Streamline business

I always joke that I am a 'right brain' and my husband is a 'left brain' so together we are a WHOLE BRAIN!

Stylists are stylists... not usually very business strong. While I know there are exceptions, those of us who primarily use the right side of our brains (the creative side) are not the best with numbers or organization. Which is why we need to surround ourselves with a support system that can make up for our inadequacies.

I worked with a Cosmetology School in Dallas Texas. It was owned by two men... a hairdresser and a CPA. They were brothers, and obviously loved and respected one another, but they could not be more different.
I remember the 'business brother' once telling me that the school would never function if just one of them were in charge. His brother had thought of some big plans for a water fountain in the middle of the school floor. He had laughed because while it would have looked so awesome... he had not thought about the cost of such a project.

I know that personally I struggle with organizing things involving records, paperwork, and accounting information. Which is why in my opinion... many salons struggle. It's the business side of things. I can do fabulous work... better than most even!... and still fail if the business needs are not being met.

I think a great tool to solve those obstacles is salon software. Simply Sharp salon software was created as a solution for those inadequacies. It does the work for me! Online books, appointment reminders, product and inventory information, close out and reporting, and even goal tracking!

Keeping your business professional is extremely important. Have relationships with clients... but keep your business professional! Managing your salon and streamlining things onto your computer or iPhone shows your clients that they are important to you. Important enough to invest in their business... and ultimately your business.

While there are many different solutions... try a free demo of Simply Sharp and look into the many benefits! Start saving your salon time and money today!

Click HERE!

Sell Yourself

When I was first introduced to this industry, I struggled with the concept of selling retail.
I've never considered myself a 'salesman', and really doubted my ability to sell retail to my clients. As time went on... I found myself selling quite a bit of product. In fact during school, I was winning awards and prizes based on my retail sales.
I quickly realized that I wasn't trying to 'sell' things to my clients. I was simply using my skills and tools to do what I love... and my clients bought what they needed to re-create what I was giving them in my chair. I BELIEVED in what I was using, and I knew that it work well for others.
You cannot sell something you don't believe in!

Think of yourself, and the services you provide. You must sell yourself in order to be successful. And just like selling product... you have to BELIEVE in yourself to sell your services!
Always keep business cards on you! Every time your client leaves your chair, they should leave with at least 2 of your cards.

card #1- Write the products you use on your client during their appointment. Shampoo, Conditioner, styling and finishing products. Also... encourage your client to pre-book, and write their next appointment date and time on the back of your card.
card #2- Always give your client a card to give a friend (or give them a few cards) That person will get a number of comments and compliments on their hair. When a friend asks "Who did your hair?" Equip them with the best answer... your card.

Never be afraid to hand your card out. Don't hesitate to approach a person, and sincerely let them know you would love see them in your chair.
Don't have cards? Get some! There are many affordable ways to make or order your own cards. And consider making your cards unique. Nothing too crazy, but even printing a vertical card rather than the typical horizontal card will give it a second look.
Advertise for yourself whenever possible. Not in a pushy way... but by letting those around you know your passion for hair. You will sell yourself without trying!

{$} simple cents of the day {$}

If you believe in yourself... you will sell yourself!

Wash your way to success

I believe there has NEVER been enough emphasis put on the art of shampooing!
This skill may be the single most important and most lucrative part of your business. No lie!
My personal experiences have taught me that spending two or three extra minutes in the bowl goes a long way... especially with men. (I think my husband loves to hear that!)
Shampooing is truly and art. Something perfect over time, and with lots of practice. Here are some simple suggestions to start out with...

1. Set the mood. If at all possible, have the area you shampoo in be darker, or dim. Play relaxing music. (your creative designing area can be thumpin', but keep the shampoo area calm.) Light candles, turn on a waterfall, etc.

2. Control pressure and speed. Your shampoo job should not be just like their own in the shower every morning. Make it meaningful by making it a service... it is a service. You should shampoo slowly. Start out with less pressure, and always ask the client "How is that pressure?" If it's too light, you can increase it... if it's too hard, you've already pushed them out of their comfort zone!

