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Orbit salon had to be one of the filthiest salons I’ve ever seen; it was covered in hair, dust and dirt—it was a pigsty. And it was shocking to me because everyone acknowledged how dirty and rundown the salon was but nobody actively did anything to clean it up and make it better. Even Eddie, the owner, called the place a dump and his staff hand-me-downs. Way to motivate, Eddie! And the lack of initiative and zeal in taking care of the salon carried over to everyone’s work. I saw sloppy color, uneven haircuts, and a total lack of attention to detail. The worst of it all, was Eddie had been using his basement as a personal storage space. Tens of thousands of dollars in products were buried under his clothes, bicycles, and junk. This is no way to run a successful business. Over-ordering product and then not storing it and organizing it properly so you can sell it for a profit is literally throwing money down the drain.

Comments

54 Comments
11/18/2009 - 5:04pm
Tim Frazier

Tabatha, I really enjoy watching you take over and turn the salons around...I have been a stylist for 30 years now... And I go back to work talking about your show..Trying to get my boss to watch your show in hopes of getting her to update the salon from Old Florida Pink rollers 1965 to 2010.. And to take charge of her salon and run it more organized and professional and get the employees to work together as a team ..I am afraid if things dont get better soon ,I am not sure how much longer we will be in business Any Idea's on how to attract a younger cliental to a outdated salon? I keep telling her they dont want to go to salon were grandma gets her roller sets..I keep telling her I am going to contact you to take over the salon and she just laughs at me any advice would be helpful thanks Tim

11/10/2009 - 7:25pm
Robin from Texas

Tabatha,
I am currently re-enrolled in Cosemtology School since I did not keep up with my license information the first time 15 years ago. I attend a school that seriously needs your help! The school I attended the first time was clean and well organized. I am not being so fortunate the second time around. There are doors that need to be repaired, paint to be touched up, MAJOR cleaning to be done, and management issues that are overwhelming. THere is screaming and yelling non stop in front of clients. This school has all the potential to be fabulous, but is not being handled in the proper way. HELP US!!!

11/10/2009 - 5:28pm
Bob B

Love your show, I also love your style of dress. There is something powerful but sexy about a beautiful women wearing georgous boots when there at work.

11/10/2009 - 10:00am
brittany simmons and cosmetology class of hcc in goodman ms

we need help !! we are in school and its hard to get inspired in a depressing place our teacher tries to help but our salon is a wreck! i don't know where to write you or your show so im leaving this message in hope that you might can help!! we are from ms and all students are trying to inspire oursevles but it hard when you look at a falling apart different colored salon!! or at least please give us some tips!! i would send you pics if i could but like i said i dont know how!! the girls in this class have all been through alot it seems and we are all fighters trying to succeeed but the school does not fund us like we need to improve our area its kinda last on the list!! we have a wonderful teacher who also needs to be inspired lord knows most everyone in here has had a rough last couple of years please get bak to me!!!! thank you holmes community college in goodman ms

11/09/2009 - 11:23pm
Gabi

Hey Tabatha....I think you are fantastic....can't wait for season 2....from one Aussie chic to another, you go girl....

11/09/2009 - 6:41pm
Dedicated watcher

Tabatha,
I love your show its awesome! ever been to minot, north dakota? ever wanted to come? haha our small town salon could use big city makeover!

11/09/2009 - 4:50pm
Joey Quick

Tabatha i think you kick ***. i think your sexy and are so funny.... Anyway i wish you could cut my hair for me. Im trying to let it grow out and i want a new do...I want to spike it but well noone over her ever gets it right, will you do it for me...anyway love ya and keep kickin ***

11/09/2009 - 1:39pm
Nancy A McDonald

Dear Tabitha,
I have applied to your show and gotten no response. But we need your help in the salon. I have asked my clients to email you and the sheer mention of your name sends some of the stylist running. I am not the owner but a long time employee who is wanting to kick our salon in the bum. Its time for Tabitha to take over and shake it up. If you are up for it I am sure my Boss would love to hear from you. Looking forward to your arrival.

