Burnt out and stressed out!

SalonGeek

Help Support SalonGeek:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Redkenredhead

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2018
Messages
16
Reaction score
2
Location
Tucson
Wow has the cosmetology industry changed since I was a new inexperienced cosmetologist 28 yrs ago. With social media, and pintresed Salons over the last 25 yrs are not packing them in like we used to. Along with beauty supply stores and every hair color, nail and beauty do-it-yourself videos the general public is not going into the Beauty Shop as often as they used to!! This is causing more and more salon professionals struggling to keep and maintain a clientel.
I have been a licenced Cosmetologist for 28yrs, I used to be so proud to say that, well not so much any more. I think I'm pretty good in my career, but over the last 6 months more times than not I have said "I'm done" on the other hand I struggle with "what else will I do?" I have hit a wall, it may be the change in industry or the company I work for that did me in, or both!
When you move and are not in the industry for a few yrs, most stylists know it's starting all over again! I feel like the RedHeaded step child of the shop, even though I have more experience than two people I work with. I work for a corporate salon, we have to "now" maintain a SPH (services per hr) of $20 and 14% combos retail +a service ( im always well above the %)or were written up and threatened the loss of employment. I agree that in this industry you have to sell yourself to get those repete clients. It's even harder today than 20yrs ago when clients pre-booked appointments weeks in advance. And where I work we have limited walk-ins, and being that RedHeaded step child, I work less than 20hrs a week if that, because were slow I go in at least 1 to 2 hrs later than my scheduled time along with 3 days off per week! So usually I'm there between 1 and 6 So I may have 2 hrs where we can be steady. And how am I supposed to keep my SPH up? "IMPOSSIBLE " I'm being set up to fail! Last month my SPH was over the $20, the month before it was $19.08 I was writtin up. ( less than a dollar)And its going to happen this month because im under. And if I ask for more hrs, I'm told there are no more to give, I ask for a few opening shifts? Now I'm complaining!!! Stylists with less experience and one who calls out at least on e a month gets those hrs and the best shifts to make more money and they ALWAYS keep there SPH up.!!!! So here I am stuck, unsure of what to do!! I really hate my job. I don't think I have ever said that in my career! Im 46yrs old and feel like a burger flipper! Most stylists know when you go from salon to salon you loose some of the clients you have keeped. I really don't want to start over in another salon. It's going to be another struggle until I prove myself to yet another salon, probably with a manager who wasn't a twinkle in their parents eyes when I started my career and has not a clue how to manage. And where I Iive there are sooooo many salons soooo much competition! I can't really afford to start again, I have two teenage son's and we struggle cuz I'm my tiny little paychecks. Luckily for my husband's job or we would be homeless! I have worked since I was 15yrs old, my husband and I are a team and I will not put all our finances on his shoulders.
I didn't write this to be that "wo-is-me" or feel sorry for me, or even just to put all my problems out there. I'm really writing cuz it clears my mind a bit, and because I know there has to be a stylist out there that is either feeling the same way or works for. Corporate salon that has unreasonable expectations because the higher-ups have never worked behind the chair and have no clue what they are talking about! Corporate salons should be "Only" run by ex-cosmetologists! The big guy my bosses boss answers to believes that if we have more stylists in the salon during the whole day more people will come into the shop! "Not" little does this guy know, the only way your SPH stays at $20 is if your busy from the time you clock in to when you leave. If your busy for only 1/3 of the day and it's all walk-in under $20 hair cut/kids cuts, sitting for the remainder of your day will only kill that number and most men and kids who come into the shop will (ONLY) Get haircuts! Rarely can you up-sell them! It's not all about what the numbers were last year! Several other factors come into play! So corporate salons need to stop "ONLY" Looking at the numbers, and help stylists to maintain your expectations! It's more than running your mouth! Provide some incentive for your staff and better results will come! Maybe I wouldn't In this rut I'm in if I had more support from the salon I'm working for!!!!
 
