Latest news with #Kinvig
The Age
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
Could a hair transplant boost your pay packet?
'Men in their 20s often seek a transplant to boost dating confidence, while those in their 30s and 40s are driven by a desire to look younger, stay competitive, and maintain career momentum,' Kinvig says. Says Jamie Lampard, a Victorian real estate agent who recently took the plunge: 'I do believe it's already helping my career. I feel more assured in my appearance, and that extra confidence positively affects how I interact with colleagues and clients.' Lampard's experience is far from unique. While a hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure, its career impact may run deeper. Studies indicate that men often experience a boost in self-esteem and confidence after the procedure – traits which, in turn, have been shown to influence actual earnings and expectations of future income, shaping how people pursue opportunities and advance in their careers. 'Looking and feeling good dramatically boosts how you present yourself, and in a world where appearance influences perception, consciously or not, confidence can open professional doors,' says Kinvig. Even more so if you're interested in running for politics. More- attractive politicians gain more votes – even after controlling for experience and policy positions. You can't help but wonder whether a certain opposition leader's hairline subtly influenced undecided voters at the ballot box. If your new mane could help you secure a higher-paying role, negotiate a higher wage, land a new client, or close that deal, it could pay for itself in one transaction. And given the effects can last a lifetime, everything after that is compounding interest. 'For me, the investment led to a career change, but also going to more events and being in photos with my kids without a hat. Sharing that joy in pictures with them is worth it alone for me,' says Kinvig, who himself underwent a hair transplant five years ago. In Australia, a quality hair transplant runs from $16,000 to $20,000. But that's in line with what professionals regularly spend on career boosters, and still much cheaper than that mid-career MBA. Loading These days, many venture overseas to the hair transplant mecca, Turkey, for cheaper options, although the tyranny of distance and difficulty finding a quality surgeon make it a riskier venture. But it's not a guaranteed success. Poor technique, unrealistic expectations, or thinking a transplant will solve deeper self-worth issues can backfire. And the office narcissist with newly planted follicles is, regrettably, still the office narcissist. Of course, choosing not to have a transplant is just as valid. Baldness is by no means a flaw, nor is it a barrier to success. White Lotus star Walton Goggins shows that a receding hairline can be owned, as does sex symbol Daniel Craig. Jeff Bezos didn't need hair to build Amazon, and David Beckham would still have been a global football icon without his. Elon Musk would probably still be the richest man on the planet without his transplant. Says Lampard: 'I see it as an investment in my future. It's not just about restoring hair, but about building confidence as I grow older, both in my personal life and professional career.' But as with all investments, do your own research and make sure you have a long-term plan, which means investing in ongoing medical therapy to preserve those returns. This isn't financial advice, but the best investment may be one made in yourself.
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Could a hair transplant boost your pay packet?
'Men in their 20s often seek a transplant to boost dating confidence, while those in their 30s and 40s are driven by a desire to look younger, stay competitive, and maintain career momentum,' Kinvig says. Says Jamie Lampard, a Victorian real estate agent who recently took the plunge: 'I do believe it's already helping my career. I feel more assured in my appearance, and that extra confidence positively affects how I interact with colleagues and clients.' Lampard's experience is far from unique. While a hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure, its career impact may run deeper. Studies indicate that men often experience a boost in self-esteem and confidence after the procedure – traits which, in turn, have been shown to influence actual earnings and expectations of future income, shaping how people pursue opportunities and advance in their careers. 'Looking and feeling good dramatically boosts how you present yourself, and in a world where appearance influences perception, consciously or not, confidence can open professional doors,' says Kinvig. Even more so if you're interested in running for politics. More- attractive politicians gain more votes – even after controlling for experience and policy positions. You can't help but wonder whether a certain opposition leader's hairline subtly influenced undecided voters at the ballot box. If your new mane could help you secure a higher-paying role, negotiate a higher wage, land a new client, or close that deal, it could pay for itself in one transaction. And given the effects can last a lifetime, everything after that is compounding interest. 'For me, the investment led to a career change, but also going to more events and being in photos with my kids without a hat. Sharing that joy in pictures with them is worth it alone for me,' says Kinvig, who himself underwent a hair transplant five years ago. In Australia, a quality hair transplant runs from $16,000 to $20,000. But that's in line with what professionals regularly spend on career boosters, and still much cheaper than that mid-career MBA. Loading These days, many venture overseas to the hair transplant mecca, Turkey, for cheaper options, although the tyranny of distance and difficulty finding a quality surgeon make it a riskier venture. But it's not a guaranteed success. Poor technique, unrealistic expectations, or thinking a transplant will solve deeper self-worth issues can backfire. And the office narcissist with newly planted follicles is, regrettably, still the office narcissist. Of course, choosing not to have a transplant is just as valid. Baldness is by no means a flaw, nor is it a barrier to success. White Lotus star Walton Goggins shows that a receding hairline can be owned, as does sex symbol Daniel Craig. Jeff Bezos didn't need hair to build Amazon, and David Beckham would still have been a global football icon without his. Elon Musk would probably still be the richest man on the planet without his transplant. Says Lampard: 'I see it as an investment in my future. It's not just about restoring hair, but about building confidence as I grow older, both in my personal life and professional career.' But as with all investments, do your own research and make sure you have a long-term plan, which means investing in ongoing medical therapy to preserve those returns. This isn't financial advice, but the best investment may be one made in yourself.
