Client retention and service.
It is my goal to create a platform that over time will become a place to share thoughts review hair colour and products. Offer advice share experience on matters related to salon owners and stylists alike.
All stylist from actively working in a salon are a apart of a team unless choosing to be mobile or freelance. Client retention and service. Being self employed running your own niche business has it’s own set of challenges on top of all the normal ones faced in business today.
I have been involved in the hair industry for many years. Having been fortunate enough to have experienced so many aspects of our industry. I now strive to share some of my knowledge and experiences with other like minded stylists. I was so pleased to be asked to share some thoughts on client retention and service as it relates to to all area’s of our industry, I don’t have all the answers. I have at one time run a very successful home based business.
The challenges that you face when not being salon based are many. Some say the advantages are also many personal choice.
The expectations you have when you start out that vision you have may change.As a mobile or freelance Stylistwhat really dictates how successful you are? What dictates how much you might earn? How profitable you might be? The hours you work. The number of clients you can do? As a mobile or freelance stylist you are offering a very special personalised service.
However personalised it is do not cross the line between business friendship and mates rates or discounts! just because your not in a salon environment does not mean or make you any less professional. How you present your self from appearance to pricing to service all reflects this. Do not get drawn into cash deals and giving discounts it cheapens you and your business. The key to client retention is offering the highest standard of Service at all times.This starts with a consultation. It involves keeping up to date client records so when your day starts you have those record cards with you. Part of this service is time management allowing enough time between appointments to face the unexpected. It also involves having clear policy relating to cancellation and clients being on time, its about have mutual respect setting clear boundaries of what acceptable. This might seem odd but it no different to working in a salon you are in charge and boundaries should be set.
Developing a strong client base and client retention is built on recommendation takes time be patient. Involve your self in the community. Have a business plan a strategy. Remember You are the product ! Success in is your hands develop your Target Market the people you want to build your business around if you are a chair renter or freelance stylist you are in charge of all aspects of your business. You are your own boss! you are also. The Receptionist. Stock controller. Marketing promoter. Book keeper. Trainer! Great service staying current building honest trusting relationships this is what leads to success. Caring! Service Something we as stylists provide in some case the service we don’t offer! We forget! We get lazy.Complacent !! Its so easy to do especially when working alone as a freelance or mobile stylist.
Consultation:
Things to think about!
* Take the time to listen, be educated, well informed, creative and skilled! Maybe as a stylist your the owner of your own small freelance business maybe your home based or make house calls in many ways some of the above does and will relate to you. The main thing here is you often work alone, yes you are very busy, but how often do you really interact with other stylist’s and industry professional? How current are you really be honest? How often do you take the time find the time and say.Time for a tune up ! I need to step things up? I need a refresher i’m feeling a little stale ! well? it happens to the best of us. My bet would be not very often if ever? your either to busy or convince your self that it’s not important! ego talking you know it all!!!
Are you ready to walk a new path? Invest in your own future. Market that product that is you? No matter what your current situation is be it Mobile or Freelance self employed. Be and stay current take those steps to shine and excel. Be in demand fully booked successful and happy all possible. Make sure you have the skills to run your business to be profitable It will not serve you to call around other salons to see what they charge and price yourself accordingly. Nor will it serve you to see what other freelance or module operators are doing or charging. Be what you want to be! There are a few reason why most salons run at no or little Profit . They are busy copying one another! Or driving pricing down by competing in a discount driven market, the discount driven market is not sustainable and is doomed to failure. There are formulas to set your prices that do not involve emotion We can show you how. Let’s face it – it costs the same to run a salon no matter where you are. So why not let us help you look at your salon and your target market let is show you how to have your salon in healthy profit.
I also think that we need to always look at the Why. Ask the question Why are we in business whats it for? OrWhy do we want to go into to business what is success? Why do I suggest this I think by asking and exploring the why we get to the motive behind why we want to be in business what is true success. Why the will also help us to understand our true values this in turn helps us to follow the path to the success we want and desire. It will help us to surround ourselves with the right team ,those who share our values and vision. Remember. Salon success. Stylist success. Business success are all linked together it’s Team success. Its never about any destination only ever about a journey taking the right people on that journey makes it enjoyable maybe even fun!
The ‘Three R’s’ ”Reputation. Recommendation. Retention”. It’s not built on that constant looking for new clients it’s looking after what you have! It’s investing in your self and your business and those around you.
Conclusion
This journey, this career, is wonderful – challenging, inspiring, and yes, hard work.
There are no guarantees in life and ones career and career choice is no different thing happen and its how we deal with them that defines us. Jobs change relationships come and go the one thing that remains after training is our skill both hands on creative and the ones we learn about people and communication about caring about being a team player. Constantly developing new skills staying current is so very important.
I also think that we need to always look at the Why. Ask the question Why are we in business whats it for? OrWhy do we want to go into to business what is success? Why do I suggest this I think by asking and exploring the why we get to the motive behind why we want to be in business what is true success. Why the will also help us to understand our true values this in turn helps us to follow the path to the success we want and desire. It will help us to surround ourselves with the right team those who share our values and vision.
Remember. Salon success. Stylist success. Business success are all linked together it’s Team success. Its never about any destination only ever about a journey taking the right people on that journey makes it enjoyable maybe even fun!
The salon and the S word now available in book and e book format for links to purchase and reviews Click here or on the image.
The Salon & the ‘S’ Word
Written by Mike Vallance
Essential for success: commitment, focus, drive, a willingness to make change keeping an open mind. planning. taking responsibility for ones choices making and taking hard decisions. Honesty and staying creatively challenged.
My web site is Back2myroots: B2MR feel free to check in
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Mike B2MR