How do you gain more clients as a hairstylist? When I was still a hairdresser one thing I used to do was this. Clients loved it and it made me the busiest and most expensive stylist for at least 100 miles. After the haircut and just before I used to start the dry, I would…
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How do you build a salon culture of freedom and responsibility? Everyone can handle the truth in your salon business. Especially post Covid, everyone needs to understand where you stand in your salon business, how bad or well things are going, how many clients you lost during the lockdowns, and how much sales are down…
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The power of walking and the effect it will have on your salon business. Did you drive to your salon this morning? After looking outside at the red sky I decided it would be best to walk my son to nursery. Rain or shine the reason is good enough reason to do it. Being outside…
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Saying YES in your life and business will help you build a better hairdressing salon. Get all of the staff in your salon to do this one you have done it. But first; I spent a lot of my life saying no. Alan, would you like this? No. Alan, should we do this? No. Alan,…
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I know you will want to get clients back into your salon. Your mind has been under constant attack for the past two years. We need to fix this. Billions have been invested into making sure you are scared shitless during this pandemic. In the U.K. the government hired a nudge squad during that period…
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Here’s how to get more cash in your drawer right now. This is the buying season in your salon. It probably feels like everything has changed for you and your salon. It has, and nothing right now will take it back to 2019 and before. That’s doesn’t mean you cant make amazing money – you…
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So many success stories or failures come down to leadership. How can one business owner thrive in times of crisis and another in a similar situation vanish entirely? How can you best develop as a leader, how can you guide your team members and hold yourself accountable? Good leadership is about asking good questions, so here are…
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Digital gift cards have become increasingly more popular among local businesses to supplement the cash flow and support local brands. But not every hair salon has a way to sell online gift cards through the website, if you still have not got the gift cards set up for sale it is time to get things…
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You are proposing new ideas in your salon but your stylist who has been working with you for over 7 years does not think it’ll work. She believes your proposal of increasing the average order value will anger the clients, and in general, she believes there is little point in making changes at all as things work as…
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If you have a strong consultation system selling takes care by itself including the sale of retail products, colour, next appointments, new online tutorials, and more. In times of an unsellable environment, what can you do to start selling unsellable services? Here are 5 ideas to help create a better sales experience while you are unable…
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It comes as no shock that Christmas 2020 shopping season will be different. With the change in clients’ preferences, new ways of spending money have emerged. Let’s make sure to ride these trend waves and rain or snow enjoy Christmas with all its magic. To help you stay on top I’ve been doing research for you to help…
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I had to write to tell you my experience around one hour ago in a salon. I walked into one of the big franchise Regis salons in the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Not for a haircut (no, no, no) but to buy a bottle of foam to tame my frizzy curls. Anyway when I walked…
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It’s an underrated talent, yet problem-solving know-how helps you make clear decisions during uncertain times and in many cases becomes the key tool to help recover post-COVID business. To become a rock star at solving problems, use this easy to follow guide. 1. Ask yourself, why should I care about this problem? Write down a problem…
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Opening a hair salon? 9 questions you must ask before opening a hair salon. Listen below as Alan Forrest Smith shares the secrets to opening a successful hairdressing salon.
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How to have a busy salon week every week as if it is an unlock or a pre-Christmas week? Listen to Punk Fundamentals as Alan Forrest Smith explains what you must do today to remain busy in your salon every single week. Must listen for all salon owners, managers and aspiring new salon business owners.
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Don’t Open a Hair Salon Until You Watch THIS! When I opened my first hair salon I did this. I had an idea. I spoke to the landlord. I signed the lease. I sold my car to fit it out and bang … I had my first salon. Very quickly after that, the whole thing…
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This is a very important read for you as a salon owner. Some good advice and some future forecasts about the salon as a business from me. I am basing these predictions on the huge mental shift humans have just passed through. Based on the complexity of running a salon as a real business and…
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Today, I just want to send you some food for thought. I will follow up with more. Here it is …. Right now there isn’t a lot you can do about the lockdown. Early on we created a call to try and help but the help offered on there was quickly over-ridden by the government’s…
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How to generate £2k in your salon business in 7 days. A short video explains the simple steps you need to take to hit your new challenge. Summary
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For as far as I remember I’ve been buying health magazines, it was around 2004 I saw a free sample offer to try one of then Holmes Clubs in London, now Virgin Active. I was a student so free was great. After the trial weekend I did not sign up for the gym membership, because…
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Counterintuitive as it may sound your own salon business success can ruin your business. Now that you are more successful you might be dealing with bigger teams, or perhaps you have a new partner that does not always share your vision of what the next 5-10 or 20 years might look like. For example, when…
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If you have a struggling or underperforming salon business you really should read this one. The world of marketing your business has changed beyond belief and if you don’t have this you’ll struggle to gain the edge. Let me start by asking you… … Where do you feel the safest? Close to the EDGE? Or…
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We all make mistakes, anything from being late to a meeting to entrusting a person to do a job they are not suitable for. Usually, no mistake can be such that can not be solved, often a simple conversation or a carefully worded email can undo the damage, yet if you have ever felt you…
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We hear so many times how staff can create serious problems for the salon owners like you. The question is, is it the team or the way you might be approaching your team building that could be creating problems? I’ve asked Alan to summarize some ideas that will make your team building easier. Here they…
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Am I ready to change my business? Am I getting the results I need to be getting in my business? Have I gone as far as I can? Is now the right time to restructure my business? For all your business questions there are answers, learn more. From www.salonpunk.com and Alan Forrest Smith
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Do you have a hidden team within your team? Could your salon stylists, receptionists, managers and juniors all work together in harmony to build the salon where not only you enjoy but where all your employees thrive and become part of your salon success? The most-engaged employees work together in ways companies don’t even realize.…
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How not to be an average hairdresser and how to turn your averages into your advantage. Listen to the episode below.
