Paloma Rose Garcia and the PALOMA Salon team are highly committed to using their salon brand as a platform to give back to those in need and empower their community to make some small and easy change, which can make a big difference to our people and planet, writes Cameron Pine.
A big advocate for climate change and the many things we can do in our everyday life to minimise its effect, Paloma has always held close to her heart a community minded approach, beyond just the salon walls and staff but for everyone that crosses our paths in our lives through family, friends colleagues and community.
Most recently, Paloma has shared a few personal posts and social media stories showing gratitude for the resilient and committed people in our lives that continue to serve, keep us healthy and look after our loved ones, many who often go unnoticed at a salon level or don’t take the time for their own self-care.
“Having given birth to my sons, had experiences in ER, and home schooled my children through Covid it’s only natural for me that my mind shifts to how my business PALOMA can give back to these angels that do so much; midwives, nurses and school-teachers to name a few,” Paloma said.
“So offering a small gesture of a 15 per cent discount to these beautiful humans that are constantly caring for a huge portion of our society and rarely receiving enough recognition was a simple and thoughtful gesture to give back,” Paloma said.
“Being conscious of our climate and giving back wherever we can is a strong brand pillar at PALOMA, whether it’s through community events, creating workshops to educate hairdressers on climate change and the role us hairdressers can play, this is all part of what we do and how we show up as a business.” she said.
On top of a constantly evolving trend-driven salon space, social outreach programs and awareness built within the walls of PALOMA, naturally along the way Paloma’s team too becomes attuned to this, and mostly the why we do it.
“I always plan the program first, then educate my team so they are grounded in the facts, so the conversations in salon start, and that’s where the magic lies – conversations with our community and guest,” Paloma said.
“I never forget how powerful us hairdressers are, we are relationship builders, it’s a special space we hold and always an opportunity for powerful conversations.”
In recent years Paloma has also developed The Brush with Climate program concept was inspired by the reality that hairdressers have unique opportunities when interacting with clients to have important conversations that can inspire action. In the hairdressing world, we all know that conversations happen in the chair, and these conversations can go anywhere.
Giving back to communities in need is in the PALOMA DNA. Post the traumatic bushfires season of 2020 Paloma and her team spent three separate weekends in the town of Cobargo (382kms south of the salon) looking after the hair of many victims that had lost everything in the tragic fires. Rounding up products from all suppliers, Paloma and her team gifted each person a goodie bag filled with hair and beauty products to uplift and helped them get back on track. “Performing haircuts all day for the locals, we also held space for some very emotional break downs offering big hugs, small things we can do, can become big things.”
For Paloma, her climate action journey began when she was fortunate enough to be invited to Heron island on the Great Barrier Reef in 2018 by the Climate Council to take part in a climate immersion. Since such time, growth in the Paloma salon business and an integrated approach to community has become a hallmark of the brand. Posing the question, what small things can you do? Whether with those around you, carers for your children or those who need it the most, that in the long-term make a significant difference on our sense of community.
From offering hair trends and advice for the cooler months to their wider network regardless of a salon visit, Paloma salon continues to lead by example.
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