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3 Tips to Optimizing Your Morning Routine for Success

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It’s another glorious morning. What do you do? If you immediately roll over to your bedside table, grab your phone, and deep dive into emails or Instagram- then you are apart of the 80% of smartphone users who do the same thing, according to a study from IDC Research. This is a problem. We are starting our days filled with the stress and anxiety of bombarding stimuli, tasks, and information.

If you want to recreate your mornings to optimize success and happiness, then you came to the right place. 

#1 Tack on New Habits to Old

It has been said that the easiest and most effective way to create new habits is by piggybacking them onto old ones. If rolling over and grabbing your phone every morning is your old habit, simply replace the item that is sitting on your bedside table. This means plugging your phone in a place that is out of reach. Make it so you have to physically get out of bed to be able to retrieve your phone. 

So, what should I replace my phone with? 

-Journal and a Pen 

-Alarm Clock 

-Book 

-Water 

#2 Decide on Your Personalized New Routine 

Everyone is different. What “Sally” does and what works for her may be very different from what will work for you. Decide on what would optimally make your morning better. Some ideas: 

-Meditating/ Prayer 

-Gratitude Journal 

-Self Empowering Book 

-Hydration and Light 

#3 Make Your Bed

If you don’t want to listen to us, listen to this Navy Seal Admiral. 

Morning routines should be sacred. Start by recreating yours to optimize your life. Treat your morning with respect and allow a sense of peace and joy to flow into your life. It’s really that simple! 

Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

    Let Us Take You Through GINA’S PLATFORM!

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    Our creator, Gina Rivera, takes you through all of the amazing features and benefits of GINA’S PLATFORM. The APP!

    Download the app today on the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

    Gina Rivera

    Gina Rivera

    Beauty Icon and Expert

    Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

      Keys to Managing Stress & Anxiety During Quarantine

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      COVID-19 has taken over our lives and in return it has given us a new reality. In this new reality, we are learning about ourselves and those around us. We are learning how to operate our existence from our jobs to our free time. We are learning how to cope in any way we can during a crisis emotionally and financially. Every day, our reality changes and shifts.

      We know that the stress and anxiety this induces is overwhelming. While everything is changing around us, we should find the time to connect with our inner selves to help bring relief. Here are a few key ways to manage stress and anxiety.

      Gina Rivera

      Gina Rivera

      Beauty Icon and Expert

      Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

        Our Keys to Finding Peace in a Crisis

        Let us help you. Follow these anchors.

        JOURNAL

        write it down

        Take the time to write down what you are feeling and how you are conducting your days. When the rain has stopped and the sunshine returns (metaphorically speaking) you will be able to look back on these days and see how you OVERCAME your obstacles. 

          SHOWCASE

          share your skills

          Go out of your comfort zone. If you are a skin care expert, film videos on how others can take care of their skin. If you are a hairstylist, teach virtual classes on the basics- how to do a blow dry on yourself or French braids. You get the picture.

            CREATE

            use your hands

            Spend time creating with your hands. This is a great way to use a different part of your brain and relax. Painting, coloring, sewing, knitting, gardening, tie dying, refurbishing- the list goes on! 

              ORGANIZE

              dial in your space

              It is the best time to de-clutter your life and the spaces you occupy. That means going into that forbidden junk drawer or miscellaneous hall closet and getting to work. Clean out your closet, clean out your drawers, clean out your bathroom! You will feel more dialed in than ever before and a sense of calm will wave over you. 

                SWEAT

                stay active

                Keep your body moving. Exercise releases endorphins- the feel good, natural energy that is priceless! It helps keep your stress levels down and will help you blow off that extra steam you may be carrying. 

                  HOBBY

                  try something new

                  Whether it be simply fitting in time to read that book you have put off or learn how to play that dusty guitar in the garage! Use this time to your advantage to learn something you haven’t had time for in the past. Immersing yourself into learning is an essential way to offset stress and anxiety. 

                    How are you managing your stress and anxiety? We want to know! Please tell us on our Instagram @ginasplatform. 

                    Gina Rivera

                    Gina Rivera

                    Beauty Icon and Expert

                    Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

                      Gina’s Platform Makes Collecting Payments Easy

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                      Looking for a way to streamline your payment collection process? Look no further, we’ve got you covered.

                      As experienced lifestyle professionals, I know that some of the best parts of the job is practicing our craft, working with clients, and the thrill of seeing them transformed. But even if you love your work so much you’d do it for free, most of us, well, don’t.

                      That’s what makes an effortless payment collection system, like the one offered on Gina’s Platform, so essential to your business. Simplify your payment process, and you’re instantly freed from unnecessary bookkeeping headaches. When you use the Payment Center in the Gina’s Platform app, you can focus on doing what you love – not troubleshooting your payment process. I wanted to make sure this process was easy and painless for you. I remember the days when I was struggling dealing with the various payment collection systems out there. I knew I had to find a way to make this process BETTER.

                      What makes it so easy?

