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I had been at House of Edward almost one year, my clients continued to increase, and I was enjoying my humble success but I continued to feel that attraction to the great unknown. Its presence was now becoming a relationship that I was comfortable with. Accessing the unknown is like bathing your mind in some infinite pool of nothingness; a refreshing energy source denied only by fear. During this time, looking back, I realize that ignorance is truly bliss. Thinking you know something, without the burden of fear, creates an opening to a desired destination. The challenge of fearlessly staying present allows the unknown to manifest as a potent reminder of your aliveness.
One day as I entered the salon and began preparing for my day I spotted a new face. Since it was a bit early for clients to be arriving and this person did not look like a repairman there to fix something, I was curious as to who
he was. Not wanting to assume anything I continued on with my preparation thinkingsomeone would come along and clear up the mystery. He was younger than me, with longish hair and his facial hair was very precisely shaped. He was about my height and slender but not skinny -- a slender athletic build. Upon Mr. Bennet’s arrival he immediately began to share this person’s presence with a pleasant introduction. Andre was joining our staff and from my point of view he was a welcome sight; since we were closer in age, while everyone else was ten to twenty years older than us, I might have made a new friend. There was one small problem, Andre being from Switzerland spoke very little English.
Having grown up next door to a Swiss family I seemed to be able to understand his English with the Swiss accent. I really do not remember having a communication issue. I do remember certain facial expressions, one in particular that was offered with a distinct motion of the eyes moving upward in combination with both palms up fingers extended out, indicating a lack of comprehension with a bit of frustration and impatience, understandably. Andre and Lloyd had a great deal in common. Andre’s skill and creativity was as amazing as Lloyd’s natural thoughtfulness and authenticity. They each had an important component the combination of which would have been phenomenal. In later years we discussed his experience in the hair design industry, and he had shared the fact that he did not feel completely passionate about it, but he was always committed to applying his acquired skills. We created a friendship outside of the salon enjoying many evenings hanging out mostly around Capitol Hill, with a trip to the Washington coast on one occasion. At that time he had an interest in rocks and I remember him collecting them while walking on the beach.
The subsequent part of that time period is a little vague. We both left the House of Edward around t
he same time; I left to open Salon 1500, my first salon; Andre moved to Texas where he lives to this day. Prior to leaving he invited me to join him in Dusseldorf Germany to attend the world Olympic Hairdressing Competition. At first it was like he had invited me join him on the moon! With a great deal of encouragement from a client in the travel business I made the decision to attend the competition. Andre had worked for Bern Gress, who was the coach for the German Olympic Hairdressing Team, allowing access to activities I could have only dreamed of. I had no idea the extent to which this experience would affect my future. The event was several months away and I was determined to have Salon 1500 open prior to leaving for Europe.
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