Why I have an open chair policy?
Far too many salons have the “ME MY” mentality. The stylists
somehow feel they own the client.
First, let me say no one owns a client. Everyone is entitled
and deserving of where they choose to go and who to see.
Sure some stylist may have brought some clients to a salon
they currently work at however in the big picture those clients still have the right
to exercise free will.
So many salon consumers have very little point of contact
with the salon they go to. What I mean by this is that many clients follow a
hairdresser from one place to the next and have no investment in the salon or
what it offers.
There could be a wealth of talent, services and other
amenities that can be of benefit.
Perhaps a consumer wants more than they are scheduled for
What if their “person” is running late, sick or other unforeseeable?
Having a team of likeminded professionals offer clients the
ability to have what they want in the salon with whom they want.
Perhaps Ms. Smith loves her hair but not the conversation,
or loves the conversation but can’t stand her hair.
Rather than she go elsewhere all together and everyone loses,
having an open chair policy gives her the comfort in knowing she can enjoy the
salon and all it offers.
We have plenty of salon guests who love to see a variety of people
for numerous reasons. They are invested in the salon not the individual.
More importantly if a stylist moved away they would be
comfortable in staying because they are trusting in the salon and its
offerings.
These offering for us are surrounded in education, great
service, comfortable atmosphere, fair policy and an understanding temperament of
“life happens”
If your only point of contact is 1 stylist and things don’t work
out you then have to find a new salon, a new stylist and its says either you
never had a chance to interact and mingle with the salon or you were held
captive by your stylist.
As an owner and colorist, I love to see clients experience
different chairs, I love to see them grow within the salon.
Many times I get them started on their color only to have me
recommend they see so and so next time as they get acquainted with the salon.
This also helps when staff is out sick or on vacation that
if they can’t get in before or after they have options.
The most important thing is that the clients know they can
and that they should never feel funny about going to another chair.
In my 20+ yrs. I’ve seen far too many consumers embarrassed and
insecure about going to someone else in the salon and then everyone losses. I’ve
since this all over the country.
The key is that everyone in the salon have the right skills
and visions together as a group to benefit the consumer not themselves.
