Hair Salon. Brand Image repuation

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

Brand. Image. Reputation:

We all work so hard to create a brand that says who we are. We create and image that projects our vision and supports our brand.We work to turn our vision into a reality.We build our reputation.
We start of with such high expectation. We believe and trust we will be a success.

Why do we then cheapen all we have worked so hard  for? We compromise put ourselves down cheapen all we have created by offering discounts why? Do we not believe in our selves has our vision changed? What does discounting really say about your brand?
Maybe it suggest's struggling and are desperate for your business? Rather than professional creative talented styling team. Offering the highest standard of skill and service at competitive rates.

What would appeal more you? What would appear the more professional image and approach? We have to consider  these questions. If we are to really address this discount mentality.  Consider that competition is not a good thing at the best of times. Competition in the salon creates a higher ache that creates issues of  over inflated EGO. It's negative. An environment of sharing, in salon mentoring, collaboration a meeting of the minds, open innovative discussion, a sharing of that vision. Not that mentality built on who's the best!
Competing with salons around you to see who can go the lowest to attract the most is just wrong.
It's crazy! it's a no win market .

Think about your Brand how can you create a niche market?
Think about your vision surround your self with people who share it?
Think about the salon image ? what do you really want it to say ?
Think about your reputation ? what is that worth?
Think about that Street appeal ? those tacky photo copies?

It's only when we really honestly consider these issues that we can really start to see the folly in a discount driven mentality and market.
We have a salon we have a price list .Then we have a huge sign saying 30% off or we plaster the window in discount offers to the point that no one can see in. See what the salon is doing. what it offers enabling the potential client to get a feel for what is being presented.

We fill the window with products we are not first and foremost a retail product store we certainly go get paid to display these products in our window promoting the manufacturer. We have to buy them and then re sell them. We can only re sell them by recommending them to our clients. To do this we have to get then into the salon. If we have discounted our rates right down then why would they pay full price for products?
This is mostly com one sense  but some where along the way we have got lost we have been sucked in to this business model  that is so from our vision that we falter. We get over whelmed we feel lost consumed.
All of these salon's are in the same town all within a few minute wool of each other .So you can see in trying to appeal they all look the same. It does not work .It's tacky!!!!!

Take a step back be honest. What do you really want? How can you get back to your vision? Why did this happen?  Maybe you need a little help or advise? Would you like to discuss your situation ? If so let me know. See contact section.

Mike B2MR:
Lets talk, lets share some thoughts, lets get you a new look, lets get you back to. Your vision. Your brand

Hair Stylists: Asking for help seeking advise

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR


What is it that holds salon owners back from asking for help and advise seeking the help of a professional salon consultant?  What makes salon owners wary of accepting offers of help and guidance?
Why are many salon owners stylist's so hesitant to consider alternatives possible new a ways of looking at situation old repeating issues and problems.
Could a personal salon coach help you and your team.would you allow them to share their thoughts and experience with you?
These might be aspects of operational business improvement, salon training staff development. What holds us back from facing up to personal assessment and growth?

                                                            We can hide behind a mask!

What is it that holds so many of us back?  
After many visits to many salons talking with some owners who have been kind enough to allow me a little time I have concluded it's.

Three issues:
Trust, Fear, Money!

                                                     We can face up to things ask for help!

Not always in this order but one or all of the above. I see so many salon's struggling to find an identity. So many al trying the same approach to find an endless stream of new clients. As one new salon open's  one just down the road fails. Constant signs in windows experienced stylists required.

Yet in these same salons. The staff are standing around or maybe seated on the nice garden set out front of the salon smoking.
Is it not time to take a step back and really look at what you have and the direction you are going in ? If that direction is backward or stationary then you need help.

We all need help from time to time. 
It is so easy to wonder off the path we have chosen or the course we have laid in. It's time like these that an out side set of eyes a fresh approach can help.
Will it does it cost? Yes of course but it should be that you pay by result! Or that the results are such that it was a good investment.
We talk so much about training continued skill up dates .Why not business maintenance and check up
from goals to vision to staffing and training?
I see many salons now also calling them selves an academy. These same salons are not very busy are posting adds constantly for staff . Why would any stylist pay to do a one day or one week course at an establishment like this ?
Training of young creative trainee's is the same deal. It's not just cheap labor! Be they employed or on some government scheme they still should get the highest standard of training possible.
If you are running a salon teaching training skills at any level are you team qualified to do this?
Maybe you should be concentrate on the salon and not have the school /academy leave that to the colleges and certified establishments!