Hi Redken Redhead!
I will say foremost I do not have your experience in the industry and am relatively a new-comer in comparison but I will say, I know exactly what you're talking about by the industry deteriorating because more people are switching to DIY... ;)
I have to work my ass off doing frankly insane colour work to even get custom as that’s the stuff people won’t actually attempt or get horrifically wrong and I am fixing.
(At this point I actually want the level 12 blonde/silver/ pastel trend to just stop and let me rest lol!) o_O
I am a small boutique salon owner who works the floor herself right down to scrubbing the floor, and the toilet and god knows what else and it’s the opposite perspective to your situation but I genuinely think, even though I work to the bone, that being a corporate worker stifles creative spirit, and leaves stylists burnt out and hating work.
My regular clients are grateful for the work I put in, I am well loved and I am overworked, but it’s worth the gratitude and the great relationships I have with them. :)
No-one wants to feel underwhelmed feeling like they have wasted skills.
It’s counter-productive and an industry veteran like yourself could outshine a million trendy new hipster stylists as they are only good at certain things and don’t actually measure up in other areas...
So you have a choice in your situation...
Quit this underwhelming corporate situation and start up alone, building a client base piece by piece, reinvent your life and do things your way. ;)
Sure it’s hard, but if your good at your job, things will pick up.
It can’t actually be much worse than being bled dry by your current job.
(I started my career with a redundancy, a back room with 1 chair, 1 mirror and a pile of debt papers.)
OR move on to a ‘better’ corporate situation by secretly attending interviews and walking in like a boss demanding respect by not being a pushover and nor accepting clueless salon owners ridiculous schemes to line their own pockets (and not yours.)
You dont need to impress them, they need to impress you. :cool:
(I have done this and amusingly it really works.)
Walk in confident with a shining resume whilst quietly emanating
“You want me because I am a fantastic stylist and I know it.”

You also need to ask yourself questions such as...
What kind of salon would you like to work in? What is your ideal job? :)
You’re experienced and qualified, but what is your strong point?
Some stylists are lightning fast at cuts but lose the plot when the colour work gets too complicated.
Others are the direct opposite...

And then; YOU GO FOR IT.
Nothing else matters.
You are a boss, you’ve got this! ;)

Like I said; I am just a nobody in terms of experience...
But I hope that I have helped you to feel better about your situation, maybe given a different perspective and possibly spurred you on a little bit! :)

Take care,
when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

A big stylist hug xo
 
Hi Redken Redhead!
I will say foremost I do not have your experience in the industry and am relatively a new-comer in comparison but I will say, I know exactly what you're talking about by the industry deteriorating because more people are switching to DIY... ;)
I have to work my ass off doing frankly insane colour work to even get custom as that’s the stuff people won’t actually attempt or get horrifically wrong and I am fixing.
(At this point I actually want the level 12 blonde/silver/ pastel trend to just stop and let me rest lol!) o_O
I am a small boutique salon owner who works the floor herself right down to scrubbing the floor, and the toilet and god knows what else and it’s the opposite perspective to your situation but I genuinely think, even though I work to the bone, that being a corporate worker stifles creative spirit, and leaves stylists burnt out and hating work.
My regular clients are grateful for the work I put in, I am well loved and I am overworked, but it’s worth the gratitude and the great relationships I have with them. :)
No-one wants to feel underwhelmed feeling like they have wasted skills.
It’s counter-productive and an industry veteran like yourself could outshine a million trendy new hipster stylists as they are only good at certain things and don’t actually measure up in other areas...
So you have a choice in your situation...
Quit this underwhelming corporate situation and start up alone, building a client base piece by piece, reinvent your life and do things your way. ;)
Sure it’s hard, but if your good at your job, things will pick up.
It can’t actually be much worse than being bled dry by your current job.
(I started my career with a redundancy, a back room with 1 chair, 1 mirror and a pile of debt papers.)
OR move on to a ‘better’ corporate situation by secretly attending interviews and walking in like a boss demanding respect by not being a pushover and nor accepting clueless salon owners ridiculous schemes to line their own pockets (and not yours.)
You dont need to impress them, they need to impress you. :cool:
(I have done this and amusingly it really works.)
Walk in confident with a shining resume whilst quietly emanating
“You want me because I am a fantastic stylist and I know it.”

You also need to ask yourself questions such as...
What kind of salon would you like to work in? What is your ideal job? :)
You’re experienced and qualified, but what is your strong point?
Some stylists are lightning fast at cuts but lose the plot when the colour work gets too complicated.
Others are the direct opposite...

And then; YOU GO FOR IT.
Nothing else matters.
You are a boss, you’ve got this! ;)

Like I said; I am just a nobody in terms of experience...
But I hope that I have helped you to feel better about your situation, maybe given a different perspective and possibly spurred you on a little bit! :)

