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The Messy Hairstylist
Whether you are a mess literally OR figuratively we are here to help you take imperfect action to find your success as a hairstylist. Each week we deep dive in to tough topics to address the struggles we face in our industry. We push the boundaries, break the stereotypes and go hard against the "norms" that make us feel inferior.
The Messy Hairstylist
Thriving in Hairdressing After Time Away
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This episode of Messy Hairstylist Podcast explores actionable strategies for stylist success, particularly for those returning after a career break. We discuss essential tools like mindset, visibility, the right salon environment, competitive pricing, networking, and effective client retention methods.
• Importance of mindset and visibility
• Dressing the part to boost confidence
• Choosing a supportive salon environment
• The need for competitive pricing and market research
• Working prime appointment times for maximum client attraction
• Strategies for hard launching your stylist brand
• Utilizing model calls for marketing purposes
• Engaging with local communities and networks
• Building a referral system for client retention
• Networking with other stylists for collaborative growth
Follow Abby on Instagram and TikTok at @theabbywarther
Follow Kelsey on Instagram at @kelseymorrishair
Starting Over in Hairstyling
Speaker 1Welcome to the Messy Hairstylist Podcast .
Speaker 2I'm Kelsey Morris and I'm Abbey Warther . Whether you are a mess , literally or figuratively , we are here to help you take imperfect action to find your success as a hairstylist .
Speaker 1So we absolutely love when you listeners reach out to us and give us ideas for topics . I'm you know . We've been doing this for over a year now and , although the topics are always flowing , it's so fun to hear about what you guys want us to talk about and give us feedback . So we had a really cool one come in the other day . I'm gonna have Abby read it to you because I am so excited about this episode and I think it's gonna be a great one . So , abby , read what we got the question we got .
Speaker 2I will , but I also feel like I need to give credit when credit's due , and we've been doing this for over two years . Two years , yeah , yeah , we've been doing this for two years . Yeah , oh , my gosh , we are so cool , I know . So see , there , it's definitely more than a year .
Speaker 1Okay , I said over a year , so now it's over two years . Over two years . Yes , time flies when you're having fun . You know we started this just because , like Abby and I , like love , so many of the same things , but we're different in so many different ways and we're like , what can we do together ? And like we just did this out of love and fun , like I don't know , it's so amazing .
Speaker 2And we do get new listeners all the time . All the time . The podcast is growing and so many of you send us wonderful DMs and messages on the podcast and it really is what keeps us going Because , again , we make no money doing this . We do this for fun , yeah , listen hashtag sponsor .
Speaker 1If anyone wants to sponsor us , let us know . I promise we're going to be great , but no , for real , though , keep those DMs coming . You guys have no idea what it means when you send us a message . Abby and I will screenshot them and send them to each other and just like made my day . It just really makes us feel like we're doing something and not just filling something for us . That makes us so happy , but that we're actually touching the lives of other people too , who might feel a little bit isolated in this industry . So keep sending them . They really truly make us happy . It's better than any sort of payment we could get , so all right , abby For sure , yes , okay .
Speaker 2So this month Mandy sent us a message on the podcast . She said looking at coming back to the beauty industry after six years working in manufacturing , what are the best ways to start over ? I saw that question . I thought , oh , because Mandy probably feels a little overwhelmed Like , can I even come back into the industry after six years not being in it ? But also with all the stylists that we work with and talk to ? It's a thing . It's not a matter of . It's not always somebody who's gone away for six years . Maybe you've just had a big hit , maybe you are fresh out of school . We have a lot of new stylists out of school that are starting and listening to the podcast . So rebuilding or building from scratch is a big thing that we're hearing a lot in industry , don't you think ?
Speaker 1I mean yeah , Think about we just did that episode on maternity leave and coming back . I mean this applies there too .
Speaker 1There's a lot of times or even just like restructuring a bit Like you might be realizing that the clients that you or what you've been doing isn't serving you anymore and you kind of need to restructure . So I think that this can hit a bunch of different people in different ways . So this is a really exciting one for me . I love anyone who knows and who's been listening to me . One of my favorite things to do is build stylists Not that they can't do it on their own , but I love to be a part of that growth and help them and just teach them some of the things that I've learned throughout my almost 20 years in doing this . Where I went wrong , where I succeeded , it's like here , let me take out some of this guesswork , don't do this , definitely do not do this , but try this .
Speaker 2Learn from my trial and error . That's what .
Speaker 1I always say Learn from my trial and error .
