Challenges of Being a Cosmetologist

Hello, my name is Ian Marc Smith, I have been a hairstylist for better than 35 years and a salon owner since 1984. No one ever told me being an entrepreneur was difficult, then again no one ever told me how to be one! So with enthusiasm and an open mind, I went for it. Being a successful cosmetologist is not a reason to believe one can be a successful business owner, we have heard the saying, "My degree comes from the school of hard knocks" it sure has! I want to state here and now, if it wasn't for so many people supporting and helping with their wisdom, suggestions, support and belief I do not think I could be where I am today or even feeling like writing this blog would be possible.

Our industry is not any different from others, except the amount of interaction with people. Staff, customers, sales, and industry icons are crucial for communication, understanding and being able to make sense of the many personalities. Speaking as a hairstylist, delivering a great service with skill and technical knowledge is one thing, but if you can't communicate clear ideas, objectives and understand how to interrupt your customer, failure is imminent. Too many schools spend to much time on the 'hand' skills and not nearly enough time on 'interpersonal skills'. I believe, learning to communicate and listen is just about the most important step in being successful. People want us to be successful; surround ourselves with happiness, optimism, and inspiration. These qualities will provide all the tools to evolve the cosmetologist not just great hand skills but good communication skills.

Customers are often met with the inevitable, "How do you want your hair done today?" I deplore this statement! Can you imagine a doctor saying to you, "How do you want me to operate on you?" It might sound silly, but quite honestly, it isn't any different. The questions should be conversational, such as "tell me the last time you loved your hair" or "what skills do you possess when it comes to managing your hair?" We can assume a new customer comes to you for many reasons, one of which is, what the client has they do not want, and what they want, they do not have! Read this again, "What I have, I don't want, and what I want, I don't have!" So if the customer has unruly, frizzy hair, and they want smooth shiny hair, but they do not know how to manage the styling required to care for it, there most likely will be a problem. Why, because the stylist failed in explaining the requirements to manage their hair AFTER they leave the salon. So the next time your stylist talks about what YOU want, be clear on telling the stylist what you can do (or willing to do) to look after your new style!

Education - Ask yourself how much time is spent in the salon talking to you about the weather, the latest restaurants, movies your kids or a vacation you or your stylist just went on? Compare this with how much time is about explaining how to care for your hair, the proper products needed to manage your hair and the tools proper technique in using them? If you are left to your own devices, skills, drugstore products and styling tools again, it is no different from being given scalpel and some bandages and left to the television advertisers to educate you on how to do a small operation! Sound extreme, maybe but my point is, we are the professionals, not the advertisers telling you how simple their product is to use and the results are salon quality!

Managing a salon, let alone caring for a clientele is a huge responsibility and requires skills not easily obtained. Deciding to become a salon owner, I have been fortunate to have many years of successes, mistakes, losses, and rewards. Todays economy is increasingly challenging when it comes to being successful, and from all the information available will not become any easier moving forward. Support established business, stay away from underground stylists whose mandate is to not pay taxes, put a quick buck in their pocket, and inevitably leave you with a less than quality experience only found in a dedicated salons or spas whose mission is to provide cosmetologists a place to grow, learn and give back. If we are to survive and see small business thrive, we need to believe in where we going; feel like our voices are heard, the salon is there to support you, our most cherished customer.

Imagine salon & spa has been committed to this vision since day one, and will be committed to providing an honest service for fair value.