Take care,
when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

A big stylist hug xo


Thank you so much for your encouraging reply. You totally understand me. I really love being cosmetologist. I knew at the age of 16 this is what I wanted to do. My mom would say I chose my career at an even younger age, when I would cut my barbies hair and dye it with food coloring!! Lol!!
I can honestly say if I tried to do anything else as a career, I would be bored and feel lost, also most defiantly not enjoy my job unless it was in the beauty industry! I even attended 3 yrs of college for Business Management because I was sick and tried of these corporate a**h***s preaching rules and regulations that may work in a business setting but have no businesses in the beauty industry. Our industry really "ONLY" thrives if run by Salon professionals who actually once stood in our shoes. I really wanted to work at the corporate level of a large salon. I felt with my knowledge, experience and years in this industry I could (& would) be an asset to any Salon. It's hard to take advice and follow some of these off the wall ideas these DM's, GM's and salon owners who don't have any idea how to properly run a salon and manage Stylists because there business world ideas may work in an office or corporation but they don't have the same outcome in the Beauty industry. I know you know what I'm talking about? I just need to figure out how to achieve this goal.
You really made me feel a lot better with "EVERTHING" you said and I truly thank you for that. I do know that at this point I really need to leave this dead-end job, this is "just a job" this is not my dream job it just a means to an end for now! I also loved what you said about color, that crappy silver (grey) rose-gold, etc.. color everyone is attempting at home ( everyone's a colorist now) and screwing up their hair and then they have to go to a stylist like yourself to fix what they messed up, and they seem to think we have a wand in our hands not a comb, lol! Sorry dummies we can't fix your hair once you damaged it all they way down to rhe cortex!! I call this look bubble gum on a hot sidewalk, LOL, that stringgy, mushy hair (when wet) and like hay or straw (when it's dry).
I'm a certified color specialist, through Redken, I really love and enjoy doing color, I do beleive I'm pretty damn good at it to. I just need to build that clientele again.
It really helps to talk to someone who understands and can relate to the struggles we can go through as stylists. I want to retire as a Stylist ( of course when I'm older).
One thing I am going to start is a Beauty Blog, my wonderful husband and I are going to get it going after the new year. So that's a start, next I'm going to put all my energy into looking for a new place to work at my career. And I refuse to work at these "I call them" "chop shops " I did that for 2yrs and I will not do it again! I'm worth more than that. Thank you again for pointing this out to me!!
I would like to keep in touch with you if you would also like to? My email address is xxxxxxx email me sometime so we can keep intouch

Stylist Hugs, back to u

[edited by a moderator to remove email address as forum is open and searchable]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It’s not a good idea to post your contact details on an open forum where they could be picked up by anyone including Spam bots.
Please post personal information intended for a specific recipient via the PM option.
 
Thank you so much for your encouraging reply. You totally understand me. I really love being cosmetologist. I knew at the age of 16 this is what I wanted to do. My mom would say I chose my career at an even younger age, when I would cut my barbies hair and dye it with food coloring!! Lol!!
I can honestly say if I tried to do anything else as a career, I would be bored and feel lost, also most defiantly not enjoy my job unless it was in the beauty industry! I even attended 3 yrs of college for Business Management because I was sick and tried of these corporate a**h***s preaching rules and regulations that may work in a business setting but have no businesses in the beauty industry. Our industry really "ONLY" thrives if run by Salon professionals who actually once stood in our shoes. I really wanted to work at the corporate level of a large salon. I felt with my knowledge, experience and years in this industry I could (& would) be an asset to any Salon. It's hard to take advice and follow some of these off the wall ideas these DM's, GM's and salon owners who don't have any idea how to properly run a salon and manage Stylists because there business world ideas may work in an office or corporation but they don't have the same outcome in the Beauty industry. I know you know what I'm talking about? I just need to figure out how to achieve this goal.
You really made me feel a lot better with "EVERTHING" you said and I truly thank you for that. I do know that at this point I really need to leave this dead-end job, this is "just a job" this is not my dream job it just a means to an end for now! I also loved what you said about color, that crappy silver (grey) rose-gold, etc.. color everyone is attempting at home ( everyone's a colorist now) and screwing up their hair and then they have to go to a stylist like yourself to fix what they messed up, and they seem to think we have a wand in our hands not a comb, lol! Sorry dummies we can't fix your hair once you damaged it all they way down to rhe cortex!! I call this look bubble gum on a hot sidewalk, LOL, that stringgy, mushy hair (when wet) and like hay or straw (when it's dry).
I'm a certified color specialist, through Redken, I really love and enjoy doing color, I do beleive I'm pretty damn good at it to. I just need to build that clientele again.
It really helps to talk to someone who understands and can relate to the struggles we can go through as stylists. I want to retire as a Stylist ( of course when I'm older).
One thing I am going to start is a Beauty Blog, my wonderful husband and I are going to get it going after the new year. So that's a start, next I'm going to put all my energy into looking for a new place to work at my career. And I refuse to work at these "I call them" "chop shops " I did that for 2yrs and I will not do it again! I'm worth more than that. Thank you again for pointing this out to me!!
I would like to keep in touch with you if you would also like to? My email address is xxxxxxx email me sometime so we can keep intouch