Speaker 2I did that so you don't have to . And that's the other thing too . We do see it a lot because we own salons , with renters coming in and you'd think renters have full books and they don't , and that's okay . And if you get to the right salon , which is part of our topic today , that makes a big difference . So what we did is we put together our ideas and we have different um um kind of focuses on it . But I also want to put this little disclaimer we're coming at this Like you are like Kelsey and Abby I'll do anything , whatever it takes , okay , so so keep that in mind . We are talking about the whatever it takes . Does it mean you have to do all these things ? No , but if you are at that point where you're like sick and tired of being sick and tired , that little saying this is the , it's whatever it takes , if I had to start over for whatever reason , I go all in , absolutely .
Speaker 1I mean , you really talk about it , I really would . You got to get gritty .
Speaker 2You got to get gritty . Got to get gritty , yes , because what's the alternative ?
Speaker 1So let's get into it . Do you want to start ? Yeah , so the first thing when Abby and I were brainstorming this , we were talking really about like taking all the way back to basics and like the first thing is like mindset and visibility right . So like we got to shift our entire mindset and one of the things that I feel like is the most important is to dress the part . So , listen , I'm going to even say that now , right now , after doing this for 20 years yesterday , my kids have been so sick we're all sick . I'm on my second round of antibiotics for strep throat . I walked into the salon yesterday after having to take Monday off because my kids were sick and the girls were like , wow , you look so good .
Speaker 2And I was like oh you looked great .
Speaker 1I'm telling you , I felt like crap , but I put on my cutest outfit , I put on red lips , and anyone who knows if I wear a red lip ? I mean business , I'm business . That day and I went in there like I own the place and I said Well , you do .
Speaker 1A really smart woman , aka Candy Shaw , always says you have to dress how you want to feel . Dress how you want to feel . So I wanted to go in that freaking closet and put on my leggings and my sweatshirt and just go to work and my hair in a ponytail . But I did not want to feel that way . I wanted to feel like the boss I am .
Speaker 1So you guys , we can preach this all day . We all know like , yeah , you should dress nice in our industry . But it really does matter , especially in the beginning , when you are trying to build a client base and you're trying to get people to trust you with their hair . Yes , in the beginning , when you are trying to build a client base and you're trying to get people to trust you with their hair , yes , you're establishing you . You are establishing you and who you are and what you can do . And I mean , I know that this shouldn't matter , but if you were walking into a salon and you see someone who's dressed super nice and like their hair is done and they look good , or the person who just looks like they rolled out of bed , you're going to be disappointed if you get the person who just rolled out of bed over the person who looks super professional .
Speaker 2Yeah , and it doesn't mean they have to be wearing like all black and dressing a style that isn't yours , but maybe your style is jeans and oversized t-shirts . But we all know that can be dressed up for work that can be your style . It doesn't mean you have to wear black pants and a blazer to work .
Speaker 1Show your style , show that you're put together and dress the clients that you want to attract . My nail tech , who started recently , she was like , well , what should I wear ? And I told her I said , sammy , I want you to dress the type of clients you want to attract . That is what you should wear and whatever that looks like to you . So yeah , you're right .
Speaker 2Yes , and so another way that we need to make sure , if we really want to build our books , rebuild , start from scratch , and if you aren't that at this point yet , sometimes you're already at your salon that you're trying to do this , but if you aren't , or maybe you need to reevaluate where you're at , where you work matters .
Speaker 2I work with a lot of stylists that are trying to build , rebuild have gone through a tough time and they are working at a place that is not setting them up for success . The location might not be good . It might be in a very dated salon that has people that have been working there . Now yours in the industry doesn't equal that good . But let's be honest , we all know those salons that have been around for 30 , 40 years that look like they've been around for 30 , 40 years , right .
Speaker 1Or they're doing hair that's been around for 30 or 40 years , that's what I mean .
Speaker 2That's what I mean . Yes , they're doing the same hair , they're still doing perms and that stuff is still out there and those might be the easiest ones to get a chair at , honestly , that you can walk in and get a chair at any one of those . They'll gladly take you . But what we need to do is really look at those salons that in your area . Do your research and look and see what's their website like . Do they have a website presence ? Do they have a social media presence ? Do the other stylists that work there have their own social media and post as well ?
Speaker 2Is there an energy behind that salon that supports growth and education and all those things ? Because if you see that and that makes you excited to find online , other clients are seeing that Right and so then they want to go to that salon . But if you're going to work at a salon that has no presence and no excitement , then clients are not going to find you . You're going to work at a salon that has no presence and no excitement , then clients are not going to find you . You're going to have to work triple hard to build a client .
