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Creating a healthy relationship with your salon clients is essential to growing your career as a stylist. The consultation is one of the best ways to build rapport and trust. Here are the top questions to ask your client during their consultation.  Looking to join a salon where you can learn, grow, and succeed? Apply to The Salon by Lora Brown!
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Working at The Salon by Lora Brown is teaching new associate, Diana Leiva, about the business side of running a hair salon. Find out what she has learned about retail and marketing at The Salon and through the Associate Program. Interested in joining The Salon by Lora Brown? Submit your application today! We are accepting stylists and associates.
 Many highly motivated people dream of careers as hair stylists, but some hold back because of an industry-wide shortage of quality education. Some are afraid that they won't be able to support themselves as a stylist, and these fears may be justified. Statistics show that 80 percent of hair stylists quit after only two or three years in the business. Additionally, about 52 salons close every day, and the average length of a stylist’s career is a measly three to five years. Due to decreasing pay and inadequate training, it's becoming increasingly difficult for stylists to support themselves. This can be disheartening for current hairdressers and those interested in a career as a hair stylist alike. How Can You Become A Successful Stylist? These statistics are alarming, and they reveal just how challenging the salon industry has become. However, with the right education and guidance, it is possible to have a long, well-paying career as a hairdresser. That’s where the Associate Program comes in. The Associate Program is a step-by-step system for stylists at any level that helps you become a top-notch hair dresser and a sharp businessperson. It prepares you for a sustainable career by giving you the knowledge and tools necessary to keep moving forward when others are giving up. Career-Changing Benefits Of The Associate Program If you’re not convinced that you need the Associate Program for salon success, consider these benefits. 1. Quality Training The Associate Program is a “proven system with proven results.” It goes above and beyond other training programs, equipping you for real-world work and success. 2. Career Security With quality training comes security in your new career. You'll learn practical techniques to run your styling business in the best and most efficient way possible. Then, you can apply what you’ve learned and watch your success. 3. Higher Pay Nobody wants to work their tails off for pennies. Stylists are known for working long days and even longer nights. But, when you receive a high level of education, you’re more qualified to advance in your salon career. The Associate Program guarantees you better pay – enough to support your family for years after you complete it. 4. Connecting With A Mentor We all need someone to turn to when things get tough. With the Associate Program, you can work with an experienced, successful mentor who will guide and encourage you along the way. This mentor has gone through all the challenges of the hairdressing business. They can give you the support and knowledge you need to succeed. 5. Flexibility And Balance Work/life balance is incredibly important, especially for stylists. Instead of working crazy hours and never having a moment to yourself, get the training you need from the Associate Program to achieve a more flexible work situation. Where is the Associate Program Offered? The Salon by Lora Brown is the only salon in Amarillo to offer the Associate Program. Reach out to the experts today to get started.  The Salon by Lora Brown stylist, Bettima Schuster, talks about what sets The Salon apart from other area salons, and how it has helped her grow as a stylist and business professional. Interested in joining The Salon by Lora Brown? Submit your application today! We are accepting stylists and associates.
 Many hair stylists believe that receiving a cosmetology degree or some other initial training is adequate to build a career on. While this preliminary step is important for developing skills and landing a job, it shouldn't be the end of your education. Whether for personal or professional reasons, lifelong education is the key to success. This is especially true in the beauty field, where trends and customer needs are in constant ebb and flow mode. Still not convinced that continuing education makes a difference in your salon career? Here are three concepts that will change your mind. Staying Relevant In an industry that is always evolving, hair stylists must stay "in the know" about current styles and techniques. It’s all too easy to succumb to the monotony of the day-to-day and never venture outside of your comfort zone, but that’s the fastest way to lose customers. Participating in regular continuing education – both in your salon and at outside events – keeps you relevant to new and existing customers. With so many outlets to learn and stay educated on hair and beauty trends, there’s really no excuse to continue your education. Keeping The Spark Alive Just as with any career, burnouts happen in the hair industry. Maybe it’s a result of working with the same people day in and day out, or maybe it happens because you lose your passion. You forget why you began this journey in the first place. One benefit of attending trade shows and hair events is that you become surrounded by new people who remind you what you love about your career. This reignites your spark, making you a better stylist as a result. Honing Your Craft Working on a client’s hair is generally not the time to experiment with new techniques. But without experimentation, how can you possibly learn new things? Educational events allow you the opportunity to try things you may not ordinarily have the chance to try. You can even fail with no repercussions. This kind of freedom releases your inhibitions and allows the creative juices to flow. Taking Your Skills To The Next Level One of the best ways you can improve your education is by getting some new hands-on experience. Online courses are great for learning the fundamentals, but they don't provide you with the same knowledge as you would get from practice. Continuing education courses like the Associate Program at the Salon by Lora Brown provide you with invaluable experience you can't get through a textbook. Additionally, these programs are designed to equip you with the business skills you need to succeed in your career as a hairstylists. Many hairdressers are forced to find new lines of work. With the Associate Program, stress about finances and the future will become a thing of the past. Find out more about the Associate Program at the Salon below.  *This post was originally published on May of 2016 but has been edited and republished for the sake of accuracy and freshness.
