Don’t be scared

The title of this blog came to me whilst I was browsing the internet, something I do regularly, checking what Salon Professional products I could find on mass market channels websites.

It occurred to me that whilst I have been standing on my soapbox, banging the drum of #ProForPro for a long time now that some of the comments I have had sent to me from salon owners (invariably through DM’s) have really surprised me.

• I can’t change brands, my team would go mad.
• I’ve used these products forever and trust them.
• My contract means I can’t move even if I wanted to.
• I really like my rep and feel sorry for them.
• We like to use brand leaders in our salon.
• My team always say they are scared of changing brands.

They all make sense in a world where loyalty is bred into the very roots (no pun intended)  of the relationship with companies that salons have used for years and years.

And yet, as I have frequently mentioned in blogs and across social media, the loyalty has become one sided, and that is the side of the salon owner.

• I can’t change brands, my team would go mad.
• Change is inevitable in all walks of life and whilst there is, naturally, an initial fear factor, this dissipates as soon as the products become familiar, and the fear is replaced with a new found energy and excitement.
• I’ve used these products forever and trust them.
• In the world of hairdressing and professional haircare there are very few products that don’t deliver an excellent result. Technology has advanced enough to make most brands suitable replacements for something that has been around for a long time.
• My contract means I can’t move even if I wanted to.
• Could be deemed as tricky, but unless it’s a watertight commitment that prevents a salon adding additional ranges then there is always a way round everything. However the contract should be analysed to see if the product supplier has broken their side of the deal.
• I really like my rep and feel sorry for them.
• Could be the hardest aspect for the salon owner, building a relationship takes time, but when the rep in question cannot match what’s available on the high street, sense and sensibility have to take precedent. If they can’t match or better their deal, it’s time to move on.
• We like to use brand leaders in our salon.
• It’s natural to want to align and be associated with ‘leaders’ but there’s more to be said for making your own salons  product ranges (and colour) unique and specific to your salons vibe. The phrase ‘one size doesn’t fit all’ seems to say it all here.
• My team always say they are scared of changing brands.
• Fair comment, but in reality, they are probably more scared of facing up to the reality of a client googling the brands on your shelves and finding them on special offer, or with a free gift on a mass Market channels website or on the high street. Change can refocus everyone on offering more in salon treatments and services as well as recommending retail – and never forget, client like to see, and be told about something new.

Don’t be scared, take a leap (of faith) and discover a world of salon professional haircare that is just that….. SALON PROFESSIONAL.

As always, I’m happy to discuss brands that are available that could make a difference to your salons future.

#ProForPro #DontBeScared #SalonRetail #SalonServices