Speaker 1Totally agree , totally agree , totally agree . I mean , yeah , make it easy on yourself .
Speaker 2I think it's pretty easy .
Speaker 1Get into a good salon , Do a little Google research the Google what's come up on Google .
Speaker 2Yeah Right , that can be intimidating . I know that stylists are like oh , I'd love to work there , but there's no way . Try , Try .
Speaker 1And okay . So the other part of that is like , well , you could probably work for cheaper , and a cheaper I don't want to say cheaper salon and a salon that is easier to get into might be a little bit cheaper . And so you think , well , I can't afford this rent , but in the long term I think it'll pay off , because if you have to work triple as hard to get clients , it pays off . So , yeah , I agree , please just keep that in mind . But that kind of brings us on the next thing , which is to market research on pricing .
Speaker 1This is a huge one , for whenever I bring in new stylists and they're trying to figure out , like well , how do I price my services , and I think it's really important to do a ton of research at all the stylists , all the salons around you Take multiple days and just start looking at their service menu so you know where to price yourself . You don't want to price yourself out of it and you don't want to price yourself too low . You just want to be competitive on your pricing , and that takes a lot of research . Obviously , with more education comes higher pricing . So , but if you're starting all over and you're rebuilding your entire client base , you don't want to price yourself , even if you're like the most educated hairstylist that just took six years off like you got to get back into it . You got to start you're starting over still kind of starting over and you got to get back into the newer trends
Building a Strong Foundation in Hairstyling
Speaker 1.
Speaker 2Yes , we want a hundred percent of a uh , of a low price service , or 0% of a high price service . Like , what do you want to make , right ? Um , yes , and I know that can be hard , because sometimes stylists are like , well , I don't want to work for so cheap , but let's get it started . Once you build up , you can start raising those prices , right ? You know , one of the things that I said earlier was this is like the you're going all out , you're doing whatever it takes . That takes me to the next point is that you have to work the prime appointment times .
Speaker 2You have to I know it's a huge discussion and a huge thing Like I should be able to work the hours that I want and craft my perfect schedule . Yes , that is in your future , but when ? If you want to go all out and do whatever it takes , you got to work when , when is most convenient and prime for clients . And yes , I know that things have shifted , but things are shifting again . More people are having to go back into offices again that nights and weekends are still it .
Speaker 1They really are .
Speaker 2They're still it . I don't care . I even started . We talked about that a couple weeks ago . I started working Thursday nights again , and just because I want to , but there's less than people are available .
Speaker 1So yeah , I just had this conversation with a client last night . I took a full overhaul blonding service at 745 last night .
Speaker 2You know what time I left the salon . I left the salon at 1030 .
Speaker 1Oh my gosh .
Speaker 1Yeah , 1030 . Now I was like dead by the end of the day . I mean , I worked 12 hours yesterday and it was a long day . And I remember my last client . She was a new client and she came in and she thanked me for starting her hair so late and she was like I was just surprised you do late appointments . And I said I love my job and it is important to me that I still give my clients an opportunity to get their hair done outside of work , like work hours . I don't , I know this might be a non-popular opinion with some people in our industry , but I don't feel like every client should have to take off a day to get their hair done . I just don't , and that's not the type of stylist I am . So I might not work on the weekends , but I do work one evening a week and I have been doing this for 20 years .
Speaker 1So , like I still will always do that . I don't want to get to the point where I don't offer some type of after work appointment hours . They might be limited , but there's still an option . So you know , I think , especially when you're starting out , that is incredibly important . And that's not saying you have to work every single Saturday month . I don't think you should do that either . I think that is you know . You can work maybe half of a Saturday or work an evening and quite frankly , I think a lot of my clients prefer a weekday evening appointment than they do a Saturday . Yeah , I agree . So you know it's all about kind of opening up , a different availability and seeing what works for them , but making yourself available . Yes , I agree , so you know it's all about kind of opening up , about different availability and seeing what works for them , but making yourself available .
Speaker 2Yes , I agree , all right . So the last part of really just getting the foundation set for yourself to really grow is , I think , that you need to do a hard launch at yourself . Yeah , what do you think that means , kelsey ? Hard launch yourself , yeah .
Speaker 1What do you think that means , kelsey ? Hard launch yourself . I mean ? Well , chat GPT told me that it means being physically present in the salon , interacting with stylists and clients and making yourself visible . You literally highlighted it , stop it and then said what do you think that means ?
