not tossed. HELP. PS I statred a side business in SF called Wiggidy Wacked I do custome costume wigs with lights and moving parts...so there is an interesting part of the family business you might enjoy. Thank you for listening to my story...really need help. Marina Gbael and Family

I am so disappointed with the decision to have you takeover businesses that arent salons!!!! As a fellow stylist, I am not interested in dog grooming or ice cream parlors! I hope this is a show that will MAINLY focus on salons. My stylist is disappointed too!! We don't want to see one of thee best stylists out there transforming coffee shops. Let someone else do that!! You are Tabatha Coffey, not Johnathan Adler. I will definitely watch the hair salon episodes, but that will probably be it.

The salon I work at REALLY can use a tabatha makeover. Please help! How do I enter my salon?

I run a small business myself, with many employees, and I am thrilled to see that you are doing "takeovers" of other types of businesses as well. While your background is in hair and salons, your approach has everything to do with sound business principles and being an "in-control" owner. My worst moments are when I make a decision that is not the best for my business, but comes from my emotions.

Keep up the good work!

Tabatha, PLEASE help me! My name is Christian Munoz and I am one of the two owners of Rayzors Classic Barber Shop in San Diego, CA.....I'm a brand new salon/barber shop owner and i am, admittingly, a bit in over my head. I need you help desprately. I fear that although we're breaking even in the financial department, we'll have to close the doors within a year if things continue the way they're going......PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help!

Reading your book now Tabitha and enjoying it. In regards to the show, it's quite impressive how you keep your cool and don't give up on people acting foolishly. You're a natural born psychologist.

Hi.Tabitha i am a hairstylists wanting to start my own business. u really inspire me. I would love to work with u at fashion week. I love your true passion and love for the business. I know faithfullness when i see it and you r one of the realest stylist i have have ever seen, keeping it real whether it hurts an if it hurts all your doing is helping. I would love for u to be my mentor. I have been styling since i was 12 an now n my life im ready to take hair to the next level as that will impact a worlwide trend of fashion. love ya keep doing what you do you bring out the best in me..Real

HELP! I need an expert like Tabitha to help me make my one Cosmetologist an active part of the team. We have Mr. Jeffrey who is a kind and good person and wants to desperately be a good hair dresser but he is turning clients away because he is not confident in doing his job. My other Team Members have been great with him along with myself but all of our patience is running thin. Jeffrey suffered brain damage and birth with this said and understood after 90 days he is still not getting it. My salon is dieing because I have only part time great team members and one full time (Mr. Jeffrey) who has to stop turning down business because he isn't confident enough to take on and his abilities lack because he gets himself in such a tizzy he can't function properly. I want him succeed because he has had so many issues in life with the damage at birth and I'm sure he was throughly bullied in school but how do we turn him into the Team Member Stylist that he so desparately wants to be. HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

I would like to know how i could get my small shop on the show!!!! We need help!!

Tabatha, In a word, you're GREAT!

please i need your help i have had a number of personal and health issues in the past two years i have lost sooo much including my passion and am loosing my buisness please pease help i know you are tough but very insightful and fair by calling it as you see it which is usually right on target i need to get my spark back in my proffesional and personal life i think that you will make me cry nonstop but i need it please come and takeover

PLEASE PLEASE HELP!! I HAVE HAD A TERRIBLE LOSS THAT HAS MADE ME GIVE UP ON EVERYTHING I NEED YOUR HELP TO BRING MY PASSION BACK I HAVE A GREAT STAFF BUT THEY COULD USE SOME HELP BUT IT IS ME WHO NEEDS THE MOST . I AM IN JEOPARDY OF LOOSING MY BUISNESS. I LOVED MY SALON ONCE NOW I CAN NOT STAND THE THOUGHT OF WALKING IN THE DOOR .PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME AND MY STAFF GET BACK TO WHERE WE CAN BE PROUD OF OUR SALON AGAIN . PLEASE HELP.

