every time you watch the news or turn on the radio its all doom and gloom

just want to know how many of you are feeling the Credit crunch if at all, and it its affecting big salons or just those of you who work mobile or Vice a versa

I have noticed it since January when the news was screaming out about gas and leccy bills, people hesitated before they made an appointment.

now, everytime you switch the TV on its just horrendous, saying about gas, leccy, water, petrol.....I'm petrified, let alone clients!!!

I would say that my die-hard clients, 75% are still with me, but 25% have cancelled or re-arranged appointments at a later date.

the fly-by-nights have flown away.

But I've also noticed it in the hairdressers that I rent from, they are quiet too. People are going 8 weeks instead of 6 weeks for their hair treatments.

It is difficult to judge at this time of year as a lot of people are on holiday or looking after kids.

i have only been mobile since may, so prob can't really say, but all of june/july were mad busy and i was loving it but i have had no clients for the last 3 weeks, i have got 2 sets of gel on friday so lets hope it picks up now.

Maybe it was just busy because of the holiday season and now thats coming to an end, who knows.

I'm having the opposite - I'm busier now than I have been at this time of year in the past & have seen an increase in the number of bookings for facials & massage in particular...but that's not an excuse for you all to come & set up on my patch!!!

I haven't yet got my salon up and running so I can't comment. However, a friend says that she has only noticed a slight downturn and nothing to worry her. More of people leaving longer in between appointments than not coming back at all.

Have spent all day locked in my 'den/office' doing accounts and analysing figures (including year-on-year) and there is definitely a continuing increase in business for us in the salon (10 staff, so in the larger nail salon bracket).

I voted no but either could apply to me as although I have not noticed any difference in my regular clients, they still come the same as they always have there has been a lack in new clients for more expensive treatments like facials, pedicures etc.

Nearly all of my new clients are for eyebrow waxing !

I am happy to say that I have never been so busy. I think the holidays have a lot to do with it, people wanting treatments before they jet off somewhere. I am getting new clients every week too, and my long term clients are still staying with me up to now

I put no and I'm home based. I haven't got a large client base, but my rate of new clients hasn't slowed down, if anything its increased.

Thanks for taking part in my poll....i hope people keep voteing as its great to see whats really happening!!!

Im ok at the moment but watched the news this morning and finace specialist now say we are heading for a recesion

I am about to go it alone leaving work on Friday and I am scared of this talk of recession. I hope I can make it work as I have a 7yr old depending on me and me alone HELP!!!!

Despite all the talk of a possible recession I'm quite optimistic about the whole thing. The core part of my work is waxing, facials & maintanance treatments, which most of my clients see as necessities not as luxuries. They would no more let their bikini's grow & shave them as not have their hair cut. The secret is to make yourself indispensible!

If you can base your business on personal maintanance & sell the odd luxury treatment as an affordable 'treat' to your core client base you should be fine. If someone comes in & says "I'm having to cut back, so I'm not having a big holiday this year", I say 'why not treat yourself to a couple of facials & massages instead', and most of the time it works!

I've certainly not seen any downturn in my business, rather I am up on the last few years.

This is a really interesting thread as i am a mobile hairdresser at the mo and my business is booming.
i lost my salon back in nov last year but have recently been offered a chance to reopen and am wondering what to do for the best.
The credit crunch is playing a big part in my thoughts as i wonder if its a good time to re open.
part of me thinks the media does hype it up as most of my clients dont seem to have a problem with it.
good poll

We've noticed a dip in the numbers of new clients which is quite interesting. Our regulars haven't changed their habits at all. I guess when you get into the habit of treating yourself or getting a tan/ your nails done it's hard to stop - and you'll always find the money. Bit like me: by hook or by crook I'll always find the money to pay for my inlays and roots!

xLx