Speaker 2I know it's so conversational Okay , okay , no , wait , I'm not done .
Speaker 1I'm not done . I think I have my own things . You have your own thoughts . Okay , yeah , heart , launch yourself . Okay . What do I think ? That is besides what ChatGPD said , and we were saying this earlier like I think that if you're going to go in , you got to go in at 100% right . So it's not just like , oh , I'm doing this , this is going to be great , like , yes , you have to be available , you have to be in the salon . You've got to be interacting with people in the community , like not just like in your salon or on social media . Like get out in the community and start talking to people at your local coffee shop . Like sporting events , like if your kids are involved in sporting events , start talking there , start talking to , like you know , even if you have to get like a side job , like in a , as a waitress or something just like put yourself out there and more than just social media , I guess Does that make sense , yeah , yeah and well , and here's what I mean by hard launch all of those things .
Speaker 2But also hard launching yourself is not like quietly starting a social media page , quietly starting your first day of work quietly , maybe taking that walk-in or that one appointment that's booked on you . Hard launching yourself is shouting it from the rooftops . Starting a social media page , have nine posts that you have crafted to really set the tone of who you are and what you offer and why you're different , and launch it with that instead of just like one little measly post and then you're too scared to continue to post .
Speaker 2And yeah , all those things that you said tell everyone , shout from the rooftops where you are . I know that you're nervous , that you don't think you're good enough , that you aren't sure if you're going to build . I know all of those fear-based thoughts start creeping in your head , so you can listen to those and you can not hard launch yourself and it's going to take you forever to build .
Speaker 1Forever . Yeah , you got to commit to it .
Speaker 1You do this is going all in I think that people sometimes are afraid to put themselves out there and be like even sometimes I struggle with that , thinking people are going to put themselves out there and be like . You know , even sometimes I struggle with that . Thinking like people are like oh gosh , she's annoying , like why is she keep doing ? No , like they want to see it , they want to know it and they want to know what you're doing . So put yourself out there , even at the point of maybe feeling like you look silly .
Speaker 2Well , that brings me to a topic that I want to do for a future episode , going diving in deep , to the new book by Mel Robbins . Have you heard of this one , the Let them .
Speaker 1The Let them Theory . I'm getting the Let them tattoo .
Speaker 2Are you Yep ? So many people have done that Okay .
Speaker 1I saw someone the other night that got the Let them tattoo and I love it .
Speaker 2I'm listening to the book right now . Yep , and you know how night that got the let them tattoo and I love it . I'm listening to the book right now . It yep , and you know how I am about like self-help uh , you know books . I'm like they just this is so good , oh , this is so good . Reading the book , are you ? Have you listened to it ? Yes , okay , are you doing it right now ? Yes , or do you already listen to it ?
Speaker 1okay , I'm listening to it now I think .
Speaker 2I think it just came out this month . Um , it's so good it . I will listen to every minute of this audio book .
Speaker 1It's so good .
Speaker 2And part of the thing . This is Okay , I'm done .
Speaker 1We're on a tangent . We're on a tangent . Everybody download . Let them by Mel Robbins . It is so good and will change your perspective .
Speaker 2Yes , so maybe we should start a book club for this podcast . Ooh , podcast book club , yeah , but we're going to make that a different episode because I okay , good , you're listening to it . It's going to be a
Attracting Clients in Hairstyling
Speaker 2good episode . Okay , let's move on on this topic . Okay , next , next . Okay , so we talked about , like , making sure your foundation's set so that you can be set up strong to rebuild or start from scratch . So now , like , how do we actually get butts in the chairs ? That's what matters . Okay , great , I'm at the salon I want to be at , I have appointment times , I've done my research , I've got my social media set up and I'm still not getting clients Right .
Speaker 1Okay , Well , all right , let's get into it . Okay , I would say first , very first step is model call . I honestly think that is your first step . When I am working with a new stylist and they think they are too good for a model call , it makes me so infuriated . Get out of here .
Speaker 2Get out of here . If that's the case .
Speaker 1It's infuriating Like I still do models . I just did a model two weeks ago . I did a full extension , a full color , on a model because she is an influencer and was going to post about it . And guess what ? I'm going to get clients from that . So , oh my gosh , do a model call . Do a model call because you post it on your Facebook , post it on your Instagram , post it in a local groups , because people will do that , they will want to do it .
