Rhaquel

Congrats on taking the entreprenurial leap! You will find your experience very difficult, but very rewarding. Buying an established business is a great way to get into the business, and a lot more cost effective!

Let me assure you your problem isn't unique. Employee turnover happens in a lot of businesses, and can stem from a variety of factors. One common factor seems to be that a lot of spa and salon owners set themselves up by over hiring staff. If they are commission-based, their staff will leave if they are not kept busy. If they are hourly, it will really hurt the salon owners pocketbook to keep underutilized employees around.

Fixing this problem is complex. I, unfortunately, don't have enough space here to write a full solution for you, but I can point you in a few directions.

First, look for your salon to have a general utilization of around 80%. One way of looking at this is, if all your staff is (on average) utilized 80%, it's time to look for another employee. In reverse, if you don't have that level of utilization, you may have too many employees. Cut back, or offset the lack of business with aggressive sales and marketing campaigns to get more people to walk through the door.

An experienced spa and salon consultant can really look at this problem for you, and give you a comprehensive approach to resolving this problem. My advice is to call up consultants and interview them. Word to the wise: A good consultant is going to tell you where you're falling short. Don't waste your money on a consultant if you're merely looking for validation of your existing approach.

I wish you the best of luck, and of course, if you want to chat further about this, please feel free to contact me directly!

Ana.

I just took over a salon in March, it was pretty run down blue hair salon. I came in and completely remodeled the salon. I brought with me several new services to the salon. Like hair extensions, eye lash extensions, facials, body waxing and a lot of extra pampering for my clients. They get scalp massages at the chair, they have the option to get a mini-exfoliating facial at the shampoo bowl, with a hand massage with a paraffin hand dip. The shop is in a great location, not to uppity and not to low income. We really have a mix of both, middle class to higher in with in a 5 mile radius.

The leasing staff that was here left with in 2 months of taking over, things really doubled after they left. Walk ins are good compared to most places I have worked at but it is still hard to keep my hairstylist busy. I am a sole owner, with limited funds, so my staff keep leaving. Do you have any suggestions on how to get them busier and making more money. I am doing everything I can think of to pamper our clients, and to give the opportunity to the hairstylist to have higher tickets.

Also how would I go about get a consultant?

Thanks,
Owner
Michelle

Regards Geoff Ankers

1. Before you spend any serious money or commit yourself, obtain a feasibility study. This will become a preliminary budget for your project, and provide realistic expectations of growth and profit. Expect to rework your feasibility study, as you change your business plan as appropriate to obtain the financials important to you.
2. Seek out, meet and interview other spas and salons that cater to men.  Learn from them.  Understand the key motivators of the business and clientèle.  Seek to do better.
3. AVOID capital purchases. They will significantly dampen your ability to move your financials into the black.  Best options are finding a building and/or business that you can purchase, and adjust from there.
4. Get a spa coach, or consultant, to teach you sound business strategies.  Going it alone can be tough in this competitive industry; have a jump on your competition.

Hope this gets you started.  If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask!

To your success,

Ana Loiselle