In a world hit by the pandemic it’s not enough to just do what you love. You need to do it better.
As a stylist, previous salon owner, educator I see how much our industry has changed within a year. Yes our industry has changed. Owners are forced to look at their business in new ways. Regulations have created challenges when trying to accommodate all clientele. Having to shift and reduce hours to accommodate stylists working with less employees occupying within the space. Many business owners have had to downsize and change the ways in which they utilize the assistant roles, the receptionist roles and in many cases reevaluate many of the stylists before them.
I see stylists that have left the industry looking for different opportunities. Opportunities that involve benefits and job security. I see stylists that are nervous with hours being reduced and worry how this will impact them financially. What if this is your passion, what if you knew there was a way to have it all. A way that you can fight back and come out ahead in this new world.
It’s simple be a better stylist.
1. Have a Super Attitude.
I encourage you to have fun and be positive—people will seek you out. Happiness is contagious. Things will go wrong, that’s life, but it’s up to you to make choices on how to deal with challenges. Don’t have a blame list, just keep working hard and fuel your passion.
2. Be Excited About What You Do.
Feed your passion for our industry. Watch the latest trends, stay up-to-date and learn as much as you can. Make hairdressing an interest, a fascination, a hobby—something you love. Burn out is caused by boredom and repetition, so gain as much inspiration and creative curiosity as you can from magazines, DVDs, books and fashion programs. Stay tuned to social media, this week I will be showcasing information about spotting and forecasting trends.
3. Behave Like a Professional.
When you act like a professional, you demonstrate that you are a success.
How do you behave like a professional?
- Arrive to work 25 minutes early. ( due to pandemic extra cleansing steps are necessary )
- Be prepared for clients before they arrive.
- Keep your space immaculate. Tell your clients about the sanitization steps you have taken.
- Look immaculate.
- Dress the part, let your sense of style and creativity shine tastefully.
- Always be courteous and nice.
- Offer to help others when you can.
- Be an asset to the salon with all of the above—inside and outside of work.
4. Be a Team Player.
You might be doing a fantastic job delivering premium services and building a loyal clientele, but what happens when other stylists in the salon have a bad attitude, use foul language, leave hair on the floor and keep messy stations. You know how it feels when someone isn’t a team player. Become the person you would want to work with in the salon. Don’t be lazy. Be willing to help others. Appreciate your colleagues. When you all work together, the whole salon benefits.
5. Lead by Example.
Leaders don’t have to be told what to do, they’re self-starters. Your actions not only keep clients coming to you for services, but you inspire and motivate colleagues to become better co-workers. Make new coffee if you take the last cup. If the shampoo or conditioner dispensers become low, fill them. Clean out the refrigerator, washrooms. Become a goal setter and prove it by taking the steps to achieve your goals, whether it is learning new up-styles, different color application techniques or improving your finishing skills, such as blow drying and smoothing.
6. Remember Your Clients.
When you wow your clients, go the extra mile and make them feel outstanding. Discuss add on opportunities, discuss services that will better the quality of the hair and style. Discuss homecare maintenance and recommendations. Pre book especially in pandemic times.
Little things like remembering their name and being familiar with their history shows you care and take pride in your work. They will tell everyone they know, especially when they are stopped on the street and asked who does their hair.
7. Be a Great Hairdresser, Technically.
Even the best attitude won’t make you an outstanding hairdresser, if you can’t cut hair. Develop and refine your skills with education, training and practice, practice, practice! Learn techniques, and then apply them using your creativity.
8. Perform, Perform, Perform.
Outstanding hairdressers are in the top retail generating percentage group in the country. They go the extra step. The prices of your services are dictated by your personality, how well you communicate, and your skill level as a hairdresser. The more you know, the more you become valuable to a salon and the more money you will make. It’s okay to increase prices during a pandemic.
9. Be Addicted to Education and Training.
As you learn new things, you have more to offer your clients—which help with client retention and word of mouth referrals. You have a wealth of knowledge that is ever-expanding, which makes you able to help any client that sits down in your chair. You aren’t tired or bored; your energy is endless, as is your enthusiasm. In turn, people will be attracted to you and all that you have to offer.
10. Self-Motivate.
One thing that is for certain, opportunity rarely comes and sits down in your lap. Even when it does, you don’t often recognize it. If you want to be an outstanding hairdresser, you need to search for success, hunt it down and grab hold. Look around your community and within the industry and see what makes you curious, makes you want to learn and grow. Look for ways you can give back, volunteer your time and show support. Your own success is your responsibility. You need to keep the motivation high.
I’ll leave you with this.
As Winston Churchill once said “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.”
