the Hello Hair Pro podcast

This week we're talking about FOCUS.

The Power of Focus:

• Focus contributes to honing technical skills and creativity and delivering exceptional client experiences.

Overcoming Distractions:

• Young hair professionals may encounter common distractions, such as social media, workplace dynamics, or personal challenges.
• Setting boundaries, time management techniques, and mindfulness practices.
• Self-reflection and awareness

Goal Setting and Prioritization:

• The importance of setting clear goals and priorities to maintain focus.
• SMART goal-setting framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)

Mental and Emotional Well-being:

• The connection between mental and emotional well-being and focus.
• Prioritize well-being, establish a work-life balance, and seek support when needed!

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This week we're talking about some skills that will help you become a better person, leader, hair pro, or really anything.

Then we dive into Jen's most recent apprentice and what the beginning of the program looks like.

The SKILLS:

Virtuosity
the character, ability, or skill of a virtuoso

Patience
the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

Focus
a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding

Empathy
the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another

Candor
unreserved, honest, or sincere expression

Fortitude 
strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage

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This week we explore commission-based salons and rental situations' features, pros, and cons.

Commission-Based Salons

• Definition and explanation of commission-based salons.

Advantages for employees working in a well run commission-based salon

• Predictable income and stability.
• Access to salon-provided tools, products, and resources.
• No need to worry about product
• Marketing should be done for you
• Educational opportunities should be provided for you
• Teamwork and support from fellow stylists.

Challenges faced by employees in most commission-based salons:

• Lower earning potential due to dated pricing structures and practices
• Limited control over pricing and services offered.
• Pressure to meet sales targets and quotas.
• Limited schedule, no flexibility 
• "Pecking" order
• Dress codes
• Likely a non-compete

Rental Salons

• Definition and explanation of rental salons.

Advantages for renters in a rental salon should be:

• Freedom and flexibility in setting prices and services.
• Potential for higher earning potential *if done correctly
• Choice of product line
• Ability to personalize the salon space and create their own brand.
• No risk or long-term commitment 

Challenges faced by renters in most rental salons:

•  You're doing everything on your own 
• You're still working with percentages - unless you want to screw yourself over
• If, for example, you're not good at being on time as an employee, you won't suddenly become good when you're in charge
• Responsibility for business expenses (rent, utilities, supplies, etc.).
• Need for self-promotion and understanding of marketing to attract clients.
• Potential isolation and lack of a team environment.
• You own nothing 

Perspectives from Jen as an employee

•  Personal experiences and insights into working in this type of salon with Jen.
• Success stories and challenges faced.
• Advice for others considering employment in a commission-based salon. 

Perspectives from Jen as a renter

• Personal experiences being a hairstylist renting a station in a rental salon with Jen
• Personal experiences and insights into running their own business within a rental salon.

Need in both:

• Exceptional customer service and skills.
• Marketing
• Relationships and communication
• Business management and professionalism are required in both models.

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Today we're talking about leadership.  We also had Jen blindly rank superheroes because it seemed like it would be fun!

Poor “leaders” worry about how things will affect them and what sacrifices they may have to make instead of approaching scenarios with empathy and compassion. 

Being a leader sometimes means you’re making sacrifices others won’t. Bad leaders aren't willing to make sacrifices, and if they do, my god, are you going to hear about it. 

Adding to a messy business in an attempt to drive growth is a mistake made by misinformed leaders.

Every additional thing that requires your attention takes attention away from your main business. Bad leaders use this strategy.

It’s not about avoiding or not having problems; it’s about understanding how to deal with them. 

Here are some topics on improving your leadership we covered:

1. Keep learning
2. Practice communication
3. Lead by example
4. Empower and create opportunities for others
5. Delegate
6. Actively build and foster your culture
7. Stay organized
8. Focus on REAL customer service
9. Embrace feedback 
10. Network and collab in the real world

HELLO HAIR PRO

There is no secret sauce. 

We’re not here trying to charge people for “courses” and “modules”.  There's nothing wrong with those things; it's just not us right now.

You can find pretty close to 100% of the information we share on your own. 

We’re not interested in pretending that we’ve got the secret sauce; we’re here to do these things: show you how to grow your business, speed up your growth, and provide accountability. 

