Holiday Rush - It's Official

Now more than ever it's so important to deliver a positive salon experience to your clients. During the holidays, clients are harried and hassled with all their planning. Creating an atmosphere of relaxation will benefit them and you. Start with a knockout shampoo massage to set the tone of the visit. Allowing your client to shut off for 30-60 minutes and trust you to create a great look for her is the best gift you can give her.

Suggest services that are quick, but make a big impact.
Highlights and lowlights really enhance a client's cut. You can boost her look and her mood with vibrant color and healthy, shiny hair.

A 15-minute in-salon conditioning treatment nourishes and moisturizes hair. It's also the perfect time for your client to sit back and take a deep breath.

Waxing is like a mini makeover. In just 10 minutes, your client has a fresh look.

Make the season bright for everyone in your salon.
Happy Holidays!

Change your hair... change your life?

In the movie Coco Before Chanel, after Coco moves to Paris a visiting friend comments on her short haircut. He tells her, "You know what they say, 'when a woman cuts her hair, she's about to change her life.'"

Not all salon visits are dramatic, but every salon visit results in a change and that change is important. A great look is visual self-esteem. Your look reflects who you are and impacts how you feel. Clients expect a lot from you, whether it's a trim or a completely new style, they look to you to fulfill their expectations. What will you do to stand above the rest to exceed those expectations and give your clients a superior—and maybe life-changing salon experience?

The 2 Rs of Making Money

Retention and Referrals help you build a client base and make more money.

Retention: Be nice to your clients and they'll come back. Yes, it's that simple. A smile, eye contact or saying "hello" makes a customer feel welcome. Take interest in your client's style by teaching styling tips and helping them choose products. And a "Thanks for coming in. I love doing your hair, " goes a long way.

Referrals: Asking a client to refer you to a friend can feel awkward, but it doesn't need to. Your regular clients should be happy to refer people to you. Just remember, don't ask a first-time client for a referral, you're still developing your stylist/client relationship and they may feel imposed upon. Wait until the third visit to ask a newer client for a referral.

Try the two Rs of building a client base in the next two months and keep track of your progress.

Good luck!

D.C. Hair Show

Michael O'Rourke joined me on stage at this years Supervisors' meeting hair show in Washington D.C. Check out a brief clip from some of the stage show and finale.

Go Home with Your Clients

OK not literally, but you can send your knowledge and the right products home with each client. Back when I was in the salon, we didn't have the product choices we have today. Products are your wardrobe of opportunity—choose the right one to dress your client's individual style.

Clients get frustrated when they can't recreate a great salon style at home, and choosing just one product from a wall of products can be overwhelming. Save your clients from wasted time and money by sending them home with the right products. They'll be happy and they'll look great.

Try it: Suggest a product to every client for the next month. You end up with happy clients and more money in your paycheck.

Supervisors' Trip to D.C.

Michael O'Rourke from the Institute of Courage
joined me and all of our supervisors in Washington D.C.
for a hair show. Check out the video to see pre-show

footage and find out what's crucial to keeping your clients.

Quick peek of our model prep prior to the hair show.