Comments on: Growing Your Business During the Recession http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession Online Marketing and Industry News for spas, salons and massage therapists Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:47:58 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Ana Loiselle-Donahue http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-25337 Ana Loiselle-Donahue Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:43:51 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-25337 Hi Kimberly, That is a good question, and a smart one to be asking with the current economic abyss. My answer is this: The future cannot be predicated, and any business decision is a gamble. Success in business is never automatic; with or without clientele. It isn't strictly based on luck - although a little never hurts. It depends primarily on the owner's foresight and organization. Even then, of course, there are no guarantees. Starting a small business is always risky, and the chance of success is slim. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of small businesses fail in the first year and 95% fail within the first five years. These figures aren't meant to scare you, but to prepare you for the rocky path ahead. Unless you have a secret crystal ball, you will want to increase your chances for success by relying upon a business consultant. The intricacies of owning and operating a salon and spa in today’s marketing can be overwhelming. No matter how good you are in business, you can't know it all, and can't do it all. Having a business consultant on your side can curve the above statistic in your favor,especially in this time of recession. My company offers free 45 minute consultations to discuss your ideas. Give us a call if interested. Hi Kimberly,

That is a good question, and a smart one to be asking with the current economic abyss. My answer is this: The future cannot be predicated, and any business decision is a gamble. Success in business is never automatic; with or without clientele. It isn't strictly based on luck – although a little never hurts. It depends primarily on the owner's foresight and organization. Even then, of course, there are no guarantees. Starting a small business is always risky, and the chance of success is slim. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of small businesses fail in the first year and 95% fail within the first five years. These figures aren't meant to scare you, but to prepare you for the rocky path ahead. Unless you have a secret crystal ball, you will want to increase your chances for success by relying upon a business consultant. The intricacies of owning and operating a salon and spa in today’s marketing can be overwhelming. No matter how good you are in business, you can't know it all, and can't do it all. Having a business consultant on your side can curve the above statistic in your favor,especially in this time of recession. My company offers free 45 minute consultations to discuss your ideas. Give us a call if interested.

]]> By: Kimberly http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-25220 Kimberly Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:35:10 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-25220 What is your take on starting a salon/spa business during these times with no current clientele? What is your take on starting a salon/spa business during these times with no current clientele?

]]> By: Ana Loiselle-Donahue http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-24458 Ana Loiselle-Donahue Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:19:55 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-24458 Thank you all for the comments! Sara, I love your Corporate Spa Connection, cocktail hour idea. Way to go on creativeness! Thank you all for the comments! Sara, I love your Corporate Spa Connection, cocktail hour idea. Way to go on creativeness!

]]> By: Karen http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-24238 Karen Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:43:58 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-24238 Further to Michelle's comments. All the studies and research about the changing spending habits during this downturn economy indicate that while spend in "luxury" categories are being tightened, spending on "feel good" categories are still being kept in the budget. So, to the extent that you can build an emotional connection and establish the spend about feeling good your in - even if they do it a little less frequently - they will appreciate that you keep in touch in a proactive manner. Further to Michelle's comments. All the studies and research about the changing spending habits during this downturn economy indicate that while spend in "luxury" categories are being tightened, spending on "feel good" categories are still being kept in the budget. So, to the extent that you can build an emotional connection and establish the spend about feeling good your in – even if they do it a little less frequently – they will appreciate that you keep in touch in a proactive manner.

]]> By: Sara Daly http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-24190 Sara Daly Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:05:38 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-24190 In response to Michele's comment..I told my employees they are not allowed to talk about the price of heat, gas, the news, etc. Clients are coming to get out of the "heat" of the world...so they are to redirect the conversation. My staff immediately got it. Ask the client if they would like more tea, get them a magazine....do not respond to negative world talk. In response to Michele's comment..I told my employees they are not allowed to talk about the price of heat, gas, the news, etc. Clients are coming to get out of the "heat" of the world…so they are to redirect the conversation. My staff immediately got it. Ask the client if they would like more tea, get them a magazine….do not respond to negative world talk.

]]> By: christy http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-24131 christy Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:45:43 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-24131 I am focusing on referrals, as well as doing a client satisfaction survey to make sure I am continuing to keep my current clients happy. Sounds like I am on the right track! :) I am focusing on referrals, as well as doing a client satisfaction survey to make sure I am continuing to keep my current clients happy. Sounds like I am on the right track! :)

]]> By: Sara Daly http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-24129 Sara Daly Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:05:39 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-24129 I liked these simple solutions. One way our spa is working hard to increase our revenue is reaching out to businesses in our area. We have started our Corporate Spa Connection where we are marketing to business by giving them volume discounts on gift certificates, creating wellness programs for them to use with their staff. We are inviting select groups of people to Cocktail Hour where we are going to introduce them to the program and find way to market together with them. Our first cocktail hour will be with all the innkeepers in the area to get them to think about using us in their marketing promotions and winter ski packages. There is business to be had...but you have to be very proactive and go get it. Make them realize that other businesses need you and how you can help them. We are also using all our resources, as a physical therapist, I am making sure that I am promoting that aspect of wellness and it is a necessity, not pampering. Good luck this holiday season to all my fellow spa owners! Sara I liked these simple solutions. One way our spa is working hard to increase our revenue is reaching out to businesses in our area. We have started our Corporate Spa Connection where we are marketing to business by giving them volume discounts on gift certificates, creating wellness programs for them to use with their staff. We are inviting select groups of people to Cocktail Hour where we are going to introduce them to the program and find way to market together with them. Our first cocktail hour will be with all the innkeepers in the area to get them to think about using us in their marketing promotions and winter ski packages. There is business to be had…but you have to be very proactive and go get it. Make them realize that other businesses need you and how you can help them. We are also using all our resources, as a physical therapist, I am making sure that I am promoting that aspect of wellness and it is a necessity, not pampering.
Good luck this holiday season to all my fellow spa owners!
Sara

]]> By: Michelle http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession/comment-page-1#comment-24127 Michelle Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:11:32 +0000 http://www.spaboomblog.com/2008/growing-your-business-during-the-recession#comment-24127 One thing you did not touch on was how to avoid the conversation of a recession with the guests. Regardless of how busy a salon or spa is, it becomes a negative. One thing you did not touch on was how to avoid the conversation of a recession with the guests. Regardless of how busy a salon or spa is, it becomes a negative.

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