The problem
You have a great hair stylist that you have been seeing for a couple of years now, she helped you fix that disaster that looked like an under watered chia pet that you had to call your hair, now your color is amazing and you hair has never looked better. Well it is time to get those roots done again and you can’t wait, you know that you will have more volume from the highlights and your hair will feel like corn silk again. You call the salon and ask to book an appointment with you stylist, only for the receptionist to inform you that you stylist no longer work there and that you will receive 15% off if you try someone new. “What, well were did she go”? The receptionist says “I am sorry I am not sure were she works now” would you like someone else? That is not the point, you liked her, and you thought she liked you; you feel abandoned and disrespected after all you were a regular loyal client, why did she not call and let me know were she was going? Now you have to risk trying a new person and it took you so long to find her.
The reason this happens
In every industry people get promoted, leave one company for another, go back to school, take maternity leave, or completely change their careers. This is a regular occurrence. I have spoke with all kind of clients in all kinds of businesses and yes, sometimes the end does not fare well and some times there are bosses that are justifiably angry, and then there are some employees that get going away parties upon their departure. This seems to be a rare occurrence in the beauty industry. Usually it’s more like “get your stuff and leave now” and this is without being fired this is to leave for a better opportunity giving your boss two weeks notice.I believe some salon owners take the leaving of a staff member very personally and can make it a difficult parting. I am not saying every owner I myself have worked for a couple of truly amazing salon owners where this was not the case, nothing but the best was wished to me and I still talk with them today. I suppose some bosses take an employee’s exit as an insult or perhaps they feel betrayed, thinking that they have done a great deal of favors for the employee and figure it is a slap in the face. I never understood three things in this industry;
1)Why do owners get upset when an employee wants to open a salon? This seems to be a double standard. Once upon a time the owner was an entrepreneurial hopeful did they think they were the only ones capable and deserving of their own business? Would you not think that this may be a possible dream of your employee? Eventually after years in the industry they have their own ideas of what they want to accomplish in their careers. And just because you think otherwise does not mean you are right. Stop with the tantrums, have some class and wish them well. Let the clients decide who they want there hair done by.
2)Why do owners ask if a stylist has a clientele if they are one of the ones that expect a stylist to sign a non competition agreement, this states that you can not contact clients when you leave or take any client information electronically or in any other way. It is the stylist that creates the formula for the client I think this should be the property of the stylist not the salon Let me see if I got the message straight “Don’t take clients from my salon but hopefully you can bring as many as you can from your old job” Sorry, newsflash the only way to get clients is building a client base at the salons and if we are always expected to leave them behind then we never have any clients to bring to the next salon right? So please stop asking unless you are one of the owners that won’t make anyone sign a contract that states we can’t contact any clients when we leave. These kinds of contracts have literally forced stylist out of the industry and most of them aren’t even set up legally for the salon to sue you if they wanted to. Have a lawyer check yours out.
3)Whose clients are they any way? This industry certainly has a cut throat quality to it in the respect of no one having much job security. If you don’t have clients to build on then there is no way to make a living. Some clients are dedicated to the salon and whoever is free will do, and others prefer one stylist and will only go to some one else if their stylist is on vacation or a leave of absence. Ultimately the client belongs to the client and they should be given the opportunity to decide who they would like to see. The Salons have done the advertising and brought the clients in the door. The beauty professional has serviced them and is responsible for giving quality service, suggesting hair care and to ultimately keeping them coming back. So This takes a great deal of skill, patience and artistic merits.
Clients should be able to choose the salon or the stylist when the beauty professional leaves the salon. Is this something that will happen? Well not over night. We have to find alternative means to ensure our security and take responsibility for finding our own clients, and keeping them! So if you are a client that has lost your beloved stylist, please don’t think it was something you did chances are the stylist was not able to grab your information as most salons keep client files on a computer and it is tough for us to get in to without others watching. If you love your stylist and you want them to contact you if they leave show you care by giving them your business card or e-mail address tell them you love their work and tell them to call you if they leave, just do this discreetly.
Roxanne Muir Hairstylist/Makeup artist/business owner, Karma Kollective Hair Studio, Toronto Canada. in the beauty industry for 15 years and continually updating and perfecting my craft, and looking for the right staff members for more info karmakollective.com You can question your karma but you can't question great hair! ©Roxanne Muir of Karma Kollective Hair Studio. All rights
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roxanne_Muir
No comments:
Post a Comment