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September 21, 2007
Dear Friend:
Earlier this summer I visited with Carl Troup, the man who has been cutting the Governor’s hair for decades. While he was appropriately circumspect about the Governor’s confidences, it was very apparent that the Governor relies on him as an essential sounding board.
This week Carl, members of our Barbers’ Board and members of other state barbers’ boards convened in Orlando to share their insight into their profession and into the challenges of regulating barbers across the country. I joined them for the annual meeting of the National Barber Boards of America and listened to their concerns regarding setting and enforcing high standards for their profession and ensuring public safety and quality education.
Florida has 9,150 licensed barbers and 88,350 licensed cosmetologists. Together, these professions represent a $2 billion industry in Florida. There are some essential differences in training and required education for the two professions, but all of these professionals have a tremendous impact on the people who sit in their chairs.
Both groups have recognized the power they have to influence the people they serve, and both have worked to use that position to educate. The National Barber Boards of America have partnered with the Prostate Net (http://www.prostatenet.org) in a campaign called “Going to the Barbershop to Fight Cancer,” and they are working to remind men to go for their checkup.
Cosmetologists have also worked with the American Cancer Society to educate women about breast cancer and have partnered with them on the "Look Good. . . Feel Better" campaign (http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/). This program teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
All of our licensees are interested in serving the public in their respective positions, and most of them also find other ways to contribute to their communities. The barbers and cosmetologists of Florida are to be commended for their leadership in the fight against cancer.
Sincerely,
Holly Benson
Secretary
Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFlorida.com/dbpr
www.MyFloridaLicense.com
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Here is a schedule of next week’s professional
board meetings. For full meeting details, we’ve included a link
below to the
department’s online calendar.
September 26 – 28, 2007
BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN
KEY WEST
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS’ BOARD
DESTIN
 St. Petersburg Barber Carl Troup has been cutting Governor Crist's hair for decades. He now serves on the Florida Barbers' Board and brings 30 years of barbering experience to the Board. Secretary Holly Benson visited Carl this summer as part of the Place in the Sun tour with the Florida Channel.
Got a minute? Learning what you think is vital to
understanding ways we can best improve our services. Please take sixty seconds
to answer our
question of the week.
Do you or your business contribute to your community through any public service partnerships?
Email
your answer to bottomline@dbpr.state.fl.us.
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