Authentic Salon Leadership - Growing profit non traditionally.
I wanted to discuss authenticity in leadership and what really matters to us in our salons. I personally have never attend a seminar or read an article where any discussion on the value of authenticity and how it can drastically increase retention, recruitment and even personal happiness. So I’m starting one here. A small shift in thinking.
Why it’s relevant? - As we use our creativity naturally in our work behind the chair, we know it’s also an important asset in everything we do. Problem solving takes creativity which is a huge asset running any size or type of business. We seek advice, attend seminars, read articles, hire consultants etc.., all to try to achieve business sustainability. (It’s not easy I know). For myself and my business partner, the more we learned how to analyze our P&L, statistics, payroll, NIPS , IPS, etc of our studio should be, we wondered why no one ever spoke about how to best support the teams goals while achieving our own . Isn’t it obvious that success for one is for all. A way to blend being smart with our businesses and still what matters in the heart? Can you be aligned with what needs to happen on the balance sheet and budget requirements and what matters beyond that?
DG 💫 pov (point of view) “Don’t base what you do on others framework, question everything, find your own way”
Part One - Creating IT Does your business represent your values?
Enjoy my take, 💫 I hope it matters.
Go back to when you started your current journey, whatever place that is. For me 16 years ago, my close friend and colleague knew we had to leave the salon we were at. We realized since we knew of no other salon that had the culture we wanted we had to create it. We knew we wanted these things -
1) An environment we felt supported in and could trust. There was no number two, if we could create that type of culture everything else would fall in place.
DG 💫 pov “When there is trust anything is possible.”
None of us have slogans that say things like spend your money here, we need it! Without any other values chaos and lack of teamwork are sure to follow. So if our main value is to create an environment where our clients trust that we are honest, fair, skilled and that we care -they will come and they will stay.
If we can create a team that feels they can trust us to have their back, be fair, support them and create a community - they will come and they will stay.
Add a sprinkle of humor and lots of hard work, and that my friends is how you create and maintain your values That’s how you can live your mission statement and those words have life.
Sound too easy, it’s really not as many know. It can be done though. Will you ever be hurt - absolutely! To care, to go out on a ledge with an open heart is how you get hurt, but it’s also the only way to build lifelong relationships. A walk out, an angry team member, bad words from a client, that is not enjoyable but shutting off would be worse in my opinion.
DG 💫 pov “As long as with any consequence, I know I did my best, I can live with what happens and I’ll always come out on top.”
I know that following certain industry structures in building financial stability is of the utmost importance to survive in businesses. No debate! However back to this thought - Would you recruit and keep staff if your interviews went like this - “I’d love you to join my team because I want to make money off of you?”
DG 💫 pov - “Think about what would make you feel looked after, part of a team that respected you? It’s not always about the money to any of us.”
What if you could find a way be able to offer maternity pay, or help out during an emergency, taking care of your clients the way you’d want them to so you can breathe a little easier? So we created a structure for that where our team gets a portion of clients ticket from us and the alternate stylist.
How about an IRA or an investment for your team. I actually just had a stylist retire a few years ago who used her investment to buy a cute little Mercedes. Maybe not what we would all do but imagine if someone had done that for you when you started in the industry.
What do you think your other staff will think if someone leaves your salon and you shake their hand, wish them luck, thank them for being with you How would other respond if they watched you turn over client records or let people know where they are? Removing the unspoken threat on both ends, you can relax. I personally think it’s the right thing to do as I’ve also been the victim of a bad exit. Any other job you leave and get a cake and a card. It gets crazy but you can’t hold onto people. and it stinks.
Perhaps you find ways to be charitable and allow your team, and your clients, to pick where that money goes? Every product charge, (moms, sisters, besties), goes toward the funds we need for this. In a way it becomes a team effort.
What if everyday was a day to learn and grow? Creating a culture much like a teaching hospital.
These are some of the ways we have found to create the ultimate goal of mutual trust and respect. It’s never perfect but the industry norms for team recruitment and retention are far surpassed at the studio. So think in broad strokes and be creative! Everyday gets a little better and it might just take a tiny shift in your perspective.
I’d love to hear your ideas or questions, leave a comment and let’s keep talking!
DEB GAVIN