Seriously?

Get Serious.
Have some serious fun.
Make money.

The only thing that is constant is change, so why resist? I've heard it said: "…To be successful, you must have an honest to goodness desire to succeed, and most people don’t.” If you are unhappy with the way things are going for you in business, there are a number of things you can change.

Get serious about your current clients. You are the professional and your clients come to you because they value your service and expertise. Try this, if your clients visit your salon every six weeks, rebook more often by explaining that you need to see them every five weeks to keep their look fresh. If a client visits at six-week intervals and spends an average of $75 per visit, you receive eight visits and $600 per year from this client. By rebooking at five-week intervals instead, you receive ten visits and $750 per year from this same client. By doing this with your entire client base, your pockets will see a difference for sure.

Don't we all feel this way?

Get serious about making money.  Now THAT'S fun!

The fabled "Hairy-Fairy" Dream

After a family cut-a-thon, the youngest grabbed my broom and began to sweep the nearly knee-deep hair under the chair.  His mom instructed, "Let's go, Markie!  She can do that better when we all get out of the way."  He determinedly dug in stating:  "I'm the Hairy-Fairy." and calmly swept every fiber from every crevice of my space as the group of us appreciatively walked to the door.  By the time, I collected funds and made new appointments I was headed back to my freshly serviced chair delighted and charmed by his thoughtful and helpful gesture.

Little did I know how much this small boy's effort that has caused me to reflect on how I do business.  Turns out,  I'm much better at making messes. I don't really like cleaning up. But I am definitely happier and more productive in a neat and tidy environment.

So, what does this little reflection have to do with successful business?  Two thoughts: 1. Who can I hire to pick up after me (since my mother isn't currently looking for anything new to do...) and 2. What things in my daily business routine are bogging me down and keeping me from the reason I showed up for work today? (Schedule'em has definitely improved my mess of numbers lying around, but it doesn't fetch my client a drink and shampoo hair - YET!)

SCHEDULE'em Online Appointment Books: Keeping the Numbers swept up... and me on track.

Growing your business is necessary and it is work, but remember that you chose to be a hairstylist because of the joy and passion it brings. It easy to find things about ANY job that makes it "hard work".  Your business is your responsibility, and whether you rent the chair or own the entire salon, you can still make the best of any business situation, including mundane tasks like cleaning up after yourself.

Something to consider:  Maybe it is time to hire an assistant to smooth out these tasks out for you?  How much more productive would you be as a two-man team if your assistant kept everyone humming along while you did your specialty?  Certainly, you would be able to provide superior customer service with your trainee at hand.

I can't wait.

(Anyone wanna mop up this mess around here while I have a little more fun and get paid for it?)

Maybe it's not just a dream.  

My "WHY"

Recently a new friend shared a TED TALK by Simon Sinek in 2009 on his version of the Golden Circle.
This TEDtalk the inspiration to clarify my own "WHY".Watch this.

As you know, you start off  a business by focusing on what the benefits or solutions of your product.   The next step focuses on how you do what you do. The one often overlooked step is WHY you do what you do.

WHY would I develop online booking software that is available in so many similar versions today?

WHY is mine better for you?

WHY do I invest in my otherwise free time to build my business?

WHY do I stay inspired and motivated me to develop Schedule'em?

When I first started developing Schedule'em with my friend,  I knew that I had a passion for being an Independent Hairdresser, yet was bogged down by the non-creative side of business management. I had mentored many newer stylists who struggled with the very basic business principles so much that many of them did not stay within this industry!  In spite of their amazing talent, they simply could not make the financial end of it work for them.   I knew I had to help people like me get the basic, simple and fundamental help to make self-employment less of a challenge.

I BELIEVE that Independent Contractors naturally do a better job at their craft when they can focus on the client.

I BELIEVE that the more time we creative folks spend "managing the business" the less the actual "BUSINE$$" gets done!

I BELIEVE that every Independent Contractor needs a personal/business assistant, a "mini-me" to keep all the necessary nuts and bolts orderly so that they can do what they showed up at work today to do:  Do awesome hair and ...  read this:  MAKE MONEY!!!!

I BELIEVE that "Schedule'em is so simple even a hairstylist can do it!" :)

It's here baby.  I've used it for my own business every day.  Yes, I could design it to turn a few different tricks nearly every day, but I won't spin my programmers wheels with a fluffy to do list.  Keeping it simple is why we are here.  You will see your bottom line slip quietly and effortlessly into its programmed place while your clients sing your praise. We are gonna survive after all.  Simply.

 It is a job worth showing up for today.

Are you listening?

What if I told you I was actually listening? If my many mentors were to read the first sentence here they might smile.  If my many co-workers read it they might actually snicker out loud.

But, really. I heard ya.

Here and there.

If I wanted to... 

The beautiful thing about working with other experts in this industry is the little tips and tricks you learn that aren't in the textbooks and aren't according to manufacturers directions.  Yet, often those tricks are the overwhelming difference in your everyday job.  I loved this article from BehindTheChair.com 

My favorite hint is a valuable reminder that has saved my adorable clients again and again!

3. What you add to your color formula to minimize scalp irritation.Busted. That Sweet ‘N Low is not for your latte, Sister. It’s to take the sting out of Mrs. Jones’ every-three-week retouch

It's all part of why I think Schedule'em is working so well for me.  I love using the notes section to write my client preferences down and what tips will help me make next visit with them will be important to remember. It's that little layer of "WOW" that makes the trip to see me the best part of their week.

