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SEARCHSalon Owner Nicole Strachan examined all her systems and thought about ways to integrate luxury into her client experience. Here, she shares her top tips.
Christina Saburro
Part of delivering a luxury experience is making it look effortless. Nicole Strachan, owner of The Vault by Nicole Strachan, is in the heart of Fairfield County, CT, in a community that is used to the finest of everything. So, when Strachan designed her salon, she had to make sure the experience was unlike any other.
Strachan decided to get rid of the things that interrupt a lavish experience, and highlight the things that "wow, heal and pamper." There is not a frantic receptionist answering phones…no mismanaged appointment times or wrestling with staff/guest communication or compatibility. Stylists are clear on the skill, time and tools needed to meet, even exceed, expectations and guests are at the center of a meticulously planned, personalized, lux experience.
“My inspiration was the old school barber/salon community where people came to socialize and connect, mixed with a chic, vintage, Vegas vibe where everything is taken care of for you,” explains Strachan.
Digital Consultations - Consultations start the second a new guest contacts the salon. They fill out a new client intake form (with current hair pictures and inspiration images) which saves a ton of time and ambiguity at the first appointment. At the end of each day, Strachan reviews, sorts and assigns each guest to a stylist based on the digital consultation, the guest’s expectations and skill level/personality of the stylist.
Personalized Experience – Each stylist interfaces directly with their guest which cultivates a personalized concierge type of experience. Guests are asked to prebook appointments and have a salon email address for their stylist for open communication. Without a receptionist, disruptions from ringing phones and click clacking of computer keyboards are dramatically reduced promoting a highly focused guest-driven environmen
Hair Health – A #1 priority, the extensive list of remedies ranging from In Common reconstructive treatments toMalibu-C detoxifying to Kevin.Murphy anti-aging/thickening to Davines Nauraltech healing – every problem has a solution.
Enhanced Value
A luxury blow out with a Freestylist Support System is included with all services. It’s a WOW factor, something new and cool that looks expensive and fancy that no other salon in the area has.
All new color clients are demineralized to remove mineral, product and chemical deposits that could negatively affect color results. Strachan also specializes in corrective color.
All highlighting services include an in-salon Olaplex bond builder treatment to repair/strengthen and add shine/reduce frizz.
Strachan is Invisible Bead Extensions, Habit and Great Lengths Certified. All seamless and great for adding volume to thin hair, correcting a bad haircut and adding length.
“I want guests to feel pampered at all times. Cultivating the personal relationships between stylist and guest builds a sense of community and trust. And, because each service is mapped out prior to the appointment, each party is 100% clear on all expectations of time, results, products and tools, that’s what allows us to go above and beyond delivering a luxury experience, while making it look effortless,” adds Strachan.
About Freestyle Systems:Freestyle Systems is a leading technology provider of patented health-conscious solutions for salons and spas. Their products elevate décor, aesthetics and function, as well as provide solutions to problems that can threaten stylists’ careers. The Freestylist Support System is the world's first and only weightless blow drying system. Thousands of stylists rely on it to reduce repetitive stress injuries, eliminate cord tangles and optimize blow drying efficiency for longer healthier careers.
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