As the old adage goes, “You have one chance to make a good first impression.” And when a potential client walks into your salon for the first time, their first impression is the lynchpin on whether or not they become a loyal customer. Would you rather them see a floor strewn with hair, sloppy stylists and messy work stations, or a salon that sparkles with professional-looking stylists? Not only is a dirty salon a hazard to acquiring new clients, it’s a hazard to the retention of your current clients.

Put Your Salon’s Best Face Forward
Your salon’s appearance is the very first thing a client sees. If you have faded or peeling paint, give everything a fresh coat; a color theme running throughout the salon is very appealing and eye pleasing. Keep your fixtures updated and working; if something is broken, have it fixed it immediately. Make sure the salon is well-lit and bright. Consider featuring local artists each month to keep your salon’s art fresh and unique. (more…)

(originally published August 2010)

Did you know that salon hair-care products make up a substantial one-third of the hair-care market,  comprising $2.8 billion in sales in 2006? According to the 2008 report “Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability,” commissioned by the Professional Beauty Association, an additional $300 million in growth in salon-based products is projected by 2012.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest threats to this potential growth is the continued rise of mass retailers that lure clients by providing easy access and often-false promises of lower prices. Often, the clients do not understand that buying professional products directly from the salon is the only way to ensure product quality and access to the expert advice of the salon professional.

Professional Beauty Association’s (PBA) report refers to retail as an important profit driver for salons, as it can contribute most directly to overall profitability. Without the marketing and advertising budgets afforded to mass retailers, stylists in many salons must take on the role of several job positions: marketer, salesperson, educator and product expert. When salons educate and empower their stylists to fully embrace each of these roles, it not only helps ensure the success of the salon and stylist, it derails longtime industry myths about selling. These myths are what keep salon retailing from being the profit driver it can and should be. Here are several things to keep in mind when encouraging your team to beef up sales efforts and educate customers on the value of purchasing products directly from your salon, not the drug store down the street. (more…)

(originally published August 2010)

Dear Fellow PBA | NCA Members,

While many of you may have already unpacked and recovered from the excitement of PBA Beauty Week, this summer’s hottest beauty networking event, I’m sure there are many of you out there who haven’t even touched that tote bag filled with all those new business cards you collected during the event. And to you I say unpack already! That contact info is a potential gold mine you’re just letting gather dust in some corner.

In our industry, connecting with other members and being involved in the latest industry trends is vital. Partnerships are made, ideas are shared and a community is built. Considering how easy it is to get online nowadays, there’s almost no excuse not to be part of all the conversations that are taking place. (more…)

(originally published 7/27/2010)

Beauty bloggers across the Internet have been predicting for months what hot new trends will be hitting salons and runways this fall. Here are just a few of the upcoming trends that have been burning up their blogs.

What’s Hot In…

HAIR

Knots and buns are some of the most popular hairstyles for fall 2010. From gravity-defying severe top knots to loose and casual buns, these hairstyles have hundreds of different variations and can go from everyday casual to a glamorous night out.

•For a messy top knot, volume is key. Back comb and apply hair spray generously to create texture. fasten it into a high ponytail. Then, sweep it around and fasten with bobby pins. Hair should appear loose and resemble a birds nest.

•To achieve a sleek and sexy top knot, neatly brush hair up, slicking it with gel. Twist the hair into a tight knot and secure with bobby pins.

•For a look that’s a bit more refined than a messy top knot but not quite as severe as the sleek knot, try a textured look. Instead of volumizing all the hair, gather many small hair sections at the top of the head to create an appearance of a textured top knot. (more…)