I’m not sure what’s happening these last couple weeks, but salon spas are dropping like flies.
Two weeks ago I found out one respected “go-getter” was closing her place and going solo… tired of dealing with her therapists.
Another 3 places emailed (I’ve never heard of them before, they just reached out a little “too late”) saying they were closing their doors due to staff expenses and wondering what to do (really? at this point?)
Someone else who’s been unsure what to do for years now is finally taking steps in the right direction, but is doubting her decision and wondering if she should give into booth renters demands (who’s salon spa is it anyway!?). They want dirt cheap rent AND clients/marketing at no cost (we just went over this at during our monthly mastermind call).
Another Salon Spa (& medspa) called looking for a way to finally pay themselves since they’re LOSING over a GRAND per month and have invested not only 3 years of effort, but also a few hundred grand… all because of overpaying stylists & therapists.
One poor owner even called frantically wanting help since her staff were poisoned against her during continuing education classes no less, causing a walkout. She was in tears (and near causing them in me too!).
Don’t continue on like this.
Email me if you find yourself in a similar situation, because we can chat about solutions for you.
…and staff have a right to be angry too I must say.
Where money once freely flowed, now prices are down, clients are down, they’re having a hard time dealing with it all (same as realtors, or salon spa owners for that matter!).
They need (as clients do) CONFIDENCE in the strength of our business.
They need PRAISE for their efforts.
They need OPPORTUNITY to grow (progress is the key to happiness).
They need to feel part of something LARGER than themselves…
…and if we can’t deliver that. If we feel our pay is “unfair” since it’s (much) less than 50%, we fail them via our self-confidence.
I KNOW it’s unfair for an owner to work for little or nothing, so feel a split of NET profit is Very fair, so our pay plan (hourly) is a great deal and a wonderful hourly paycheck (and no where near 50% in case your wondering).
We need to also be more than just strong & confident in our compensation systems. We also need to empower our staff. Show them the vision, the reason we do what we do. What our goals are, how we are here to not only have a profitable business, but to better peoples lives…
help them have better lives…
(Zhenya just went skydiving with one of our staff members)
YOU are a leader.
You’re a leader within, to yourself, to your staff, to your business… to your town.
So what now?
Educate yourself, converse with other owners online, step up and live the dream, because you deserve to lead the life you’re destined for.
“Who loves ya?”
-Christopher & Zhenya
P.S. Post a comment below and let me know what you enjoy best about being an owner because I’d love to hear your thoughts.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for all the in sites about your ideas about the salon and spa industry it is a whilewind of life this hair world it’s magical and wonderful to be in it my sister will be joining me in my salon soon we haven’t lived in the same town since we were 18 years old we are now in are 39ish age we have some great ideas what to do in our salon to make it work for the times and make the money we desire lots off clientele so we have lots to work with hope all those salon owners are as lucky as I am bonjour Kathleen withrow
I’m Marlene the owner that called Tuesday last week after a wonderful weekend with my hubby at the beach. (First weekend in four years I might add) “Frantically wanting help since her staff were poisoned against her during continuing education classes no less, causing a walkout. She was in tears (and near causing them in me too!).” Frantically”?……..Nah, I was ready to KILL! (Hair Matters-was the CEU class) I spent countless hours away from my family, just to teach these people how to cut a straight line with a haircut, apply foils w/color, apply color for that matter.
Now, after a few days of busting my ass trying to get their appointments in as well as mine. (Good tip money they missed by the way) I have a new esthetician that starts on Tuesday, a new massage therapist that starts Thursday, (the front desk person stayed, he just appreciates having a job) however, now he wants to go to Cosmetology School. LOL…….This morning (Tuesday) I’m picking him up, he’s going to help me run errands, and I am taking him to one of several local Cosmetology schools. Sunday I spent from 3:30am-11:30am on the PBA’s website, downloading contracts. I used them at one time, however not a good thing to discuss in an interview. I have edited about 5-7 and am armed with them on my person! LMAO……. I will begin with Daniel today, explaining the contracts one by one. If I put this much into someone that has no or little experience in our industry, they will sign or be on their own.