3. Pamper your men. Most men will not choose to add-on services to pamper themselves. It is wise to include a service with your cut. I do what's called a Tea3 Experience with my male haircuts. It takes an extra 5 minutes, but my male clients are clients for life! While they may not ever admit it... the absolutely LOVE it. It involves Tea Tree oil, a hot towel wrapped on their face, and some deep breaths. A simple way to improve the experience. (and remember your tip is based more on their experience rather than the actual service)

4. The wash should not be an add-on service. In some salons, they have to pay extra for the shampoo. Bump up the cost of your cut/color... and include this amazing service, free of charge. (kind of) The perceived value of your service goes up!

5. Set yourself apart. This is what will set you apart from other stylists. Spending a little extra time turns your haircut into the therapy people need. In today's stressful world... getting a haircut can be just another thing on your clients 'to do' list. Make it something they look forward to!

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Never underestimate the power of the 'bowl'

A Seriously "Good Hair" Day

This past January... I had the opportunity to view a documentary at the Sundance Film festival.
My dear friend, knowing I'm a hairstylist, called and asked me if I wanted to go to this particular film. I think she thought I was crazy, because I only said 'yes' in fifteen different ways and told her I was excited about 5 times on the phone.
The movie was AMAZING! It was a documentary called 'Good Hair' produced and starring Chris Rock. It was documenting the black hair culture and community. Talking about everything from who, what, where, and why black women hold such high regards to their hair.
I had NO IDEA the movie would ever come to theaters... let alone be this huge of a deal. While Chris Rock had shamelessly promoted and plugged the crap out of this movie. His promoting has not always been what he promoted back in January. I'm not sure what changed, but he's taking a different angle. Probably whatever it takes to get people to go see it!
Anyways... here's my take on what I saw. (Coming from a white person, in an all white community!)

As an obviously WHITE stylist...I went to school in a city where there was little to NO opportunity to learn how to do ethnic hair. (my few opportunities included a couple girls from Tonga and a Samoan guy) Due to the lack of diversity, I don't feel I was given the experience to learn all that I could. We actually had the right products, relaxers and tools to pass things off. But the techniques and styles were passed off on one of two...that's right TWO ethnic doll heads. Not once in two years did I get an African-American client.
Reading in a textbook about hair and actually doing hair is SO different! I have an absolute LOVE of hair...styling, coloring, cutting...just touching and playing with hair is a ton of fun for me.
The fascinating thing...is that different races and cultures have such dramatically DIFFERENT hair. I always knew it looked different, and was obviously very different colors...but the texture and elasticity and porosity of hair can very so greatly! In school we were told that that 75-80% of hair product consumers are African-American's. That's insane!
This documentary touched on the reasons behind the importance of hair in the black culture...and how the dynamics have changed into what is important in today's society.
In the beginning...African-American's felt the need to have 'white or European' hair to be accepted by society. Having the right hair would allow you to get the higher paying jobs. Afro's were associated with black people...and black people were not getting treated as equals. Therefore, the type of hair you have was a status symbol.
The sad reality is that there is NO way that 'black hair' can look and feel like 'white hair'. I'm not suggesting that as an opinion of style...it just is structurally not possible. And yet there is a 9 billion dollar industry to prove that black women are trying to obtain this type of hair still today. Hair is still a status of importance, beauty and wealth. (because maintenance of such hair is ten's of thousands a year. Rev. Sharpton talked about how it is more important to have a 'weave' than have food to eat for many women)
Just as media plays a part of every woman's self-identity and self-image...African-American celebrity's have 'good hair'. Beyonce, Oprah, Eve, Raven, all have long, flowing locks. (not their own hair however)
Having gone to Cosmetology school I knew the chemicals used to 'relax' black hair and some of the procedures used to try and straighten hair. ('relaxers' are pretty much a perm...without the rollers, Pressing or straightening involves oils and creams used with hot irons...three times hotter than any flat iron or curling iron you can buy in the store)
The chemicals involved are extremely dangerous and very strong! Little girls are getting their first 'relaxers' done at age two or three. We all know that inhaling these chemicals can do damage, and anyone who lived through the 80's knows that a perm can really burn your scalp. Well, what we 'white girls' do to our hair with heat and chemicals is NOTHING compared.
To make a long story short...I LOVED every minute. In another life I would have chosen to 'eat-breathe-and -sleep' hair. (maybe not the eating part) It was incredibly well done and had celebrity clips which were very enlightening and funny. Chris Rock did a great job of using both drama and comedy to make his points. He even traveled to India and showed the women shaving their heads for our extensions and weaves. I could talk for hours just about THAT subject...but in summary, India's #1 export is human hair. It is removed in a religious ceremony at the temples, people will cut off and steal a women's hair in her sleep, and the church is topped only next to the Vatican in profit. All so we can put somebody else's hair on our heads.