Why are we doing this? We want to help. That's it.

If you'd like to chat, CLICK HERE.

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In this episode, we discuss what we learned by visiting a farm this past weekend.

The importance of understanding your base clientele.

How to create, test, and adjust systems.

The importance of taking a step back, whether by vacation or just a little reset.

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Today, we're talking about marketing!

A business needs to be in a state of constant marketing.

Let's talk about the Instagram Blue Check Subscription

They removed increased reach as a benefit on March 17th

"Expand your reach with increased visibility and prominence in some parts of IG and FB like comments, search, and recommendations." This "benefit" was removed.

My 2¢

• I think it's a plan by a giant company whose numbers are dropping.
• I think it's tricking many people into thinking something cool will happen because most people are looking for a magic pill.
• Most people think, "If I just do this one thing, it'll put me over the top!" when you should think, "How can I do common things uncommonly well."
• Again, it goes back to asking the RIGHT questions: How can I stand out to my target clients is a much better question than what can I do to get popular on an app?
• If you have a small following or are trying to build your clientele, focusing on a blue badge next to your name isn't help you.  Use that $15 for marketing that will give you a measurable return.

Here's where you should focus:

Internally

• Ask the RIGHT questions 
• Decide WHAT you want to do - What services do you want to offer or highlight? 
• Decide WHO you want to serve - avatar
• Figure out WHERE those people are - This could be digital or in the actual real world. 
• Figure out HOW you will make them aware of your existence - how will you stand out?

In the real world

• Bring coffee to a local business owner and chat with them
• Setup a time to speak at a local hair school
• Volunteer at a local school event in your town - We're setting up at the father-daughter dance in our elementary school
• Find an open house or other events that might be looking for people to attend - we've been invited to business owner groups, and you can be too!

Online

• Focus
• Try - Give an honest effort
• Focus on the WHERE your potential clients are and not on where you want them to be - for example, if your peeps are on FB, but you're only posting on IG, then you won't experience as much success.
• Be clear
• Stop trying to impress other hair pros - that does NOTHING for you
• Focus on being the best solution to people's problems, your target audience.

"Attracting the RIGHT Clients" blog post

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“Time is our most valuable non-renewable resource, and if we want to treat it with respect, we need to set priorities.” -Albert-László Barabási

In this episode, we discuss focusing and spending your time wisely throughout different career stages.

We cover these main areas:

You're in hair school 

• Get in those reps!
• Loosely explore options
• Shadow or possibly assist
• Consider your personal values

Avoid

• Worrying about a logo from the dude on IG
• Deciding your entire future

You've just finished hair school 

• Get a service at a potential shop
• Marketing
• Technical growth
• Start to learn about business if that's an interest
• Present yourself as a professional 

Avoid

• Social media gurus 
• Comparison 
• Advanced techniques *there’s a time and place
• Shadowing at 200 different shops

You've just started a business / Building a business

• Mentor 
• Marketing - double down 
• Foundations - mission, vision, core values
• Assemble your team ie, lawyer, accountant, commercial realtor, bank

Avoid 

• Assuming you know everything, you don't
• Putting off asking for help

Your business is a few years old / Growing a business

• Mentor
• Grow people to replace you
• Be crystal clear on your foundation
• Personal development - mindset

Avoid

• Complacency and stubbornness 
• Assuming what has worked will continue to work
• Playing monkey see monkey do

If you need help or want to chat, REACH OUT HERE!

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In episode 84, we pick up our conversation with Tyler Sullivan of Sullivan Beauty right where we left off by discussing complacency.

Enjoy part 2 of this conversation, and then take action to improve your business!  

Complacency is one of the silent killers of business

A brief touch on social media and where things are going.

What is something that distributors are missing/leaving on the table/dropping the ball on?

Programs offered by SB that you should really go check out:

• Explanation of Sullivan's Elite Rewards Program
• The e-commerce solution, Stylist Stores, *pays a full commission!

Is it worth competing with conglomerates, or is leaning into what you do best?

"Warren Buffets 5/25 Rule"

What does the process of bringing new product lines on look like? 

Demonstrating integrity by sticking to the company values.

Avoiding placing undue pressure on the team, JUST for the sake of bringing on new lines.

