EDITOR’S LETTER

There is so much talk going on at the moment, regarding client cancellations, reschedules and stretching out of appointments, across the industry. You see many posts about it in Facebook groups, and it’s majority of salons.

Many salons feel the flow on effect, 6-8 weeks after shutting the salon and having a break after Christmas and New Year.

My view on shutting down for a week or two, is that it is fine as long as you have a strategy around closing and what that looks like financially for the business long term.

Many salons close and that’s great, but then panic when 6-8 weeks after they were closed, have a downturn in figures as they didn’t have rebooked appointments during that shutdown period, and they stress because it’s quiet.

Add to that, the rollercoaster ride that we are feeling with the economy at the moment, and it all feels a bit daunting…

Here are a few tips around having a successful start to the year and to remain as consistent as possible with turnover and client numbers.

Have a well mapped out marketing strategy for the year and forward plan for your quieter periods, and make sure you align your social media content plan with this.

Consultation is Key! Focus on solving your client’s hair problems, not just doing what they have booked in for. By giving a thorough consultation, and working out a maintenance plan and home hair care plan, you will increase your average client bill, your rebooking rate will be strong, and your clients will walk out happy because you are solving their problems.

Always quote before you start your client, this avoids bill-shock. This allows the client to work within their budget, and if they are quoted beforehand, they then know that they have the extra funds to purchase their home haircare that has been prescribed for them. This also builds trust with your client, as you are guiding them and have transparency.

Take a booking fee for all appointments, and have a solid cancellation policy, and set clear boundaries. If people don’t want to pay a booking fee, then they aren’t serious about showing up.

Morning huddles with your team, are a must! An NRL team does not run out onto the field before a game, without a team huddle ‘pump-up’ first! The coach is always with them in a circle and getting them focused and totally in the zone before the game begins.

Get your team focused, get them pumped for each day, let them know where they are at, and discuss and plan how they are going to reach their goals, and don’t forget to share with them daily how they are tracking.

It is also much easier to find extra money within your business, than trying to get new bums on seats. Focus on looking after the clients that you have, and servicing them correctly. Focus on strengthening and lifting your average client bill.

Remember where focus goes, energy flows!

Now for the contents of this issue… it is certainly jam packed.

We take you inside the Hot Shots House, where we spent a few days with the 2022 Hot Shot Winners. It was a truly fabulous few days in the house, with many guest industry mentors sharing their wise words with the Hot Shots Team, our sponsors coming in and bringing gifts for the team, and lots of fun was had over the few days. You can read all about it, in this issue.

We feature the amazing Tracey Hughes, Carlie Bridle from Adelaide salon ‘The Hair and Body Lab’, and we meet Hot Shot winner Hayley Warner from Oscar & Oscar in Carindale, QLD.

We spend 20 minutes with the very funny Roland Semaarn, and we cross the ditch and feature Luca Hairstyling, New Zealand.

Featuring from the UK is Emy Roccabella, and from Hawaii we get the low-down on Total Coaching Academy’s latest Business Retreat.

With all of this and more, plus not forgetting our business writers and bloggers and marketing experts, who deliver the most amazing advice for our salon owners, I hope you enjoy this issue.

Love to all. Lou x

Louise May, HAIRBIZ EDITOR louise@mochagroup.com.au