Speaker 1And here's the other thing . Maybe you can't a bunch of people want to be a model and you can't get everybody to be a model but guess what you could do ? You could then offer them a discounted service . Listen , I already did a model , but I would love to do your hair . So how about this ? For your first visit with me , I will give you 20% off , or you will just pay for product . And I think it's important when you are doing a model to also have you need to have them understand that your expectations for them . So choose your model wisely . Don't just take anybody off the street . Choose a model that is active on social media , who is involved in the community , and be like listen , I'm going to do your hair , but in return , I'm going to ask that you would make a story for me or post it on your social media or , you know , tell your friends about me . Like , be strategic in your model . You don't have to just take anybody off the street .
Speaker 2Yeah , I mean a thousand percent , everything that I would say . I actually was just working with a stylist this morning and this is exactly what we were talking about . She's starting over . She was six years ago since she'd been in the industry and um , but the goal , here's what here's . The next step of that is yes , we're capturing all the content . We're getting them to share it . We have to capture the content and share it ourselves .
Speaker 1A lot of times , people do the model and then they don't do that it's like it didn't exist .
Speaker 2Um and , but then it goes to the next step of the goal is to get that model to pre-book .
Speaker 1Correct For the next one .
Speaker 2Oh , that's such a goal and it is the easiest pre-book , because while you're doing their hair and they understand that you're doing it to showcase your expertise in what you do they should be saying so when should I book my next appointment with you ? They usually don't . They say that they already started .
Speaker 1Yes , they do . Well , how do ?
Speaker 2we become a client . Can I I've had ? Can I be one of your clients ?
Speaker 1Absolutely .
Speaker 2Because they love it and they see your attention to detail . So I agree that that's where you can start is model calls . It's going to give you that content . It's going to start the word of mouth . We have to pair that online presence and the community presence Correct and so yeah , which segues into like the join the local Facebook groups .
Speaker 1Like this is the number one thing that I tell next to . Like the model calls . But this is also where you can find models is in your local Facebook groups , mom's groups , your , your community groups . There's a lot of them that you .
Speaker 1You have to be careful because some of them you can't post like yourself and you can't say like , oh , I'm a new stylist , I'm offering X , y and Z . However , people post in there all the time like I'm looking for a hairstylist in this area , I'm looking , you know , blah , blah , blah . Like I'm telling you I was telling Abby before this conversation , I am 24 , seven in those groups because I am a salon owner and I have a bunch of stylists who are looking for new clients and so if someone posts in there like hey , I'm looking for a stylist , you better believe I'm watching for those and I'm telling you probably once a day in one of the various groups in my general area , someone posts that and so I can tag a stylist or I could tag myself , offer my booking site there . So you got to be active and proactive about looking for those groups and staying engaged in them and then once , okay , go ahead .
Speaker 2I need to interrupt you because I love it . What this is is your stylist did their due diligence of working at the right salon , so it goes back to setting that foundation . So they're working with an owner who's willing to get into the Facebook groups , which is a scary place to be and you are advocating for them and saying like , come see so-and-so at this salon and so yeah , so that goes back to making sure you're in the right salon . Do you have an owner that will do that for you ? Yeah , absolutely .
Speaker 1I think that's so important . I mean , they rent a chair for me . I'm not getting anything from that client , but I want my girls to be successful . So , because their success makes our salon successful , exactly , exactly .
Speaker 2Another thing that you can do , that if , like , getting in the mom's groups isn't the thing for you , I'm thinking of doing this . I know I have clients of mine that are in the mom groups and they'll tell me oh my God , I keep recommending you . Just ask your clients , like hey , do you mind ? I already have a couple of clients in mine that I know are in those groups . I would love it . If that ever comes up , will you give us a shout out ? That would mean so much to me .
Speaker 1I have a couple of clients . I call them my gatekeepers . That would mean so much to me . I have a couple of clients . I call them my gatekeepers . They , I God , love them . There's probably about four of them and they are so wonderfully loyal to me .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1They are my gatekeepers , they number one . They know the people that they would have referred to me , but they are in those groups and if they see it's a good one , they tag me every
Attracting Clients With Walk-in Signs
Speaker 1single time . Or my salon , just my salon , and it doesn't even have to be for me . Like , there are people who , like they know , you know , I have this new salon and I have a new nail tack , so they're like tagging my nail tack in there . They never even had their nails done by her , because they don't get their nails done , but they trust in you , but they trust in me .
Speaker 1So , yeah , you're right , Ask your clients to do it .