11/09/2009 - 12:22am
Dawn W

Hey Tabatha. I just wanted to start by saying thank you. I have always loved doing my own hair colors and those of my friends. I never really actively looked into cosmetology school becuase I assumed I would not be able to afford it until I started watching your show. You absolutely inspiried me and watching your passion for transforming people's apperance was just what I needed to actually enroll in school. I am proud to say that at the age of 35 I am enrolled in Tricoci University and start classes in April 2010. Thank you for helping me to figure out my own passion in life. The show is great and I am a loyal fan. Keep up the good work.

11/08/2009 - 10:35pm
Mellow Yellow

Tabatha,
I was down with a bug this weekend and watched every episode of your first season. OMG, you rock. I totally relate to your management style and yes, you can come across harshly, but if folks want to improve their businesses, they'll have to deal with some truths along the way. As the saying goes, reality can be funnier than comedy, which is the case with your show. Your facial expressions are priceless.--my

11/08/2009 - 8:55pm
First Time Blogger/Businessowner

I watched Tabatha's Salon Takeover for the first time when the Season Premiere aired last Sunday. I was quite impressed with the way she put the owner and staff through a dramatic, week-long intervention program at Orbit Salon.

I really want to play that episode for my office staff. I checked Bravo's schedule for future airdates of the same episode, then realized I'd be recording it at home on my Dish DVR, but couldn't re-play anything at work.

Is there any way I can have that Orbit Salon episode emailed to me so that I can download it and show it on my laptop during an office meeting? It would be a great training tool.

Much appreciated,
HH

11/08/2009 - 7:15pm
mmc

Hi Tabatha, I loved how you helped Orbit salon. Eddie seems like such a nice man i hope things really work out for him and his staff.I saw you on Watch What Happens Live and when Andy asked you about Kims wigs you didn't say much.She's a pretty woman and with all the money she spends on wigs for some reason it doesn't look right. Actually I liked the other wigs better than this new one. What advice can you give her?Glad your shows back on....

11/08/2009 - 1:07pm
mrsdiva

I would love for you to come and visit some of the nasty salons in Oak Ridge, TN. i have to do my own hair because i do not feel compfortable going into a salon where one is on their cellphone or not knowing how to do certainb styles and when i go to my appointment I'm seen for instance my appt is 4pm i might get my hair washed at 4:45 or 5pm and i do not have patience for that. i'm an african american so please somebody come and give these so called stylist some training.

11/08/2009 - 10:25am
Holly in M.D.

Bye, Bye Jessica. Tantrums and cussing in the work place is very unprofessional. However, I would LOVE to know who made that outfit she was wearing when she was let go.

Cheers,

11/06/2009 - 11:42pm
Chris R

Love your show and how you try and help with your no nonsense wisdom. Take care....

11/06/2009 - 8:01am
shelagh

Tabatha,

As a Chef who has had several "fireman jobs", that is straightening the joint out and implenting systems for quality, consistency etc. Boy howdy are you ever an inspiration. Your honesty, intelligence and commitment to quality are a blessing to these dumbell owners and staff. Were that I had the vehicle that you have to bring order from chaos in struggling kitchens..............
Can't wait for the next episode!

11/06/2009 - 4:03am
Millie

Tabatha,

I love your show; I watched your show for the very first time this past Sunday and said to myself WOW, she tells it like it is. I especially liked the show with the husband who quit his job to be the manager of his wife's shop.

The shop was located in the suburbs of NY and it was obvious the owners of this business just wanted a paint job and a shop makeover. That shop was a waste of time. I loved the short hair blond girl who had a melt down at the beginning of the show, and when she travled to NY to the upscale salon she realize there is a time and place for meltdowns.

When Tabatha went back to that shop, you seen cigarette butts on the gound outside the salon, it was tacky very tacky. The blond, and the two girls that had great skills should leave the salon, this shop is holding them back.

Tabatha, you go lady, honesty is the best policy.

11/06/2009 - 2:05am
wellmax25

I love this show. I really love everything about it. Personally though if I was having my hair colored and it was pointed out to my stylist that the were not using the chemicals correctly, I probably would not continue to sit in the chair.

11/06/2009 - 12:33am
process pro

Tabitha,
like you, I do process improvement in my industry. I love your show as I see many situations I have been faced with on the job. I want to ask you if there is a chance you might consider using less cursing in working with the salon teams. You made your expertise known on "Shear Genius" and Bravo made the smart choice in not having you win and moving forward with you on a show of your own. You know what you're doing and have demonstrated your ability to improve any team you work with.
I curse like a sailor myself but have come to understand it can easily give the teams I work with something else to focus on rather than the message I want to deliver if I use it too often. What are your thoughts on it? Would you consider toning it down? I'm concerned that you might be seen, as time goes on, as the "foul-mouthed monster" rather than the pro you are.

