How to Become Fabulous Salon Owner

Owning and running a SALON has a make or break point concerning YOUR personality, character, mood, humor, quick smile, customer service and comfort!

As a licensed cosmetologist and previous owner of two successful  salons I offer you these crucial insights.

You may be surprised at this but your new customers pick up bad salon vibes quicker than the snap of your fingers! What will their word of mouth be?

Case in point: Have you ever been to a salon where YOUR stylist outwardly shows disdain about being there...let alone cordial...let alone working! The salon they are in WILL lose money! What will be the word of mouth?

Do you understand that the owner of a salon sets the EXAMPLE and strict guidelines for EVERYTHING that happens in the salon and if not enforced, well, there goes the salon. I and other professionals have seen it over and over. Sad waste.

As the owner and or manager BOTH must have these crucial attributes:

Perfect and appropriate appearance and cleanliness, before coming to work.....Being emotionally ready for an ALWAYS upbeat day...You LEAVE your worries and TUDES at home....The cultured/natural desire and ability to honestly meet and greet EVERY customer with a big smile and welcome with arrangements followed....The ability to check on your customers in the waiting area often and those GETTING THEIR SERVICES....You must have a GREAT sense of humor which dilutes what can be stressful times in any salon....You must arrange for regular and frequent training evenings for you and your staff..... You must have a no gossip policy. Stylists must pay attention to their CUSTOMERS not chat the time away with fellow employees....You MUST, MUST, MUST make and keep your WHOLE salon clean, sanitary and state board compliant. Better yet, make your salon BETTER than that....AND you must INSIST on and or terminate employees/renters with non-compliance issues. CAN YOU DO THAT?

As for non-compliance issues, you simply create your own salon "Terms of employment and or booth rentals" BEFORE HIRING or RENTING BOOTHS. Find legal support for this. A hired employee and or  a booth rental person can drag you down quick if not WITH your plan. Protect yourself, your salon, customers and employees.

A clean, sanitary salon will give you as much great word of mouth as the other important elements such as: Stylists expertise and care with products and chemicals. Professionals  upbeat and honest attention and care of customers. The decor and layout of the salon. Windows! Let the light in!  Modesty issues! Privacy issues. When professionals wear uniform attire and or smocks it says "professional!" Since time began, customers like and respect this!

Use the products you truly believe in for BACKBAR and RETAIL! Don't cheat your customer with inferior backbar and styling products and expect them NOT to know! Bad girl!

Seek out product demos from companies for in-salon  presentations.  It is free and keeps you on your toes. 

I had my favorite product line and it produced the best results and SOLD EASILY.  I use it to this day.  On the other hand I was always open to educating myself on other products. 

Create a unique retail area and keep it stocked. Do not over buy any stock!  You will be pushed to do so but calculate and don't do it.  Many salons have faced demise due to gross over buying.  Calculate your stock usages DAILY,  map usages.  You are only a website or call away for your needs.  Don't OVER BUY.

Create a customer service card!  Give this card to your customers ON EVERY VISIT.  Ask such things as permission for email, postal contacts, a customer wish list! Have a customer ratings area on products they have purchased, a rating for services and the professional's name, salon rating, atmosphere rating, staff as a whole rating, cleanliness and sanitation rating, BATHROOM rating, customer and friendliness rating.  Add a COMMENTS area!!  Be SURE to take these cards seriously. Keep them and learn from them.  Never be afraid to ask your customers WHAT THEY THINK!

Do you know why a customer does not return to your salon?

Create a customer contact system.  Email, post cards for various topics, coming events, phone numbers, specials, holidays, events, pamper parties and other evening events.  ALL ONLY WITH WRITTEN PERMISSION from your customers.

Remember!  You are paying rent and only using the salon a portion of the time!  Make use of the evening hours.  Use your imagination!  Pamper Parties, Bridal Parties, Mommy and Me events, Adult gifts parties, Trunk Shows, Me and my Man spa evenings, Jewelry shows, PHOTOGRAPHY events, Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation etc. etc. Make those evening hours EARNING HOURS.  For these special events STOCK ALL STATIONS with retail products AND salon brochures!!!!

You could even hire a specialised staff for evening events.  Offer these events to your existing STAFF first!

Let us assume you and your staff and renters are well qualified. Make sure they ask their customers many questions prior to beginning services and ask if customers have questions. Explain how product purchases work for them at home! As routine, stylists should ask what the customer needs in retail products EACH TIME they come in.

All stylists should ask for referrals and ask to make a next appointment, as routine.

THE PHYSICAL SALON: The physical layout, lighting, decor etc. are first impressions.

Equipment is not as expensive as in earlier years and readily available at a popular beauty supply where you can also get much information and planning help. Sally's is good and well priced. A good beauty supply can create color/perm/chemical/appliances kits and groups to match you and your budget. Tell them you DO NOT want to over buy and MEAN IT.

Promote ALL your services including all hair care, nails, pedi's, spa services and nite time events!  Have this "menu" on all stations, bathroom, front desk, waiting area and on your retail areas!!

I found great USED equipment for both salons. One salon was retro/country and one was sassy/parlour!  Our customers LOVED our styles and even brought their family and friends in to SEE THEM!  WHAT COMPLIMENTS! 

It is easy to over buy as you will have  sales persons and companies coming at you from all sides. BE STRONG LUVIES!!

Have REGULAR staff meetings. Create priority agendas. Create your salon plan of action/services and have everyone participate and practice it! From the time the customer comes in your salon you should have a routine to go by ALWAYS.

ALWAYS when earned, PRAISE staff members right away! Good for you, salon, staff and the customers love it.

Do small things that are fun. We used to have monthly Trivia games and the winner gets a free haircut or something. Have a recipe swap corner, book corner, cookie swap. Customer picture corner, evening pamper party packages for extra income! There are lots of things you can do to bond with everyone....it's a good thing!

For all your legal stuff, you can call state board, seek info online, ask at the beauty supply, ask your lawyer, etc. get insurance also. *Make sure you research and be sure you are legal.

You worked hard going to beauty college...wasn't that fun! You work hard running your business and you will be REWARDED with every insisted effort you give.

Wake up every day and say out loud "I LOVE THIS BUSINESS!"

The rest is up to you my friends and I know YOU CAN DO IT!