Speaker 2Well , and if you don't have ? But I don't have clients yet , so I don't have clients to ask that Um your friends your family , your friends , your family , you know people in your life . Ask them to do that for you . Yes , A hundred percent . Um , okay , so another way to get clients through the door . I mean , you're going old school on this one . This was you , but it's working . What is it ?
Speaker 1Oh , my gift bags for brand new clients .
Speaker 1No no , oh , the walk-in sign . Oh you kidding me . This walk-in sign is the best thing we've done . All right , One day . One of my this was this was great this is my coworker , Emily . I love you . Emily , If you're ever listening to this , I just love you . She is an OG . She has been with me from the very beginning of Sydney Co , and one thing I love about our team is that we are so much about helping each other grow and one of the girls had posted in our group chat . She's like guys , I just don't have a single client this week . I'm feeling really defeated . So what did Emily do ? She went and took our little chalkboard sign , erased everything on it and put walk-ins today , Walk-ins , welcome today . I'm not kidding you .
Speaker 1That day we had like five people come in . Really , they just saw the walk-in sign and Emily couldn't take them . She was just trying to help this other girl out . So then the next day we had the nail tech there . She was also trying to build a new business and she put in , put the sign out . You better believe . And even if they're not walking in that day , guess what they're doing ? They're getting on the website to then see you know , okay , look , let's see what this is about . Okay , so like you got to , like , take it back , get gritty , get old school , If you have a place that , like , will allow you to put a walk-in sign out .
Speaker 1Do it , because if someone is walking by a salon that is , like you know , a nice upscale salon , they're probably not thinking , oh , I can just walk in there and get my hair done . Doesn't feel accessible , right , it just doesn't . This doesn't feel like a great clips where you know you can just go in and get your hair done , or like you know someplace like that . But like if there's a sign out that is directing people well , actually you can . I mean , maybe someone's on their lunch break and I was like , hey , I'm going to get a blowout today .
Speaker 2I'd love to get my hair washed . So two questions . One you have great foot traffic . I have zero foot traffic because we're on a very busy road with no sidewalks , Right ? So what's your advice for a salon like mine when I can do ?
Speaker 1a walk-in sign . Right , that is hard because .
Speaker 2If you have a busy street , I have a lot of traffic . That was what I was going to say .
Speaker 1It's like I wonder if you could get a sandwich sign made and they're not very expensive to make . You could even get one made off of Etsy that just said says the salon name had appointment availability today with , like your phone number or something that they could call , because I think that could at least attract somebody , like some people from the street . I don't know , we'd have to get creative , or even some , I don't know . I was trying to think of like something .
Speaker 2I think that's good . I think that's good , and then you also could post on your social media . That was my next one .
Speaker 1Yeah , post it on the social media , on the salon social media and on your personal social media , because the other thing that we have said is like it's really important to be physically . I can understand where maybe your stylists feel like , oh gee , like I , you know , don't , don't know if being in the salon is worth it , because how much foot traffic are you getting ? Who's going to just like walk in ? But if you do post it on your social media , you post it on their account and on the salon's account . You never know , maybe people will come in or they'll call in .
Speaker 2Yeah Well , and then here's my second question to this . You know walk-ins are a dicey dicey bunch , yeah , you know , but you are in an area that you have a good quality of walk-ins .
Speaker 1Yeah Well , no , we have , we have . We had a quick , quick , fun story . Quick fun story . We had this guy come in and he was relentless in the pursuit of a haircut and I , you know , I love being relentless . But this , this , this gentleman is a younger gentleman . He had , like an Afro , he wanted a barber , but none of us are barbers . And so what I think this young gentleman did was he had gotten on our website and saw we have a couple of young are barbers . And so what I think this young gentleman did was he had gotten on our website and saw we have a couple young , attractive girls .
Speaker 2Oh see , that's what I'm talking about . I don't like the walk-in . That is why I don't like the walk-in . It freaks me out .
Speaker 1Right , and I'm telling you , he came in two times I'm sorry , not two times For two days straight , probably five times , and we knew the girl he was trying to go after and I don't think he was trying to be creepy , I really don't .
Speaker 2I was , I'm sorry he was right , but he didn't give me like serial killer vibes , but like maybe there's a difference between a creep and a serial killer , and I still don't like creep .
Speaker 1True . So , anyways , I went up to him like the last time and I was like , hey , you've been trying your haircut . He said yeah . I said okay , perfect , I've got the stylist just for you . Go ahead and have a seat . And he was like okay . So I'm sure he thought he knew who he was getting . Well , he didn't , he didn't , he didn't get that stylist . And in fact I gave him one of our most direct stylists and she was like honey .
