Do you have an extreme stylist hiring program in place? In thinking about growing your salon’s sales over the next 6 months, are you focusing on the team you’ll need to get there? Are you evaluating your current stylists and how much more they can contribute?
When you think about expanding your team, do you only consider numbers: “We need 5 more stylists,” or “We need to double our team”?
If you’re not consistently thinking ahead and building the right team, achieving meaningful salon growth in 6 months will be difficult.
Start hiring today the team you will need in 6 months, here are four things to consider! (Discover more about Extreme Hiring in Salon Extreme 21)
1. Don’t reduce hiring to a numbers game.
It’s easy for salon managers to feel they need a certain number of stylists, often arguing for 5 new hires. But consider the cost: depending on the skill level, each stylist could cost between £25,000 and £50,000 per year and even more. Hiring 5 stylists could mean an additional £125,000 to £250,000 annually! Do you really need that many new stylists, or could hiring just 2 skilled stylists be enough to drive the growth you want?
Many salons have overstaffed to the point where employees were left with nothing to do but lounge in the backroom. One famous salon even had a staff-only bar in the basement! It wasn’t sustainable, and the salon eventually closed.
On the flip side, hiring in a rush out of desperation can lead to poor decisions. Take a look at the new stylists you’ve hired recently—did half of them not fit in because you rushed the process?
Conversely, being too selective can leave you understaffed and overwhelmed.
2. Don’t assume your current team will be your future dream salon team.
It’s understandable! The salon industry often fosters close relationships between owners and stylists, leading to a strong sense of loyalty. However, it’s important to ask yourself: Is this current team equipped to scale your salon business? Personal loyalty should never overshadow professional potential when planning for growth.
3. Plan for 6 months of salon growth now.
While planning a year ahead can seem too distant, focusing on the next 6 months is more practical. Here’s how to approach it:
First, write down what you want your team to accomplish in 6 months that they aren’t achieving now. Whether it’s fully booked columns, stylists upselling 50% more, or increasing sales by 25% in color treatments—set clear goals. Picture your team working enthusiastically, efficiently, and happily to meet these objectives.
Next, examine how daily tasks might need to shift. Are stylists taking fewer coffee breaks? Is there more active collaboration in the mornings? Who’s making decisions, measuring sales, or managing checklists?
To achieve your 6-month goals, what will your team need to learn or do differently? Will they require daily trackers, more training, or a higher level of responsibility? (Discover more about daily trackers, and goal sheets, easy to-follow stylist management systems in Salon Extreme 21)
This process will likely highlight existing issues—maybe your stylists need more creative training, your receptionist needs to upsell more effectively, or your marketing isn’t as strong as it should be.
4. Solve future staff problems by addressing current ones.
Once you’ve identified the problems, consider the skills your team will need to resolve them. What kind of new hires will best complement your existing team? What gaps in knowledge need to be filled?
By identifying and addressing current challenges, you’ll be better equipped to hire and train the right people who will ensure your salon’s success.
If you’re looking for further guidance, Salon Extreme 21 is an essential guide for salon owners and managers. It will help you hire the right team, clarify expectations for each stylist, and achieve the efficiency your salon deserves. LEARN MORE HERE
Tamara Forrest-Smith
