How healthy is your salon business?

With the state of the economy on everyone’s mind and things looking a little bleak, it may be that you are worrying about your business and how best to ensure it survives the recession.

Well before making any plans and taking any actions you should get a full understanding of how well you are doing now. So, first things first, assess where you are and how strong your position is in the market by doing a SWOT analysis; this is a meticulous look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats associated with your business. The Strengths and Weaknesses will be things that come from within your business and the Opportunities and Threats will be external factors that affect or may affect your business.

I know that most small business owners do not seriously consider producing business plans, marketing plans and doing SWOT analysis as they all seem over‐the-top and not like real business; just a load of paperwork and theory. Whilst I agree that one of the greatest skills a business owner has is the ability to ‘get‐on’ and make things happen in the ‘real world’, it must be said that taking some timeout to thoroughly work through a strategy and write down some plans can save a lot of ‘headless chicken’ actions!

Here are some examples of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats…

Strengths – What is really good about your salon business (internal)?
• Salon has a great atmosphere; clients always seem to enjoy their visits.
• Salon has a loyal client base.
• Salon has excellent technicians/operators.
• Salon is well located.

Weaknesses – What are its limitations? Where could it grow or do better (internal)?
• You have a weak approach to marketing; hence very few new clients.
• You are the most popular tech or therapist and client’s always/only want you.
• Always experience poor/average product sales.
• Salon interior is out of date.
• Customers have difficulty finding the salon; salon isn’t ideally located.
• Limited floor space; always a struggle to add new treatments.

Opportunities – What opportunities has your business been or could be presented
with (external)?
• Could add extra treatments.
• Could rent out top floor.
• Could create bespoke treatment packages for local businesses.
• Could merchandise products more effectively.

Threats – What are the worst‐case scenarios for your business and how will you
address them (external)?
• Lease about to expire and landlord may not renew.
• Rents and/or business rates about to rise dramatically.
• The business is in negative cash flow.

These will be different for different salons and situations, but doing a thorough SWOT analysis will give you a methodical way of working‐out what is really great about your business, what isn’t so great and where you may be missing out on crucial opportunities. It will also help you prioritise where you need to focus your time and energy for maximum profit and long‐term success. It may be difficult, but be as objective about your business as possible; especially with its weaknesses ‐ image you are looking at another business and not your own. It’s only through being thorough that you will give yourself the opportunity to improve or even eradicate the bad bits, while securing and growing the great bits!

Do your own analysis and make the most of your business today!

If you need assistance to start your own salon or are unsure about how to improve
your current salon business and overcome any of its weaknesses or threats visit
www.misssalon.com or call us on 0845 643 1619.

GOOD LUCK!!!

A Free Invitation From Miss Salon To Professional Beauty 2009

We have 12 free invitations for the Professional Beauty Exhibition 2009 to give to our clients. Entry to the event is £20 but we would like you to visit for free with our invitations. The deadline is the 31st January (3 days!) so please take advantage of this invaluable gift from us and visit one of the best events on earth for salon owners or aspiring salon owners! It's first come, first serve, so hurry! Click here to register for invite...

Event details:-
Professional Beauty Exhibition 2009
Professional Beauty is the country's biggest health and beauty show. From skincare, aromatherapy & make-up, professional equipment & salon supplies to nails & indoor tanning, you'll find everything you need for your business. It is open to trade visitors from the health and beauty industry and takes place at London's ExCeL from 1-3 March 2009. For more information visit www.professionalbeauty.co.uk/london

We will be at stand number R57 so do come by and say hello!... we would love to meet you.

Best regards,
Miss Salon

Link for your free invitation...
www.professionalbeauty.co.uk/london/Misssalon

2009... Make it count!

How can I ensure my business survives the economic downturn?
This must be the primary focus on the minds of most business owners; large and small. So rather than wait around for fate to decide, as a salon owner, now is the time to take matters into your own hands and steer your ship through the rough seas!

Tough times or not, the ultimate goal for any business is to maximize income whilst keeping costs low, without compromising on quality. Maximizing income includes getting regulars back into your salon as often as possible and getting new business through the door – in a nutshell, attracting customers. I think it goes without saying that if you’re not doing a good job, you’re not going to get much repeat business, so first and foremost, ensure that any services and treatments you offer are excellent and customer service is of a very high standard.

Attracting customers is a marketing function which requires thought and persistence. With most salon owners working on the shop-floor, caught-up in the day-to-day operations and staffing issues of the business; there always seems little time at the end of the day to think creatively about what needs to be done to ensure a continuous flow of clients. This means that many salon owners do not actively or effectively market their businesses; seeing it as a luxury and not a necessity and therefore never giving, this all-important function, the time and thought it needs. If you are guilty of this, stop today and make a decision to start marketing your salon properly, as it is one of the most important things you can do for your business.

Here are a few ways to start actively trying to attract customers to your salon:-

• Text all your clients whenever you have availability for a specific treatment or service they’d enjoy; for example – Hello Maureen, just a quick text to let you know that we are available today to give you that cut and colour you’ve been thinking about. Give us a call.

• Create eye-catching headlines for you client mail-shots, A-boards, window signs and leaflets; for example – Did you eat and drink too much over Christmas? Come in for a free skinny hot chocolate and some hot tips for a detox. Or, Wish you could have a hair makeover like on TV? Come in today to meet our expert makeover team! Or, Dry feet? Chilly toes? Enjoy a hot softening foot soak plus perfect polish pedicure for just £25... it's what you have been waiting for!

• Have a party; invite past clients, passers-by and local offices to enjoy a drink and meet the 2009 A-Team!

Once in the door, you and your team must be geared up to providing these potential clients with as much information as possible in the friendliest and most welcoming manner! Then of course it is absolutely paramount that you deliver on your offer and your promise; give them the best treatment they’ve ever had! They’ll have no choice but to come back to you… why would they want to waste their precious money anywhere else!

For more on how to create an effective marketing plan, kick-start your salon into profit or open your own salon, talk to Miss Salon on 0845 643 1619.

Kick-Start Your Salon Into Profit Fast!
The 10-step action plan for beauty salons, day spas, barbershops, nail salons and hair salons £14.99 – This booklet is available from 19 January.

Open Your Own Salon… The Right Way!
The complete step by step guide to planning, launching and managing your own salon business £49.99 (paperback) – available from Amazon.co.uk / £45.00 (ebook) – available from misssalon.com

Good luck!

Miss Salon in action at Clothes Show Live, Birmingham

Miss Salon Associates, Mirijana, ToniLee and Gina were in full force and on top form at the Superdrug stand! Ego even managed to make an appearance! See more pictures and videos of the event on facebook and YouTube...

Our charity pledge for 2009...

I recently caught a television advert for the NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. I have personally regularly donated to this charity for a while now as I feel deeply driven to support this cause, however this advert made me want to do more. I find any details of child cruelty or abuse very upsetting and difficult to listen to and as such have always shied away from any involvement but realised yesterday that I don't have to be on the 'front-line' to do more.

I can volunteer my time to support those who are stronger than me and able to work directly with affected children...

I can draw further attention to the charity through my business and network of associates and friends...

And

I can, and we do, pledge 2% of all Miss Salon profits in 2009 to the NSPCC.
Click here to join us and make a donation to the NSPCC today.