You Don't Own a Salon. You Own A Business.
In his latest blog, Leon Alexander Ph.D., challenges industry conventional thinking to help owners add more to their bottom lines.
First-Time Philanthropist
Partnering with a charity to host an event not only raises money for a good cause, it can generate some goodwill, welcome publicity and new clients for your business.
July 10, 2011
Karie Bennett, stylist, writer and owner of Atelier SalonSpa and Atelier Studio in San Jose, California
3 min to read
Partnering with a charity to host an event not only raises money for a good cause, it can generate some goodwill, welcome publicity and new clients for your business. One young stylist recognized this potential and reached out for some guidance:
Dear Karie,
I am a stylist with Fiesta Salons, which is located in Mansfield, Ohio, about an hour north of Columbus. Mansfield is a small city for a creative stylist—there's not a lot of room for change or inspiration. I am part of a staff of eight stylists. We are a young staff—ranging in ages from 18 to 26. We are always striving for excellence and aspiring to be better stylists. I was speaking with my manager and we were trying to come up with a way to create some excitement over a charity organization and involve our salon. We thought we would choose a charity and have a runway show with lights, DJ/MC, models, valet parking, etc. Our biggest problem is getting the ball rolling. I want the team excited, so any help would be greatly appreciated.—Heath Cordas, Fiesta Salons
Heath's enthusiasm is very inspiring and I know as a salon owner, it's wonderful to have a cheerleader in the salon who is interested in generating excitement and creativity.
No matter the size of your salon or your community, there is an event at every level. If this is your first event, consider starting small, getting your feet wet, seeing the response, and measuring the success of the event. You'll have the chance to learn from the first one, and your salon will start to be recognized as the one with the cool ideas!
The first step would be to identify the charity with which you'd like to partner. You might request a meeting with them, and they might have some ideas already. Next, choose a date for the event. Give yourself 4-6 months to plan. If it's a holiday event, you'll already know that it's an indoor function. A summer soiree might be fun outside, and that will direct you towards a specific theme. Bonus: If it's a daytime event, you won't have to worry about lighting, just provide shade, and maybe a local spa will donate sample-sized sunscreen!
Next, how will you pay for your expenses? Would your vendors all donate services in exchange for promotion to the guest list?
Speaking of guest list, how many people are you going to invite? Who would these people be—the 18-26 age group of your staff or everyone in the community? Think about what kind of a show would appeal to your audience. High fashion, trendy or contemporary fashion for all ages? How much space will you need? Again, that will direct you toward a venue and a theme.
If it's an outdoor runway show, who will your models be? Is there an agency in your town, or would it be more popular to use local celebrities or even members of the city council or the local high school? Where will you get the clothing? How much would you charge for admission? Would local businesses donate little goodies, like coupons, for a swag bag that each attendee could be given?
Finally, I see that your salon is part of a national chain. I would recommend speaking to the corporate office to see if there is any co-op for charitable outreach. They may have some resource funds that you can hand out, like product samples. Keep your out-of-pocket costs down, since you'll need to recover expenses from what you collect, and give the rest to the charity. Your team will be donating their time too.
Heath mentioned that his city is small, and he feels that there's not a lot of room for inspiration or change. You know, the Indian philosopher, Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." You have taken the first step in making it happen—just by thinking about it and inspiring others to do the same.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Salon Management
Are Your Stylists Doing Free Hair on Your Time? Introducing the 'Win-Win' Staff Services Playbook
In her latest blog, Amy Pal helps you develop your own clear guidelines around complimentary free employee services.
Caring for Your Caregivers at the Front Desk
From managing air traffic on busy days to handling frustrated guests' complaints, your front desk team often serves as the salon's emotional shock absorber. From a customer service lesson from the DMV to a list of strategies for caring for your front line, our experts offer ideas for alleviating stress, celebrating wins, and setting goals.
by Stacey Soble
What's Really Happening with Salon Retail and How to Reclaim Your Revenue
According to the KIM Report, top-line salon revenue appears steady or slightly up, but that growth is driven primarily by service price increases. Beneath the surface, retail performance and client visit frequency (appointment drift) are under real pressure. In his latest blog, Alain Audet offers strategies for keeping your salon's retail sales strong.
Trimming Your Tax Bill by Putting Family on the Payroll
Putting your family to work in the salon offers some real tax benefits, but you have you have to play by the rules of the tax code to claim them. Azarvand Tax Law's Leticia Skrabut, Esq., shows you how.
The Art of the WOW Experience
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software
Why Wellness Belongs on Your Salon's Growth Plan
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salons can grow with this movement.
Why Your Revenue Looks Good But Your Business Feels Stressed and What to Do About It
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Why Your Holiday Season is Won in September
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
Appearance Standards are the New Dress Code
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
Working Through the Gray Areas of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
5 Things Every New Stylist Should Learn Early
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
The Four Numbers Every Salon Owner Should Know
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are. You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Your Salon Can't Survive Without You. That's the Problem.
A five-area audit every owner-dependent salon needs to run. You built something that looks successful. Now find out if it can survive without you.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
Waiting for the Right Time Is a Decision. Here's What It's Costing You.
Every month you put off fixing the problem, it gets bigger, more expensive, and harder to solve.
Sponsored by Strata Salon Systems™
A Partner in Business and in Life
At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, Director of Operations Natasha McMillen helps bring her wife Janet St. Paul's vision to life, elevating every system from education to operations.
by Stacey Soble
Back to Business with the Pinstripe Trend
Expand your color service menu with the Pinstripe technique. Brooks and Brooks' Marlon Hawkins walks you through the technique.
by Stacey Soble