Amanda wanted to go shorter and bolder on her haircolor for a new look.

Here is some of my recent work.  These clients were ready for an updated change to have their “do’s” Sizzling and Sassy for the Summer time. If your feeling in the mood to Spice Up your look, I would love the opportunity!  -Tracey Drews-Owner/Master Stylist

Amanda After-Honey Brown Base with some "peek-a-boo" copper highlights.

Amanda After

Missy-Traditional Bob-Wanted Lightness and a little more Sass for Summer.

Missy After-Added blond highlights and gave her bob a little asymmetry.

This cute little one wanted short hair for the summer in which she donated to Locks of Love.

Pure Sweetness!

Jalen cut his longer, shaggy hairstyle to a sporty short summer do!

Grassroots a salon has always donated to various charitable local organizations that help strengthen and build a better community. We wanted to expand our awareness and  try something a little bit different by attempting to help a cause on a more global level.  With this most recent oil spill, Grassroots has come in contact with the Matter of Trust Organization.  This Organization collects hair clippings in recycled boxes lined with large plastic garbage bags.  The swept hair is shipped to specific US manufacturers who weave them into mats that can soak up oil and clean our beaches and habors.

There are over 37,000 hair salons in the US that collect an average of 1 lb. of hair a day.  Right now, most of the hair goes into the waste stream, but it could all be made into hair mats.

Recycled hair clippings are also made into hair “booms” which are sausage shape.  Hair is stuffed into recycled nylons (with mesh to provide a strong exterior).  These booms are then tied together and used to encircle and contain oil spills to keep oil from spreading. They protect fragile coves and habitats.

The Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska inspired  hair stylist, Phil McCrory, to invent the hair mat in 1989.  Since 2000, Matter of Trust has partnered with Phil and now Thousands of salons to help decontaminate water ways, prevent soil erosion, and create green jobs.

So the next time you come in to Grassroots a Salon to receive your  haircut, not only will you feel great from your new “do” on the outside.  But feel good from the inside, knowing your hair was donated to a greater cause.

Grassroots-Nurturing your beauty from the ground up!

Before

Mary was a new client who had been referred to me.  She came in with preconceived ideas about do’s and don’ts with her hairstyle.  After a couple appointments of trying to convince Mary, we together decided to grow her hair longer and to let the layers grow out also.  She never thought this was possible but after much assurance, we’re here.  We also added some natural multicolored highlights to enhance the look.  Mary is quite pleased with her new look.  Even better, her husband loves it as well.  I know this has been a timely change for Mary, but I thank her for her trust and patience.  I am glad she is enjoying the beautiful, updated, younger “YOU”.  - Kelly Hietpas/Stylist

After the "growing out" phase. The new beautiful, youthful Mary!

Tracey Drews-Owner/Stylist

When was the last time you LOVED your hair?

I have a pretty good guess that when you really start to think of the answer to this question,  you’ll began to realize it probably wasn’t the actual haircut itself.

Yes, trust me I know of the importance  to not walk out of a hair salon with the left side of your hair 2 inches longer than the right side. Unless you were going for the asymmetrical look. Which is now “in” by the way.

Seriously, I am talking about all the other factors that led to the last time you truly LOVED your hair.  When I think about the client/stylist relationships I have grown in the Fox Valley for the last 10+ years since moving here,  I understand the importance of  “YOU”  and providing more than just a haircut service.  I provide an Experience.

Now that I have you thinking, are your answers sounding more like this?

*the emotion (the warm, friendly, fuzzy kind)

*level of customer service received

*the revealing of a common ground that made you feel connected to your  stylist.

*having someone assist you in achieving a look that reflects your inner beauty, your true “YOU”.

*maybe it was the first time someone took the time to actually listen to what “YOU”      wanted.

Being a hairdresser for 14+ years, I have always been an advocate of attending classes to ensure that I am equipped with the latest tools and techniques needed in assisting my clients with hair they LOVE.   This has always been a personal and professional commitment of mine.  This past fall I traveled to New York City and attended a 3 day hands-on haircutting /coloring class.  I am enrolled in 4 various classes this spring/summer to “add to” and enhance my “toolbox”.  Having a  LOVE for my profession and a passion for making others feel good about themselves, seems like second nature to me.

If you were unable to answer the question “When was the last time you LOVED your hair?”  Come visit me, Tracey Drews, owner/stylist,  for a free consultation.  I would LOVE to meet and assist YOU in bringing out your natural beauty that lies within!

Recently, I attended a retreat on Organic Leadership.  My first thought was, here at Grassroots, we try to implement eco-friendly business practices, so I wondered what more I could learn?  Through discovery I began to realize that Leading Organically meant to live your business like nature lives hers.  After playing with this concept for awhile I began to see the similarities:

Nature is a gentle, gradual enfolding-just like how a seed turns into a beautiful flower.

Even my detailed business plan and financial projections did not prepare me for the “true success” of how Grassroots has enfolded, flourished, blossomed.  The joy, appreciation, gratitude, and sense of community are a few of the glorious gifts that I have received during this business venture.

In nature several plants need the existence and certain make-up of other plants to survive.

Our garden consist of:  14 creative, inspiring Stylist, a talented and compassionate Manicurist/Reiki Practitioner  and devoted, friendly desk staff who are all a major part of the core of Grassroots.  And then there is “YOU” our loyal clients, our Grassroots Family.  Without these wonderful people Grassroots would have not grown to where it is today.

One of Life’s Unstoppable Forces is the need to establish relationships and to connect with one another.

With the help and support of Mandala Life Media, our website was evolved. This has been an amazing tool for us to share our story and provide us the opportunity to get to know  ”YOU” on a more personal level. It has been great to see what you are involved in and what brings you joy outside of your time with us at the salon.

I also enjoy seeing the blog post from my team members as they unleash their creativity and how significant they play a part in the brilliance of Grassroots.

Plants, Animals, People, Spirit-We are all interconnected.

At the end of the  retreat we had to write a poem to express how we think we have shifted in becoming  an Organic Leader. By all means, I am not a writer or poet. This definitely posed a challenge for me; and by sharing it here is even “more out of my box” than usual.  This poem is a representation of my interconnections to my team members and to my clients, who I stand behind while they are seated in my styling chair.

An Organic Haircut

I have always listened.  C’mon I know you.  You don’t like to see a lot of red, don’t take no more than an inch off, not a lot of product.

Now I listen wholeheartedly, fully present.  With a set of ears that are not my own. I hear your joy, your pain.  I learn your hearts desires and what makes your heart ache. I feel you, see you, see through you.

The inner beauty that lies within- I now know “YOU”.

Now the usual.  Turn the chair around; take a look in the mirror.  ”Do you like what you see”?

With my new set of eyes I look at the reflection of the two of us.  I look closer. Still closer.  Our images become “ONE”.  NOW  I can see…

I am in “YOU” and “YOU” are in “Me”!

Here is wishing you an Organic Holiday Season. Enjoy your connections with family, friends and loved ones.  We look forward to servicing you into the year 2010, ORGANICALLY- creating relationships and conditions for new seeds to grow.

Happy Holidays! From: ME-Tracey Drews-Owner/Stylist