Hello 2024, What the Hell have you got in store for us this time?

BY HAYLEY MEARS

Every year has its highs and lows, but 2023 was particularly tough. It came off the back of a number of turbulent years, however, 2023 was the year where many people felt the isolation of their hardships.

While we were all battling our way through the unchartered territory of the pandemic, we at least knew we were all going through something collectively. Everyone was experiencing the crisis, some better than others, but we still navigated the unknown as an industry.

As the cost of living, housing crisis, and rising interest rates have impacted our economic landscape, many businesses have faced their toughest times yet. 2023 will be remembered by many as the year they closed their doors, or for others, it was the year they stepped away from leading a team to go solo and work independently.

What has been predictable, yet also really sad, is how many people have battled through this awful period alone, without looking to the industry community around them for support.

So many salons and businesses struggling, but not comfortable enough to have an open and transparent conversation around it. I get it, there is embarrassment, shame and all the feeling of failure when your once-thriving business is now in complete tatters.

My advice to those people… “It’s not your fault”. Sure, in hindsight, we could have all done things differently, made better choices, and been more prepared for the business downturn. The truth is, there is no crystal ball, so much of what happens around us is a case of circumstances beyond our control.

If we surrender our ego and share what we are going through something amazing happens. We find out that we are not alone. We create a comfortable and safe space for others to feel that they too, can share their hardships without fear of judgement and shame.

In 2023 my business hit its most challenging time ever. From March to June, we saw a huge loss of clients. This was layered by many reasons and circumstances. Salons couldn’t justify outsourcing luxuries like marketing, PR, and branding when their turnover was down. We also never had a contingency in place for an economic downturn. We were ill-prepared, and it meant that it was an absolute scramble to keep our head above water.

Sadly, it also meant that our business had to make cuts - just like our clients had to with us. We completely rebuilt our business and service offering. It needed to be done quickly and effectively for us to survive. There were many many times when I thought, we might not make it through. I need to prepare myself mentally for the fact that my business baby may have come full circle.

If it wasn’t for the incredible support and network of industry friends around me, it would have been a very dark and lonely journey. I may not have had the bandwidth, the grit or determination to rebuild. I had people in my corner - some were going through the same thing and with that knowledge, I knew I had to try everything to get back on top.

Fast forward to September in 2023. I could see a very slow, yet visible increase in our growth. Just like how the downturn was really slow… and then all of a sudden completely rapid, that is how the rise back up has been. Initially steady, but now it’s fluid in the upright direction.

My advice for any business owner going through struggles, changes, and hardships. “YOU ARE NOT ALONE”. Reach out to me. I want to help and it’s not going to cost you anything. Just someone who can share some thoughts and feedback or give you some tools to get you back on track.

I think it’s important to acknowledge and respect that we are all in different stages of our careers and for some people, the cup is totally empty and there is nothing left to pour.

In these cases, the best outcome is to finish up, step away and keep your head held high that this was your journey and in good time the universe will reveal itself and the lesson, followed by the blessing will eventually be revealed.

So, what does 2024 hold? The answer, whatever you want. It all depends on what you have left in the tank. Survival mode can be the fuel that drives and propels you to your greatest success yet.

Listen to your instinct, harness your intuition, and lean on the support of your people.

There are lots of great business support resources out there:

NewAccess for Small Business Owners: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mentalhealth-coaching/newaccess-for-small-business-owners

Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) is a guided self-help mental health coaching program. It’s free, confidential, and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required.

Hayley Mears hayley@sixunderground.net.au