Follow your dreams – Your Salon Sanctuary

Millennials – The Swear Word

June 27, 2018February 19, 2019 Angela

There’s a lot of conversation going on about millennials. Most times it sounds like people using a swear word. They say Millennials are entitled, Millennials are lazy, Millennials don’t care about anything but themselves, they are selfish. Then they finish with Millennials are in for a rude awakening, they’ll never hold down a job.

Perhaps they’re right? By the time a Millennial is 25 they average working 7 different jobs.

But here’s the thing, Millennials are not lazy or selfish, they are not entitled but they are hopeful and they want what we all want, happiness. The difference is, they believe they deserve it and we are still trying to figure that out.

Millennials are not just going to do a job for money. They will invest their time into something more meaningful. 50% would be willing to take a lesser paying job if what they were doing stood for something. 37% of those would donate extra time to their work for a purpose. Does that sound lazy or entitled?

Millennials came of age and entered the workforce during the height of an economic recession. Unemployment was at an all-time high and they had to choose crappy jobs to survive. They knew it wouldn’t be forever so they went through a few jobs looking for one that had good culture and Tribe status. They will continue to go through jobs until they find what they need or they will work for themselves. But ultimately millennials would rather be apart of a tribe and something meaningful.

Reality: Millennials are nice, optimistic, earnest, idealistic and they are tinkerers and lifehacker’s. They understand how to turn themselves into a brand, they are pro-business and financially responsible. That doesn’t sound bad, does it?

So here is our rude awakening; Millennials challenge convention, they find new and better ways to do things, they do not respect authority but don’t resent it either. 70% check their phones every hour, they are deeply anxious that they are missing out on something better and they need constant approval.

What can we learn from this? Millennials will be your biggest asset in your salon. They will believe in your values, your mission, your culture and the tribe. They will work harder for you, they will stay late or come early if it’s beneficial. They will embrace your systems but challenge you if there’s a better way. They want to work with you instead of for you. They do not want to be told they cannot check their phones, they love their phones (just not talking on them.) You will have to praise their great work, reward them for their effort and make your salon the best place to have a career so they are not concerned with missing out working somewhere else. Millennials will make your salon better, happier and a great place to be.

Here’s the kicker; you have to let them. Let them give input and change things. Let them help you grow, make decisions and run your brand. They make up 21% of all consumers and have a huge influence over older generations, they know what they want and they are determined to get it. Steer that determination in to your salon and to your guests and you will grow.

I am fortunate enough that I personally work with four Millennials. They are extremely hard-working, positive and optimistic. I am 39 years old, so, while I’m not technically a millennial I like to tell people I’m a cusp Millennial because I am with them. I want happiness and meaning in my life and I want to be with them when they change the world.

Angela

Salon Sanctuary

Follow The Leader

June 24, 2018February 19, 2019 Angela

Do you remember this game when you were a kid? Everyone would do what the ‘leader’ did. You followed everything they did; jumping up, sitting down or waving your hands around. Usually the leader would choose the most ridiculous things for you to do and you would do them.

This is the very opposite of how a leader should be. If you are just telling your Tribe what to do and have rules that don’t matter or don’t make sense then you are not leading at all. Those types of actions make you a boss rather than a leader. Which would you rather be?

What are the responsibilities of a leader? It’s in the word, a leader should lead, it’s that simple. Leaders do not dictate, they support. Leaders have clear simple rules that have purpose. Leaders are a part of the Tribe. Leaders help, they wants the best from their Tribe, they want their Tribe to succeed. Leaders love, care, support, help, nurture, listen and much more.

What are the top qualities of a great leader?

Transparency

This is the single most important quality for a great leader. Being transparent will allow for trust and vulnerability. Most people don’t feel safe enough to be transparent with people outside of their friends and family. You teach people how to treat you and if you are transparent they will be as well. It shows trust, honesty and integrity. Be open with your Tribe and they will trust you and work hard for you for it.

Consistancy

A leader must do what they say. If you speak it you must live it, if you make a promise, you have to follow through. If you want to implement something into the salon, you must do it too. You must be very cautious with how you give your word to your Tribe and the commitments that you make to them. Your consistency will show your Tribe how to be, how to act, how to treat eachother and guests. It will show how the salon operates, how it’s cleaned and what the Culture is . If you are consistent in everything you are asking of them your Tribe will respect you and your salon. Don’t forget to hold each other accountable for your words and your actions. It’s okay if you make a mistake, it happens all the time! Own it and grow from it, being accountable will make you a strong leader.

Communication

A leader must have strong communication skills. You must be decisive and ask lots of questions. If you communicate by asking questions you can make a better decision for your Tribe and your salon. You must be confident, clear and honest in your communication but never forget to be kind. Have real conversations and be truthful. Don’t forget that listening is a big part of communication, you must listen more than you talk. Give opportunities for improvement and take them as well. One of the hardest things to take is criticism, it’s human nature to defend and our egos show up. Take a deep breath, remind yourself it’s ok, you’re not perfect and your Tribe only wants the best for you and the salon. Listen to them, ask questions for more information and think about it for twenty four hours; then you’ll be able to hear the words as words and move forward with their suggestions. It’s important to show them how powerful communication is and that it will help them and the salon grow.