                                                         Reach out for that hand of help!

Taking on an apprentice is a huge commitment when you really consider the journey. A young and impressionable trainee fresh out of school . Over a given period lest say 3 years you teach them every aspect of our industry not just practical and theory. Also communication service and consultation skills,
You also become a mentor to young person who you will influencing as they move from young adult into a fully qualified free thinking fully trained adult and hopefully a professional stylist.
Can you are you equipped for this ?  Is you salon do you have the right team in place? Time to be honest!

Just like having certain skills or  specialising in any given field be it Colouring. Cutting. Up/do wedding and event hair. Training is a skill to be learned. Maybe many of us should decide what we really want! Maybe owning and managing your salon should be enough for you if so make it the best it can be surround your self with the right people.
Never forget that our business is built on what I call the.
                                       " The Three R's' Reputation. Recommendation. Retention! 
It's not built on that constant looking for new clients, it's looking after what you have!
It's investing in your self and your business and those around you.
Its relating to your clients addressing their issues, listening to them . Being honest open and genuine. remembering little things about them  their life that last visit or conversation. health issues worries confidences should be kept 'Never discussed'!!  Rather than talking about your self the coming week end the holiday the normal hip pocket who cares conversations so often associated with the hair salon and stylists.
Remember it is possible to have a long term last relationship with your client care for them and they will care for and about you they will help you build a successful business.
Loyalty. Respect. The attributes we earn through our actions. The service we offer.the care we take.
Mike B2MR

Hairdressing. The service Industry it's strains and demands

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR.

Salon service. The creative skills and talents that motivate and challenges us can also expose weakness and challenges of trying to offer and sustain the highest levels of service possible to an ever more demanding public can have a toll on us all owner's and stylist's.

What can we do to address these issues. Should we take the time to honestly address them?

sharing thoughts idea's

Lack of. Communication. Harboured resentments. Not feeling appreciated. Work place frustration.

The are all feelings we can all have at some time in our professional career and indeed personal life.

These are issues that can be very destructive if not honestly addressed by both salon owners managers and stylist's. It can erode team spirit. Contribute to ill feeling be the cause of self esteem issues. These are the things that if not addressed can reflect in ones personal and work life. In the long term it will effect the quality of the work you produce.

What are they? Fear and Ego. Ego feeds and protects fear causes resentment, it really is unhealthy and very destructive. You may not be aware of this but it can cause issue with owners managers staff mates and interaction with clients! Yikes.
We have to all us honestly take a look at these issues learn a little humility. A pill that is not always easy to swallow.

Dealing with it takes honesty and strength.  Reaching out asking for help and support from others takes even greater strength.
Changes and improvements can be made if all concerned are committed to change and addressing issues openly.

It is my opinion that these two flaw's are the biggest danger to personal and so your salon growth.

If your prepared to do the work by reaching out and being honest, Then take a look at the list below take a long hard look then put pen to paper!  It's an honest self, looking inward getting to the bottom of
Who we are. What we do. Why we do it.

1.  Know what happened to us.

2.  Know how we felt as it happened.

3.  Understand the legacy of those experiences:  The ghosts, the monsters and the demons.

4  Come to understand what it is that we want now.

5.  Finally answer the question:  Do I have or we have. The courage to do what is necessary to make it all work? Make it improve.

No rush. It's a journey but getting past the demons of Fear and Ego. Will I promise help you become. A better person. A better stylist, more content, with the healthy degree of humility and understanding. 

Why did? How did this topic come up?  

Firstly it dawned on me that . We share thoughts and topic's on many aspects of our profession. But how often do we take the time with.  Staff. Team mates . Employee's. Owners all to just honestly sit down and communicate. How we feel. What are our fears goals aspirations?

Have I had these feeling? Yes. It takes honesty time reflection communication and honesty.To think about. What we want. Who we are. It takes being prepared to take responsibility for. Who we are .What we do. Learning to live with the consequences of our actions. Considering how. What we do and say can and will impact others.

Mike B2MR