Has SB ever had to drop a line?  

Have you considered leveraging technology such as ai, augmented, and/or virtual reality?

Shout out to Christian Awesome for the content he's putting out and how innovative he is. 
Find him on IG @ChristianAwesome

What can we expect to see next from Sullivan Beauty?

We wanted to finish by running through some quick-ish, fun questions.

Here they are:

• What's your favorite color?
• How do you drink your coffee?
• What did you want to be when you were in 8th grade?
• Did your father intend for you, your brother, and your sister to carry on and take the company into the future?
• In what area of education should the industry focus?
• Have you considered hosting business-focused classes?
• What is most important for your customers to know about your company?
• Pineapple or no on pizza?

A quick thought from Tyler on Hello Hair.

You can find Tyler and Sullivan Beauty here:
IG: @SullivanBeauty
Find more education from SB at: sullivanbeauty.com/edu
IG: @ShampooTyler

As always, thank you sincerely for tuning in; you're appreciated.

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In episode 83, we were excited to sit down with Tyler Sullivan.  

Tyler is a son, a brother, a dog lover, a business owner, a friend, and someone we enjoy having conversations with.  He's more stuff too, but this is a podcast description, and we only get so many characters. 

We talk over tons of topics that we hope will inspire some thought and, if required, some action.  

Our conversation lasted over 2 hours, and we've decided to break it into 2 parts rather than edit a bunch of stuff out.  

Tyler, alongside his brother Kerry and sister Lauren, owns New England's longest-standing independent beauty supply distributor, Sullivan Beauty.  His role within the company is Director of Business Development.

We don't often have guests but have recently considered exploring new avenues.  Sitting down with Tyler was a no-brainer for us.

We knew he'd drop some knowledge bombs, inspire action, and bring some fun! 

When you meet Tyler, there's one thing that becomes clear almost immediately. . .he's here to help others succeed and he does it by caring. 

Some of the topics we covered:

• History of Sullivan Beauty 
• Sullivan Beauty HQ in Hooksett, NH - the think tank, the learning center
• Education 
• Sullivan Beauty's corporate structure 
• The dynamic of working with family
• A distributor's role in the industry
• How and why Hello Hair decided to align with Sullivan Beauty
• The differences between an independent distributor and a conglomerate 
• What the client experience looks like at scale - is it still cool to text?
• Staying relevant 

Enjoy, and tune in next week for part 2!

Also - if you have someone you think we should chat with, let us know.

Here's some contact info that you should check out, ya know, if ya want to:
IG: @shampootyler
Website: sullivanbeauty.com

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This week we're talking about motivation!

These are the points we covered:

• Putting people in the position to succeed 
• Help the person focus on themselves and what's best for them
• Understanding what people truly want
• Create opportunities 
• Having their back AND demonstrating that
• Setting firmer “rules” and/or structure 
• Having “the” conversation that needs to be had
• Creating accountability 
• Creating consistent dialogue 

As always, thanks for listening!

We'd love a review wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts, it really helps the show.

Jen & Todd

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In this episode, we discuss our hiring process and share insights on how the industry generally approaches hiring.

Todd literally lays out a step-by-step 'how to get hired at Hello Hair Co' 

The Hello Hair Co 4-step hiring process
1 Chat, usually several 
2 Invite to shadow
3 Invite to the team 
4 Model day 

*These steps CAN be altered at our discretion 

We do not believe in holding people back.

We want people on the floor and working as quickly as possible (while remaining responsible to our business)

We push and challenge people (which is why some don’t last)

LITERALLY How to get hired at Hello Hair Co

• Stand out. 
• Be able to have conversations 
• Understand some basic math
• Ask your questions
• Effort, understand that things such as marketing are part of your job
• Don’t be in school 
  
  *Listen to the episode for details on each point

Things to AVOID

• Name-dropping 
• Being a know it all 
• 3 Talking over others (One of Todd's pet-peeves)
• 4 Talking smack about your previous employer 

Once hired - Here's how to keep your position:

• Show up ready
• Prioritize cleanliness 
• Put others first
• Help out 
• Be accountable 
• Commit

When leaving a shop

• Don’t burn the bridge; you're destroying future opportunities

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In this episode, we talk about the differences between an apprenticeship and an assistant position.

