Please excuse me for more than a bit of self indulgence here. I recently received an email from a young woman that asked my permission to do a school project about me. “Um… ya, but are you sure you have the right guy?” Needless to say I was very flattered, honored and happy to be her subject. There’s nothing better to find out you have made a spark somewhere in the world. Thank you so much Chaele Redding. Here’s her letter and finished project.
Thomas,
I am sure you do not remember me as it has been probably about 12 or 13 years since I met you originally. I was a student at the Nancy Bounds modeling agency when I was a freshman/sophomore in high school. During that program, my class spent an evening at T’eez getting our hair and makeup done. I don’t think I knew it at the time, but looking back now, that experience changed my life. It was the moment I fell in love with cosmetology. I will never forget how great I felt about myself leaving your salon that evening and a part of me knew at that moment that I wanted to do the same thing for others. …
… I was accepted to the Aveda Institute Denver in March and I began my 15 week journey toward my cosmetology degree 2 weeks ago, on July 13th. I am so incredibly excited for this opportunity and I really would like to make the most of it.
Part of my first phase in the program is to compose a presentation on an “Industry Icon” and I have chosen to do my presentation/project on you. I have followed you and your work via your blog and social media. I really believe that you have so, so many accomplishments in this industry. Your work is amazing and something I find truly inspirational. Although I currently live in Denver, I am from Omaha and I would just love to show my class, educators and fellow students your amazing work and tell them about your accomplishments.
Chaele Redding
We bid farewell and good luck to our front desk guy, Dylan last week. Dylan Hartnett had been with T’eez for over 6 years. He recently graduated from UNO and took a job in his field of study with Methodist College in marketing/social media.
It was a warm summer morning years ago the day I found him pouring coffee at my favorite breakfast cafe, Vidlak’s. Actually, he found me. I had given a different server my card and told him to come apply if he ever considered working in a salon. The truth is, I’d hire any of Vidlak’s servers because they have the magic touch at employing hard working, nice people which is largely why I love that place. Anyway, that server happened to be Dylan’s boyfriend at the time and a few minutes later Dylan came out (no pun intended…who am I kidding, yes it was!) and said hey my boyfriend isn’t interested but I’d LOVE to work at T’eez! So that’s how it began.
If you have been in T’eez the past 6 years, you’ve probably met him and been impressed one way or another. You don’t cross paths with Dylan without remembering him. He’s loud, ridiculous, funny, crazy, over the top and at times a handful but I tell you what, he can tell you any client’s name, what their kids are up to, where they’ve been on vacation, what’s their zodiac sign, who’s their favorite Real Housewife and a whole lot more. He loved all of our clients and they loved him. I got a front row seat at the Dylan show everyday and I loved every minute of it. No matter what kind of day he might have been having behind the scenes, he never missed a beat being welcoming, complimentary and friendly with our clients.
He developed a brother/sister relationship with the sylists. You know how you’ve never wanted to kill your brother right? I did my share of refereeing but at the end of the day they often went out together and I’d hear their stories (not all the stories) the next day.
Dylan lost his beautiful, sweet mother to cancer pretty early on at T’eez. I only had the chance to meet her a few times but it’s easy to see that she shined bright in Dylan’s life and personality. I think she always let him be who he wanted to be and she loved him dearly. Dylan’s dad and siblings make it obvious that he’s had a very open and loving upbringing.
He made no secret that he looked at me like as a surrogate father, of sorts, not only because of my nurturing and sage advice. No, it was this sit/com he always had rolling in his head, staring him and me. Well, him and everyone else. For my part, he told me we would be at an award show, on stage together, accepting an award as father and son and then my real son, Eon would walk in, see this and freak out. More than his desire to be my son, I think he just wanted to see the look on Eon’s face and then hear the crowd roar. This and so many more scenarios came to be known in Dylan’s running Reality Show/ Sitcom.
The front desk and management was taken on by Brooke quite a while ago while Dylan finished up school and she has quickly become our go to gal for all questions and answers. She’s mature beyond her years and besides being hard working and reliable she is eager to please our clients and keep them happy. She is complimented with our other 2 star desk workers, Becca (Dylan’s BFF) and our new addition, Marti. I mean there’s 2 of them….not that they’re only 2 star. They are at least 4 star. Welcome Marti! By the way, ask Marti anything about cheese. (She was formerly the “Cheese Wiz” at HyVee)
You may still see Dylan from time to time as he will still work special events for us as time permits.
Dylan was a bright (and really loud) light that couldn’t be missed at T’eez while he was here, but will surely be missed now that he is gone. We thank him and wish him the very best and I know our clients do as well. Enjoy this short video of The Kid in action.
If you wish to leave him your well wishes or favorite moment with Dylan please leave your comments below.