As a salon owner, you’ve worked hard to build a successful business. You have a beautiful salon space and a dedicated client base, but lately, you’ve noticed a not-so-glamorous trend: your talented hairstylists are slipping through your fingers like loose strands of hair.
Does this sound familiar? Well, you’re not alone.
A recent report by the Australian Hairdressing Council is shedding light on some serious competition happening among Aussie salons. Basically, they’re all in a bit of a tussle trying to nab a limited number of stylists. And get this, many of the super skilled ones are ditching the team vibe to do their own thing.
So, what can you do to stop the leak?
Well, it’s all about getting inside your staff’s heads and figuring out why they might be eyeing other options. Once you’ve got that insight, you can start making tweaks in your salon to make going solo seem less appealing.
The graphs below spill the beans on why those stylists are choosing to take the solo path.
And don’t rest on amping up the key areas that give sticking with your salon that extra edge. We’re talking about stability – the kind that keeps you covered when things get a bit wonky and keeps that paycheck steady. Plus, there’s the whole social scene, being part of a team and knowing you’ve got reliable folks to back you up.
These are your aces in the hole. Set up a work vibe that plays up all these strengths and gives the appeal of remaining at your salon a real boost.
1. Flexibility: The Key to Keeping Your Stylists Swooning:
Picture your stylist’s dream scenario: they can choose their own hours, work around personal commitments, and have the flexibility to live their best lives while still being able to rely on the stability of a salon job. Many stylists feel like the only way to achieve this level of flexibility is to strike off on their own, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
By offering flexible working arrangements, you become the superhero salon owner who understands their need for work-life balance. Whether it’s part-time options or alternative schedules, showing that you’ve got their back will make them swoon and want to stick around for the long haul. After all, who wouldn’t want to work in a salon that values work-life balance and lets them slay their hairstyling game on their own terms?
2. Cha-Ching! Show Me the Money:
Let’s be real. One of the main reasons stylists decide to go solo is the potential to earn more cash money. As a salon owner, you need to find a way to keep your stylists motivated while keeping your bottom line intact.
It’s time to get creative. Consider implementing performance-based bonuses, commission structures, or even profit-sharing models.
When your stylists see that their hard work directly impacts their bank accounts, they’ll be happier slaying the salon game with you by their side.
3. The Magic of Salon Creative Teams:
Sure, going solo means freedom, but there’s one thing your stylists might miss dearly: the comradery of a creative team.
We’re talking about a dynamic group of stylists working together like a symphony of hair geniuses, inspiring and pushing each other to create breathtaking masterpieces.
Embrace the power of the salon creative team by fostering a culture of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and continuous professional development. From team-building activities to exciting workshops and brainstorming sessions, you’ll create a magical space where creativity thrives and stylists find their tribe.
4. Socializing: Where Work Meets Fun
A salon isn’t just a place to work; it’s a place to bond, laugh, and create lasting friendships.
Stylists crave those social connections that make their workday feel like a party. By fostering a friendly and inclusive environment, you’ll keep the good vibes flowing. Plan team outings, celebrate birthdays, and organise staff appreciation events.
When your stylists feel like part of a tight-knit squad, they won’t want to trade their salon family for anything in the world.
Above all listen to your stylists, they know what they want better than anyone, and what works for one, may not work for all, it’s your job to empower them to achieve their goals and work towards a partnership that will benefit you both.
In a world where salon stylists are flocking to solo careers faster than you can say “curling iron,” it’s crucial for salon owners to step up their game. By offering flexibility, sweetening the pot with financial incentives, and creating a social haven for your stylists, you’ll build a salon that feels like home. When you invest in your stylists’ happiness, you invest in the success and growth of your salon. So, go forth and create a salon empire that stylists won’t want to leave.
