Cherie Barnett, GLITZ SALONS

As seen in Lifestyle Magazine

1. What inspired you to take this career path?
   My grandmother was a stylist and salon owner. What inspired me to be a businesswoman was the fact that I worked for someone who didn’t know how to treat the staff with much respect. I thought it would be wonderful to have a business where everyone has a voice. This gives them pride and a sense of ownership and where there is pride there is a high sense of creativity and quality in the output of work.
2. What is your personal/educational background?
   Graduated from Adams High School in 1973, David Pressley School of Cosmetology 1974, Graduate of the following Disney Institute Programs:  The Disney Approach to People Management   The Disney Approach to Leadership Excellence   The Disney Approach to Customer Loyalty   The Disney Approach to Quality Services   The Disney Approach to Managing for Creativity and Innovation  Advanced and Continued Training in Los Angeles and New York 1989-2005, Hands on Staff Training and Travel
3. What obstacles have you overcome in your business?
   The salon industry generally has a high turnover, where the average lifespan of a stylist is 18 months or less. At Glitz, we have broken the barrier. We have had very little turnover in our 16 years of business. We have created a working climate that sustains long-term career growth, loyalty and prosperity for our staff.
4. What advice would you give a young entrepreneur?
   Save your money, invest in real estate and a 401k. Learn from positive, motivated people. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Be honest and always take the high road.

Last read: Be Our Guest, this book was fowarded by Michael D. Eisner for the Disney Institute about  Perfecting the art of customer service.  I also had the honor of being quoted in the book on page 44.

Favorite movie/movie star:  Pay It Forward. 

Dream vacation: Nine years ago, it was my dream to take my staff to Disney World. It was a dream come true in 1996. The staff and myself had an amazing trip to Disney in Orlando, Florida and we continued going every year since. This year we are going on a cruise to the Bahamas with our staff. Every year just keeps getting better.