Stylist Hugs, back to u

[edited by a moderator to remove email address as forum is open and searchable]
Thank you so much for your encouraging reply. You totally understand me. I really love being cosmetologist. I knew at the age of 16 this is what I wanted to do. My mom would say I chose my career at an even younger age, when I would cut my barbies hair and dye it with food coloring!! Lol!!
I can honestly say if I tried to do anything else as a career, I would be bored and feel lost, also most defiantly not enjoy my job unless it was in the beauty industry! I even attended 3 yrs of college for Business Management because I was sick and tried of these corporate a**h***s preaching rules and regulations that may work in a business setting but have no businesses in the beauty industry. Our industry really "ONLY" thrives if run by Salon professionals who actually once stood in our shoes. I really wanted to work at the corporate level of a large salon. I felt with my knowledge, experience and years in this industry I could (& would) be an asset to any Salon. It's hard to take advice and follow some of these off the wall ideas these DM's, GM's and salon owners who don't have any idea how to properly run a salon and manage Stylists because there business world ideas may work in an office or corporation but they don't have the same outcome in the Beauty industry. I know you know what I'm talking about? I just need to figure out how to achieve this goal.
You really made me feel a lot better with "EVERTHING" you said and I truly thank you for that. I do know that at this point I really need to leave this dead-end job, this is "just a job" this is not my dream job it just a means to an end for now! I also loved what you said about color, that crappy silver (grey) rose-gold, etc.. color everyone is attempting at home ( everyone's a colorist now) and screwing up their hair and then they have to go to a stylist like yourself to fix what they messed up, and they seem to think we have a wand in our hands not a comb, lol! Sorry dummies we can't fix your hair once you damaged it all they way down to rhe cortex!! I call this look bubble gum on a hot sidewalk, LOL, that stringgy, mushy hair (when wet) and like hay or straw (when it's dry).
I'm a certified color specialist, through Redken, I really love and enjoy doing color, I do beleive I'm pretty damn good at it to. I just need to build that clientele again.
It really helps to talk to someone who understands and can relate to the struggles we can go through as stylists. I want to retire as a Stylist ( of course when I'm older).
One thing I am going to start is a Beauty Blog, my wonderful husband and I are going to get it going after the new year. So that's a start, next I'm going to put all my energy into looking for a new place to work at my career. And I refuse to work at these "I call them" "chop shops " I did that for 2yrs and I will not do it again! I'm worth more than that. Thank you again for pointing this out to me!!
I would like to keep in touch with you if you would also like to? My email address is xxxxxxx email me sometime so we can keep intouch

Stylist Hugs, back to u

[edited by a moderator to remove email address as forum is open and searchable]

You are very welcome! :)
I have always felt the same way, showing signs at a young age and cutting my barbies hair. I used to use felt tips and highlighters to dye my dolls rainbow! :D
I totally agree, it’s so much more than a job! It’s this crazy rollercoaster ride that leaves me feeling elated and more fulfilled than I’ve ever felt, but there have also been low points... Clients that make me want to scream and bring me to tears of frustration.
That’s amazing! :) So you all already have business skills! That will take you a long way working your way up in the industry. ;)
I also have been on the tail end of those annoying ‘business visionaries’ in the past, who can’t actually envision anything that is even remotely useful to their stylists. It’s all about money, how much can be made, and how much they can pocket. Their stylists and their clients don’t actually matter to them at all. :confused:
I used to want to build myself up in a corporate salon, but salon owners always wanted to change me too much. I’m very goth and alternative in my personal style, I’ve been this way since I was 11 and I was told I’d never make it in this industry not because I wasn’t good enough but because ‘clients won’t like me.’ And I ‘stand out’ and ‘my hair is too green.’
That’s when I really went for it alone, and now I own my own little boutique salon and I love it! ;)
Totally! It is not the be all and end all! It’s just one salon that tbh sounds like it’s a total shambles.
Whoa! Redken! :D That stuff is the bomb!
I’m Schwarzkopf product trained and I am also a certified colour specialist in Pravana. (They liked my weirdness haha!)
But I had the joy of working with Redken in college and it really was an amazing colour line. :)
Haha! I definitely have some funny stories about insane clients with mushy hair.
I passionately hate pastels. :rolleyes:
I always feel like clients don’t understand when I’m telling them that it’s a horrible transitional period and that the colour doesn’t last. :eek:
They always get freaked out by how blonde they are going to begin with even though I’ve told them that pastels need at least a level 10/11 and show them visual aids. I’d rather do vivids because they look really cool and most will sit quite attractively on a 9 except for blue. ;)
You should definitely start your blog, with your years in the industry it’ll make a great read and would provide a different perspective to newer stylists such as myself!
You are ALWAYS worth more than a chop-shop. Eww those places are prisons for stylists, run awayyyy :eek:
I’d love to keep in touch! :)
I could use some stylist friends, it’s nice to talk to someone and hear a different spin on things. :cool:

I will PM you my email, as the moderator removed yours for site safety... Can’t be too careful these days lol x
 

Latest posts

Back
Top