Trending

the new normal is change

By AHLC Staff 2020 changed everything -- the way we interact with each other, the way we shop, the way we do business. It’s changed the way we order our supplies, interact with our clients and market our businesses.

From the front of our studios to the back door, 2021 is bringing new trends to just about every aspect of the industry. We take a look at some of the emerging trends, starting with studios.

Rethinking That Space

For some, gone are the piles of beauty magazines set out for perusal. Gone too are the plush waiting rooms with coffee and wine service.

Many of us saw the benefits of converting or upcycling the way we use our reception areas or waiting rooms. And even the way we wait for appointments. The “waiting room” is now the comfort, and privacy, of the front seat of our cars! This frees up space for a variety of uses.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas associate professor and environmental psychologist Dan Kopec suggests waiting areas be reconfigured into “pods” that are more like small rooms within a large waiting area.

In the online publication Managed Healthcare Executive, Kopec says an alternative to pods would be walls at least 7 feet high to prevent the spread of any virus and provide privacy.

Maximizing Small Spaces

Flora Fuentes, owner of Unique Hair Concepts in Ardsley, New York, said her suburban location outside of New York City requires creative use of his space.

“For the most part, New York commercial spaces are small so we utilize every square footage of our space,” she said. “My waiting area was always an intimate setting. We removed decorative pillows, magazines and closed our coffee station.

“Following the guidelines, only guests with scheduled appointments were allowed into the center. No additional family members, companions, or friends unless it was a client under the age of 18 or a guest who had to be accompanied by a care provider were permitted in the consultation room or the treatment room. They were welcome to wait in the waiting area or some would wait in the comfort of their car in the parking lot,” Fuentes said.

“Truthfully, my stylists felt less stress having to cater to different opinions in the treatment room and focus solely on the client. Most importantly, we all felt safer. We decided that this continues with our mission to provide a warm, safe, and private environment for our guests and our team. I do not foresee changing this approach as restrictions start to lift.”

New Space, New Design

Lisa Ferestad of Cura Hair Solutions in Atlanta said a new home for her business gave her the opportunity to rethink traditional salon design.

“We recently purchased a new space for our center and have decided to eliminate the waiting area or traditional lobby in our design,” she said. “We will continue the COVID protocols of having our clients call or text when they arrive. This maintains privacy for our clients and maximizes our revenue-generating opportunities in our studio.

Staying Aware

While the physical layout of a salon is one thing, Susan Kettering, owner of HRI Of Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, says timing is everything.

“We created a policy years ago that we always leave a 10-minute space between clients,” she said. “It helps if my client runs late or needs to tweak their hair or for a small repair or to discuss new hair. The main reason above all is client confidentiality. We have clients who are in the same business circle and we stay very alert to who’s coming and going. But it gives us time to disinfect our rooms and bring the client in as soon as they walk in the door. Saturdays and holidays are a bit harder to control but we do our best.”