It's especially important to clearly define both; both require strong systems and leadership to be effective.

Todd expresses frustration with the common practice of taking advantage of "assistants" in the hair world.

And more!

Reach out if you'd like to learn more about how we can help you define the aspects of your business!

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In this episode (we're both fighting the longest-lasting cold ever), we're talking about a few strategies we've used to put clients in chairs.

Topics covered:

Facebook.
Facebook isn't dead; in fact, we've leveraged Facebook to bring plenty of clients into Hello Hair Co.  You can do the same, and it does NOT require paying for adds, but it does work best with effort and a strategy.

Referrals.
Referrals work, but they need to be done properly.  Telling 100% of your clients that you want to do their friend's hair may not be as effective (quite often, it isn't) as targeting your BEST clients.

The real world.
It's easy to post to social and be done, but nothing compares with real-world interaction and creating relationships in your community.

Effort.
Random could work.  You might get lucky.  Having a focused, thought-out approach will always yield superior results in the end.

We'd LOVE a review!  

If you found value in this or any other episode - please head to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen and leave us a 5-star review.

That would help us to get the show in front of more people, and we'd truly appreciate your help!

Best,
Jen & Todd

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Do you struggle to turn a profit with your business? Or find yourself wondering why your revenue isn't where it should be, despite your hard work and dedication. 

The truth is, it's not uncommon for salon businesses to experience struggles and setbacks along the way. But to turn things around, you first need to identify the root causes of those struggles.

In this episode, we dive into identifying some of the root causes/issues a business may face.

Whether you're a seasoned salon owner or just starting out, this episode will help you think about things in a different way. 

What we touched on:

1. Poor financial management: Many salon owners struggle to manage their finances effectively, leading to cash flow issues, debt, and difficulty paying bills on time. 
2. Low customer retention: If customers are not returning to the salon, it can be a sign that they are not satisfied with the services or customer experience. This can lead to lost revenue and reduced profitability.
3. Low staff morale: If staff members are unhappy, it can impact their productivity and customer service, leading to reduced revenue and profitability. 
4. Outdated marketing strategies: If a salon is not attracting new customers, it may be due to outdated marketing strategies or a lack of social media presence.
5. Inefficient operations: If a salon is not operating efficiently, it can lead to increased costs, decreased productivity, and lost revenue.
6. Inadequate product or service offerings: If a salon's product or service offerings are not meeting the needs or desires of its target market, it can result in decreased revenue and profitability.
7. Lack of differentiation: If a salon is not offering unique services or experiences, it can be challenging to stand out in a crowded market and attract new customers.
8. Overhead costs: If a salon's overhead costs are too high, it can make it difficult to generate a profit. Overhead costs can include rent, utilities, insurance, and other expenses associated with running a business.
9. Inadequate technology: If a salon's technology is outdated or inefficient, it can impact productivity, customer service, and overall profitability. This can include outdated booking systems, point-of-sale software, or other tools used to manage the business.

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This week we're talking about the benefits of streamlining your salon business.

The economy isn't the best - pretty sure we can all agree on that.  

What no one can seem to agree on is whether things get worse or not and when we will see an upturn.

As always, we begin with an assessment.

Google "SWOT analysis" 

Surviving and thriving in a tough economy will take honesty assessment.

Recognize the importance of what clients will want.  Less emotion, more logic.

1. Assessing your business
2. Cutting costs
3. Simplifying operations
4. Maximizing revenue 

Reach out to chat with us!

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In this episode, we're looking at salon culture, its meaning, and how to change yours if needed.

We start by defining what we're talking about when we say "business culture," which is your values, beliefs, and behavior.

Todd tells a quick story about the gym world and what happens when you're lazy with defining your culture.  Hint: You end up looking exactly like everyone else.

The role of leadership for salon culture.

Strategies for Building a Positive Salon Culture 

• Hiring the right people and creating a TRUE team environment 
• Fostering open communication and constructive feedback 
• Encouraging creativity and professional growth
• Eliminate obstacles and create growth opportunities for others

Promoting Workplace Wellness
Understand the importance of physical and mental wellness.

