I think you all will agree that salon owners are facing many business challenges: rising business costs, high turnover, commission and price wars and finding good help, just to name a few. A tough and uncertain economy also compounds obstacles.
There are many other reasons why salons struggle and many more fail, but here are a few tips that will help keep your salon in business.
1. Learn Business Management Skills
Unfortunately many salon owners fail to learn the business aspect of salon ownership and attempt to grow their business by trial and error. Far too many salon owners are in denial and won’t seek help because it requires effort. Owning a salon is a business and should be run like one.
2. Make the Time
Most owners work behind the chair and lack the time to manage their business properly. The key to more time is organization, setting goals, and structure. Attending a time management class will also be beneficial.
3. Prevent Staff Turnover
Many owners fail to identify and prevent the causes of turnover. You can start by creating conditions that foster loyalty.
4. Create Unity with Other Salons
As salon owners, we need to join together and address the many challenges and obstacles to our business and ask why we are not addressing these challenges as salon owners?
5. Work on Leadership Skills
If you can’t manage yourself, how can you expect to manage your team? Excellence starts at the top. Your challenge is to develop a championship team that shares your goals and vision.
6. Avoid Denial
Many salon owners prefer to stay in their comfort zone and accept mediocrity because it requires very little effort. A successful salon requires a lot of hard work and knowledge.
7. Create a Staff Development Program
The inability to hire the right team that shares your vision and goals is one of the leading causes of salon failure.
8. Be Aware of Rising Business Costs
The inability to budget and control rising business costs is a major factor in salon failure. The easiest way to improve profits is to cut overhead. Review your profit and loss statement. Numbers don’t lie. Many economists predict that it will take another three years to overcome the rough economy, but in spite of these obstacles, I truly believe that those of you who are well informed and develop strong business skills will prosper. Adversity always presents fantastic opportunities.
Published with permission from Jon Gonzales. Gonzales is a business consultant, trainer & speaker to salon owners and hairdressers. Visit his blog for more free business tips: https://hcds4you.com
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