Best wishes on your show. I'm hooked and watching.

11/06/2009 - 12:24am
Britta

Tabatha, I hope someday I look as gorgeous and rocking as you do. I adore you and the show. I was so happy to hear that you have a girlfriend, too, as I am always looking for GLBT role models and see so few that speak to me. Rock on, sex goddess. Rock on.

11/05/2009 - 7:46pm
Salon owner in CT

Tabatha,

Love the show but a little dissapointed with the opening season show with the salon in Chicago. Okay, I agree with you on the salon being a dump but what about the numbers. Here the owner had over $100K in retail, so what is his retail to services percentage??? What were his numbers? Need to touch basis on average rate per client, client retention, rebooking ratio, etc. Salon owners need to know and understand what their numbers mean. Yes, cleanliness is very important but the owners and staff need to understand the bottom line.

11/05/2009 - 7:25pm
cathy from NJ

Great show Tab---not that i had any doubts that it would be! You're the BEST!!! See you soon.

11/05/2009 - 4:55pm
Nett

SO Glad your show is back it's my favorite! Wish I knew how to get an appointment with you for my hair!

11/05/2009 - 2:08pm
NANCY STYLIST

TABATHA...UR SUCH AN INSPIRATION...I LOVE UR ABILITY TO GET TROUGH PEOPLE...IM A HUGE FAN OF THE SHOW..AND I LOVED WATCHING U IN SHEAR GENIUS...THESE PEOPLE U HELP ARE EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE U...I COULD ONLY DREAM OF LEARNING FROM U...I WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU SOMEDAY!!!

11/05/2009 - 1:12pm
Cuchita

Tab,
You're the best!!! It's impossible for me to imagine giving up working my own business to get someone else's business in the best shape...talk about motivational!!! FYI - "Bitch" is a five-letter word used in place of "persistant, motivational, dignified, setting high standards and encouraging others to meet them". When someone cannot articulate , they use 'bitch'....it's really a compliment!!! you go girl!!

11/05/2009 - 2:58am
christina delgado

Tabatha,
Let me begin by saying I think you are the definition of a strong business women. who also has impeccable taste! That being said, I've been a stylist for almost 5 yrs. I love what I do and the salon I work in but we need major help! and our owners unfortunately don't get it! WE NEED YOU!! Everyone gets it but them, if clients! its become embarrassing! Please consider my plea!!! much respect! keep up the good work, and help teach our owner how to be a respected owner!

11/05/2009 - 2:42am
Phyllis F.

Hi Tabitha,

I love love love your show. Never knew about your show til one late evening last year i had A flick fest on my tv and came across your show. Since then i've been a religous fan of you and your show i've even got my whole family stuck on watching your show as well. We love how up front don't take crap from anyone...Keep up the good work!!

11/04/2009 - 10:06pm
Shawnad

Rumor has it that Orbit salon went ahead and rehired Lindsay. What a mistake! Tabitha....your intuition is right on the money. There is no excuses for her attitude and talking smack about you (basically her boss) to the client.
And the cleanliness issue...the whole salon is now saying it was never THAT dirty and Bravo made them trash the place beforehand. And that it wasn't upgraded all that much. And the biggest trash talker has been...you guessed it. Lindsay. I didn't think this show was called salon extreme makeover. And most of these salons need a makeover from the stylist angle and management angle. Not from an extreme overhaul.
Whatever Tabitha does...keep doing. Whatever Lindsay or Orbit is saying....don't listen. Tabitha is extremely talented and has been in the business for a long time. These salons are calling her! She isn't pushing herself on salons that don't ask for it.
You go Tabitha

11/04/2009 - 9:45pm
Alexander

Love you Tabatha! I watched all of season one and I'm loving season two. I have been going to Tony & Guy for the last 7yrs and since watching you show I tend to see how the salon looks and how the hair stylist act at the palce I go to. I would love to have you cut my hair sometime! my sister said her's too! hehe! Bye!