Speaker 2I can handle him . Yes .
Speaker 1Oh God , she was so great , she did so great . She's like what you need is a barber and I've never done this , but I will do it if you want to be my model . And she's a God lover . I'm doing her accent because her accent makes my accent come out from when I lived in the South and she was like but you know you ain't going to like what I want , honey , you know you're not gonna like what I do . And he was like , okay , and then he never came back again so to say that yes , you can get some weird walk ins , but I just have to say I just think the juice is worth the squeeze . Like you're gonna have some weird situations that aren't great .
Speaker 1Now what I say you should put a walk in , sign out when you're there by yourself . No right , be smart . You got to be smart , yes , so listen , I get gritty , walk and sign works , but then once you do get your clients in your chair this is very important to me and something I did in the beginning and I am such a firm believer in it is creating gift bags for new clients , because I am such a believer in first impressions . So , like every client that sat in my chair . The first time they got their hair done .
Speaker 1They walked away with a little something for me and it cost me no more than three bucks to make . It had like I went to Salon Centric or Cosmoprof or any of my like your local distributor and they always have like a clearance basket and I took all their clearance stuff , like any little samples and a little mini OPI nail polishes and just whatever I could find , and I got these bags . You know you can get them bags off Amazon for like nothing little tiny bags with a card with my name on it , you know , and everything . And then a $5 coupon and a referral card and you would be surprised just that little touch goes a long way .
Speaker 2I love that . I used to do this with my team back in the day and I forgot about it Because it's been a while since I've been helping build a stylist with my protege now and so I'm bringing this back . I totally , totally forgot about that Because , also , what it does is it puts out the I want you as a client , I value you . I totally , totally forgot about that because , also , what it does is it puts out the I want you as a client , I value you . I'm excited that you were in my chair today . I would love to see you again . That goes a long way with people . A hundred percent , I so agree with it . Okay , we got to keep rolling through this . We got a lot .
Speaker 1There's so much .
Speaker 2It's a long one today but I think it's worth it . All right . So now we've given you some ideas on how to get clients in the door . I do think model calls are like it . I love it all actually Model calls , facebook groups , non-creepy walk-in sign clients and the gift bags . I love that . So now that we've had someone in our chair , how do we keep them Right ? Well , new clients all day long , but if you are not closing the deal for return business , then none of it matters .
Speaker 1So I think we should just touch on the social media thing . We all know social media is really important . You you've listened to our podcast . You know we can give you creative tips on that . But I think , obviously , behind behind the scenes transformations , client testimonials , educational posts yes , that's important , but I truly believe that what's most important these days is understanding the person , the stylist behind the hair , behind the camera , and like not all . Don't make your feed , don't make your content all about hair . Make it about you too , as a person , so that people can understand who you are as a person . So I feel like that also will make your clients the ones who you have existing fall in love with you even more , but like new clients as well . So that's like all I you know . Just to touch on social media .
Speaker 1I know because that could be a whole topic on its own . It could be a whole thing ?
Speaker 2Yeah , and maybe it will be . But yeah , you , just what I say to people now is you have to diversify your social media content and show who you are . You don't need to show your personal business , but show your personality , show who you are . And we're not going to get into details on how to do that , but just start scrolling and seeing how other stylists are doing it , because there are a lot of people doing out there out there right now , because I could take forever .
Expanding Client Base Through Networking
Speaker 2I think it's also great we're going to be doing this this month , in February as well , to help Sadie build , and that's having seasonal specials . So I don't like $20 off new clients , $20 for Sadie because she's building , but I do like like a Valentine's Day promo . We're going to do like a gloss and a blowout . These are services that we already offer , but clients don't realize it and don't think about it and it is a big bang for your buck type service and so what are some things that can fill up her books and maybe introduce people to her ? That isn't a haircut , that isn't a big color service , and that's why I like a gloss and a blowout .
Speaker 1Absolutely . I think seasonal specials are better than a 20% off . I think it's a great idea to just get people thinking outside the box and to segue off that unique offerings and I have told you my newer stylists are offering , with some of their new clients or their appointments , extended scalp massages and something that costs and a uh , something that costs you nothing like you know . Just make them feel special , like you know what today , just to thank you for being a new client of mine , I want to give you a deep conditioner on the house or um , just anything like that to make them feel special and keep them coming back , um to you . And like , who doesn't want the most relaxing scalp massage ? I swear we have this one girl who gives the world's best head massage that I think clients will come just because of that . So if you're , if you can , if you have the time to do it because you're still building , make them fall in love with the scalp massage . You know that alone will get them coming back and just be like you know .
