Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:
Created as a source of advise education knowledge skill experience a place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related.
Salon ownership Chair rental mobile freelance.
Do you own a salon? Do you employ your staff? Maybe have chair renters are you the manager of such an establishment? Are you an employee? Do you rent a chair. So many question so many options! I raise this topic as platform to discussion.
Still focusing on service the salon experience but looking at it from a different angle I would like to do this in the order as above.
As a salon owner and employer how do you set a good example? How do you employ the right staff? How do you create the environment that projects ambiance,one that looks amazing yet has the right level of efficient offering professional service. A place that is welcoming creative filled with highly skilled passionate caring stylists. The only way this is possible is to be hands on with your team leading managing running your salon. From a point of view of having retaining and attracting the right staff in this instance the only way forward for you is to have Salon control.
This includes employing staff paying commission rewarding those who succeed.
As an owner you have very little control over the stylist hours. How they operate if you choose the chair rental route then the stylist renting space from you running a mini business within your salon. This can cause issues over pricing hours worked commitment to the salon the greater good!
Some times short term gain is long term agony.Commission creates motivation employing and rewarding staff creates team spirt and friendly competition with in the salon. Greater staff incentive to succeed be the best you can and reap the rewards.
So like so many aspects of business it's about choices making a decision and making it work the instant knowledge of regular rent or the challenges and rewards of truly running and building a successful business with loyal staff and clients.
So moving on. Do you have a manager?
If so this has to be a partnership that works give and take listen support each other. As a manager you get to not only over see many aspects of the running of the salon but you are also directly responsible for staff employment moral and most importantly service standards knowledge and education.
You get to help to creating the atmosphere the image. you get to grow the salon help it watch it succeed and grow and should be rewarded accordingly. Salon owners that take advantage of hard working managers will lose them along with clients and staff if they don't respect the role they play and what they contribute.
If you allow Chair rental. How do you control theses stylists when they are paying you rent? How many do you want on a rental agreement. how do you attract them? What hours will be covered by them? How do you manage this when they are in business of running a mini business within your business? Do you provide the receptionist ?
Who keeps the books and takes care of the financial side of things from. Taking clients payment to invoices? Ordering managing stock. Dealing with all tax records and making payment of said taxes?
What support service do you offer them? How do you have an influence on the standard the service they offer? To have a business totally reliant on Chair rental especially if you are not active as a stylist in your own salon or have an understanding of our industry the salon dynamics is quite a risk.
As someone renting a chair. What do you get for your monthly fee? What are your expectations? you and you alone are your business, no owner or manger to blame if things are not going well! if your clients switch to a different stylist or move salon. how to you cope when wanting holidays?
Most stylist who go into a chair rental situation are well established in many cases resent the salon owner who they feel are making a mint out of their work! From you and your client's Chair renters are not typically team players nor do they want to start their own business. They are not always the best organised in many cases don't think the what being self employed means or what the ramification might be.
As a renter you still need to be able to have a relationship with the salon owner you are also responsible for retaining maintaining and bringing in new business providing your working stock, being on time, offering that personal service
Then the things that cross over come to mind does salon owner provide any services in the form of help assistance? Do they keep a level of retail products? Do they provide a receptionist to book greet clients? Do they offer any help with regard to book keeping your personal business management! a repeat from the salon owners point of view but as i said it's a to way street many aspects will cross over eacht other.
These are all things to consider things that cut into that i just want to do hair and keep 100% of the take it can be quite complex.
Insurance both personal third party liability who is responsible for this? It would be my suggestion both parties are responsible why? One as owner providing the salon a place for clients to come to the stylist as the one performing the tasks applying the products taking a fee, both should be covered how is this dealt with? much to consider.
With all these different examples of in salon situations one thing is inherent the need to communicate the need to work together the need to create the best environment and standard of service to retain clients. a healthy codependent relationship built on trust understanding and striving for a common goal stability and business success.
In my book it's a no brainer the challenge and having the control being master of my own ship and destiny wins every time. Find and work with the right team the success and reward will follow.Nothing good in life is ever free or easy. If it is if it seem's to good to be true if it's a business plan that offer's instant gratification.
Whilst Chair rental works for many on both sides think about what as a salon owner or some one about to start a salon it is you really want.Don't lose sight of your dream your vision your goal. How do you want the service's you offer delivered.
I do not suggest that stylist renting chairs are all unprofessional i know from experience this is not the case. However for both side it is a union that should not be entered into lightly.
Maybe as a stylist your the owner of your own small freelance business maybe your home based or make house calls, maybe your a booth renter and freelance.
In many ways some of the above does and will relate to you. the main thing here is you often work alone,yes you are very busy,but how often do you really interact with other stylist's and industry professional? how current are you really be honest? How often do you take the time find the time and say ,Time for a tune up ! I need to step things up? I need a refresher i'm feeling a little stale ! well? it happens to the best of us. My bet would be not very often if ever? your either to busy or convince your self that it's not important! ego talking you know it all!!!
Be warned not addressing this visiting it can in the long term effect your business and so be something you will regret!
We all need to look in the mirror from time to time a little one on one, so often the demands on day to day life make this impossible. Make that time find that time to reflect on your goals be honest about how current you are is your vision still on track! How up to date are your skills, techniques, even product knowledge.
However much the rewards are working alone is very isolating even if your booth or chair renting unless you make a point of having interaction with others. We need to share and interact with other like minded professional it's how we grow and learn and develop.
WHY IS THIS?
The skill the techniques the standard of service should not change or be effected because we work alone or in a small team, yet in so many cases the need the want to stay updated and current gets pushed aside priorities !!
The key contributors to this is ourselves our own 'EGO' and fears we can so easily convince our selves that we know everything,We did our training got qualified we know it all.HUM to that! talking with others asking or seeking help or advise form others,indeed just sharing thoughts can give a whole new focus and out look on things. Remember it's about you your vision of what really is success.
These days we have so many ways to connect with others,through internet groups and forums,get informed read reviews on shows and education events, no more excuses!
hang out for awhile at your local distributor ,It's a great way to meet stylist just like your self,chat about colour lines and products.With so many products available to us and so many coming to the market all the time it's no wonder we could do with a little refresher form time to time. i know i do !
Be it technical work,cutting techniques, salon service and consultation skills. aspects of running a small or independent business. communicating with other industry professional .it's all these things that we need to address keep up to date with and be honest about.
We need to put 'EGO' aside seek out the right source of help and be prepared to take constructive advise,Critical comments on how to improve.work with some one you respect who can work with you on the key investment in self.
Are you ready to walk a new path? invest in your won future,Market that product that is you? no matter what your current situation is be it Mobile,freelance booth or chair renter, Be and stay current take those steps to shine and excel.Be in demand fully booked successful and happy all possible.
lots to consider what are your thoughts and views?
Mike B2MR
looking for some business support then check out http://www.karendavidintl.com/ a great place for help and support.
No comments:
Post a Comment