” There is no substitute for basic honesty and integrity in one’s life.”
Many hairdressers and salon owners are experiencing many challenges in trying to provide a better life for themselves and their families. In order to raise our standard of living and make this a reality, we must join together as professionals and address a topic that is hurting our salons, our profession, and our livelihoods. The purpose of this message is to combat turnover and help bridge the gap between salon owners and hairdressers, so we can provide a better dialogue and better understanding between staff and management. It all starts with honesty and a code of ethics.
Getting ahead at the expense of others is just wrong. Are we all not on the same team? There is plenty of work for everyone.
Honesty and a code of ethics is the foundation to growing a successful business and hairdressing career for both staff and owner.
Honesty between management and staff will lead to a professional and positive salon environment for everyone and help combat turnover and business instability.
Sadly there are many hairdressers and salon owners who attempt to get ahead at the expense of others. When disruption of business occurs, everyone is affected.
Follow these three guidelines in building a solid foundation when building your career or business, you’ll be a more happier and successful professional.
Gossip, Pettiness and Negativity — allowing yourself to be drawn into salon gossip and pettiness against the owner is just dishonest. You have a right to complain, but do so with the owner in private, not with other hairdressers. Your boss will appreciate your honesty.
Taking Phone Numbers — of customers with out owner’s permission is just wrong, especially if you plan on quitting and going to another salon. Keep in mind, if another salon solicits your services and expects you to bring a clientele, let that serve as a red flag and warning that your new salon is depending on you to make their salon successful.
Unethical Salon Owners — most salon owners attempt to build their business in an ethical and honest manner the old fashion way by hard work, a strong code of ethics, and a determination to build a successful business that will benefit both owner and hairdresser.
Unfortunately many salon owners will attempt to recruit a competitor’s staff member after they have been trained and built a clientele by offering higher commissions or booth rental options.
Recruiting hairdressers who have been trained by another salon owner after they build a clientele by means of letters, flyers, post cards, and various other means in the hopes that they can build and grow their business is just wrong and unprofessional.
Now we are seeing a lot of commission and rent wars within the beauty profession. What you’re really doing is creating conditions that foster dishonesty within your business. Your workers will not forget how you hired them when a better deal comes along. What goes around, comes around.
Your credibility and leadership abilities will also be questioned by your other staff members when you attempt to recruit a hairdresser from another salon.
Unfortunately when you recruit a hairdresser from another salon, your new hairdresser will be difficult to manage and be unwilling to adapt to your salon’s quality control guidelines and contribute to a team culture.
In addition, their clients will show loyalty to the hairdresser and not loyalty to your salon.
Unfortunately many salon owners are being forced into this cycle out of desperation just to survive
An equal playing field will benefit everyone. Honesty and a code of ethics is the only way to be successful in business and in building a successful hairdressing career.
Of course there will be times that a hairdresser needs to change jobs due to poor management and other legitimate factors, but do so in an honest and ethical manner.
Personally when ever someone applied for a job at my salon I never asked for a clientele, in my opinion that clientele belonged to the previous owner because I firmly believed in a code of ethics. I trusted myself in promoting and helping my new member of my team to build a clientele.
These are difficult times for both hairdressers and salon owners; we need each other now more than ever, it starts with honesty and a code of ethics.
There are more than enough customers for everyone. Let us build a profession that promotes honesty and a code of ethics.
The purpose of this message is to combat turnover and help bridge the gap between salon owners and hairdressers, so we can provide a better dialogue and better understanding between staff and management.