How do you work 4 hrs a week and own a salon?

[thebeautylounge]

I've been reading this fabulous book, but I have yet to see how this can relate to my business. People pay to see me personally. How do I live abroad and work from my computer? I don't see it possible. When I go on vacation for a week my clients freak out. How dare I leave for a week?! I love what I do! I know this is not what I want to do for another 10 yrs. I think what I will eventually be able to do is charge more, cut down on my days and then ultimately make money from everyone else working there. Just wondered if anyone has any other thoughts on how to tie this into a service related business. Thanks!;)

[neuromancer]

how about a hair product and style expert blog. Provide information on what to buy, where to buy it, good styles for different types of hair. Anything salon related would work. Then monetize the site and as the money starts coming in, hire people to write the posts and manage the site.

[laniers]

Just wondered if anyone has any other thoughts on how to tie this into a service related business. Thanks!;)

How about teaching? Remember the guy in the book that sold the DVDs on how to set up security for storage units. I'm sure there are plenty of hairstylist that would drop $39.95 for a dvd with the latest hair styling techniques. Find a niche and become the queeen of that market. Leverage, build it once and sell it over and over and over again.

[Hostel_Takeover]

Hey,
One of the greatest myths in a service business is that your clients have to see you and can't work w/anyone else. The truth is that your clients come back to see you again and again because of the standards of service you represent, not you personally. To be able to take advantage of the mobile lifestyle while keeping your business means you need to find a replacement for yourself. An individual or group of folks who you can train to do "it" as well as you can. Before anyone goes puffing themselves up to think it can't be done, remember this, you learned this skill at some point. Everyone can learn to do your job, you did! Let go of this myth, it is the surest thing to keep you from any kind of life because you believe that your clients can't live w/out you! They can, and you can teach someone else to do it as well and still profit from the experience.
You should try this out for a two week period. Week One, write down a list of all the things that you do and star the things that you do especially well that no one else is trained to do. Start off the second week by writing down step by step what it would take for you to do the things you do every day, and pay extra attention to the star'ed items. It is better to replace yourself w/a team instead of one lone individual. This way you can't be held hostage when they want to get more money or develop the mobile lifestyle themselves.
Best of luck replacing yourself.
Hostel_Takeover

[Mike Rhodes]

I met a great lady the other day that owns 3 salons in Canberra here in Australia
check out www.tgshairstudios.com.au
I won't give a number here, but I'm sure you could find them in the yellow pages & give the boss Tammy a call ;)
She's absolutely lovely & I'm sure would help

Also - if you haven't already - read The E-Myth
then read it again

"Build one as if you had 5000"

Good luck :)

Mike

[thebeautylounge]

Thank you to all who replied and to all who will be replying! Yes I have read the e-myth revisited and it's helped me to be more than just the lady behind the chair. I'm not sure if I agree with hostel_takeover's point, they do come back for me personally and my level of service. I understand what your trying to say, but I do more than just cut hair. I really should be known as a hairdresser/therapist/marriage counselor/etc.! I know that someday they will be going to someone else since this is not what I want to do forever. I like the dvd idea - that's a great possibility -it's just a matter of finding my niche. Thanks again and I look forward to more ideas and less work!!

[wildsoul]

Bigger (meaning more staff or multiple locations) isn't necessarily better. The salon industry has it's own set of management headaches that people outside the industry don't understand. There are some things that can work to help you regain your freedom, but it's more than can be adequately answered here.

I really don't want to break the terms of service of the board, hence I haven't responded yet. You see, I am a salon/spa consultant. So I might be able to help you, but it's too big a topic for a chat forum. I'd have to speak with you to answer you properly.

If you'd like to have a no-charge phone meeting with me, send a private message and I'll tell you how to reach me.

Board moderators: if this rubs against the TOS let me know.

[Marcie]

You're fine, as long as you're not linking to anything to sell! Thanks for your concern though!

[Bostonjohn]

There are a lot of good ideas here. The problem is is that you have to sort them out. You can still work in your salon and start a side biz. when the side biz's take off you can take yourself on a long vacation. A blog about hairstyling is a great idea. A private label of hair products is a great idea. (It would be nice to make Paul Mitchell's income.) The problem that most people have is the ability to think big, not big but huge!