Tabatha I think your the bees knees and a very good friend to everyone you've helped, because only a good friend tells you when and how you really screwed it up, and best friends tell you how to fix it. I also aspire to hopefully soon go to a cosmetology school and become a stylist. You have taught me to improve my state of mind before ever taking on big feats like owning a salon and some day I hope I get to meet you in person but, not on your show ;D Bless your heart XO XO

Tabatha I love you show I watch all of them...I think it's wonderful how you help people in their business's...I would just like to ask you a question on a interview you gave I can't remember which show it was on but you were talking about hair extentions...and said that they wouldn't damage your hair but that you need to invest in the good ones ..and that it might be a little costly but it was better for your hair...well I have had to take treatments for a blood disorder I had but I finally got to come off of them but it damaged my hair so I have been using a product called Nioxin the shampoo the conditioner and the leave in conditioner my hair is finally looking better and healthier but it still won't grow right...I have the clip in extentions that I use but I would love to have the extentions that just stay in...I live in Bristol Virginia do you know of any place close to me that would have a good quality hair extentios that I could go get put in...I would really appreciate your advise I'm going to be in a drama at out church in April and in the part the woman needs very long hair so I would like to get the extentions before then....Thank you so much ...

Tabatha, I am hoping to get the attention of you or your staff. I am an employee of a pretty great salon. We have a good team of stylists and massage therapists. For the first time in five years all of our stylists that are here have been here for a year or more. The salon has had a record high of turnovers in the past five year. With that being said our biggest issue is that our salon owner has absolutely no experience in the hair industry. As you can imagine this creates numerous problems from a managing stand point, to the day to day running of the company. We have a manager and assistant manager who are unable to do their jobs properly because the owner micro manages everything. We are unequivocally undervalued. I was told the day I was hired that "You should look at this not as that you are doing the salon a service of bringing your talents here but that you should be so lucky to even have the opportunity to work for me." She is inconsistent with the management staff. They do not feel they know what their jobs are because the owner tells them more than one thing. We also were not getting paid minimum wage when our commission was less than that. We ended up contacting the department of labor to get that straightened out. Something that definitely shouldn't have been going on for five years. There is never any positive reinforcement, everything is negative. How are we supposed to be productive, and want to put more effort in? We do not have a website, but keep getting told we will. There is no outside advertising AT ALL. We also have not had menus for months. Our hours of operation change randomly as well as our schedules. We have not even had anyone come to inquire about positions or to bring in resume's in months. What's wrong with this picture? TONS.

We as the salon staff are at the point of mutiny. We do not want to leave the salon because we all feel we have a good team and could make the salon even greater if we (the managers) had the freedom to make some extremely necessary changes. PLEASE help us! This is our last chance at trying to turn around the salon before we all feel we need to walk out (which we really don't want to do). Steph

Hey Tabatha, I'm a fellow Aussie living and working in NYC. I am In the fitness industry, own a training studio in Sydney and am working for a small chain of underperforming gyms in New York, trying to turn them around. I find that, although your show is predominantly about hair salons, the lessons you bring in good business practices are applicable across industries and have definitely helped me with mine. If you ever branch out into turning around fitness businesses, I can help- email me!

Radan

Hi Tabatha, I'm wondering if you help lease salons as well. With all these salons that need your help, I don't think I have any chance of getting make over for my salon but, I sure need help with tips about how to find new tenants. I have a 10 station salon and can't fill it. There are 7 other salons on the same street. We need something that make us different from the other salons. Any suggestion? My stylists are telling me, my salon has everything they were looking for so I don't know what else to do. Love your personality and I wish, I could be like you. Take care

Are all of the salons you help commission based, or do you help lease-based salons as well? I manage a lease-based salon and find it hard to keep everyone on task with the salon rules as well as creating new ideas to promote the salon. I understand that everyone is their own boss and that you can't make them do anything... it treads a very fine line. How do you deal with people that rent a station and don't seem interested in new ideas for the salon or constantly complains about having to attend salon meetings, but still want things done their way. I can't force them to stay for walk-ins either... howerver, I do let them know that by not sticking around I will not be able to help build a clientel. It is very hard for me to understand and to deal with them sometimes. I am receptionist, cleaner, manager so I wear many hats in the salon. I love my job but find that I run into too many dead ends and frustrations because I am not at all sure on the do's and donts. Please, please.... any advice would be great.