Focus

Focus is a huge part of leadership. You must see more and do less. Push them to be the best that they can be. Give them support and believe in them. Pay close attention to what each member of your Tribe is doing, saying and believing, we all get in our own heads sometimes. If you keep focus on them they will grow and grow your salon. Allow them to lead, focus on their strengths and you’ll be creating future Leaders for your salon. Get to know each one of your Tribe members because sometimes leading needs to happen outside of the salon too. Staying focused on your Tribe and their needs will ensure they will do they same for your guests. Your business will grow and prosper if you focus on your Tribes development.

Do you feel you have these qualities? Take time and reflect on how you are leading, how you could improve and talk to your Tribe about it. Being a leader is full of love, care, expectations, honesty and trust. Being a leader is so important in your salon and to your Tribe.

Angela

Blog

Goals or Whatever You’re Calling It

March 28, 2018June 13, 2018 Angela

I feel like this word has become apart of our every day language. It’s a word we use often but rarely put into action. Many have changed the word to a different name like target or intention, some have even tried to make it sound better by spiffing up the name like smart goals. Whatever you want to call it, when you get right down to it, a goal is something you want to accomplish in a specific amount of time.

We talk about goals all the time at the salon and I think stylists think “yes I have goals”. And that’s really great, but, tell me, what are you going to do about it? How are you going to accomplish your goals?

I want to share some strategies on how to execute your goals, so they don’t just remain floating around your head for years to come. Let’s start achieving these goals!

#1. First and most importantly, write them down! I know that you’ve heard this a million times; but it’s true, writing them down makes a goal more tangible.

#2. You need to sort your goals. Maybe you have two goals, maybe you have ten goals or maybe twenty-five? You need to put them in order! Sort them by importance or by time of execution or perhaps some of your goals will help accomplish a greater goal? Maybe you want to order them from easy to hard! Easier goals that you know you can accomplish can create a momentum; so that when you get to the harder goals you will have less fear and you will love that feeling of accomplishment you’ve become accustomed to. Whatever it is, sort your goals in an order that makes sense to you.

#3. Once you’ve written them down and decided on an order you want to complete them in, decide on a specific time you want to execute your goals by. This gives you a time limit and helps you put action into your goals.

#4. You should assess where you are currently with your goal. You cannot know how to achieve your goal if you don’t know where you’re starting from!

#5. Look at each goal and think about how you are going to accomplish it. Write your strategy down of how you can reach your goal.

#6. Write down the things that will be better in your life because you’ve obtained your goals. It is just as important to know why you are working towards the goal and what it will do for you and your work, life ect.

Now you have a path to complete your goal! Follow your steps and you will find yourself full of accomplishment, pride, happiness and perhaps addicted to obtaining goals!

To all the leaders of the salon, it is your job to help blueprint goals with your tribe! Do not write them down for them but rather talk about what goals they want to reach, how they are going to reach them and what it will do for them as a stylist. Check up on them, ask them how things are going and if they need any help. (A great place to do this is in One on Ones and Follow Ups)

Most importantly, it is your job to remain positive, cheer them on and remind them of why they are achieving their goal! (And don’t forget to goal for yourself as well!)

Let’s stop talking about goals, setting goals and saying goals, let’s start accomplishing them!

Here is an Example Goal:

Goal: Average Retail Per Guest: $15

By: June 2018

Where I am : $9.68 per guest

Average Guests Per Day: 10

Average product cost $22

I already sell 4.4 products a day. To get to $15 per guest I must sell 3 more products a day. ( equaling 7 products)

7 x $22 = $154 ÷ 10 = $15.40

This goal will help me get more money in education dollars and will help my guests with their hair at home. I will feel more connected to my guests and more professional and confident.

Let’s Succeed at Many Goals, Resolutions, Intentions, Targets or Whatever you want to Call It!

Angela

Blog

Finding Your Vision

March 12, 2018June 13, 2018 Angela

Finding Your Vision is one of the most important things for you as a salon owner. Your Vision is your compass, the thing you can look back on and know you are heading in the right direction. It’s where you’re always headed and it makes decisions at the salon very easy!

We discovered our Values and our Mission and I hope you have had a chance to reflect on yourselves and your tribe. Do you feel good about yourself as a leader?

Now that you know what your tribe looks like you can again look back to yourself and ask the ultimate question; Why did I open a salon? Really think about your answer, write it down on paper and read it out loud a few times. Are you remembering your dream? Maybe it was twenty years, ten years, or 30 days ago? However long ago it was; you had a dream of opening your own salon and that is your Vision!

One salon said they want a salon to help educate new stylists, one salon said they want to be an owner that was understanding and giving because their last owner treated them like she was a drill sergeant. Another salon said they want to own the top grossing salon in their City. What ever your Vision is; know that this is why you own your salon!

Congratulations! You have now discovered a lot about yourself and your salon, but as always, there is more work to do when building your salon culture.

We must consider a few things after we find our Vision:

1. Do your values coinside with your Vision?

2. Does your tribe of people by your side believe in your Vision?

3. How will you make your Vision a reality?

Without your Vision your salon will not be as successful as it could be and your Mission will likely not exist. Your Mission will help you execute your Vision, your Values will help you determine all of this!

Angela