11/04/2009 - 9:32pm
Stephanie R

Tabatha
You rock...Your show rocks...You give me the greatest hair cuts and color, and that makes me rock.. love the show, I am glued to the tv!!!!! See you soon....xo

11/04/2009 - 9:12pm
Carolyn L

Hi Tabatha enjoyed the premiere your badder than ever, I love it. Eddie and the staff definitely needed a wake up call. And firing Lynsey was a smart decision and had the nerve to tell to **** off. was unacceptable it goes to show "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch" It would be cool if you go outside of your hair industry, and go to other business there are lot of "Lynseys" out there. just a thought. Looking forward to next week's episode.

11/04/2009 - 9:02pm
Megan from MD

Tabatha,

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your show and what you bring to the hair industry because I will be the first to admit, it needs it. I work in a salon in the Washington, D.C. area. I wanted to know how I could "nominate" my salon so that you could possibly help us. We are in desperate need of a transformation starting with reception all the way up to management and I feel that you could really help to get this once prestigious salon back on the map and into the mainstream where it belongs. Please, please let me know what I can do to get nominated. I would greatly appreciate it! I can't wait to watch the rest of the season! Keep up the amazing work!

Kind Regards,
Megan

11/04/2009 - 5:33pm
Dan in Houston

Love the show. Season 2 appears to be a big winner too.
For you sociologists out there - the effect of one Salon Takeover episode is to seek a way to communicate praise and admiration to Tabatha.
I think I've written before about how remarkable the show's support staff must be to make it so right. It's a great show. How many seasons will folks gather to watch Tabatha kick rump? We shall see.
Hey, I'm a video production specialist. I'm in Houston TX if you need somebody.

11/04/2009 - 5:33pm
Steven Hall

Tabatha,

Yes, it is true on the season premier, you ROCKED!
Just like we talked about in Chicago.

Thanks for the new season. Keep up the great work.

11/04/2009 - 5:30pm
Tom G

Love the show and last night's season opener. I loves the Tabatha!

11/04/2009 - 4:47pm
marianna

hi

I love your show... i love that you are such a B....I was hoping maybe you can help me..I live in San Diego CALI..i AM IN DESPERATE NEED OF LOCATING A REAL SALON..I have the worst horror stories... I have had the worst hairdressers here and when i lived in miami fl..since i left ny...no luck..How do i find someone that knows how to color and how to truly recommend the best color for someone and I deperatly need someon that know what LONG LAYERS are.. i have had my hair chopped off with the tackie chop look..My hair has grown now.. and i need a layered llok plus color..I am UNFOURNATELY doing it at home only because the last few times i went to different salaons i found that htere work was terrible...I have very stubborn greys in the roots only...CAAN SOMEONE PLEASE PLEASE HELP...Thank you

11/04/2009 - 4:24pm
Kris Brisco

Tabatha,
Oh my god please help us!!! Our salon is in dyer need of something or someone and we think you might just be the one to help us. We are desperate. We all want to keep our jobs especially in these times, but our salon doesn't seem to be heading in the best direction to say the least. Please contact us ASAP! Thank you so much.

11/04/2009 - 4:06pm
Iggy 31

Hi Tabatha!
Last 12 moths I am trying to contact You. Even had sended an e-mail to Bravo TV production, but no answer.
Few moths ago I saw Your amazing show!
I am from Europe, Croatia.
I love my job and would love to share my expirience with You. Please contact me, thru my mail address.
Best regards,
Iggy

11/04/2009 - 3:34pm
Viki

Love the show! Welcome back!

Viki-NYC

11/04/2009 - 3:25pm
Another Pam

So glad the new season has started!!! You have quite a way with people, in the most un-obvious way haha. Seriously it reminds me very much of a drill seargent, breaking the troops down during basic in order to build them up to where they need to be. Great job last night and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season!

11/04/2009 - 3:25pm
JoJen

My friend and I love your show! You seem to be a very smart businesswoman.

I wonder if you will re-visit any of the salons from last season to see how they are really doing now?