What is the biggest threat to your salon business? It’s probably not what you might be thinking. Listen to the short episode to find out why.
It’s a long time since I started my first salon business in 1985. For me, it was about making the money. Yes, service was key but making money (profit not turnover) was the key. No money and my kids didn’t get fed. I was young, I was naïve but it worked and ran until today.…
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Do you employ a FREEDOM WORKFORCE? The way people – hairdressers – work and think has profoundly changed. If you are still trying to employ staff the way you’ve always employed staff you are in trouble. Staff of today don’t even consider themselves to be workers (or as they would say and think slaves). They…
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By the time you open this email I will be on a plane at 30,000 feet heading to Aberdeen, Scotland with my little salon punk, Demna and of course my darling wife Tamuna. I am heading to meet a client and make (hopefully) radical changes in their business over the next few months. Here’s what…
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Grab a coffee, grab a seat, get some quiet and read. I’m on a plane. I’ve just had a moment. Before I tell you that moment I will tell you why I am on a plane. I have been invited to visit a 21-year old salon business that has become layered with unnecessary ideas, old…
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When you love what you do, when you are creative, stepping aside is not easy. But as times goes by, priorities change. How you want to lead your business and what you would rather do on a day to day basis changes as well. Whether you choose to keep your seat behind the chair or…
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We are definitely in an age where everything is being RE/defined. Salon business, workspace, money, life, death, age and just about anything else you can think of. Take (older) age for example. At the age of just 48, my own dad retired (at 84 he’s still going strong). In those days dads looked old and acted…
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Weird question right but your survival might one day depend on your answer. Here is how to know if you are a yesterday salon. Do you open up and sit and wait to see what the day or week will bring? Are you reliant on how your team behave or perform? Are you being used…
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I want to share something with you. It’s more than relevant for your salon. Many years ago before I wrote my first book I realised the first thing I had to conquer was my mind. I didn’t realise right away it took years of wanting to write before I really began writing and then finally…
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A new salon mentor client I am working with has a problem almost all salon mentor owners have and it is this. All are infected by the salon industry corporate thinking. This is a massive problem because it really doesn’t work in salons and probably isn’t working in yours. So first the good news. It…
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In 1979 I did my first marketing. It was a couple of fly posters and tickets I design for my punk band, Clone Youth. It was easy. Get big posters made up and stick them where the people you wanted to come to the gig were hanging out. Marketing doesn’t get any more basic than…
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Who controls your salon? There is a huge problem in our hairdressing or salon owners industry. It is good to know what that problem is and how it began. You probably are affected. When the modern salon began it was all about the haircut. Precision, perfection style and just cool. The scissor was the tool…
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When my favorite Italian cafe, Carluccios, closed down I was disappointed, but not surprised. Carluccio’s had the best location in our very wealthy village, but while other casual dining places in thrived, they had to close their doors. Is your salon also located in the best street in the busy town, or city, but struggle…
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What happened when one Extreme Stylist decided to break the rules of the hairdressing. A case study podcast every salon owner and stylist should listen to. Also available via Apple iTunes, follow here Salon Punk
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Staff don’t care much in your salon? It’s most likely that the staff problems are created by yourself, but you have the power to change that so that your team is happy working in your salon and enthusiastic to help you build your vision too. listen to the short episode below Salon Punk Visit: How…
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THE TEST WILL REVEAL The Health of Your Salon Business The Future of Your Salon Business The Changes You Must Make To Your Salon Gives You A Guide As To What You Must Do Next Life these days have become a series of tests. I really noticed this since Tamuna has been pregnant. (OUR BABY…
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On Friday’s make sure to do this and you’ll have full cash register this weekend even if you were quiet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Listen to the episode below and don’t forget to follow us on IGTV stories on Instagram for more stories like this. The Salon Punk
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How to increase your takings on Thursdays when you’ve had a quiet week? Listen to the short episode as Alan Forrest Smith explains what you can do today to make up for quiet days this week. Also, don’t miss your day by day to do list to grow your clients on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.…
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Did you create a list of things to be done? Did you get more clients through your door? Don’t worry I get it I understand that running a salon can be mental! So here is what you can do today – Wednesday – to get your takings up. Write another list (oh shit lol) and…
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How salon management will grow your salon business and create busy columns for any stylist. Listen to the short episode as Alan Forrest Smith shares the proven tips to managing your salon effectively. For more stories visit Salon Punk Podcast
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How do you fill columns on Tuesday? Yesterday we talked about creating a list or two on Monday’s (not my fav thing to do) but we did it. My own salon Tuesday was like this: So I would jump in my mini copper and drive over to my salon 5-miles away. The 5-mile drive could…
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Even if you’re off on Monday in your mind you’re still at your salon. Do this simple exercise and it’ll give you an amazing week I promise. Mondays for me in the early days always felt as if I was freaking out over what the week would bring into my salon. Until that is I…
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Here’s a fact: A successful salon is a well-managed salon. But let me tell you this. A salon that has no management will struggle with things that should be easy. Let’s start with a story. First, I know I have written for a while myself but my excuse is we have been very busy trying…
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“Alan if you had to do just one thing to pack out any salon what would it be?” SALON SAMPLER – IS That Program We caught up with Alan Forrest Smith in the coffee shop to talk about his new book, Salon Sampler. Listen to this brief interview as he explains why he wrote this…
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Sombody mentions “customer reviews” and you are probably thinking about the likes, comments and thumbs ups next to your salon’s social page profile. But if you look beyond the salon industry you will probably notice how some of the successful brands are actively bringing this social proof off the web and into the brick-and-mortar shops.…
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