 The beauty industry, with all its glitz and glamour, is not as simple to break into as many imagine. Opening and running a salon takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. Unfortunately, many salons around the country are failing – not because the owners lack these attributes, but because they’re missing the resources and support necessary for success. In fact, 80 percent of salons are currently losing money, and a 52 salons are forced to close their doors every single day. Last year, a whopping 26,000 closed for good. Your salon could be in danger of closing, too. How Can Salons Experience Continued Success? As an industry, we need to do better. And we can. It will take a little change, and it starts with one salon at a time. Here’s how you can prevent your business from getting flushed down the drain. Provide Stylist Training And Support Staff turnover is a huge issue within the beauty industry. It’s nearly impossible to succeed as a salon when stylists and other employees are constantly turning over. Many brand-new, fresh-faced stylists come into the beauty industry with stars in their eyes. They’re blinded to the harsh realities that exist in the salon world. Take low salaries, for example. The average stylist makes less than $30,000 a year — not exactly glamorous pay. It’s important to educate new stylists thoroughly right away. Set realistic expectations, and then continue training periodically so employees stay up to date on the latest trends. Help them get excited about the beauty industry and they’ll be more likely to stick around. Focus On Business Education Often, salon owners are beauty experts but know little about running a business. This is like sending a lawyer into court with no evidence. It will only lead to failure; after all, excellence starts at the top. How do we combat this epidemic? As a salon owner, make sure you not only educate your staff on techniques but also yourself on best business practices. A good way to do this is to enroll in our Associate Program. Our Associate Program designed to make you a successful, talented and confident hairdresser that maintains a strong, secure path with a flexible, balanced life. It equips you with the skills you need to be business-minded and successful even outside of the chair. Whatever method you choose, take the time to invest in your own education in order to ensure salon success. Make Your Salon A Great Place To Work Give employees a reason to stick around. Plan group activities to foster a sense of community, offer incentives for a job well-done, etc. When the environment of your salon is on-point, business will naturally thrive. If you're ready to take your salon business to the next level, join our Associate Program today.   There are several things that clients should keep in mind when sitting down in a salon chair. However, the road goes both ways.
There are also guidelines that stylists should follow, to create the best possible experience for clients. Here are just a few. 6 Etiquette Tips For Hairstylists 1. Don't Be Late When a client is late for an appointment, it can throw off your schedule and your mood for the day. The same is true if a stylist isn't on time. Let your client know as soon as possible if you're going to be late for their appointment. Always apologize for the inconvenience and offer to reschedule when necessary. 2. Give Clients Your Undivided Attention Clients are paying for a new look, but they're also expecting a great salon experience. Part of that is interacting with an attentive staff. When working with a client, don't let yourself get sidetracked or walk away from the chair to deal with someone else. If the client is getting multiple services, stay in the salon until they're finished to be sure they're pleased with the final results. 3. Be Receptive But Honest When a client comes into the salon with unrealistic expectations, it's your responsibility to hear them out and offer suggestions. Maybe the style isn't possible with your client's hair. Maybe the cut or color wouldn't be an ideal choice. Maybe they're just asking for something that would be impossible for you to create. Be upfront and honest and start a conversation about alternatives. 4. Keep It Professional For many clients, being in the salon is an opportunity to unwind and sometimes to vent. While you always want to be polite and responsive when a client is talking, avoid sensitive topics and keep gossip to a minimum, especially gossip about the salon. Sharing too much information will quickly make the client uncomfortable. 5. Remember That You're At Work The salon floor during work hours is not the time or place for personal calls or catching up with social media. Put your cell phone away while you're working, to avoid looking rude and unprofessional. Remember to give clients your full attention. 6. Find The Right Salon One step toward being a great stylist is finding a salon that's the right fit. Contact The Salon by Lora Brown for more information about job openings, and to decide if it's the right place for you to put your skills to use.  Humans by nature tend to flock to other like-minded humans. This tendency can be beneficial in many situations, but in the workplace, it can lead to cliques. Because salons are rather personal establishments, with stylists often forming long-term relationships with their clients, it’s especially easy for salon employees to fall into the clique habit. What’s The Problem With Cliques Among Salon Employees? While you certainly want to promote friendships among your salon employees, it’s important to discourage the forming of any strong groups that exclude others. These kinds of relationships lead to gossip and conflict in the workplace, which is detrimental to business. Here are a few more reasons to prevent salon cliques.
