The first is Hair Designer and Educator, Denise Michelle – she just wrapped up her Mentorship 2011 seminar and we haven’t spoken in months, but just her passion and dedication to follow her calling to educate Beauty Professionals and make this industry better and more professional inspires me on my journey!

The second is author, Geneen Roth  (of ‘Women Food and God’ fame).   I’ve been reading ‘Lost and Found’ her latest book about the connection of food and money.  Her writing style just invites you in and her insights about how we relate (or often don’t relate) to money are just profound – and really on target.  I’ve never met her, but through her expressing her gifts, I feel like I know her.  And probably more importantly, feel inspired and moved by her message.

The third is minister/teacher, Joyce Meyer.  I turned on her TV program half way through and I still got a word of encouragement and inspiration.  And with God, she does it day after day, week after week and year after year.  That is an inspiration!  And I am grateful.

So I ask again, who’s inspiring you?  Look around.  It may be a co-worker, a longtime friend, someone you’ve never met or a TV personality.  Allow them to open what’s in your heart to be able to share it with others!

Blessings for a wonderful day,

Miki Wright

www.BeautySuperStars.com

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

www.BeautySuperStars.com

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!

via You keep asking me….

If you’re wanting or needing more clients, you’re not alone!  Lots of folks are asking the very same thing!  Please click to read!

Hope you’re having a spectacular holiday weekend and wishing you an outstanding second half of this year!  Today is the first day of the rest of your year!  Let’s get busy!

Keep reaching for the ‘Stars,

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach

www.BeautySuperStars.com

P.S.  If you’re not already getting our e-Newsletter, please get your complementary subscription at http://beautysuperstars.com/freenewsletter.aspx

I’m usually a little more diplomatic, but sometimes you just need someone to be in your face!  My dad passed away at just age 41 from heart disease!  Tomorrow belongs to those who choose to make a change.  We are truly facing a Health and Obesity Crisis!  What are we waiting for?  We can make a difference!

While these diseases can be devastating, they don’t just show up out of the blue! 

They are a result of the lifestyle choices we make each and every day!   And despite our best efforts and intentions, sometimes we (and our clients) need a little support to help us stay on track! 

If you have any clients who complain about being:

Overweight

On medications

Have thinning or balding hair

Are overworked and stressed out

Wondering how they’re gonna send the kids to college, or pay for private school

Concerned that their job may not be there

Or that their 401K has shriveled to a ‘101K’

Worried over $ or just not living their dream life!

Now you have a way to help them lose weight and better take care of their health and put some extra money in your pocket (and theirs)! 

I’m launching the “Fit and Fabulous” Challenge and I’m looking for 5 progressive Stylists or Salons who are sick and tired of being sick and tired, want to make a difference and want to make some money, to join me in ‘pre-launch’!  If this sounds like you, please listen to this call replay ASAP! 

 Here’s the link to download it http://tinyurl.com/2d5vttv or if you prefer, you can listen to the Replay Line – it’s available 24/7!  1-218-936-7995, code 751295

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach

www.BeautySuperStars.com 

P.S.  As a special bonus for the first 5 to join me in my quest, I’ll send you a ‘Becoming a 6 Figure Stylist – Starter Pack’ which includes 3 CD’s and a copy of my most popular book, “Get More Clients, Make More Money, FAST!” for FREE!  ($99 value)

P.S.S.  I believe ‘Stylists can change the World!’  Let’s get busy and do it!

Are you prepared??

Have you even thought about it? If you’re in your 20’s, it’s probably hard to imagine what in the world you could possibly be doing 20 years from now or that life could ever be different than it is today!  But if you’re in your 40’s plus, you may be feeling a bit concerned (or maybe ready to stop reading right now J)!  You may be thinking, ‘I’ll probably want to slow things down’ or ‘Will I be prepared to retire, if I choose?’

If you’re like many Stylists and other Beauty Pros, because so many of us are Self-employed, there is no company 401K plan! If you’ve set up an account on your own, chances are, it’s still pretty small.  Even if you were depending on your spouse’s retirement or had done a great job planning to retire in style, or maybe you invested in real estate instead of the volatile stock market, with the recent economic upheaval, you still may not be prepared!  Is there anyone out there that thinks Social Security will be able to take care of us?

So what will you do??

If you’re ready to explore some options that can put some money in your pocket right now (to help you catch up bills, put Johnny in private school, etc.) or give you the option (and income) to explore other careers and design a ‘retirement’ in style (way before 2030), if you want…

Please plan to join me this Monday at 8:30pm ET!  It’s absolutely FREE!

All you have to do is register at www.5ways.eventbrite.com and we’ll explore “5 Ways to Empower Yourself, Your Clients and Your Bank Account”

P.S. Please help me spread the word, there are a lot of Stylists this will be a Blessing for!

P.S.S. If you want additional financial information that’s designed just for Stylists  – planning for taxes, investment options, raising your credit score, homeownership (and avoiding foreclosure), health insurance and more – check out my book “Seeds for the Future” – in hard copy ($24.95+ s&h – reg. $29.95) or an e-book ($19.95) at http://beautysuperstars.com/thesuperstarstore.aspx!

