The new COVID-19 economy is among us. It’s happening; stores, business, salons, restaurants are reopening. And our new reality is just that: new. It’s not the same as before and it won’t be for a long time, and neither will your business. We need to find new ways of running a successful hair salon. In fact, learning how to make more money in a hair salon will save you in the short and long run. Small business owners like you have had to pivot, rethink, and innovate to make it out the other side.
Lately I’ve been thinking (and hoping) that most of you are shifting to take charge of your business and not falling back into your old habits. I’m hoping the situation has lit the fire of inspiration in you and encouraged you to make all the changes you have been wanting too. Successful hair salon owners across the nation have been getting creative to be a visionary and for their business. In times like these, being a strong leader is imperative!
If you’re a high-achiever like myself, you’ll always be thinking several steps ahead. You have visions and dreams for your life and family, and you don’t want your business taking that over. Defining these goals and dreams is half the battle. Once you have a clear vision and you continue to focus on that throughout your everyday life, you will achieve it. When you change your way of thinking, your actions follow suit.
Enroll Your Team and Your Tribe
If you want to make it happen and maintain a successful hair salon, you have to have a team that has the same thoughts and dreams that you have. You need to create that vision and find people with the same vision, and not be afraid to create what you want. Fear binds people; it keeps many at bay from taking plunges and investing into something innovative like a business.
Now more than ever is a great opportunity for potential innovators and inspirers. Every community is searching endlessly to find a sense of inspiration and guidance. Now is the time for all your forward thinking ideas to come to fruition and bring out the inspirational entrepreneur inside you.
I’ve put together a list of some things you can do to inspire your team, your community, and how to become a successful hair salon:
1. Have a weekly or monthly creative team meeting
Your team will love this. They need it. This could be a staff meeting turned into a paint night, cooking lessons, or happy hour.
2. Enhance and document the creative process
Do this within your salon by capturing before and afters, doing little photoshoots, and staff spotlights on social media. This will guide you towards a constant, lively atmosphere.
3. Ensure your staff feels encouraged to participate
They need to be part of your journey. They are the heart and soul of the salon. Emphasize the importance of an open conversation especially now when innovative ideas for revenue streams can keep you afloat.
4. Create an education system for a successful hair salon
It’s so important to do this within your salon (or online) so your staff are always improving and progressing within their craft.
5. Create color touchup packages
This is a must for clients to purchase and take home so they can avoid the salon for root touch ups. This creates more time for other clients while still putting money in your pocket.
6. Create combo packages
You can do this with shampoo, conditioner, and a specialty retail items for all sorts of hair: colored package, blonde package, brunette package, thin hair, curly hair, etc. These are great for increasing retail sales.
7. Sell merchandise like T-shirts
You can do this for so many things. For exampe, leggings, coffee tumblers, candles, makeup, etc. And remember to charge good money for them because you ARE worth that!
8. Pre-book everything up to 80%
This should be a “no-compromise” daily routine for every salon client. It’s the life-blood of your business.
9. Host a weekly Youtube series
It’s fun, simple and brings team members and clients together. You can do spotlights and interviews on inspiring community and staff.
10. Create valuable blogs and content
Anything that’s relevant to your local community and not just the salon. On your blog website, place ads to generate income whenever someone visits. Google AdSense, it is popular and free. Check our article on creating a Salon Blog here.
11. Document your journey
Create your story and what you’ve learned over your career. Turn this into an online information course and sell it.
12. Establish a subscription service within your salon
There’s no better time than now to build a recurring stream of revenue. You need to always find new ways and this is becoming more and more popular.
Summarizing a Successful Hair Salon
The kicker with all of these tools is that you can’t create this extra income and inspiration if you’re still constantly behind the chair. As the CEO, you need to direct your energy into the well-being of your business and step away from being a full time hairstylist and make more money in a hair salon. You can’t lead the war by being inside the battle.
Check our article on 9 Expert Tips on Social Media for Salons & Stylists