What tip or trick has been passed on to you?  Won't you share?

I heard that!

Reports. Why we love them.

Reports, reports, reports! How I love my reports.  (Now don't turn away here- remember its just me: the World'ssimplest-easiest-way-to-get-from-here-to-there gal.)

Let me count the ways:

1. The big picture.  When you enter the dates, you can customize your report for the period you need to see the facts for.  How much did I make today?  How much did I make last week?  Month? Year?

2. Know your Budget for supplies.  10% of my income goes back into my inventory, equipment, back bar and supplies.  No more. Remember to OTHER BILLS that you came to work to pay????  If I cannot replace what I have used on this budget, then it must be time to reassess my work.  Do I need to raise prices, measure my batches of color more precisely for less waste, or quit giving away the farm and charge each client no less than my list price?  (guilty)  Any extra I didn't spend goes into my "slush fund" and goes toward my wish list items that I can hopefully catch a sale on.  Boy, oh, boy! do I wish someone had helped me do this earlier in my career.  It really would have shaped my expenses, education and ultimately helped me earn better money.

3. Income projection.  If you put in dates for the future week, you can actually project your income.  I try to avoid counting my chicks before the eggs hatch, but the knowledge of what is coming up can help you foster more business from the person already in your chair.  If you have extra time between clients, get the customer in your chair to upgrade their service. Try something new, or even spoil them with an extra few minutes of luxury head massage so they leave more fulfilled.  Build their loyalty!

Ultimately, don't put off running the reports you need to understand your business better.  Keep the management simple.

Who knew a financial report could make you happy?

The Value Of Referral$

One thing we felt was so important for SCHEDULE'em to include programmed into the software was a simple reminder for our customers to send referrals.  Every single email sent from SCHEDULE'em, every time.  Sweet.  

Our automatic referral program at SCHEDULE'em is such a powerful tool for our customers.  In addition to any other referral programs you might offer, or any other ways you ask, SCHEDULE'em has you covered.  It's just one more way we make you look awesome!  

You can find this "Automatic Referral System" under the settings tab.  Of course, you can edit it to suit your preferences, but our subscribers report that they appreciate this additional feature.  It's a no-brainer way to build your business without even thinking about it.

Sometimes asking for more work from a customer can be awkward to work into the conversation or simply overlooked as you take care of everything you want to do for them.  After making sure they re-book and have the supplies they need for home care, soliciting referrals is left off.  How sad, since our satisfied customers gladly do that for us, especially when encouraged.  

But have you considered this :  NOT asking is actually costing you money?  Let me explain:

One more way to make you look awesome:  SCHEDULE'em has and Automatic Referral Program built right into the software.

I just came across a valuable notebook from a training course I took years ago.  This advice that was given at those seminars still applies today.

1.  The value $$ of each client.  (average ticket value) $50

2. Client refers three people to you this year: (average ticket value x 3) $150

3. Each new client that visits 8 times a year: (line 2 x 8) $1200 each new client!

Now you can calculate the actual value of just three referrals, won't you be sure to at least ask?  

(Yea! SCHEDULE'em automatically does this for me!!!)

Bonus round:  What if 10 of your TOP/highest value ticket customers sent you three people?  Even if you are busy, this challenge gem is going to significantly change your bottom line!

Schedule'em Online Appointment Book makes referrals so simple!

"Just one more thing...  I need to ask you.  Will you refer me to your friends?  I really like working for people like you."

If I had even a day to do it all over again...

I was at one of my supply houses yesterday and had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend for a few minutes in her store. I could see her taking care of her small independent supply with care and enthusiasm, but clearly, she was frazzled trying to keep it all up!

I watched as she finished up with another customer, took a call and then greeted me with warmth.  When she sat down to put in my order you could hear the sigh of relief from her knees to her brain as she clicked on the keyboard apologizing for the delay in service, not having the new product I was there to snag on shelves yet, and the two-month-old remodel still waiting for additional shelving.

I adore her.  I found myself reflected in her young spirit and was inspired by her love for the industry we share.

And she looked tired.

And I know that look.

Suddenly, I am afraid for her. 

This is what burnout looks like.

Maybe that is why I stuck my big head into her face and suggested that she needed an assistant.  It sparked a tired reply that she can't afford more than the part time helper she had and how will she possibly find the right person.....  we all know her delima.

Years ago I received SAME advice on one of those 'tired' days long ago, and I turned it down using the same excuses she did.

So, I said what I wish someone could have been so blunt as to say to me.  (Would I have changed course?  Would I still have my small shop, or maybe two or more???  I don't know the answer to that, but I will say  I really love the path my like has taken.)  What if someone had said to me what I now know I need to say to her:

"You mean that if you pay someone else ten bucks an hour to grab a product off the shelf from the warehouse for me while you take care of some bigger fish you wouldn't increase your own earning power and earn $100 in an hour instead?"

Her reply gave me hope that she was listening.  She said I had given her a new perspective that day.

If someone could wave the magic wand and have time reverse, I would take back a day.  But probably just to prove a point.  That point is that I really have learned so much wisdom in these past years that my young enthusiastic years just could not embrace.

I hope this young store owner can embrace an assistant, apprentice or a part-time shadow of some sort to help her take better care of EVERYONE.  I need her to be there when I want to know the latest, greatest most very cool thing about this new nail product. 

I want her to beat the odds.

And I want her to be there thriving when I come back next time.