On Friday and Saturday, Andis Co.’s director of training and education Ivan Zoot set three new haircutting world records at the Roosters Men’s Grooming Center in Austin, Texas. Zoot performed the fastest haircut in 55 seconds. He broke the old record–1 minute, 11 seconds–eight times on Friday afternoon. His 34 haircuts in one hour beat the existing mark of 23, and the 340 haircuts he completed from 4 p.m. on Aug. 22 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23 beat the previous bar of 300. He only had a five-minute break each hour, and Guinness World Record-approved witnesses took turns monitoring the quality of the haircuts and making sure that at least 1/2 inch was cut off each person.

In the days and months ahead, you’ll be hearing a lot more about this historic event and Zoot, pictured (in this image courtesy of his wife Susan) sitting on the floor of the center. For now, check out andis.com/USA/blog and squidoo.com/clipperguy. Also, Zoot plans to release a book about his cutting-efficiency system soon.

Congratulations, Ivan, and to all those who sponsored and assisted him in this fantastic endeavor!

See you next Wednesday,
Marc

EX•TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness started on Sunday in New York City and will wrap up this Thursday. Nearly 100 exhibitors are showcasing their cosmetics, skin care, bath and body care, beauty accessories, perfumes, hair care, natural and organic products, and well-being lines.

      On Monday, the show’s organizers announced the best new product award finalists and winners from about 100 entries. A panel of trade and consumer press folks—including Beauty Store Business freelance writer Leah Genuario, and editors from American Salon, American Spa and Allure—selected them. Criteria included innovative design, creative use of materials/construction and use of new materials/technology. The selections by categories are:

Best of Show:
Melbourne, Australia-based Sohum (sohumcosmetics.com, 613 9416 1114) for its Royale Collection Bon Bon Packaging, 10 fragrances wrapped like sweets for ready gifting.
Bath and Body:
Winner: San Ramon, California-based Es/’Scents International (ranceusa.com, 888.788.0768) for its Lavish Bath Melts, moisture-rich cocoa butter infused with natural botanicals indigenous to the Scottish Highlands. Finalists: New York City-based Honeycat Cosmetics (honeycatcosmetics.com, 800.541.6816) for its Chocolate Bath Melt Treats; San Rafael, California-based Pharmacopia (pharmacopia.net, 877.389.9898) for its Body Basics Travel Set.
Beauty Accessories:
Winner: Woodbury, New York-based What’s Hot! (whatshotinc.com, 516.692.5472) for its eyeSlices, disposable eye-treatment pads that are patented with hydrogel technology. Finalists: Dallas-based Lady Primrose—Fragrant Luxuries for Everyday Life (ladyprimrose.com, 888.382.7673) for its Tryst Kiss Blotting Papers and Case; Es/’Scents International for its Woolly Bathers Bag.
Cosmetics and Fragrances:
Winner: New York City-based Mommy Makeup (mommymakeup.com, 877.MOMMY.98) for its Clean-n-Casual Kit. It includes five products for the whole face—from start to finish—creating a fresh, bright-eyed look, and includes paint-by-number instructions. Finalists: New York City-based Joya (joyacandle.com, 718.852.6979) for its New York Mixology scented candle; San Antonio-based Soular Therapy (soulartherapy.com, 877.737.8844) for its Blessed fragrance.
Natural/Organic:
Winner: Northridge, California-based Erbaviva (erbaviva.com, 877.372.2848) for its Organic Deodorant, with pure, blended organic essential oils chosen for their natural bacteria-fighting and odor-reducing properties. Finalists: Huntington Station, New York-based Aromafloria (aromafloria.com, 800.424.0034) for its 100% Organic Mineral Bath Salts; San Diego-based Lotus Love Beauty (lotuslovebeauty.com, 619.295.5565) for its Surya Collection.
Packaging:
Winner: Dallas-based POO~POURRI by S2 Synergy (poopourri.net, 972.818.8200) for its POO~POURRI, a before-you-go bathroom freshener. Finalists: Mommy Makeup for its Mommy’s Kisses; San Francisco-based theBalm (thebalm.com, 415.359.0955) for its Big Mama set.

      “EX•TRACTS remains committed to showcase the highest caliber of personal-care products on the market,” says Melissa Engongoro, the trade show’s sales manager. Look for our feature story on this edition of EX•TRACTS in an upcoming issue. The next edition of EX•TRACTS (extractsny.com, 800.272.7469) will take place from Sunday, Jan. 25, through Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