I must say, the bright side now that Saturday is over. I can take care of the other appointments, with no problem. Payroll was down! Sales were up! The part-timer that has 10 years experience is staying with our spa. I have kept expenses down; so I can support the spa on my income. Help ads are running, so things are pretty much under control for now.
Christopher I must say was GREAT! He didn’t pretend he new exactly what to do, he let me scream, and together we started throwing ideas around. The next morning when I woke and checked my email, Christopher was there with another idea. LOL Thank you Christopher! I’ll have a video soon to send you……
Last thing, when you hire people that don’t know anything about our beauty industry, spend your experience, time and money on advertising. This is worth something! Their should be a certain level of trust and loyalty. These contracts cover that. If anyone needs a copy of these contracts, email me at:
“Marlenegrant@aol.com”
From armed and ready!
I have a girl right now wanting to quiet because she feels she should getting fourty five percent of her totals. She is now getting about thirty eight percent due to a service fee I started about seven years ago Thank God. I am tired of people complaining about the service fee . What do I do.
What do I enjoy best about being an owner? At this time, believe it or not I do remember. I enjoy teaching the new-bees about our industry. Showing technicians the little things that make people look and feel better, and why it’s so important to the clients we serve! Teaching the Communication skills that you must have with your clients, then showing how these are the same communications skills you need at home to relate to your child or husband. I love watching the change in a technician when the light bulb comes on. I love watching the technicians grow………. Marlene
You’re outstanding Marlene, way to go!
-Christopher
PS We have contracts on our site too in the download area, but what really matters isn’t what’s on paper (although it helps) but is in your relationship with them, which you seem to be well on your way to mastering
Hello- I’am new to your wesite,and my business partner and I have been looking for some additional help running our business.It has been 2yrs this past April since we took over ownership of Salon Soto,and devided it into to seperate business.Soto Loft-an hair and nail salon,and Soto Signature Spa-an advanced skincare and body treatment center.Both sharring on roof,and working together.l’am partowner of the spa.We all work well together,we keep the same polices/proc. for employees,share the cost of promotion materials,and advertizing.Most of our problems are do to our srong-will,and not having the time to always to communicate-even thoe we meet regulary.Where we try to tast out what will be going on.We are all sevice providers and one of us always feels they’re taking on the brunt of the work,fails to see what the other(s) are doing,and when they feel they’ve taken on too much is frustrated with the other(s).Since taking ownership we’ve wondered about other compensation plans,leadership,employee meetings vs. one-on-ones,employee service charges,employee discount services,increasing clients,and of course making $$$ vs. spending all that is profit. Need sugestions,How can you help? Leah
LEAH, you can get answers to a lot of these questions online at http://www.salonspaowner.com, try it out at http://www.TrySSO.com
SUSAN: She’s getting 38% and wants to quit because she wants 45%? Let her go! (and switch FROM % pay, it causes too many problems).
Hi Marlene,
I would love a copy of your contracts!
HI Marlene I too would like a copy of your contracts. How do I get my techs to realize that hourly is better all around? What do I say, how do I begin the conversation?
This site IS good because I have felt all alone. In a rowboat with out oars!No one knows exactly how a spa owner feels but another one. I use to be able to make really good money, but lately there are weeks that I can’t afford to pay myself!! I’v had my own business for 13yrs I have seen many of my clients leave…it sucks. I already sent out an anonymous questionnaire. One for the clients that have left and those who have stayed. The answer was always ” it financially challenging now” I too tried the living social,I don;t know why but those who purchased them lived an hour away!?!? We were smart with our product(back-bar) and sold a lot of series deals we offer clients(pay for 5 get the 6th free). still things are like pulling healthy teeth!! sorry for rambling. Jillian