Washington Business Summer 2019 | Washington Business | Page 22

what’s working
Salon Owners Show the Way
Thousands of Washington salon owners, cosmetologists and hair
stylists worked together to defeat several independent contracting
bills that would have upended their industry this year.
Andrew Lenderman
When state lawmakers proposed sweeping changes to the hair salon and cosmetology industry, small business
owners and entrepreneurs moved quickly to get involved in the legislative process. Their persistence, organization and
media savvy demonstrated the power of grassroots organizing and set an example for other businesses to follow.
At A Glance
Thousands of salon owners, hair
stylists and cosmetologists are now
focused on the Legislature’s work
around independent contracting
laws and regulations.
Many of these people were new to the
political process, and their energy and
enthusiasm made headlines statewide
during the 2019 legislative session.
Although several bills died this year,
the community is focused on interim
legislation that could impact their
industry in 2020.
A dozen hairstylists and salon owners gathered outside the state capitol on a bright, crisp
February day.
They came to Olympia to engage with lawmakers who were proposing big changes in the
state’s rules regarding independent contractors — changes that would dramatically change the
way they could run their businesses.
Suddenly, state Sen. Karen Keiser, the prime sponsor of legislation targeting their industry,
walked by the group. Conversation stopped. The salon owners hesitated. Then they walked
forward, and had a friendly, face-to-face conversation with one of the more influential
lawmakers in Washington.
Just like that, these entrepreneurs cemented their place in the state capitol.
“If you’re here, you can make a difference,” AWB’s Bob Battles said later. “This is what
happens when you get engaged.”
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