See you next Wednesday,
Marc

There were numerous manufacturers rep awards given out at sales meetings in conjunction with last month’s Cosmoprof North America in Las Vegas. Here’s what I officially know right now:
At The Cricket Co. (cricketco.com), Steve Nutile of CFN Beauty Representation (800.338.0473) won the 2008 Rep of the Year Award, which is given for overall sales, new-product placement in both full-service and stores venues, territory management, follow-through and, most important, distributor relationships. Nutile, pictured on the left with The Cricket Co.’s Jeff Schwartz at the manufacturer’s Rep of the Year Award presentation, is a CFN co-principal who works in the Northeast. And Bob Carter of CFN Midwest (800.543.7377) received The Cricket Co.’s 2008 Outstanding Performance at [Distributor] Trade Shows Award. Carter is a second-generation salon-industry veteran.
      At the Van Nest Coleman & Associates manufacturers rep firm (800.888.7377), Dale Weaver in the Midwest won the Spilo Worldwide (spilo.com) Salesman of the Year Award, and Tom Harrison in the Midwest garnered the Graham Professional Beauty Products (grahambeauty.com) Rep of the Year Award. And VNC Midwest received the Graham Professional Beauty Products Rep Group of the Year Award. Also at VNC: Bill White in the West earned the Belson Products (belsonproducts.com) Award for Most New Accounts Opened, and Steve Simon in the Southwest received the Spilo Worldwide 3rd Place (Bronze) Sales Increase Award.
      At Kayline (kaylinebeauty.com), part of the Professional Division of Wahl Clipper Corp. (wahlpro.com), first place in its 2008 rep contest was awarded to Darin Vincent. Second place went to Bob Wolff, and third place was given to Dan Beaurline. All three are with Greg Dawson & Associates (800.428.5747). The fourth-place honoree was Glenn Cole of the Gerry Udell Group (800.535.1919).
      Finally, as reported in the September issue of Beauty Store Business now out, at Zotos International (zotos.com) for all of 2007: Zotos Rep of the Year Award: Steve Simon, VNC; Bain De Terre Rep of the Year Award: Jay Templeton, GM & Associates (800.533.8535); Zotos Rep Group of the Year Award: VNC Southwest; the Stacey Cohen Outstanding Service Award (formerly the Office Staff of the Year Award): CFN; Zotos Rep of the Year second place: Bill Harper, Southeast Rep Services (803.285.8689, 803.285.8690); Zotos Rep of the Year third place: Tom Harrison, VNC; Bain De Terre Rep of the Year second place: Chuck Cohen, CFN; and Bain De Terre Rep of the Year third place: Charlie Coleman, VNC.
      Kudos—especially in a challenging economic climate—to these 14 reps who picked up individual awards as well as their six award-winning firms. The next time you see one of these reps be sure to congratulate them. They deserve it!

See you next Wednesday,
Marc

There’s a lot of news at Spilo Worldwide (spilo.com) these days, including that Toolworx, its nearly 10-year-old brand of affordable hair, skin and nailcare implements for beauty professionals, has joined forces with Personna, the No. 1 brand of razors and blades in America, to create the co-branded Toolworx by Personna line of hair, nail and skin implements.

      Spilo has been the exclusive distributor to the professional beauty industry for Personna, a division of American Safety Razor, for almost 40 years. The co-branding includes a new logo as well as blue and purple packaging. The first products, which launch this month, are Toolworx by Personna Shears. A 16-piece rotating acrylic display and a three-sided 18-piece display that mounts on either a slat or peg wall are available to merchandise them.

      The introduction and transition of all other Toolworx by Personna implements will be gradually phased into the line. Spilo Worldwide will also continue to sell the Personna brand of blades and razors under the Personna name.

      For more product information, visit toolworxbypersonna.com or call 800.347.7456. Or talk to your local manufacturer’s rep via the firm’s main office: Northeast: Gerry Udell Group, 800.535.1919; Southwest/Midwest: Van Nest Coleman & Associates, 800.888.7377; Southeast Rep Services, 803.285.8689, 803.285.8690; West: Marc Spilo Sales, 800.347.7456; and Puerto Rico: Jorge Valencia, 787.728.0874.

See you next Wednesday,
Marc

Recently, important personnel changes at three major suppliers to beauty stores were announced.

At Tweezerman International (tweezerman.com), Kathy Harvey (516.676.7772, ext. 166, kharvey@tweezerman.com) is the new director of sales for professional markets. Harvey has nearly 15 years of health and beauty industry experience, spending one-third of it at Flowery Beauty. “It’s exciting to have Kathy join our team,” says Art Malen, Tweezerman’s executive vice president of global sales. “She’s well-respected in the beauty industry and known for her understanding of the business and focus on building customer relationships.”

      At the Angles BeautyCare Group’s HAIelite (hai-elite.com), Gary Allen (760.613.3602, gary@hai-elite.com) is the new western regional sales manager. Allen will focus on developing distribution and enhancing existing distributor relationships in the West. He is also responsible for implementing educational programs and market-specific promotions in the West. Allen has more than 30 years of experience in the pro beauty industry, including more than two decades as the western division sales manager for Conair (conairpro.com) and western field sales manager for Zotos International (zotos.com). “We’re ecstatic about adding Gary to our team,” says Richard Ouellette, Angles BeautyCare Group’s CEO. “His experience, work ethic and his inspiration are real blessings to a growing company such as ours.”

      And at Robanda International (robanda.com), Nicole Krakowski (310.614.3442,
nicole@robanda.com) is now creative director. Krakowski has been a makeup artist for more than 10 years, and has been featured in musical videos and international editorial work. She has worked with some of the hottest fashion designers, and has been a red-carpet celebrity artist for the Oscars and other A-list award shows and events. Krakowski also has a broad range of experience in the cosmetics industry as a product-development specialist and in manufacturing, distribution and marketing. “We look forward to Nicole being an integral part of our team,” says president David Leib.
      These industry moves make each of these manufacturers stronger now than they were just a little while ago. And these new hires will also help beauty store owners, managers and distributors.

See you next Wednesday,
Marc