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach

www.BeautySuperStars.com

The first is a friend of mine, who has the cutest message.  It says something like, ‘If you’re a client and you’ve finally realized that you are not a Stylist, put down the flat iron, back away from the counter and make your appointment right away!’  It’s really cute and every time I hear it, I laugh – and I almost want to make an appointment (even though I am a Stylist!).  It sounds like, when you do get in for that appointment you are going to have fun and learn some tips for taking care of your hair.

The second one that stood out had my favorite bible passage on it.  The 27th Psalm, ”The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”  I feel lifted every time I see or hear that, though some who may not have the same beliefs may feel uncomfortable.    If you decide to include bible verses, it needs to be in keeping with your personal brand, which for that technician, it is.  She’s such a powerful presence that you feel uplifted and motivated by being around her – but if you’ve never met her, and only hear the voicemail, you may not know that.

The third one came from someone who shared that they were in need of building or re-building clientele after relocating.  When I returned the call, all I got was VERY loud music with no message (while it finds the person)!  It may have been house or reggae – something that said ‘I’m ready to party’ versus ‘I’m ready to do business’ or ‘be of service to anyone that may call’!  In short, it didn’t make a very professional impression.   And I’m not sure if that technician had given their voicemail any serious thought, especially that it could be keeping people (especially new people) from leaving a message or making an appointment because they’re not sure what kind of experience they’ll have.

It’s always the details that make the difference and we need to make sure that all of the details are consistent with who we are and how we want to be perceived.  “What are you saying, when you’re NOT there?”  Let me know your thoughts and have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach

www.BeautySuperStars.com

Saturday night I had the pleasure of joining a ‘Ladie’s Night’ at Nirvana Salon and Spa, here in Richmond VA.  (It’s a great place to host a small event! www.nirvanava.com )  And Senior Stylist, Maurice totally transformed one of the ladies with a fabulous new haircut that didn’t take a lot of her length, but gave her a really updated look with lots of bounce and movement.  Though she already had a Stylist, she went from a dated hairstyle to looking fun, fresh and professional.  She absolutely loved her hair, Maurice and her salon experience and immediately booked her next appointment (to get color done)!  

Stand out from the crowd in 2010! Learn from the best!

In the midst of weighing pros and cons and contacting some my trusted advisors, I remembered a speech that I heard the, then Attorney General, Janet Reno, who was the keynote speaker at my sister’s college graduation.  Reno, while she was one of the most popular Attn. Generals, much of her time in office was mired with ‘controversial’ decisions including the David Karesh/Waco, TX compound storming and the decision to remove a 6 year old boy from a relative’s home in Miami by Federal Agents.   What she shared at the graduation was heartfelt and expressed with the benefit of hindsight, and is in reality, is all that we can do.   As best I remember…

1.  We have to be prepared to assess the information that we have at the time (remember, hindsight is 20/20)

2.  and from there, look at possible ramifications of the choices before us,

3.  While assessing from your head, listen to your heart (it’s very intuitive)

4.   and be prepared to take responsibility for the outcomes (many of which we may not be able to predict)! 

That’s what I had to with my decision… take the current weather forecast, make a decision that was timely for the hotel, the attendees, vendors, and Presenters.  Know that if there is a ‘big storm’ (like last weekend) that the airports will be closed and highways treacherous and dangerous and we wouldn’t be sharing the ‘techniques and success secrets’ with many, if any people.  Pray and trust that there is a much grander plan in store!

Thank God, I didn’t have the entire future of the people of the United States in my hands!

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach

www.BeautySuperStars.com

P.S.  I hope you’ll join us for the newly rescheduled “Beauty SuperStars Symposium 2010″ on Sun. – Tues. April 11-13, 2010 where we will have some of the top Educators in the country sharing the techniques and ‘success secrets’ to help you have your best year ever!  www.BeautySymposium.com

Our theme for this year is “Stand out from the Crowd”, what are you doing that will have clients passing up other salons to come to you?

Keep What Has Been Working

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.  Keep doing what has been working in the past.  You may be able to make a few minor adjustments to make those marketing tactics even better.

Test a Different Marketing Approach 

If every year you decide to do the exact same marketing, you will never really know if other types of marketing are more successful.  Marketing tactics have changed drastically compared to years ago.  Don’t be afraid to try different things.  Even if your marketing budget is small, do the research, understand where your target market is communicating, and find a new way to reach out to them.

Monitor, Analyze, Adjust…Repeat

In any marketing campaign it is important to be able to measure its success.  Everything is trackable! Once you have a significant amount of data, it is important to analyze it by seeing which campaigns were more successful.  If certain marketing programs are generating more business and a better ROI, start allocating more budget towards those campaigns.  For the campaigns that did not return a positive ROI, you could try tweaking things. Sometimes a simple tweak can bring back a big return!

Miki Wright, Salon Business Coach

www.BeautySuperStars.com

Don’t miss our “Terrific Tuesday” 2-Day Ticket Sale!  In honor of tomorrow’s date – 2/2/2010, our tickets are $222.10 (save $75)!!!  www.BeautySymposium.com

 The Beauty SuperStars Symposium is in 2 weeks!

Visit www.BeautySymposium.eventbrite.com and sign up TODAY!  (Register online or call 804-378-0144)

Be sure to check the  Symposium Schedule at BeautySuperStars.com

Have lunch on us!  www.emaillunch.eventbrite.com  Use Code BSSNEWS and it’s FREE!