Be Creative, Leave an Impression

It’s no news that business has been suffering. Clients are being more careful with their wallets and spending less across the board, saving their once weekly mani/pedis for special treats once a month. In response, a number of salons have cut prices in hopes of attracting the consumers who are still making their way to the salons, but even then, work is slow.

Cutting prices is not always your best option. In fact, with prices that haven’t changed much over the last 10 years, prices can’t get any lower than they already are. Kim Pham, owner of San Francisco, Calif.-based Nova Nail Spa, an organic and environmentally friendly nail salon, spoke to New American Media about the effect of the economy on her salon. “What helps in our case is that our prices are higher. We offer good quality services, so we charge more, so our income is OK.”

In order to keep business in the long-run, let your skills and services speak for themselves. Instead of trimming services to accommodate lower prices, add more value to your services, like an extra hand massage or simple nail art, and keep your prices stable. Offer tea or hot cocoa on cold days, add limited-time and seasonal specials unique to your salon, then promote your specials with handmade fliers. You can leave them with local restaurants and laundromats or post them on public bulletin boards.

The point is to get creative to attract business. Once your client is in your chair, take care of her and leave her with a lasting impression. Although your client’s visits may be less frequent than before, she may need your salon’s warm atmosphere and your expertise now more than ever as she, too, must face the tough economy. Once you control your own prices and distinguish your salon, you will be a step ahead when things pick up.   
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-Kim