2 January 2024
Hello, beautiful people! Kate here, salon owner of a charming beauty sanctuary based in the picturesque South West of England. With a dedicated team of five, we’ve been passionately catering to our community’s beauty needs, blending creativity and care in every service we offer. Today, I want to share with you the rollercoaster ride that 2024 has been for my salon and how the incredible support from SalonIQ helped turn challenges into triumphs.
Our salon has always been more than just a place for beauty treatments—it’s a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. We pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming environment where our clients feel valued and pampered. However, the journey has not been without its bumps.
In February last year, we faced a significant challenge when a team member decided to walk away, taking a large chunk of clients with her. This departure caused disruption, not just in our scheduling but in the energy and vibe our salon is known for. It was a moment that tested our resilience and adaptability.
To bridge the gap and attract new clients, we embarked on a journey of reinvention. I took a proactive approach by hosting a couple of customer appreciation events and introducing referral incentives that encouraged existing clients to spread the word about our salon, team and services. We also revamped our social media presence, ensuring our friendly atmosphere and expert services reached a wider audience.
2024 kicked off with a bang as we launched a new range of eco-friendly products, a decision driven by the increasing demand for sustainability in beauty. The response was phenomenal! Our loyal clients embraced these changes with open arms, contributing to a 20% increase in sales during the first quarter. Each day felt like a new, exciting chapter in our salon’s story. We also, in May launched our online shop so clients could pop online to create a click & collect style order – offering a different and new range of products that tick our clients boxes and that are also less commercially available on the big named sites we feel has helped boost our retail revenue and client buy in.
However, like any business journey, we faced our fair share of hurdles, including past staffing challenges. Training was essential, but it was a significant strain on resources.
But here’s where SalonIQ made all the difference. The platform not only streamlined our booking and customer management processes, which provided great relief, but the real game-changer was the 1-2-1 success sessions and their remarkable team support. It was actually our account manager (another Kate) who suggested hosting an event that we ran with and was a great success. We have also discovered the social media library which has helped with ideas and content that I would struggle to find time for. Also, by helping us ensure we have our marketing messages to clients going out, we are confident that we have created strong links with our clients and even attracted a fair amount that thought the grass was greener earlier in the year. Whenever we faced obstacles, having those expert sessions felt like having a co-pilot guiding us back on track.
This year, we also doubled down on education. The industry moves fast, and it is vital to keep your team moving forward and feeling motivated and driving themselves and your business forward. Along with beauty education, SalonIQ’s educational resources ensured that we stayed ahead of the curve. From inventive marketing techniques to cost-effective salon management practices, their insights have continually empowered us to refine our strategies.
We’ve now managed to steer our way through 2024…nearly, and are finalising mapping out a clear, strategic plan for the coming year. We’re excited to be introducing some new new services tailored to our client’s ever-evolving preferences and widening our retail range to support the new treatments, while ensuring our team has everything they need to excel.
Reflecting on this year’s highs and lows, I can genuinely say that having a supportive network plays a crucial role in building resilience. It not only cushioned our falls but amplified our successes. As we step into the future, although there will be a new set of challenges and achievements, I am confident that with the right tools and team, the sky’s the limit.
To all the salon owners navigating this journey: leverage the power of community, tap into educational resources, and never hesitate to reach out for help when needed. Your dream salon is within reach!
With love and gratitude,
Kate
Call a member of our team today on 01892 280 123