Traditionally, there is a Q&A session after the film and the directors or writers of a film will answer questions. Many filmmakers and people in the industry have questions from everything from editing to music and colors used.
Before the film they announced that there might not be a Q&A after the film, because they didn't know if they could locate a person to answer questions. (you hear a few moan and groans...but from what I hear it is more and more rare for filmmakers to do these)
After the movie I was so impressed, it was better than I could have imagined and so informative. Before the light came on...someone gets on the microphone and says "We have Chris Rock here to answer any of your questions regarding the film."
WHAT!!! I was like "this is the coolest ever" and sure enough he jumps up and grabs the mic. I look at my friend and say "I have a question...but I'm not sure I dare to ask." to which she stated the obvious "you will never get a chance like this again...it's Chris Rock."
After letting my heart race to a ridiculous rate, I bit the bullet and raised my hand...mine was the last question he took (whew!) I stood up and opened my mouth...which was suddenly dry and the initial sound coming out was not human. A little cough later I asked "In the film, you stated how the black culture started doing these things out of acceptance from society...towards the end of the film, you touched on the number of white women who now do similar things. In your opinion, would you say that today women do this out of society's acceptance, or self-acceptance, or what did you find?" I sit down and I realize my hands are shaking. What, am I a twelve year-old at the Jonas Bros. concert?
(I THINK that's what I asked...I should receive a recording, so I can edit it word-for-word)
His answer was...
"I'm not sure it's really either. We live in an incredible country...(pause for claps)...and I think women in this country have lots of money and are just bored. (laughs) Women in other countries don't have time to worry about shooting Botox into their face, or collagen into their lips. I think that women here just get bored."
(There was couple more things to that effect, but those are the sentences I remember...again when I get the video, I will edit it)

Mr. Rock made this movie because he wanted to understand and make decisions to help his own two beautiful girls (I believe ages 4 and 6) who he showed and talked about in the film. The last line of the movie was his own conclusion from his findings, on what to tell his little girls. He said "What I've concluded is that when the time comes, I will tell my own daughters that...what's on top of their head...is not near as important as what's inside their head."

{$} simple cents of the day {$}

Help your clients wear their hair for themselves, not for other people.

Tip me!

In an industry that is tip driven... I am still shocked at the amount of people who ask whether or not they should tip!
It is such an awkward situation to be asked by a client "How much should I tip?"
I like to answer with "It is the same as restaurant or food service tips." But then I get the question, "How much is that?" Come on people!
I figure if the service is good, you tip accordingly. Your client should leave more than satisfied, they should be happy... even thrilled!

I am a firm believer that your tip is based on the clients 'experience'... not the actual service performed. Meaning, how the client feels is actually more important than how they look.
Call me crazy, but a tip is based much more on emotions than anything else.
When you are dining out... you tip the waiter/waitress... not the cook. If the food taste great, but you don't get it in a timely manner and can't get your drink refilled, you will not leave a good tip. HOWEVER, if the food is mediocre and the service is fantastic, you will leave a good tip! Right?!

Ask a few simple questions to find out what interests you client (ex: what do you do for a living? what's your favorite Prime Time show? etc) Focus your talk on something about THEM. Make your client the expert on the subject. Even if YOU are the expert on the topic... engage the conversation as if they are educating you. This makes them feel smart, valued, and wanted in your chair. They are in your domain, you are already the master, and they are at your mercy. Give them back the sense of control. They have made an appointment and awaited this moment, it is an important moment in their day, week, month and maybe year. Help them feel as important in YOUR day!

Here's another simple tip (no pun intended)...
Offer your client magazines and drinks. A Diet Coke may cost you 50 cents... but the tip will be 10 times the cost of the drink!

{$} simple cents of the day {$}

Service your clients emotions for a good tip