Thinking of opening a new salon & spa? It's not a small feat; it requires energy, resources, and dedication. However, it can also be very rewarding.
Let's take a look at a few common traits of successful salon owners:
Vision
First, what does success mean to you? Your definition may differ from that of your peers. Some may be in it solely for the money, while others may be more concerned with the impact they can make on their clients and the community. Maybe your focus is on maintaining work-life balance for you and your salon team. Whatever your aim is, how do you intend on achieving it?
Create a map to success and continually steer toward it. Don’t take shortcuts or switch strategies because an obstacle gets in the way. Be patient and consider what's best for your salon in the long run. If the ultimate goal seems distant, focus on small wins along the way.
Commitment
From dipping into your savings account to cutting into your social life, you will need to make sacrifices, especially during the early stages. If you want to succeed, you need to be willing to put in the work to achieve it.
Even once you’re established, you will need to demonstrate a strong work ethic and set an example for your salon team. By seeing you go the extra mile, your employees will learn to do the same.
Motivation
What drives your staff? Each of your hair stylists, nail technicians, and estheticians – everyone on your team – is motivated differently. To help them be productive, you should learn how to effectively engage them. As a starting point, acknowledge good behaviors, reward achievements, and appreciate positive contributions.
Delegation
It can be difficult to give up control, however, the reality is, it's nearly impossible to succeed when you try to do everything on your own. Instead, surround yourself with a team that you can trust. Find employees who compliment you – whose strengths and skills lie in areas where you may be lacking.
By getting your staff more involved, you are empowering them to make meaningful contributions and allowing them to truly become a part of the salon team, which will help your employee retention efforts.
Related Reading: Improve Your Salon Staff Recruitment & Retention
Coaching
Each stylist has a distinct personality, a unique skill set, and a different way to connect with clients. Capitalize on these differences in your salon team while also pushing each individual to grow.
Whether it's based on behaviors you observed or from comments made by clients, successful salon owners need to provide feedback to team members and set targets for them to achieve. Help each employee to develop their techniques, to learn new skills, and to better serve clients. You don’t need to demand perfection, but instead, foster a culture of accountability and growth.
Download a free performance review template.
Communication
To manage employees effectively, clear communication is vital. Set aside time to conduct a regular team meeting to pass essential information directly to staff. Don't rely on posting notices in the break room or on employees relaying details to each other. When introducing any significant changes, explain your decision-making process. They don't need to agree with it, but they should understand why you made the decision and that their perspectives were considered.
Similarly, it's important to keep clients in the loop as well. For example, notify clients prior to raising prices and explain the reasons (e.g. rising costs, gained experience).
Organization
From managing your time to storing client records and tracking inventory, organization is a key for success. It allows you to juggle priorities and quickly jump between tasks without wasting time to sort through the clutter to find relevant information. Get more done, in less time.
Self-Awareness
Admit that you don't know everything and be willing to seek or ask for help. Find mentors, websites, blogs, or other resources that will help you grow as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry.
By showing transparency, employees will also find you more approachable and be more likely to ask for guidance or to offer suggestions.
As the salon owner or manager, remember that you set the tone for the entire organization. The culture forms around you. Whether it’s your stylists or your front desk staff, your employees will take note of your behavior and follow your example.