                      Gina’s Platform takes what worked, and leaves out the rest. The result is a single page of payment options that makes once difficult tasks like splitting and merging tickets a breeze. It’s everything you need to invoice, track, collect, and report customer payments in one spot – instantly organized.

                      As a merchant service Gina’s Platform makes everything from credit cards from payment processing simplified and placed in one place with easy access. It is everything a small business like a hair salon needs keep the books in the books and your time with your cliental.

                      How much does it cost? 

                      Nothing. You can use Gina’s Platform and the Payment Center features at no cost to you: no monthly fees, no transaction fees, and no contracts.  

                      It’s no secret that accepting cards legitimizes your biz. Customers love it too! It’s a convenient exchange all around. That is, if your payment collection system is up to par.  If your clients prefer to pay by credit card instead of cash, you’ll have access to the absolute lowest processing rate available anywhere–just 2.5%.* If you choose, you can wrap that processing fee into your rates and offer a cash discount to clients who forego paying with plastic.  

                      What will I get? 

                      Salon and other lifestyle professionals looking for the best credit card processing deal in the industry can skip the fine print.  With Gina’s Platform there is none. What you’ll get: 

                      • Industry low 2.5% credit card rates*
                      • Amex processing abilities 
                      • no transaction fees
                      • no monthly fees
                      • no minimum volume
                      • no contracts

                      The integrated Payment Center in Gina’s Platform offers you and your clients ultimate flexibility. You can take payments in person or send invoices for services or product through the app.  Your clients can pay through the app or on your free, personalized web page. Your ability to accept credit and act as a merchant service for your customers are all at your fingertips.

                      Are there other benefits? 

                      Some other benefits of using Gina’s Platform include: 

                      • Recording cash, credit or check payments with an option to link to appointment information and instantly confirm entries.
                      • Quickly and easily process complex functions like merging or splitting tickets, accepting partial credit and cash payments, and processing coupons or discounts. 
                      • Automatically apply, track, and report quarterly sales tax for products. 
                      • Send email or text requests to clients for advanced online payments of services or product purchases. 
                      • Zero-fee credit card processing at 2.5%* (chip or swiped) – the industry’s absolute lowest.
                      • Cash discount option.
                      • Inventory made easy. Product sales are automatically recorded and depleted from your stock list. 
                      • Printable, at-a-glance profit reports available.

                      Gina’s Platform will revolutionize how you manage your cash flow with a streamlined payment collection system that is simple and easy to use.  Join us on Gina’s platform and see how easy it is to do what you love and get paid quickly and efficiently!

                      xoxo,

                      Gina

                      *credit card processing rate is a dynamic percentage that will fluctuate with market rates. But you can be sure we’ll stay true to having the industry’s lowest fees.

                      Gina Rivera

                      Gina Rivera

                      Beauty Icon and Expert

                      Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

                        Staying Safe While Supporting Salons During COVID-19

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                        Social distancing is the new black. But whether scheduling conference calls with the office or FaceTiming with family, clients still want to look presentable. And let’s be real, doing so might also help us all stay buoyant and feel better in these uncertain times.

                        Some may be asking, “Is it safe to go to my hair stylist?”

                        For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention haven’t issued specific guidance on whether it’s safe to get your haircut or nails done. However, everyone should be taking social distancing seriously, avoiding crowds of 10 or more and keeping a 6-foot distance from anyone you don’t live with. 

                        Looking to reassure your clients? Let them know their health and safety is the most important thing to you right now: 

                        • Share any enhanced cleaning measures you’re using to keep your salon safe 
                        • Distance your work stations at least 6 feet apart if you’re not in a standalone suite 
                        • Discuss the possibility of making house calls 
                        • Take the temperature of anyone entering the salon, including your own 
                        • Wear any protective clothing or masks you have and offer them the same

                        If you live in a state that is recommending everyone shelter-in-place, here are some ways clients can still help their hairdresser or favorite salon:  

                        • Don’t simply cancel, postpone appointments for a future date 
                        • Prepay for any services you usually get, like regular root touchups 
                        • Tip in advance
                        • Buy salon gift cards 
                        • Set up appointments for online consultations
                        • Leave positive social media reviews and tag selfies accordingly 
                        • Stock up on any salon products (it may be a while so buy in bulk!)

                        Are salons a non-essential business? That’s up for some serious debate! Currently, in the United States there are OVER 1,000,000 Independent Lifestyle Professionals that represent an estimated $50 Billion in revenue A YEAR!

                        To us, this community of professionals called “The Business of One” is a deeply essential part of our lives. And we’ll do everything we can to make sure they stay safe, well, and able to make money doing what they love.

                        CLICK HERE AND TELL US YOUR STORY OF HOW COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS SO GINA RIVERA CAN FIGHT FOR YOU, SHORT TERM LOANS, AND RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR YOUR BUSINESSES IN DC!

                        Make sure to hashtag – #BusinessOfOne

                        xoxo,

                        Gina

                        Gina Rivera

                        Gina Rivera

                        Beauty Icon and Expert

                        Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.