The Stylist’s Toolbox.com

I found this article on Newsday.com last week. It’s about how bakeries are having to evolve to stay afloat during the recession, but I saw some interesting parallels with the salon industry.  

Over the past several years, retail bakers both on Long Island and across the country have realized that they have to couple their passion for their traditional craft with an adeptness for business to survive and thrive.

“Before, you were successful and you just put the money in your pocket,” said Thomas Reinwald, a recent college grad who hails from a Huntington family of bakers. ”Now that the margins are getting smaller, you have to look at all the different aspects of your business. A lot of business owners see themselves as bakers first, but really you have to see yourself as a business owner first.”

Everyone’s business could use a tune-up every now and again, just to make sure that you are running as tight and lean as possible.

Even if the recession hasn’t ravaged your business like pre-schoolers in a candy store, it’s good idea to take stock and see where you can cut costs, save time, improve your income and add to your clientele.

Here are 5 easy tips that can make a huge difference in your bottom line. Implement one of them and you’ll see a bump in your income. Do all five and you’ll forget all about the recession.

1. Measure your haircolor.

I know that you can absolutely spot-on eyeball the correct amount of color and developer just by pouring it into the bowl, but humor me for a minute.

Any extra developer you are pouring into the bowl is sucking money out of your pocket. Why not spend a week measuring it with a scale, just to see how close you are? 

And if you really want an eye-opener, get an empty milk jug and for a week, dump all of your leftover haircolor into it. Whatever is in the jug at the end of the week is your weekly wasted color.

Now,  imagine the amount of color in the jug times 52. That’s how much color you are pouring down the drain every year. (How much is that per application? Between $3 and $8, depending on the color line.) Scary.

Bet you could have bought some wicked shoes with that money.

2.   Take advantage of a color tradeout program.

Manufactuers are always trying to convince you that you should tradeout all of your beloved color for some color line that you’ve never tried and probably don’t know anything about. And because of those two factors; many, many dollars of FREE color go unredeemed every year.

Consider this. I know that you have a bunch of junky color lying around somewhere (in your basement, the truck of your car, your closet – it’s somewhere). Tubes of level 1 color, discontinued shades, the tubes of Ronald McDonald red you stocked up on for that one client just before she moved out of state, maybe even remnants of color lines gone by.  Stuff you don’t need and aren’t going to use anytime soon.  Why not put them to good use?

 To take advantage of a color tradeout program, you don’t have to trade away the beloved standby color that you know and love.

Trade the junky stuff for something new and use it to grow your business. Maybe get a new semi-permanent line and start doing color glossings. Get some new hilift color and run a promotion on highlights. Fall will be here soon – why not promote lowlights?

By trading in your junk color, you are essentially getting free color in return for something you had just lying around. Find a fabulous way to use it to make some money! 

3. Contact your MIA clients

Because times are tight, a few of your clients may have had to leave you in favor of less expensive services. Some may even be coloring their own hair (AUGGGHHH!!!!)

It’s not your fault – people are just feeling a little pinched. But as the economy improves, why not get in touch with some of those MIA clients and see if you can get them back in your chair? 

Write them a note, telling them that you miss seeing them and offer them a great deal to come back – like half off their service.

Getting people back that you already have a relationship with is way easier that finding new bodies. Every client is worth between $200 and $1000 per year, so giving up a little bit now to get them back into the rotation will really pay off.

4. Get ready for fall

Fall is almost here and your clients are already thinking about cutting off their sun-damaged summer hair and going darker. It’s time for you to be thinking about it, too.

Spend some time going through the magazines and learn what the new trends for fall are. Cool haircolor and heavy bangs will be hot - make sure that you’re up on the techniques. You may want to put together a book of new looks so you can show your clients how they can incorporate up-to-date style elements into their look.

If you are uncomfortable starting a conversation, write a script about what you are going to say and practice a few times with another stylist, your kids, your cat  or even to yourself in the mirror. When your clients sit down and ask you, “What’s new?” You’ll be prepared with a great answer about how your clients hair should be changing with the season. 

5. Hug your clients.

Are you showing your clients the love? Give them some more of it. This week, hug every client – when they come in, when they leave or, for extra credit – do it both times. Everybody likes hugs and getting a surprise one when you didn’t expect it is a great way to spice up your day.

What’s more, hugging your clients shows them in a cool unspoken sort of way that you really value them and that they mean more to you than just being your “4:00″. They will leave with a smile and you’ll have made a great last impression as they’re headed out the door.   Hugs around!

Good Luck!