What You're Not Learning, and It's Right In Front of You!
What You're Not Learning, and It's Right In Front of You!
OPEN YOUR EARS and see it! (nope, not a typo)
The Dilemma Is Real…and you’re refusing to acknowledge it!! WHY?
There are four of us in the beauty industry doing coaching or consulting. We’re all saying the same thing as this blog does. Which, by the way, is taken from extension reading of studies and the organizations within the industry, and the Customer Experience industry that are on the forefront of what’s happening in the industry.
If this fits, it’s for you, if you’ve already taken action, good for you.
There is so much compelling info saying what the industry should expect moving forward. There are only 15 states with an increase in personal care! 15! That’s crazy.
Rather than find out what you can do to make changes, you continue to focus on which retail to carry, how much to mark it up to clients, and wonder why they don’t buy it from you (when you sell the same items as Sephora or Ulta do).
You continue to post in Facebook groups for others to diagnose your clients rather than refer them to a dermatologist for fear of losing a client. Again, I’m telling you, make an introduction to several derms in your town. Refer to them. They’re respect you more for it. They in turn will refer their patients to you for acne facials, etc. TRUST ME! The liability of treating a patient is not worth your license.
I see posts from new grads asking “which products should I put on my back bar,” or which facial do you like the best? These are NOT Q’s (questions) for anyone but your clients. You serve them, not someone in a Facebook group who lives in Wyoming. You live in Maryland! Two different clientele. Training as basic as this is missing for those whom we trust with our locks, facial hair, and more importantly, our skin. See what I mean. But that is an entirely different post to write.
You refuse to believe that Client Experience is real. The four of us have tried time and time again to explain, in our own ways, why IT IS THE WAY FORWARD FOR YOU. We’ve got over 100 years of combined education and experience in the industry to draw from. Exactly, what are you waiting for?
For the last several years, I’ve continued to research various cosmetology schools and their curriculums. ALL of them are missing the business component of being a solo practitioner in a salon, barbershop, or even a spa. I asked myself, how will they know HOW to run a business, let alone be successful? In today’s economy, they need to be set up for success at the get-go.
The Educated Consumer & The Gap
Being a curious person, I pay close attention to resources I use to check out a new stylist or salon; their website (most don’t have one), review sites (most don’t ask for them), their social media profiles (most don’t know how to use effectively, or even why they should use it).
There IS such a lack of business education in school for these talented artists.
Today’s Reality
Still no business courses added into the curriculums. I’ve called to get myself added as a guest speaker during a workshop, or for a bring your own lunch meeting only to be told “No",” we can’t veer from the curriculum. This is crazy! Students are paying so much for this specialized skilling and education.
No, a System is NOT a Strategy
I see “coaches” and other consultants on social media telling them to create a system for this or that, create a course (say on how to install extensions), increase your prices, add retail, and oh, I can’t forget my favorite: book yourself perfectly. All in the hopes of cracking the six-figure mark. The average hairstylist makes $34k per year in the US. AND, to top it off, stylists lose roughly $26k per year in no-show, or last-minute cancellations! Stop the madness!
There are many who DO make the six-figures, but they have figured out how to get there by using Crafted STRATEGIES, very specific to them, NOT another system.
I’m telling you, it IS possible to work less, and make MORE $$
I attended three different Zoom events by social media coaches. All were telling these artistic pros about how they needed systems and to join them in their society, group, community, etc. and they’d be on their way to success.
For The Record
Those of you telling the others (who are looking for guidance) that they have to choose between a nurture strategy and an income strategy; you’re so very wrong. I’m here to tell EVERYONE, that an amazing nurture strategy is also your income strategy. They go hand in hand. In fact, you should be doing both, and if you’re not, we need to chat.
Tomorrow and The Future
Lack of education, wrong clients, and unreliable income are all causes of what is now being called “Beauty Pro Burnout.” Prevention consists of finding the root of the issue and crafting a plan that is simple to implement and can be adjusted as needed to meet your goals.
If you’re not a pro and are reading this, during your next visit with your stylist, barber or spa pro, take a minute to ask them how they’re doing both professionally and personally. It’s been a rough couple of years for them. They’ll appreciate you for it. If you feel so bold, tell them I’d love to help them. Not a sales pitch, just let them know there is someone who cares about them and their success.
This is where Carrie+Co. comes in; crafting client experience strategies and consulting for salon, barbering and spa pros. Our customized business-building workshops and strategic plans, are developed to give you results that curate referrals and loyalty.
Don't forget to check out our FREE “How to WOW Every New Client so much, they tell everyone about you and come back again and again!”