Inc.:
Over the past few weeks, economic experts have introduced us to a deluge of statistics and indices to chart the current financial crisis.
As a microbusiness owner, however, I’ve found one reliable index that won’t show up on most economic forecasts, one I’m calling the Haircut Index.
In my small town in New York’s Hudson Valley, there’s a hair stylist who is known for his impressive talent with haircutting shears. Walk in with a shaggy head and after a brief time with Sean’s nimble work using scissors or razor, you’ll leave crisply styled. As a result, his appointment book is always full, often months in advance.
The other day I called his salon, hoping to snag one of his rare cancellations, imagine my surprise when the receptionist said, “next week Sean has an opening on Wednesday at 11, and two on Thursday at 2 and 4. Which do you prefer?”
It was then that it hit me: the economy had truly changed. For Sean to have three openings in the coming week signaled a major shift in demand.
What’s important is that we, as entrepreneurs, look beyond the headlines and traditional indices to frame our own understanding of this volatile economy. Peer deeper into your daily encounters and discover the creative possibilities.
Photo by Pancho’s.