I am now a salon owner. My career in hairdressing began 34 years ago as an assistant & among the 13 salons I’ve worked in. My background is just as diverse as how I got paid. No matter what system it is, salary vs. commission or booth rent, I am familiar with how it works. The starting point for training in our industry is to understand each system so that frustration can be alleviated when discussing the operation of each salon. Commission and Booth rental training have significant differences, and I will focus on how to train a stylist for a booth rental salon.
It has taken me this long to find what makes me the happiest in our industry. I enjoy training new stylists, and with my background and knowledge of our industry, I know how to introduce new stylists and provide them with the basics they’ll need to succeed because, like most salon owners, I am a professional beginner. Always learning- however, the difference is – there are very few of us who have the PATIENCE to teach new stylists.
We must remember that new stylists have been given a licensed to learn. That is all.
In the following few articles, I will help you understand why you need to start from the very beginning with every new stylist. From holding a comb properly to 0 elevation. Hopefully, the following few articles will help you figure these out.
Why finding workers is so hard.
Why retention in salons is so hard
Why is your salon not busy
Lesson One: WHO AM I? AND WHAT DO I NEED IN MY SHOP?
Many salon owners ask me – where do I find people to work for me? Well, exactly what people are ‘they’? Are ‘they’ Beginning stylists you want to mold? Are ‘they’ advanced hair stylists? It would help if you figure out who you want to work in your shop. I suggest you have a clear idea of what type of stylist you’re looking for instead of just any warm body to fill the position. (We will discuss personalities later.) Once you’ve answered that question you can now target a starting point as to where ‘they’ will be.
ARE YOU WORTH WORKING FOR?
Is your salon fun to work in? Will you challenge your stylists with new techniques? Are you apart of your community? Do you offer free hair to models for training? Are you supportive In All areas for stylists?
Are you worth working for? And I’m not talking about your clothes – your lashes – your haircuts that you charge 200 for – ARE YOU worth working for? Are you CAPABLE of having patience? Support? And can you be the damn EXAMPLE? Can you teach a simple perm class? Can you offer a Wig cutting class?
We’ll find out if you are capable of teaching.
Now your first homework is to Write down and figure out WHO YOU ARE –
1.) What does your salon represent to you – your staff- your community?
a.) Your mission? THE WHY ARE YOU GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY!
b.) Your Vision? WHAT DO YOU WANT THE BUSINESS TO BECOME?
c.) Your Goal? What are the 3 to 5 goals you want to accomplish this year? Ex/ Fill the chairs?
If you can get excited about your salon and what you do daily, your passion will become contagious. Be excited ABOUT your salon. Now tell me WHY I should want to work there and HOLD ON TO THAT!
Until the following blurb of hopefulness and guidance, start writing down your thoughts – and let’s move on to help you get your salon rolling! There ARE SO many stylists out there who NEED you!
Stylist for it seems, forever – Salon Owner -Writer – http://www.bookpressed.com owner- Finally passing on my best advice for you starters Heather Lea Ryan
whackedadventures.com 