If you ask anyone who knows me, I am not a pessimistic person. For whatever reason, I’ve always had the ability to look on the bright side of things and not question what is happening and why. I always try to keep the faith.
These past 3-4 years I have seen a big shift in our Industry.
- Technicians are shifting from a Salon environment to an isolated suite
- More DIY’s
- More of our Professional products being sold into the retail market
- More Technicians stepping out of the limits of their license
- More negativity on social media
I know I am not alone when I say “all of the above and more…is sucking the fun out of our Business“. Consequently, I see more and more of our Technicians saying they are ready to “give up”.
I remember the days (because I had them) when a Salon was packed with Technicians doing Hair, Nails, Esthetics, Massage and more. We worked together, we played together…we had fun. Sure, we had that one here or there that got under our skin. For the most part however, the team effort made us great.
Since Independent Contractor happened and Salon Suites were invented…it changed that dynamic tremendously. Everyone and their brother thought they could be in Business “for themselves”.
What bothers me, isn’t so much the dream of owning your own Business and taking a different route. It’s the idea that most people think the “salon owner” was “making so much money”….and only paying them X amount. Most of them left (and still do), without the cold hard facts of what it takes to run a Business. Especially a Salon Business to where most visit for the luxury, not the need.
To this day, I still feel like there is a majority of Technicians who shouldn’t be on their own. They aren’t self motivators and they need others to help them thrive. As I’ve said in the past, and I will continuously say it…..that doesn’t mean you are bad. It doesn’t mean I’m right and you’re wrong. It simply means, not everyone is cut out to be on their own….for a various amount of reasons.
The one continuous thing I said when Salon Suites or booth renting first hit our market is, you may take your existing clients with you. However, by natural fruition you will lose some. How will you replace them?
This is where most independent salon owners fail. They don’t realize the efforts, the time, the cost of obtaining a new client.
If you haven’t yet, please read my article on the DIYers from a couple of weeks ago. This trend is not going to go away. What I am hoping for, is eventually the DIYers will get tired of a) doing it themselves and b) doing friends and family or free. Trust me….that’s the next thing we will see all over social media. In fact, we already do. DIYers offering nail services to their friends and family and getting pissed off when they don’t show up for an appointment (without calling/texting) and friends who don’t tip and want their nails done for barely nothing.
You are what you create!
I do hold onto the hope, and firmly believe the individual Nail Tech’s will phase out and the cycle of working in a Salon atmosphere will start all over again. This will happen from the demands of our clients. As more and more unqualified work reaches our market, our clients will seek out the true professional.
The idea of our Professional products showing up in retail space is just so repulsive to me. What’s even worse, is our Technicians supporting those brands. Don’t you understand how they are taking a big chunk of money out of your pockets?
What’s even worse is thread after thread going after a particular Company because of what they are doing, yet…seems to think it’s okay when another brand (they may like) does it.
I remember in my office supply days, it was us smaller Distributors who built the brands such as 3M. They deserted us when warehouse type shopping like Workplace, Staples and Office Depot arrived. These larger Companies were buying trailer loads of these brands and we couldn’t compete with the price. My point is, the Mfg’s forgot who put them on the map. It’s a very rejected feeling, much like I am feeling about our Industry today.
I am a realist though, and I know this is not going to go away. Mfg’s, like us are trying to find a way to survive in an industry which is extremely saturated. I know I personally have to adapt to this change. However, it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
As doom and gloom all the above sounds..it is all true. However, us as true Professionals cannot give up. We have to stick to our values, our beliefs and continue to fight for our Industry.
Is it easy? Absolutely not! Is it tiresome? Absolutely! Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Anything we love, is worth fighting for.
So don’t give up. Keep fighting for what you love and remember, good things DO come to those who wait.
Manage your Business appropriately to make it through the harder times and manage your health as well. It is just as important to take care of you, if not more important.
Don’t give up. Find someone you can share your concerns with. Chances are, most of what concerns you are items which can be solved, or at least looked at in a different manner. Or, write your concerns on paper and begin with tackling one at a time. You got this!
CJ Murray, President