Today we’d like to introduce you to Sky Fu.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
At the age of 14, I was interested in being a Creative Artist using Hair as a medium. I started my career in Taiwan, studied extensively in Kyoto Japan, then came to L.A. My master was a major influence helping me become a creative artist using hair. I have over 20 years of experience in the industry, most of the first three years I studied with my Master in Japan.
He would give me ideas for my future path. We had a lot in common like drawing and painting with watercolors. He helped me to decide how to become an artist with a stable future. My masters’ options before he chose what field he was going into were: fashion design, makeup, hair, drawing, painting, sculpture. That was 40 years ago, times were different. He compared all these professions, and ended up choosing hair because it’s limitless. No gender problems, no age problems, no limits for creativity, like makeup is used on mostly women (25-45), men are usually excluded, and products were more limited. Not only was he supportive, he explained options and let me chose for myself. Even at the age of 14-17, I was completely dedicated and formed new habits. I really wanted to be a great assistant, I gave myself one year to accomplish what normally takes 2-3 years. I practiced 12-15 hour days, seven days a week, instead of the usual 8 hour days, five days a week. I accomplished my goal in one year and set a goal and accomplished my second year, which was consistency and speed, and understanding the “Theory of hair”. My third year, I was more involved in practicing the details of my haircutting, and the mechanics involved.
At the age of 17, I moved to California and became a licensed Cosmetologist. I worked in a salon for two years and then opened my own salon. I got a lot of inspiration from traveling around the world. After five years, I set another goal. I was successful in my salon but wanted to pursue more creative things. I had the chance to become involved in the ISSE hair shows at Long Beach. That started my interest in creating Avante Guard hairstyles. I stayed with that artistic team seven more years, and created hairstyles for PBA, ISSE, IBS, and ABS, and also pursued the passing on of education to future generations. So my next goal was to transform from an artistic creator on stage, to an artistic educator. Through my experience started building and perfecting my visual diagram and X Y Z coordinate cutting system, this involves developing deep understanding of the foundation of all different hairstyle,this two techniques allow me to be more like hair engineer so I can be more precise and consistent. I became a master educator with “TheCombAcademy” teaching visual mechanics and physical mechanics. In 2017, we opened The-Comb Technical Center. To provide information and education to future generations.
Has it been a smooth road?
One of my obstacles was that I started this endeavor at a very young age, not realizing that it would take 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week. That is the Japanese Way. I wanted to have fun, friends, and family, But my need for perfection was paramount, and still is.
One of my struggles is the balance between hair shows, hair salon time, and family time. I am always trying to improve my skills, so I incorporate hair shows to push my limits, but that will take up family time and client time. When you do this, you sacrifice one for the other. Which can be a huge stress in itself. Fortunately, it really helps when you have a partner or wife who is understanding and supportive.
Services involving chemicals always vary. Clients might run late or need additional services. Timing is never exacting in our profession.
Hair consultations can be challenging, depending on the client’s’ ability to absorb hair knowledge. With today’s social media, a client may bring in a picture and expect it can be done with her hair in one sitting of maybe two hours or less, and sometimes that’s not possible considering her previous color or hair history.
My biggest critic is myself, and I have to constantly work on my consistency, practice x 1,000,000.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Unique Hair Technical Center story. Tell us more about the business.
The name of my Salon is Unique Hair Technical center and is located in San Gabriel Valley. We provide Shampoo Blow Drys, Haircuts, Hair Coloring, Keratin Treatment, Hair Extension, Updos, etc. Precision Haircutting and Fantasy Colors are what I’m known for. I’m very proud of my employees and that our clients are so supportive of us. We get a lot of referrals when people see their hair. We provide education to our staff and work as a team, we are not selfish. We continually upgrade our skills and are consistent in explaining and counseling our clients in new techniques and hair trend. What makes us different is we use dimensional diagrams and every stylist provides one on one service, so we have more personal time with our clients.
We also work charity event to share our time and skill with peoples needs us.
The-Comb technical center is my other business. I am the co-founder and the school is located in Santa Ana, California. The school provides education using mathematics and science for hair cutting and hair coloring. We have a special tool to help the students visualize the cutting line. We provide body painting classes, 3-D diagram classes, bridal updo classes, color classes, and business strategies. All the educators are proud and passionate in what we believe. When taking alongside cosmetology courses, the student will be able to perform seven haircuts, learn color theory and techniques, mechanics, and know how to do consultations and business knowledge that’s important to go on the floor. The difference is students improve their skills faster than any assistance program.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the hair service industry will target more hair color, integrity of hair, scalp treatments and longer hair length.
I believe shades of color from the color spectrum will be integrated into regular hair color of blondes, brunettes, or redheads. Personalization of hair might be in the accents of color and cut incorporated into the hairstyles. This increases the one on one interaction between clients and hair designers. This will stimulate creativity and individuality.
I believe that The liquid technology for Hair has advanced considerably in the past five years. This includes for the integrity of the hair while performing a chemical service, and the shine and style ability of the hair for daily use. I believe this will continue. I also think that the chemistry for hair products will be aimed more at health and safety.
The good things are that we have technology that will get better at helping us collect a lot of data and being more informed. The people seem more accepting of any hairstyles. And in the next 5-10 years, will probably accept any hairstyle. I see more one on one service with your clients, the chemicals will continue to change as rapidly in the next ten years, as it has in the last five years.
On the other side of technology, some of the concerns will be it advancing too quickly or making individuals too reliant on it. The way some people use it to alter photos of their work with photo editing apps, and not posting their real photo.
I believe that tools will replace some of the basic skills in the advancement of hair technology which could make them more reliant on tools, rather than manual skills.
Examples: having a very expensive camera cannot replace your understanding of how to take high-quality photographs in different environments. You can take a bad picture and not break the camera; but … If you don’t know how to hit a golf ball correctly, you can’t achieve the full benefit of a more expensive club or specialized club, or could possibly even damage your golf club
Contact Info:
- Address: 123 E Valley Blvd # 210, San Gabriel, CA 91776
402 W 4th st, Santa Ana, CA 92701 - Website: Www.skyfhair.com
- Phone: 6264750424
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/skyfu__?igshid=3ws66bvbd0ag
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/vbgyU8172W
Image Credit:
Joaquin, Arthur, Happy, Rene, Nick
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