Whether you’re a booth rental or commission Salon Owner (or Barber Shop Owner), it seems like (almost) everyone is having a challenge with finding and keeping great stylists! There are some very good reasons why! There really is a greater demand for our beauty services (yes, even in a recession) than there are qualified people to service the clients! Another reason is that it seems like the ‘new generation’ doesn’t want to work, and to top it all off once you find someone, it seems like they turn from Dr. Jeckyll into Mr. Hyde – in a matter of weeks!
Well, is there any hope or do you just have to wing it on your own? You’ll be glad to know, yes there is hope! Just about every day I receive requests for Stylists looking for Salons to work in. Some are just out of school, some are moving to new areas and some are just ready for a change of environment, wanting to work somewhere that’s ‘more professional’! And for every one that I hear from, I’m sure there are many more that I don’t hear from! So the question is, how do you find them? And then how do you keep them?
I’ll just run down a few things that I often see as challenges or barriers to getting a great team together.
1) The number 1 thing that I see is that we were trained to cut, color, weave and style hair, no one taught us how to hire, how to find Stylists or Assistants, so it really is very foreign to us!
2) The second thing that I see is that we are not clear on what or whom we want! We have an empty chair, we want it filled!
3) Next, we don’t have a ‘hiring system’ (because no one ever showed us how to do it)! So, we have an empty chair and someone happens to walk in and ask if we’re hiring or if we have a chair available and we scream with joy, ‘Yes! When can you start?”
4) Another challenge is that many times we have a ‘great’ person, but we don’t have enough systems in place, so they get bored and cause trouble – or leave. And you think ‘They changed! They were so nice!’
5) Many of us haven’t defined why they should even want to work with us? Why not just go to the salon down the street? What makes you so special? How will you help them?
6) Do you have a training system? A way they can learn and grow?
7) Do you have written Agreements, so you and they are clear on what to expect?
8) Do you have a way to have them feel ‘part of the team’, even if it’s just you? What and how can they contribute?
By now you’re probably saying “Wow, in addition to styling hair, keeping up with paperwork, keeping the place clean and stocked with products and supplies, you want me to know all this?” It can seem like a lot! That’s why I’m going to offer a 30 day ‘Creating Your Dream Team’ Coaching Program (for Salons and Small Business Owners) that’s designed in 4 easy sessions to get you ready to find (or attract), hire and train your next ‘Dream Team’ members! We’ll meet weekly and you’ll be able to implement and come back and ask questions, share what worked and what’s still a challenge and we’ll give you the tools and training you need to really take your business to the next level!
If you’re interested in more details on this training, please visit http://beautysuperstars.com/DreamTeam.aspx and join us on the next Coaching Program!
To your Success,
Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach
804-378-0144
P.S. Please give this info to any Salon Owner (or Small Business Owner) you know, who’s struggling in this area! There is very little training available on this vital subject, especially from someone who’s been there and done that!
P.S.S. This is the first in a series of Monthly Coaching Programs that are designed to meet the current needs of Stylists, Barbers and Owners, just like you! Please visit www.BeautySuperStars.com often (or join our FREE Newsletter) to get details on our upcoming classes or schedule your own In-Salon Training. In August we will give “10 Ways to Fill Your Chair for Cheap!” Keys to having more clients than you can stand! and in September we’ll offer “Clients for Life!” How to have them asking you to rebook!
