Reopen With Excellence - Expert Tips For Returning To Salon
Your clients are as eager as you to have the salon reopened for business. As quarantine time frustrations go, box color and at-home-trims are just the tip of the iceberg. They miss the comfort of expert care and color and the chance to check in with the stylist that knows their hair’s history and can help them create any new look.
No matter the urgency, though, the importance of safety still looms large. Your game plan for reopening and establishing the new normal needs to be grounded in mindfulness of your clients’ safety and your own. We checked in with a few of our expert stylists, to gather insight on reopening with excellence.
CLIENT COMMUNICATION IS KEY
Keep open and honest connection with your clients. Emails or text to share safety precautions your salon is taking. Be open about pricing and budgets. Be as flexible as possible when pre-booking their next few appointments, and book slowest appointments first during less crowded time.
Listen well, be honest with what you can achieve for them, and be sure to book enough time for each client. Coming out of isolating times, it can mean so much to know that their stylist is giving them the person-to-person attention they need.
“Have a lot of compassion for your clients in the salon as you knew them well before but now is completely different. I am adding 15 minutes extra to my consultations.” - Sonya Dove @sonyadove
“At home haircuts gone wrong? Consultation and understanding are key! Be honest with what's realistic. Use your razor or texturizing shears to connect and blend the bangs for a nicer grow out. Talk them through what you're doing and why.” - Nicole Obert @hair_by_obert
“Book extra time based on the consultation and if you were not able to have a virtual consultation then definitely BOOK MORE TIME for your client’s appointment.” - Aubrey Loots @lootypics
CREATE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
When setting up to reopen, your focus is on making your clients feel cared for. This means creating a calm and safe space, but it can also mean simplifying options for them. Consider ways to streamline offerings during certain hours—this may be the deciding factor for a client that needs a root touch-up but is still concerned about extended time spent in the salon.
“We listen to soothing music, no talking during shampoos, fresh flowers throughout the salon, added a bench out front for a fresh air waiting area and aromatherapy to try and provide a relaxing environment.” - Stevie Smith @StevieAnneSmith
"At Mint we have express color night. It’s a set event where we only offer root colors. No blow-drying no cutting. We color, shampoo and towel dry. I have a lower price point for the event to keep it streamlined. We have to be honest with our clients about budget."- Lisa Smith @mintportmoody
Be sure that you’re welcoming clients into a sanitized environment, wearing approapriate protective gear and with sanitizer readily available. Create physical space between stations and only double book if your client and you are both comfortable with the space.
SHOW CLIENTS YOU’RE READY TO STYLE
In the time immediately following salons reopening, the majority of services will focus on repair and rescue. You know your clients’ styles and what they’re likely to need fixed. Whether it’s root touch-ups, glossing, undoing the damage of an at-home bleach job, or new client interest in more robust home care regimens—do you have your go-to products at the ready?
“I am a major fan and proponent of Color Renew. It is something I use in the salon daily!” -Mark DeBolt @MarkColorist
Creating your clients desired look safely is your top priority. More than selling through new products or styles, your goal is meeting their needs. Show up eager to help, take every safe client, strive for 5-star customer service, and be sensitive of their needs. Knowing you care as much about their safety as their style will mean the world.
TAKE A MINUTE FOR YOU
As a stylist, your work is focused on customer satisfaction, but don’t forget to prioritize self-care—both professionally and personally. Take time to research opportunities and grants that are available to beauty industry professionals, or small businesses. Consider working with a CPA to manage your finances. Be mindful of purchasing only essential products as needed, in an effort to save.
The past months have been difficult ones, and it can be easy to focus solely on the business aspects of reopening. Create space for to reflect on your personal growth and your artistry. Have you grown creatively? What were ways you sought out peace and joy during this challenging time and how might you carry that practice forward with you? What are you most proud of?