- </a>Besides having fewer funds available to spend at the hair salon because of the recession, increasing numbers of Black women are opting to wear their natural hair, adopt a DIY look, or opt for cheaper options–trends that have been a few of several factors in the closing of Black hair salons across the country. Black salons have survived for decades by doing what they do best–hair–and many have offered the same types of services for years. But just because Black hair (and our pockets) are going through a major transformation doesn’t mean that our salons can’t be a part of the process. To stay in business, stylists need to be willing to change with the times by <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/careers/2010/08/17/style-biz-how-to-leverage-hair-shows-into-dollars/">adapting their skills, services,</a> and, according to Debra Ottley, owner of the <a href="http://www.jelanisnaturals.com/" target="_blank">Jelanis Naturals</a> salon in New York City, regularly advertise and offer more specials. Here are a few tips on how to keep the salon open, and customers in the chairs.–<em><a href="http://www.awomans-worth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Arlice Nichole</a></em></p>
- </a>Require stylists to brush-up on their skills. </strong>Salon owners should encourage, or even make it a requirement, for stylists to learn the skills necessary to care for and maintain natural hair. Changing trends are a reality for all lines of work, and the hair care industry is no different. Updating the skills necessary to serve current and future clients is necessary to stay competitive, and salons can support the continued education of their stylists by sponsoring conventions, and holding classes and workshops.<em></em>
- </a>Offer consulting services to those thinking about transitioning. </strong>Many women are interested in going natural. Some do the “big chop,” cutting all processed hair off down to their virgin hair; but many women don’t want to compromise the length of their hair while transitioning. Going from straight to natural is often a long and difficult process, and many women damage their hair trying to do it alone. There are many supportive web sites on the Internet, but regularly visiting a professional for assistance with the transition can be beneficial, too. Salons can offer this service and gain new clients for the long-term.<em></em></p>
- </a>Offer treatments that benefit hair before, during and after transition. </strong>Black women have always been a diverse group, and there are going to be plenty of women who stick to the services they’ve always gotten. But <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/blog/2009/06/17/customer-service-a-cut-above-the-rest/">adding new treatments</a> that benefit and aid natural hair to the regular menu of services will help get the word out, and you will help position your salon as one that supports natural hair wearers, which will help to retain current customers and gain new ones also.<em></em></p>
- </a>Improve scheduling. </strong>Sometimes it’s just a matter of doing one thing different, like scheduling clients further apart, to help with retention. “Stylists and owners really need to go the extra mile to manage clients’ expectations. Too many times I get clients simply because they were sick and tired of spending an entire day in the salon when the expectation was two to three hours,” says Ottley.<em></em></p>
- </a>Sell products people are looking for. </strong>Many salons may not be ready to fully cater to natural hair wearers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t provide the products people need to maintain their own natural coifs. Popular brands for natural hair are not widely available in many states, and carrying the new natural hair care brands is just one more income avenue that will help Black salons stay afloat—and keep customers happy.<em></em></p>
- </a>Offer rental space to barbers and braiders.</strong> Making room for stylists with multiple talents will bring in a new and diverse clientele. Now would be a great time to learn to braid well, or brush-up on the services that barbers usually perform.<em></em></p>
- </a>It may be time to pick-up shop and move</strong>. Keeping your salon may have nothing at all to do with the current trends, but have everything to do with the rent. “In speaking with salon owners, the closing of shops is the result of a few factors: The economy along with expiring leases and skyrocketing rents,” says Ottley. <em></em></p>
- </a>Take your services on the road. </strong>Gain new clients by taking your business to nursing homes and retirement communities. A lot of times the elderly can’t drive or simply have no way to get to salons, but still want and need the luxury of salon services. And lots of times, these become regular clients.<em></em></p>
- </a>Use your knowledge and talents to start something new.</strong> Massive layoffs have been the out many people needed to begin something new and more rewarding. The black haircare industry as we know it may be changing, but the closing of one business can be the door opening to creating that new haircare line you’ve been wanting to start, but haven’t had the time too, or being a one man or woman show by offering services to a private clientele.<strong> </strong></p> <strong>For more small business tips see:</strong> <li><strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/2010/12/08/5-tips-for-client-appreciation-during-the-holidays/">5 Tips for Showing Your Clients Love During the Holidays</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/2010/11/09/5-simple-keys-to-quality-customer-service/">5 Simple Keys to Quality Customer Service</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/2010/06/15/three-ways-to-brand-personalization/">3 Tips for personalizing your brand</a></strong></li>
Posted: December 27, 2010
Very interesting article because those I know with relaxed hair still aren’t visiting salons as much and take care of their hair themselves. Natural hair wearers share tips via social media, i.e. #naturalhair hashtag on Twitter. Salons do have to adapt and provide something unique, different and remarkable for all types of hair textures and styles in order to remain relevant.
The good black hair salons have always been able to adapt to changing style trends to stay relevant to their clients. I think more importantly, the salon owners that have been most successful have challenged themselves to become better business people by leveraging technology and going the extra mile to treat clients like VIPs instead of just heads that walk in the door.