Building Resilience in the Face of Challenges 

• Common challenges in the hair industry and their impact on salon culture and workplace wellness
• Get rid of THAT person who disrupts your culture in a negative way
• Coping with stress and preventing burnout 
• Encouraging a culture of resilience and growth
• Coach and encourage your team

We hope you enjoyed the episode!
We'd love a review, a share, or a hello, so hit us up!

Best,
Jen & Todd

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In this episode, we chat about customer service!

Before jumping in, we chat briefly about Jen's most recent trip to Savannah, where she spent a week with the evo team.

Customer service has two sides (like everything), and we must address both.

What we're calling the science side is made up of the technical aspects, such as understanding client behavior, needs, and challenges.  Then relying on data and metrics to guide decisions.

What we're referring to as the art side is the skillset of tools that you'll use to service clients.  This is how you communicate, showing up with enthusiasm and making sure that your clients are having a good time, feel understood, and are excited to come back to see you again.  

We'll dive into this more in an upcoming blog post!

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Today we're talking about balancing family, work, creativity, personal well-being, and more!

Finding ways to create balance will positively impact your business and life outside of work.  The process does take some time to develop, but we promise it's worth your efforts.

“Consistently working late is not necessarily a sign of a hard worker, but rather the inability to use time wisely.” —Victor Bretting

Understanding the Challenges

• The challenges that hair professionals face in balancing creativity and business.
• Some real-life examples.

Strategies for Success 

• Planning 
• Asking for help
• Scheduling 
• Setting realistic goals and prioritizing tasks.
• Setting aside time to NOT work together.
• Setting boundaries and delegating responsibilities.

Importance of Self-Care & Outlets 

• The importance of self-care in balancing creativity and business.
• Go to another salon and have a service.
• Exercise 
• Meditate, float, walk, or get a massage.
• Taking care of oneself can impact the ability to balance.
• Outline various self-care practices that hair professionals can adopt to maintain balance.
• Don't take yourself too seriously 

 Book a call to find out how we can help you gain more balance!

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We're covering some topics in this episode, including expanding your business and customer service.

We talk about expansion because it's a very tempting option for many but a wrong choice for most.  If your goal is to expand in any capacity, you must have a solid foundation, including your business plan, mission, vision, core principles, and more.

Some options for expanding:

• Franchising: This is when someone pays a royalty to use your business name, model, systems, etc. Not super common in the hair industry, but we touch on it briefly.
• Multiple locations: This is when you open another copy of your business in another location.
• Expanding in your current location: Knocking down a wall, taking over another unit, etc.

Challenges you'll need to consider when expanding:

• Your systems need to be perfected
• Hiring, training, and managing
• Increasing revenue to cover increased costs
• Marketing and advertising
• Financial management
• Increased risk

Keep in mind; Bigger is not always better.  In most cases, it's worse.

Customer service 

• Relationship building and nurturing 
• Dealing with difficult customers
• Communication 
• Follow up
• Measuring and tracking

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In this episode, we're chatting about several topics that surround building a clientele and marketing to your PERFECT clients.

State of Mind

• It's important to believe in yourself and your offerings - if you don't buy in, no one else will. This includes your pricing.
• Have a positive mindset when it comes to your pricing and work.

Understanding Your Clients

• Think about things from the client's perspective
• Clients don't care about your certifications; they care about you being the best solution to their problems.

Marketing Strategies

• Utilize social media, BUT it's critical to think outside of the box!
• Want to stand out? Consider launching a podcast or blog.
• You must stand out on social media.
• Demonstrating your business's strategic differences can help attract the right clients.

Social Proof and Reviews

• Reviews and social proof can help attract new clients.
• Your reviews don't have to include only 5 stars; remember, you're not trying to be for everyone; you're trying to find your perfect clients.

Online Booking and Digital Marketing

• Making the booking process as frictionless as possible will increase your bookings. Fact. People want simplicity.
• Your website needs to have clear contact information, online booking, and consistent branding.

Client Experience

• Focus on and evaluate your client experience.
• Retention is huge for building business, and keeping current clients happy will lead to more referrals. Those referrals will likely be similar to those sending them.

Follow-Up and Referrals

• Following up with clients will make them feel special.
• When was the last time you reached out post-appointment to let a client know you appreciate them?

Reach out if you'd like to talk about how we may be able to help your business grow!

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