11/04/2009 - 1:31pm
johnny soto

love your show & u

11/04/2009 - 11:04am
ncbean

Tabitha, ILOVE your show!! My family has owned salons/spas with a staff of 200+ for over 35 years. I can't tell you the amount of laziness, rudeness and just plain apathy we have encountered. When we decided 10 years ago on hugh changes in how we ran our operations we lost close to fifty percent of our staff!! In the end though we realized that it was all the DEAD WEIGHT!! We prospered and were better than ever. I thank you for letting me relive all the ups and downs of that exciting time all over again!! Good luck this season, I have you TIVO'd.

11/04/2009 - 9:38am
Melissa I

SO GLAD the new season has started! Really enjoyed the show. You bring tough love to chaotic situations. You bring renewed hope to the hopeless. Looking forward to the rest of the season!

11/04/2009 - 9:22am
MADDIE

WAY TO GO TABITHA!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. IN THE END YOU WILL NOT ONLY SAVE JOBS, BUT ALSO BUSINESSES.

11/04/2009 - 9:15am
rosehoney

Love this show. We need more bosses out in the world like you Tabatha.I find most of them just want to receive a paycheck and not get involved. Where I work no one has a work ethic except one other person and myself.The rest just want to text,play on internet and want a vacation.Hey maybe you could go outside of the hair arena and offer your services to other business. You use common sense and sound advice and tough love.Please do a follow up show on Season 1 as I would love to know whats doing with the salons you helped.Thanks.

11/04/2009 - 7:46am
BGirl

I am not a hairstylist, but I enjoy your show tremendously. You are so firm yet fair. It always amazes me how you remain neutral even when the hairdressers are screaming or crying. You're like a very good parent!

I didn't understand what was Lindsey's problem. She had only 5 years experience. That's not enough time to be stuck in her ways and unable to change. Either way, she was bad energy and unwilling to improve. Love the show!!!

11/04/2009 - 6:42am
Viewer545454

awesome job tabatha... that b needed to go for sure

11/04/2009 - 3:55am
Catherine from Seattle

Hi Tabatha,
So glad to see you back. I watched season one and was not real sure that I was going to like you, I felt in the beginning you were way to blunt and thought you had no compasion, but as time went by and the more I watch you completely won me over, as you have to be direct and honest with these Salon owners if they wanted results that you can provide for them if they listen and follow your direction as you are one of the best in the business.

I just got done watching the first show of season two and again you were great. I really liked Eddie and he really needed your guidance and like always you came through, and the salon was gorgeous. I absolutely think that they made the right decision in firing Lindsey, as she was not willing to change her attitude so that she would become successful and be part of a great team. As we all know in any business, it's all about team work.

Job well done!!!!! Again so glad to see you back.

11/04/2009 - 3:10am
lampton

i'm really diggin' show. it pulls out the heart strings, the scent of hope. i like it. oh, of course the host is hot' but hot by accident. she's just hot, doesn't mean she cant be the Subject Matter Expert SME, and it's cool to cut hair. you can renew someone.

11/04/2009 - 3:05am
Santi

Tabatha Is back even sharper. I was amazed how being tough sometimes can bring more results than acting nicely to everybody, I wish my boss performed like that sometimes and I dont even work in a hair saloon. I get a lot of tips from her and apply on my daily job managing a restaurant staff...works fantastic.

11/04/2009 - 2:21am
pamsbu

I definitely thought Lindsay should go. She was awful. But why was it unacceptable for her to tell you to ---- off when you told a stylist the same thing in season 1 when she asked what the smoking schedule was? Love You, Pam

11/04/2009 - 2:08am
Dan in Capitola

Tab-A-Licious! I am a middle age dude who doesn't know anything about hair but I had the good fortune to have a boss like Tab years ago and he made me better at my job. There are a lot of us walking around in a trance and we need an ass-kicking. The most valuable gifts we get are not always the most attractively wrapped or a lot of "fun" but how else do we grow? When cutters like Lynsey can pull down the kind of money Tabatha commands, then she can cop an attitude.She's a classic case of an employee capitalizing on her boss's troubles to get away with murder. Showing her the door was long overdue. It takes only one negative slacker to drag down a whole team. The Tabstress is the best thing that could possibly happen to all these people who resist her so heavily at first and then they are ridiculously grateful by the time she leaves.

11/04/2009 - 1:05am
Tallgirl in Houston

Tabatha,

Love your hair!! and love the show. It amazes me how filthy and lazy some of these places and hair "stylists" can be!! Great job! Love the show - lots of fun to watch!

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