How to Lead a Successful Salon Business is ever changing. For the majority of us, these are the most unnerving financial times we have ever lived through. This is especially the case for business owners. While there was a time in which business owners could be relatively certain of their earning potential, the recent global shutdown of the vast majority of businesses has shown us all that we have far less control over our earnings than we ever imagined. Moreover, the notion of an “salon essential business” left many formerly hot sectors out in the cold. For instance, although the beauty industry is one that has been quite lucrative, the new laws and restrictions have resulted in a widespread loss of income for most business owners in this sector.
HuddleTime Interview with Ronit Enos & Jay Williams
Fortunately, if you’re a salon owner who is struggling to recover from the unexpected loss of earnings, there is hope. This week on HuddleTime with Ronit, we interviewed Jay Williams, business expert and author of instant classics Leave Your Mark, and This vs. That. Jay has over 25 years of varied experience in helping businesses and entrepreneurs set and achieve their goals. He is highly skilled in providing tips on leadership and being influential for those who work in the beauty industry.
At the time of this interview, Jay is currently working with Ronit as a member of the Salon Cadence coaching team. Ronit thought it would be great to have Jay as a guest to give his expert advice to salon owners. He has offered some great tips for those who are looking for ways to be more effective leaders during these most uncertain times.
This interview was part of Ronit’s HuddleTime series which is a weekly live show on America’s Beauty Show Facebook page. Every week Ronit brings a guest to share what it takes to be successful as a beauty salon owner and independent stylist.
Tips on How to Lead a Successful Salon Business
Per his track record, Jay Williams has become a highly sought-after professional who has many clients across the globe. Here is a list of tips for how to lead a successful salon business that he would like salon owners to know:
Make Sound Decisions
One of the top tips Jay Williams offers to salon owners is to make sound decisions. This means that you should be making decisions with clarity. Although there may not be a way to know what the outcome of the decision may be, you need to be clear and resolute on your decisions before you implement them. When you are clear and confident in the decisions you are making, this will make your staff more confident in your leadership abilities.
Moreover, you should also be making these decisions as quickly as possible. When working in the salon industry, you often need to make good decisions at a moment’s notice. Therefore, Jay encourages salon owners to take the time to consider how much time they have to make the decision. He says you should gather resources and information that can help make the decision. Then make a definitive decision within a short, specified time frame.
Empower Your Employees
Jay also wants salon owners to know that although being a good leader requires sound decision making, this does not mean that you will need to make all of the decisions. Rather, you need to be able to provide your team members with the tools they need to be able to make the decisions on their own. For instance, if you have a stylist who is trying to decide which type of flat iron they want to use, you may provide them with information on the most popular ones. You may also let them know that purchasing a new high-end flat iron will likely lead to more clients and more money.
Commitment vs. Compliance
Next, Jay feels that salon owners should focus on commitment over compliance. This is because compliance simply means that they are going along with your agenda because they feel they have no other option. However, being committed means that they are personally invested in their own progress as a stylist and ultimately, your salon. In a financial climate that is filled with uncertainty, creating a team of committed stylists is imperative to the continuity and longevity of your business.
For instance, if you are trying to encourage your stylists to sell more extensions, you will want to reassure them that selling the extensions will add to their ability to provide their clients with the services and level of service they need. This, in turn, will make them more likely to become committed to attempting to sell the extensions to each client. In other words, rather than simply barking out orders, you should be willing to ask questions to uncover what it will take to make your stylists more committed to their success at your salon.
Mindset Matters
Another thing that Jay would like salon owners to know is that leadership may also involve addressing the mindset of your employees. This is because a person’s belief plays a major role in how they pursue their goals. So, if you have employees who are constantly feeling anxious or nervous about meeting goals, they will be more likely to want to avoid the task you are asking them to complete. However, if they are confident in their abilities to achieve the goals, they will be much more likely to meet or even exceed the goals that have been set before them.
Focus on the Emotional Brain
As Jay points out,
The emotional brain has not evolved over time. It still functions, fundamentally, the exact same way as when it was developed. And so, it does not differentiate between real and perceived danger.
– Jay Williams
In other words, no matter if the issue is major or minuscule, the brain reacts to being upset, anxious, afraid, etc., in the same way. Given that these are such emotionally-charged times, this is something that salon owners can use to their advantage.
Encourage an environment that champions facto over fear, Jay asserts that this will allow all employees to engage in their rational brain. So, for instance, if you have employees who are in fear of trying a new technique because they believe they may make a mistake, you can simply point out that mistakes are always possible and that a seasoned stylist can typically overcome them with the skills they already possess. By reeling in these negative emotions and redirecting them in a more positive manner, you will be empowering your employees to allow their thinking to control their emotions rather than allowing their emotions to control their thinking.
The Huddletime Bottom Line
If you need help learning how to lead a successful salon business, these tips will help you move in the right direction. Additionally, if you want a more in-depth explanation of these tips and Jay’s other helpful information on leadership, check out his books, Leave Your Mark and This vs. That.
Additionally, learn more about all our Salon Cadence programs here to build profits and create a wealthy lifestyle. You can also read through our library of articles for more great tips and inspiration.