I stopped going to the salon years ago (back in 2000/2001) because there was absolutely nothing that they were doing that I was not able to do myself, the only difference is that when I do it myself, it’s free, and I’m not wasting 8 hours of my life in a salon on a Saturday. If the prices were more reasonable (like the Dominican salons, which charge about $15-$25 for a wash, set, and blowout), and the turnaround time was much shorter, I think the Black salons would fare better. They need to realize that they are no longer a necessity for Black women, they are a commodity.
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Great artiicle. I for one do not go to a salon because of the prices and the time that you have to spend there. For the black salon to go into nursing homes would be great. My mother-in-law was in a nursing home and it was hard to find someone to do her hair. These women like to look good with a nice hairdo.
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This is a fantastic article. It is good to start learning how other businesses are doing it. The publishing business that I am involved in also need something like this. I publish a tourism magazine, CometoNigeria.com and would love articles that could help people like me also not to be flash in the pan.
I just went natural and I have no need to visit the salon, another road block for salons are prices. If I can do my own two-strand twist at home why pay 65 or more. You have to add more than just doing hair, like your own product line that shows great results and research what other natural salons are charging to build your business. One powerhouse that will always be successful is MissJessies. They are the reason for lots of women going natural and having products that caters to our hair, and their name alone stands strong in the NHCommunity, just like Damone Roberts the eyebrow king, yeah you can get a 6-10 wax somewhere but I rather go to him just because his marketing skills and reputation speaks for itself and he proves it. Its all business, not hair. 2011 will become the year of natural hair.
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I just wanted to inform your readers of this very important fact – Madame C.J. Walker’s historic company still exists today and has never stopped manufacturing all of the original hair oils! Please visit our website at http://www.madamewalker.net to view and purchase the full product line. The website also contains valuable information about Raymond Randolph’s purchase of the original Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company in 1985 from the Walker Trustees in Indianapolis, Indiana and how his family continues to keep Madame Walker’s “true” legacy alive. Due to our ownership of Madame’s historic company and the historical documents and memorabilia of the company, the Randolph Family can provide the most detailed and historically sound information about Madame C.J. Walker and her company by calling toll free, 866-552-2838 or going to the contact us page of our website. Angela Randolph
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Hello to all the readers. I am so glad I came across this web site. I am a cosmetologist/owner of a hair salon San Leandro/Oakland Ca. I read what you guys wrote and I know that most black women don’t wash their hair as much as thhttp://www.manta.com/c/mmjyc81/luzinda-s-hair-designey should and to know go to a salon to ever get a trim or cut at some point your hair will start to break off. You owe it to your self to go to the salon at least once a month so that you can have a styist give you a good shampoo and conditioner. You guys who wear your braids and weaves so long that your hair is starting to thin around the edges and at the top of your head and the nap area. You really do need to listen and watch your hair and get someone to take care of your hair. Yes it takes hours in the salon we have to make a living also. And we are there to take care of our clients. Their are lots of women the once you see who wear their own hair short or long it’s pretty and nice and you can tell they had it done by a styist. So take out time for your self and get your hair done just like you go to the korens for that weave hair and your nails. If you have any friends in the Oakland ca bay area send them to Luzinda’s Hair Design and let me give them a treatment.
Thanks for your comment Luzinda. You’ll have to rethink your statement about people spending all day in your salon because you have to make a living. Women have decided that they don’t have hours to sit and wait for you. You’ll have to do better time management and create processes and procedures that will speed up everything. Have you watched the Bravo show, Salon Takeover. It’s a great show that teaches excellent business and management lessons.
Hi Peggy, no I dont have to rethink what I said because I meant every word. My salon is sit up for MOSTLY African American women and men. It takes longer to style our hair. Because of the styles that Black women enjoy wearing. I watch BravO show, I learn alot from the show however my salon isn’t that big with all those people in it. I have been in business going on 14 yrs and its going strong. My salon is very nice and the people in my area love it. As I stated we (black women) do so much more to our hair than white women. You have seen us work our stuff in hair shows and on stage. Should I say more..it takes time. 3 hours in the salon is better then burning hair out at home in the kitchen or the bathroom. I’m only talkin about my WORLD IN STYLES.
Hello to all the readers. I am so glad I came across this web site. I am a cosmetologist/owner of a hair salon San Leandro/Oakland Ca. I read what you guys wrote and I know that most black women don’t wash their hair as much as you should and to never go to a salon to ever get a trim or cut at some point your hair will start to break off. You owe it to your self to go to the salon at least once a month so that you can have a styist give you a good shampoo and conditioner. You guys who wear your braids and weaves so long that your hair is starting to thin around the edges and at the top of your head and the nap area. You really do need to listen and watch your hair and get someone to take care of your hair. Yes it takes hours in the salon we have to make a living also. And we are there to take care of our clients. Their are lots of women the once you see who wear their own hair short or long it’s pretty and nice and you can tell they had it done by a styist. So take out time for your self and get your hair done just like you go to the korens for that weave hair and your nails. If you have any friends in the Oakland ca bay area send them to Luzinda’s Hair Design and let me give them a treatment.
FOR A STYLIST AND SALON TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE,YOUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SEE YOU AS AN AUTHORITY ON HAIR AND YOUR SALON AS A DESTINATION FOR THE LATEST TIPS,TRICKS AND STYLING TECHNGUES. oNE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO DO THAT IS TO FOLLOW FASHION AND BE AWARE OF THE TRENDS…WELLINGTON HAIR SPA
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