CBC
03-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Surrey School Board faces $16M shortfall, considers cuts to elementary band program
Social Sharing Families in Surrey, B.C. are bracing for more cuts as the city's school board says it struggles to balance its budget, putting elementary band programs among those at risk of being reduced or eliminated. The Surrey Board of Education says it is facing a $16-million budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year. It has already reduced bus services and has been closing down learning centres. Now it's reviewing programs that are not part of the B.C. curriculum, including elementary band, in an effort "to look for efficiencies" and align programming more closely with other districts across the province, according to Surrey Schools superintendent Mark Pearmain. "The Board foresees significant challenges and expects to make strategic decisions that allow them to ensure a balanced budget," Pearmain said in a statement this week. Parents push back against cuts Surrey parent Amy Kinvig, whose two sons participated in the music program at Surrey Central Elementary, fears her 11-year-old daughter, Ayla, will lose the same opportunity. "It really created a safe space and an outlet for them, and I would like [my daughter] to be able to experience and grow that creative side of her as well," Kinvig said. She says these programs offer more than just musical education. "A band is a team. They can share their experiences, build friendships…. It's for their mental health," she said. Frustrated by the potential cuts, Kinvig urged the board to find a solution: "Come up with the money, make it work." An online petition calling for the preservation of the music programs has gathered more than 2,200 signatures. Board cites lack of provincial funding The school board says funding constraints could also impact Strong Start, a free drop-in program that supports young children's development before they enter school. "The only way we can deal with the shortfall is through changes to the programs that we deliver," said board vice-chair Terry Allen. Allen said the district has been forced to make difficult decisions due to provincial funding not keeping pace with inflation and rapid population growth. "Everybody in this entire province knows what inflation has done to their budgets, let alone a budget of over a billion dollars, and how it negatively impacts the Surrey school district," he said. WATCH | White Rock Learning Centre to close as lease expires: White Rock learning centre to close as lease expires 2 months ago Duration 2:19 The vice-chair added that the district is struggling with growing costs, particularly around supporting diverse learners, noting that Surrey Schools spends $54 million more annually on special education than the province provides. "Most people don't know that beyond per-student funding, Surrey Schools does not receive any funds specifically for busing, band, Strong Start, learning centres, related infrastructure, building leases and portable moves," he said. The district's current budget is $1.142 billion and was passed with "difficult, sometimes heartbreaking" cuts, according to the board. The board says 93 per cent of its budget goes to teacher and staff salaries and benefits, leaving little flexibility for cost reductions elsewhere. The Ministry of Education and Child Care says it has steadily increased operational funding for the Surrey school district since 2017, committing more than $1 billion in operating and special grants for the current year. "This builds on the Province's record capital investments of nearly $1 billion in Surrey — more than any other district in B.C," Minister Lisa Beare said in a statement to CBC News. She said the province is working with the district to address financial challenges. "We recognize Surrey is one of B.C.'s fastest-growing communities, and my ministry will continue to collaborate with the district to identify and address challenges so that all students can get what they need to succeed and thrive in school." Surrey District Parent Advisory Council president Anne Whitmore says parents are frustrated with the ministry's response. "The answer from the ministry seems to be that districts need to handle their funds better…. Districts are not running with luxurious programs," she said. "We wish that was the case and there were extras to be removed without much impact on students." Whitmore says the cuts will disproportionately affect students who rely on these programs for support and engagement. "Those that are on the fringe, gifted students who need challenging programs, or students who enjoy music and rely on it to stay engaged in their education … those are some of the first services that will be cut." The Surrey School Board has extended the deadline for parents and caregivers to provide input on its 2025-26 budget through an online survey, now open until April 6. The board has a legal obligation to pass a balanced budget by June 30, 2025.
