If you do a search online for articles on “how to make a salon business successful,” you’ll likely find more than you could ever possibly read. Every year, countless articles are published on personal blogs, industry websites, and even in magazines with advice for those who are looking to bring their business to the next level. Articles like these are a great resource, but they don’t answer the question of why it’s so difficult to make a salon business successful.
Recently, a study done by a salon industry research group asked hundreds of salon and beauty industry pros about the biggest challenges they face every day when running their salons. They discovered that 52% of salon owners and workers think that of all the challenges out there, the two most difficult aspects were:
- Getting new clients
- Retaining existing clients
So, for our blog this month, we here at Salons de Beauté thought we’d address both of these top concerns. We lease mini salon suites in Lawton, and for anyone interested in finally striking out on their own and being their own boss, it’s a good idea to know what the challenges associated with making such a change might be. Any first-time business owner will know that the best way to handle challenges is to find opportunities for learning via cost-effective means. The best way to build a salon business that is viable and comfortable is to learn from somebody who’s done it all before—and done it successfully! Learning from salon and beauty industry professionals will reduce your challenges, but not everyone can learn from a salon industry mentor—though read on to learn how that might be easier than you think! But first…
Leverage All Your Social Media Channels
Social media is a great way to grab new clients for your salon and retain your existing clients. It’s basically free, except for the time you put into it (though you can use promoted posts on both Twitter and Facebook if you want to spend some money). Social channels encourage business for a few reasons… including the face that everyone is on their phones and tablets all the time these days. Even when we’re watching TV we’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Yelp… Putting up pages or accounts for your mini salon suite in Lawton and posting regular updates, even if it’s just pictures of improvements to your space or great haircuts or nail jobs, will keep you on your clients’ minds. And posting coupons can be great, too! That way, they’re inspired to stop by and mention your ad.
Retain, Retain, Retain…
As a salon worker, client retention is important. But as a salon owner, it becomes even more crucial to hang on to your hard-won clients.
Retaining clients is easier than you might think, though. Listening to your clients is a great way to make a connection, so always ask for feedback—or encourage it by incentivizing it. (See our bullet point above about social media—you could always offer a 20% off discount for anyone who sends you a message with feedback!) Stay connected with your clients, and definitely encourage pre-booking. Why not try to book a six-week return for your hair clients, or a monthly pedicure appointment? Those strategies can really help, because being in the salon industry means competing with everyone else in the salon industry. Also make sure to pay attention to little details, like greeting your clients, smiling, and offering a bottle of water or cup of tea. Those perks can really make people long to come back to your relaxing, tranquil salon where they’re pampered away from their everyday life.
Find a Salon Industry Mentor
A mentor can make all the difference to someone starting their own salon business. They say that the most successful salons are ones that have someone to pay attention to day-to-day operations and another person who is the creative mind behind the salon, but that isn’t an option for everyone. If you’re looking at a mini salon suite in Lawton, at the end of the day, it’ll be you who’s doing both. That’s why a mentor can be so helpful. Books and articles are great, but personalized help is better. A mentor can also introduce you to other salon industry professionals for networking possibilities!
Location, Location, Location…
Success and failure can seem arbitrary sometimes, but there are a few ways you can ensure success. One of these is location. A solid location for your new salon can make all the difference when it comes to staying in the black rather than bleeding into the red.
What makes a good location? Well, you want a location with high visibility, lots of traffic, and in an area where your demographic lives or shops. Of course, the best locations may be more expensive, which is why a mini salon suite at Salons de Beauté is ideal. You’ll want to outfit your space professionally and beautifully, but it’s important to not go too crazy with décor. You’ll want to make your space inviting to the sorts of clients you want to attract, but at the same time, every dollar spent needs to be earned back. If you’re leasing a mini salon suite, however, you can probably afford to do more with decoration. Ours come outfitted with everything a beauty pro could need, and at a reasonable price.
Running a Successful Salon Business Doesn’t Have to be so Difficult
Running a mini salon suites in Lawton is always going to be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. All it takes is a little planning and forethought. Good advice and mentoring can also be hugely helpful. Contact us today and open up a world of possibilities for making your dream business a success!