Keeping Your Business in the Game - Beauty Salons and Barbers
Welcome to today’s episode of Keeping Your Business in the Game. While many are focusing on the unfortunate reality that some businesses will not survive the current pandemic, we know several industries will thrive once the Stay at Home orders are lifted. So, we want to prepare them for the boom in business once they can begin servicing customers again.
My last post was tips for restaurants, today I would like to share tips for hairstylists and barbers to manage the high volume of clients trying to schedule an appointment for service.
Tip #1 - Prioritize loyal or existing customers. If they have standing appointments, then block out these days and times on your calendar now. You can begin contacting them to place tentative holds then confirm once Stay At Home orders are lifted. Then you can fill In other slots as requests are received for service.
Tip #2 - Block times for specific services, especially, if you can block full days for easy services. If you’re using an online appointment system with pre-payment features build in, then encourage clients to book online, especially, if they typically are not open to using an online system. Also, you should add a policy for late arrivals and no-shows.
Tip #3 - Take inventory of your products to make sure you have everything you need to handle the immediate rush. Check-in with your suppliers to make sure you can get the products you need for the most popular services you provide. Check your equipment to make sure they are are in tip-top shape.
Tip #4 - Don’t overbook yourself no matter how many pleas you get, even if they include tears. Take breaks to make sure you’re getting some downtime, have a decent meal, and decompressing. Consider hiring students from cosmetology or barber schools to help with shampooing and conditioning clients and keeping your work areas cleans, including sanitizing tools.
If you would like to discuss strategy to help you manage re-opening your business, feel free to contact me.