4 mins
PREPARING YOUR NAIL SALON FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
Parties and events make the festive season the busiest time of the year for nail salons. Clients want to make sure their tips and toes look their best, and it is therefore a must to be prepared and able to accommodate their every wish with the latest and trendiest festive themed looks.
This month can be a little chaotic and overwhelming if you have not prepared properly. A well-thought-out plan and proper organisation will help meet your client’s needs and expectations and increase overall profits. Here are some tips on how best to prepare to accommodate existing nail clients, welcome new business and not allow the silly season to get the better of you:
1. Decorating your salon – get into the festive spirit and create a welcoming atmosphere to draw your clients in. You don’t need to overdo or spend a fortune – keep it minimal yet tasteful.
2. Gift cards, gifting and promotions – this is a great way to upsell, increase your turnover, and attract new clients to your salon. Your clients are already booked for a nail, hand, and foot treatments, so it is the perfect opportunity to mention your gift cards, ready-made gift sets and other gifting ideas to make their life so much easier.
Rewards are also a great way to make clients feel valued, and, in turn, gain client loyalty. A gift with purchase, special combo treatment offer, or family package deal, are just some of the great ideas you can put together and promote for the festive season.
3. Keep your clients informed – at such a busy time, it is best to use Whatsapp and social media to showcase gifting options and promotions and entice them to book treatments. Make sure to share your operating hours, how they can book and exactly what is expected of them.
4. Be Prepared – Don’t get caught off guard, time is money and very precious, especially when it’s busy, so be organised at all times.
• Make sure you are stocked up with all the nail supplies, tools, and everything else necessary to perform your nail services – you really don’t want to run out of anything during this period.
• Clients will probably want to try something a little more festive on their nails. Try find out ahead of time what they would like, so you can plan and make sure you are able to accommodate them.
• Invest in additional nail colours and nail art supplies and have some ideas ready for clients to choose from. Get inspiration from the internet, which is full of incredible ideas.
5. Salon Hours & Staff Schedules – You and your staff will be working harder than ever during this time. It is, however, better to work smarter than harder. Working 10-12 hours a day flat out every day without a break is not smart or good for anyone, as you can’t give of your best when you are tired and worn out.
• Make it clear as to what your salon opening and closing hours are.
• Work out schedules with your staff to ensure their availability and rotate them with shifts, so that they don’t become exhausted.
• You can’t do it all – delegate staff to doing tasks, such as receiving clients, seating clients, offering them beverages, and preparing them for their treatment.
6. Appointments – Be more organised and have an appointment-based system in place to be able to plan your bookings better and plan for longer appointments.
• Know and understand exactly what your client’s want ahead of time, whether it’s a rebalance, removal and new set of nails and or nail art and confirm to avoid running late for other clients.
• Keep to appointment times and keep track of time, don’t get lost in what you are doing.
• Don’t make your appointments too close to one another – allocate a few minutes in-between for the unexpected, to catch your breath, or go to the bathroom or have a quick bite to eat.
• Keep walk-ins to a minimum, as this can really mess up your day, especially if they want something you haven’t planned for, leaving your regular clients waiting. Plan these rather for the last few hours in the day.
• Set limitations when it comes to last minute requests. If you are fully booked, explain in a professional manner that you are unable to accommodate the additional treatment. It is not fair to keep your other clients waiting and inevitably break their trust.
7. Staff well being – If you have happy staff, you will have happy clients. Never underestimate the importance of your staff, so make sure you involve them with the planning and encourage their input, this will ensure their commitment.
• Don’t overwork yourself or your staff – doing so will only result in resentment and poor productivity.
• Reward your staff for their hard work and commitment and offer them some additional incentives during this time.
• Make sure that you and your staff have some time to enjoy the festivities, and close early on Christmas Eve with a special staff celebration.
“Have yourself a Mani little Christmas!”
Sonette van Rensburg is a qualified ITEC Therapist, Nail Professional and Educator with more than 30 years’ experience in the nail and beauty industry, both internationally and locally. Sonette is also the CND Education Ambassador for South Africa. She has an immense passion for education, sharing her knowledge, skills, and expertise with nail and beauty professionals to ensure they become confident, highly skilled, and knowledgeable in every aspect of what they do.