Speaker 2And it goes back to our last episode talking about the different things you can do to up the vibe and experience in the salon . We were talking about all the Starbucks stuff that goes hand in hand with this . Do something different . It's showing them thank you for being in my chair and that you're taking the time with them , and then , of course , always I feel like they were dead for a while . But it doesn't hurt to try a referral program . It doesn't hurt to try Put the referral program out there and it's another way , like when giving them that gift bag , that new client gift bag tell them about your referral program and say I would love to see more clients like you .
Speaker 2And that's complimenting them .
Speaker 1I know you said referral programs are dead just today . This is so funny that you said that Just today . I had a new client was texting with me and she was like hey , I don't know if you do any sort of referral program , but I was referred to you by two of your clients and I was like I don't , but I should . I didn't say that to her but in my brain I said oh . I said oh , thank you so much . You know , I will give them something special and I will . I will Because I think that's important . But yes , referral programs are not dead .
Speaker 2No , I don't . I think that they were dead , but I think that maybe they could come back . But how do we know ? Only if we try and guess what , if you put one out there and people aren't coming back , what are you ? What are you losing ? A business card that you gave them with the referral on it right , you know nothing , nothing , 100 , all right .
Speaker 2so I mean , that's , that's pretty much everything we've got one more thing about taking it to the next level , but it's about making sure your foundation is set um how to actually get them in the door , because that's number one . We got to figure out how to get them in the door , right , yeah , and then keeping them coming back . So what about if you're ready to take it to the next level and you want long term growth , long term success ?
Speaker 1So I love this one , the one that says network with other stylists . Yes , come on , that is my jam right there . Networking with other stylists is so incredibly important . We , you know . It says collaboration over competition .
Speaker 1I gosh , I used to say that like seven or eight years ago and I feel like it really caught fire . Like I don't really say it much anymore because it's so popular now , but like it is so true . I still network with other stylists and talk to them all the time , and it doesn't necessarily have to be a person around the block from you . I even like have people in like different areas of Columbus where , like I'll refer some people down there , like hey , I know you can't get up here , like go down to Westerville , like , and they do the same thing for me , and just kind of creating this little , this area , this safety nest I don't know what to call it of like-minded individuals , because not only could networking bring you clients , but I think it transforms your brain a little bit and starts to get you thinking outside the box and you guys can kind of develop a little business club
Building Community in Hairstyling
Speaker 1. What's the word I'm looking for , abby ? Come on , give me the word . Where ? Um , I ?
Speaker 2don't know . I do know what you're trying to say , but I get it wait this is totally off top .
Speaker 1Remember back in the day when they did social media pot , they called them pods , yes , and like you had a bunch of people who would always comment on each other's posts . It's like . It's kind of like . That is what I'm thinking .
Speaker 2But it's really like what I think people get out of our podcast .
Speaker 2Here is it feels like you have your network and your community of like-minded hairstylists and you can get ideas from . And what if you're able to also have that in your own community ? Imagine what you might feel listening to our podcast if you could create that sort of relationships in your own community . Imagine what you might feel listening to our podcast if you could create that sort of relationships in your own area . Exactly In it together . You know we got to , yeah , be in it together .
Speaker 2Yeah , I really think that that's the biggest thing about taking it to the level . Of course we're going to stay educated . Of course we're going to like if something's not working , try something else , like always just be willing to adapt and change and grow . But you know , the big question , I'm sure , for people that are starting over , starting from scratch , rebuilding , is can I actually make it happen ? Is this going to happen ? And you have to push that doubt out of your head because if you want it to happen , it can , but you have to , like all of these examples , you have to really be willing to go for it and go all in and maybe work for free a little bit with some models , maybe work some hours , and sometimes you don't want to Go in for that one person , even though you feel like it's a waste of time . Those are the little things that stack up to start building and snowballing a successful business . So it is possible , it's not easy , but it is possible .
Speaker 1I was just going to say I think that so many people think that it's going to be easy and it's not . We're not going to sit here and say we've built businesses and good clientele and it was easy , because it wasn't . It'll take a lot of effort , but if you put in the effort and you keep doing it and you keep being consistent and just showing up , it'll pay off and it's definitely possible .
