No joke — that was my very first thought when I found out I’ll need to be off work for six to eight weeks after surgery.

Six. To. Eight. WEEKS.

After I took a minute (okay… several minutes) to calm myself down, I remembered someone I know actually built a business around helping stylists navigate situations exactly like this. So as soon as I had a clearer idea of what recovery would look like, I reached out.

After a lot of thoughtful questions about my business, my clients, and how I work, it was decided that Jennifer would be the best fit to step in while I’m recovering. We met over video to talk through everything — and I completely agree.

So no, not exactly a clone. More like a highly qualified substitute.

Why This Matters So Much to Me

The most important thing right now is healing properly and completely.

The best way I can do that? Keep everyone on the schedule we’ve already built together.

That means:

No scrambling to “fit everyone back in” when I return.
No overworking myself too soon.
No guilt about saying no.
No rushing recovery just because I miss you all (which I absolutely will).

If I could clone myself and send Clone Andie to surgery while I kept working… I would. But since that’s not an option, this is the next best thing.

And I need YOU to know:

I do not like saying no.
This will be a big lesson in boundaries for me.
Your willingness to trust someone else with your hair means more than you know.
I truly believe this plan benefits all of us in the long run.

What This Means For You

Very little disruption.

You’ll still come to Good Mane. Jennifer will have access to everything:

The same professional products
Your exact color formulas
Your notes and history
The same booking system

You’ll even receive the same reminder texts you’re used to. I’m sure there’s probably a way to adjust the name on those, but for now my focus is making sure everything runs smoothly — and it will.

You already have my cell number and can absolutely reach out anytime if you have questions or just want to check in. You’ll also have Jennifer’s number for scheduling changes or appointment needs while I’m out.

Meet Jennifer

Jennifer is a passionate stylist with over 15 years of experience helping clients feel like their very best selves. Creating effortless, natural styles that leave people feeling confident and beautiful is her favorite part of what she does.

Behind the chair, she specializes in lived-in color, low-maintenance cuts, seamless extensions, and styles that fit easily into real life. Her goal is simple: beautiful hair that feels manageable, modern, and easy to maintain.

When she’s not in the salon, she’s either spoiling her dog on outdoor adventures or working on a crafty DIY project. One of the things she loves most about her traveling stylist business is being able to support fellow stylists when they need time away — while ensuring their clients continue receiving the same level of care and attention they’re used to.

She’s excited to bring her skills, care, and creativity to Good Mane while I’m recovering — and I feel genuinely confident you’ll be in wonderful hands.

What If I’d Rather Wait for Andie?

I completely understand that some of you may prefer to wait until I return. That truly means so much to me.

However, I want to gently set expectations.

I cannot guarantee exactly when I’ll be back or what my schedule will look like when I return. While the plan is six to eight weeks, recovery isn’t something I can rush — and I won’t fully know what I’m capable of until I’m there.

It’s also important to understand that waiting may mean longer, more complicated appointments. If you stretch your regular schedule, we could be looking at heavier maintenance, larger color corrections, or extended appointment times — and I’m not sure I’ll be able to take on those kinds of services immediately when I come back.

My goal is to return steady, healthy, and sustainable — not overwhelmed and trying to “catch up.”

Seeing Jennifer while I’m out keeps your hair on track and allows me to come back strong.

Of course, the choice is always yours. I just want you to have all the information so you can make the best decision for you.

Some of you have been sitting in my chair for 20+ years. At this point, many of you feel more like family than clients.

This decision wasn’t rushed. It was thoughtful, intentional, and made with all of you in mind.

I’m putting my full trust in my medical team to get me back better than ever — and I feel genuinely confident in the plan we’ve put in place while I’m recovering.

Jennifer is skilled, experienced, and aligned with the way I care for my clients. I would not have chosen her if I didn’t believe that wholeheartedly.

This season is temporary. Healing well is the priority. And keeping everyone on track now allows me to return steady, healthy, and ready.

Thank you for supporting me, trusting this process, and being the kind of clients who make decisions like this possible.

If you have questions, you can always reach out. I’ll still be here — just temporarily off duty.

Can I just clone myself?

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