Atlantic City Weekly

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This past weekend I experienced a great new way for me to meet people -- and right in the comfort of my own driveway. Think about this scenario: Where can you make money by selling unwanted items from your home, have customers come to you, and promote your main business all while sitting outside in great weather? You guessed it, at your own garage sale.

Now I know that sometimes we get embarrassed because we don't want people seeing the old stuff we have, or maybe we get too anxious when thinking about putting a garage sale together. When thinking about holding a garage sale, I usually have thoughts like: This is going to be stressful. Or, I have to get up way too early. Or, I really don't want to sell my mini shoe collection! But every so often I do it anyway because I know that at the end of the day I'll make some money and have extra storage space to boot.

Well, this past weekend a light bulb went off during my garage sale. After I found myself not only selling some higher-end items and my 25-cent chachkas, I started promoting my daily business (or in my case, businesses). I was schmoozing away, talking to people I haven't met before, filling them in on great things to do locally, finding out what they do and explaining what I do. I got to know my neighbors a lot better as well as the locals in my community. People were telling me their life stories and explaining why they needed the item they were purchasing -- such as my purple shiny purse for their daughter -- or why they needed to buy the old calculus books to read on the beach (calculus on the beach? Go figure).

Do you catch my drift? Soon I started thinking that everyone should have a garage sale -- as long as they have items to sell. It's not only a great opportunity to learn how to network with people, but you can do it right in the comfortable setting of your own garage or driveway. Think about it, people are coming to you so all you have to do is be able to start a conversation and listen to what they have to say. I made $300 and emptied at least half of the garage. Since I was able to make some money and meet new people and have such a positive experience, I recommend you start planning your own garage sale today.

Whitney's Radar

I've had many great life experiences -- one of them includes being a hair model for a Vidal Sassoon hair show in Atlantic City years ago. I will never forget that feeling of having three hair experts all simultaneously working their magic on my hair in order to get me out on the runway on time.

Seeing how everything operates in the background of a hair show was remarkable. I remember being intrigued by the professionalism, skill and artistic nature of the hair experts. My hair was long and brown back then, similar to how it is today, but not for long.

They dyed it golden blonde and cut it into a short bob that laid just over the middle of my ear. It was a drastic change that I loved at the time, however it almost cost me a chance to date my hubby. He was attracted to my long brown hair, so when he saw the change to blonde he was truly disappointed. He didn't hide his true feelings when I asked him if he liked it, but at least he was honest. I said to myself, "Oh well, I guess he will have to accept me for my brains!" Anyway, since my makeover and we are talking 10 years ago, I have had some pretty good hair experiences, but not like that makeover. I was starting to feel discouraged until I found Art Is ... Salon in Brigantine. I am so impressed with the knowledge, friendliness and high energy of the staff as well as the ambiance and feeling I get when I come in for my appointment.

With over 20 years of experience, they will surely impress you too. They remind me of an upscale, trendy New York salon, but with a personal touch. They offer everything from regular hair cuts to up-do's, hair extensions and even make-up services. They do unique events such as Happy Hour Hair and they donate hair clippings to a group called Matter of Trust.

With Art Is ... Salon's unique sense of style, their need to do the right thing for the environment, and the feeling that you take away when leaving, this is a place to try. Oh yeah, mention my name and they will give you 20-percent off of your service. Enjoy and then let me know about your experience online.