Dear Stylists, What To Expect When You Reopen From A Georgia Salon
A Georgia-Based Stylist Shares What To Expect When Salons Reopen
As states start to reopen, salons are preparing to return to work under new circumstances—so how will things be different once we reopen? What will a regular day in the salon look like? Will hairdressers be required to wear masks? Sharon Tranter (@sharontranter_), a stylist based in Georgia where salons reopened on April 24, shared this post on Instagram sharing her personal experience, what you can expect and how to prepare your business for the reopening rush.
Keep reading for 12 things you can expect upon reopening, from Sharon’s post on @SchwarzkopfUSA’s Instagram, then get some insight on pricing, staying positive and scheduling below!
Disclaimer: Check out your state’s safety guidelines and policies, including the possible requirement of masks, for more specific information regarding your business.
After being reopen for a week, here are the major changes that Sharon is experiencing and what salons can expect:
1. Sharon recommends wearing a visor as well as a mask.
- Why should you wear a visor? “Masks do not stop all droplets, even N95 masks,” says Sharon. “They also do not protect your eyes from the virus entering. Do not create a false sense of security with masks. Protect yourself.”
2. Understand that servicing clients while wearing a mask will make working more difficult. Give yourself time to remove your mask and take breaks between clients. Book out time for a lunch break so you can breathe, rest and eat.
3. Reset your station in between clients. Rotate between different sets of cutting equipment and brushes, making sure to properly disinfect all tools with Barbicide® after each use. For more information on how to properly clean and disinfect, click here.
4. Limit blow-drying. “My visor is covered in hairspray,” says Sharon. “That shows how much the air is circulating even after you cut the dryer off.” To play it safe, limit any conversation while blow-drying unless you’re wearing a mask, especially if you have others in the room.
5. Limit talking at the shampoo basin—this is when you’re in the closest contact with clients—to reduce unnecessary risk.
6. Use reusable plastic spatulas, single-use wooden spatulas or teaspoons to safely use products. No double-dipping!
7. Swap out aprons, towels and porous materials in between each guest.
8. Wash all capes and dry until they are hot to the touch. Keep clean capes in a separate storage bin, so they don’t cross contaminate.
9. Set up a color station when the client arrives and keep everything in one place. This will make your tools and materials easier to keep track of, so you can clean and disinfect them between services.
10. Try to actively clean and disinfect all high-touch areas throughout the day. “We clean everything a client has [touched] straight away, so we don’t forget,” says Sharon.
11. If your client is buying retail, get the products for them instead of allowing them to browse the shelves. This way, YOU are the only person touching the products.
12. Deep clean and disinfect EVERYTHING before you open and after you close every day. When you leave, Sharon recommends turning off any fans or air conditioning, so anything that’s circulating in the air falls. Then, before you open, thoroughly wash all of the floors.
How To Prepare Yourself For The Reopening Rush
“You are now in high demand,” says Sharon. “Create the hours you need and work with your top-tier clients—the ones who don’t cause hassle, are disrespectful of your time and are always looking for a bargain. Time for them to find someone else.”
“You will not be able to fit everyone back in with social distancing,” adds Sharon. “Don’t try [to] be a hero and think you can do 6- to 7-day [weeks], 13-hour days to get people in. I have just made this mistake and now have to rework my schedule.”
Should You Reevaluate Your Prices?
Thinking about reevaluating your prices before reopening? When you’re back in the salon and practicing social distancing, double-booking and working endless hours with no breaks will be tough. So, you might need to consider generating more revenue to stay profitable.
Read 5 ways to reevaluate your pricing—click here!
For Example, Here’s Sharon’s Current Pricing Breakdown:
“You normally generate $50 per hour x 10 hours = $500 per day. With working with only one guest at a time you can now only bring in $250 (maybe) for the same 10 hours you are at work,” says Sharon. “You are now working for $25 per hour for the same time at work. Out of that $25 either rent, commission, color [or] operating costs need to be taken.”
Remember: Every salon is different, so make the best decisions for you and your business—and be in constant, clear communication with clients on WHY you are making these changes.
How To Stay Positive When Times Are Difficult
“It doesn’t matter if it’s today or next month, this will be the new normal,” says Sharon. “This is a reset button for your business. The clients have been amazing, grateful and supportive. It has been wonderful to see them and just to be able to make them feel a little normal by getting their hair done.”
Want to read more from Georgia salons? Here’s what changes Van Council is making upon reopening!