Open communication is key. Let your team know your door is always open should a problem arise. It’s also important for management to avoid becoming involved with any one clique in the salon. Owners and managers should treat everyone with equal respect and avoid showing favoritism. Leading by example is especially important when it comes to preventing cliques at work. In addition, be sure to establish a firm chain of command and specific steps toward promotions that every employee is aware of and trained on right from the start. Doing so keeps stylists from believing that “getting in” with the right crowd will result in professional growth. Another sure way to encourage teamwork and discourage cliques is by holding regular staff meetings. During these meetings, do more than simply go over numbers and objectives. Devote a few minutes each meeting to open the floor for comments. Then after each comment, go around the room and allow every employee the chance to suggest a solution. This opens the door for salon-wide teamwork. Take a look at this list for more ideas on breaking out of the clique environment:
See how booth rental salons and commission salons compare by downloading our free infographic!   When it comes to running a hair salon, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to hire employees or work with independent contractors. While each method has its perks, each also comes with its own set of downfalls. Here are the major differences between commission-based employment and booth rental agreements. What Is The Commission Salon Model? The commission-based setup is one in which you, as the salon owner, hire employees to take care of your clients. This is a performance-based model, meaning pay is based on results. Salon employees who work on commission don’t receive a base pay. The Benefits The good thing about the commission model is that you’re getting what you pay for. There’s no dishing out money for someone to stand around and look pretty. It’s a great way to encourage your employees to help build your client base and provide excellent service. As an added bonus, hiring employees instead of independent contractors builds company morale. Everyone’s working toward the same goal, which leads to growth for your salon. The Drawbacks With operation costs continually rising, it’s difficult for many salons to offer a competitive commission-based pay. This means it may be a challenge to find quality employees, and turnover is often higher with the commission model. Employees leave to start their own businesses, believing they’ll make more money independently. What Is The Booth Rental Salon Model? When you offer space in your salon to beauty professionals on a rental basis, you’re hiring independent contractors. These people aren’t your employees but, rather, your colleagues. The Benefits Independent contractors are responsible for handling their own taxes, clients, paperwork and supply needs. This saves you money because you aren’t paying salaries, and the overhead costs don’t land solely on you. It also prevents you from needing to supply benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Additionally, you can rest assured that your salon will stay busy, because your stylists are business owners themselves and want to grow their own client bases. In fact, it was reported in 2014 that nearly half of all beauty industry licensees are independent contractors. The Drawbacks While you can certainly implement general salon-wide guidelines, you aren’t able to control exactly what goes on between stylists and clients when you rent booth spaces. This type of setting can also occasionally lead to a competitive environment within the salon, rather than a teamwork-oriented one. The Takeaway Whichever method you choose, be sure you have a thorough understanding of the differences between employees and independent contractors. The Salon by Lora Brown is a commission-based salon. Our salon culture encourages healthy competition, teamwork, dedication, and most importantly, education. To inquire about becoming a successful stylist, contact The Salon by Lora Brown and see what our own stylists have to say about working in commission salons and booth rental salons by visiting our Employment Page. See the pros and cons of booth rental salons and commission salons by downloading our free infographic!  There’s often a lot of buzz surrounding company culture among big businesses, but the idea is just as beneficial to small businesses, like hair salons. And at the root of culture are values.
Your salon’s ideal culture can only be achieved if you have specific values put into place. What Constitutes Values? Maybe you’re wondering what we mean by “values.” Simply put, values are the core principles by which you do business. They represent what the salon stands for and what sets it apart from all the rest. What are Effective Values for Hair Salons? The values you incorporate into your salon should be ones that are important to you personally. They should allow clients and staff to get a sense of what you’re all about. Because of this, not every salon will have the same values. That said, here are 5 can’t-fail ones to give you an idea of what we mean. Start with this list and then customize it as desired. 1. Team Work Working together, resolving issues calmly, and striving for the same goals allows a group of stylists to co-exist with little competition and plenty of camaraderie. 2. Excellence To create a culture that keeps clients coming back time and again, include excellence in your list of values. Never settle for doing mediocre work; continually put your best foot forward and you’ll see amazing results. 3. Integrity Integrity is all about living up to your word and being honest. With fellow stylists and with clients, never promise something you can’t deliver and always do what you say you’ll do. 4. Communication A big part of the culture you create in a salon revolves around communication. How well your stylists and employees interact with one another can either cause tension — which clients pick up on — or encourage a positive work environment. 5. Education Whether it’s attending regular styling workshops, learning from your mistakes, or staying up-to-date on the latest trends, education is crucial to the success of a salon. Be sure it gets included in your values list and that you’re constantly striving to become better educated. Where Can Excellent Hair Salon Values be Found? At The Salon by Lora Brown, we’re a family. We understand the importance of creating a culture in which our employees thrive and our clients receive remarkable service every time. We support our employees’ career goals and do everything in our power to assist them in achieving those goals. If you’re looking for a new salon home and want to be part of a positive culture with exceptional values and educational opportunities, reach out to us today. |
Lora BrownLora Brown is a master stylist and the owner of The Salon by Lora Brown. She has worked in the salon industry for 30 years. Archives
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