Simple steps to success for hairstylist.

Jen Vollmer
3 min readNov 29, 2020
Tools of the trade. Credit: Jen Vollmer

In the wake of the global pandemic, many hairdressers are scrambling to make ends meet. Others are searching for inspiration in an uninspiring situation. Regardless of which of these you fall in to, everyone can benefit from these business building tips. I am hairdresser, I have worked for many years as an educator and have taken countless business building courses. I want to share some proven tips that I have learned to help you get out of that COVID slump.

Client consultation is the most important part of everything that we do as hairdressers. We often fail miserably in this area due to the lack of time or assuming we have all the information. I want to encourage you to take your time. Always sit down, you will want to be eye to eye with your client. This response will start to build trust and you can catch clues from their body language.

Ask open-ended questions.

Yes, or No questions will lead nowhere. A great place to start is with one of my go to questions, “Tell me about a time when you loved your hair.” This response will help you to understand what they love in a style while also keeping it positive and forward-focused. Listen to their words and their body language.

Every single person that sits in your chair has a challenge with their hair. It may be gray, split ends, dry, or damaged, they come to you to solve the hair problem. Once you know the issues they are facing then you can offer solutions.

Color and Style by Jen Vollmer

Offer services that match their needs and hair goals.

Follow a great consultation up with outstanding service and high quality craftsmanship. You will gain a loyal fan.

Make sure you educate your client every step of the way.

Tell them why and how to use the product and pro tools. Give them tips so that they can recreate their style at home. Provide take-home suggestions, after all, they will not be able to recreate the style without the product you use.

Always, pre-book!

Your client is far more likely to come back if they set up their appointment before they leave. Pre-booking is not only important for their hair to stay looking beautiful, it also allows you to plan for future income.

Finally, my last tip, ask for referrals.

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I am not sure why this idea is so challenging for us as hairdressers but many just don’t do it. It’s a simple question, “Do you love your hair? Can you tell your friends and family about me? I will give you $20 in services for every person you send my way to show my gratitude.” Simple and super effective.

Now that you have these small, simple tips, USE THEM! Commit to making these small changes and you will see your business begin to thrive.

Comment below to share any victories that have as a result!

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