Help! Getting worried!

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SKINISIN

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2022
Messages
5
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2
Location
Berkshire
I run a small skincare clinic and usually really busy, booked a month or so in advance. Since around July I started to get quiet, I thought just the summer holidays, people on holidays, kids off school etc. Now in October and I’m still finding large gaps in my diary, apart from covid I haven’t been this quiet since I first opened, which was 5 years ago! Is anyone else quiet? Is it everyone worrying about the cost of living crisis? I’m honestly really stressing over this now 😞
 
I've had 30% of my clients contact me to say they won't be coming due to financial worries, I'm not sure how long I can hang on for and I work from home, my heart breaks for those of us that have to find rent before even making wage 😢. I've seen this coming for a while but the reality is devastating. I've been checking out the salons locally when I'm out and about and they're virtually empty too, even the NSS only had one client in today.
 
I've had 30% of my clients contact me to say they won't be coming due to financial worries, I'm not sure how long I can hang on for and I work from home, my heart breaks for those of us that have to find rent before even making wage 😢. I've seen this coming for a while but the reality is devastating. I've been checking out the salons locally when I'm out and about and they're virtually empty too, even the NSS only had one client in today.
This makes me so sad 😞 I really hope things improve, I find it quite scary
 
Absolutely dead this week and for the next few weeks too. I have 1 client for an eyebrow shape tomorrow and that's it.
The cost of living is crisis is another nail in the coffin for small businesses and just got a lot worse with today's news. 😢
 
Unfortunately the cost of living crisis is going to cripple people for the near to medium term.

Any luxury spending will stop/be reduced. People are cutting shopping, cutting oven use, cancelling streaming services, looking at any way possible to save.

The fact is, when most people are going to struggle with rent/mortgage, food and heating, hair & beauty services will be the bottom of the priority list.

I’d strongly recommend people come up with a game plan for the next 18+ months.
 
Even in hard economic times, there will always be some people who have money and it doesn't affect so much. If possible, try to target those customers - especially professional women. From my experience having owned salons in different countries, these customers look for thin, natural looking reliable nails, excellent sanitation and as they often are very health conscious, they understand the benefits of hypoallergenic products.

These customers tend to be more loyal and are willing to pay higher prices for what they perceive as a specialist. To attract them, your marketing has to be high quality and reflect this - that you are the local, highly trained and competent expert.

Think like a customer and look outside in. Imagine that you are a client looking for a nail salon. What messages are you giving, how are you different from others, what is your speciality, why should your target customers choose you?

Most new customers will either search on Instagram, Facebook or Google. Check that you don't still show images of old work that does not represent your current skills. Have a clear out and only show best most current work.

Google these days focuses on local results - this means if you search "nail salons Gloucester", it shows a map and salons in the centre of town. If you are not in the centre of town, consider using Google advertising to be seen by these customers.

Don't worry, but do get busy. As other salons close, there will be more clients looking for new salons. Position yourself to attract them.

Good luck ))
 
Absolutely dead this week and for the next few weeks too. I have 1 client for an eyebrow shape tomorrow and that's it.
The cost of living is crisis is another nail in the coffin for small businesses and just got a lot worse with today's news. 😢
So sorry to hear this 😢
 
Unfortunately the cost of living crisis is going to cripple people for the near to medium term.

Any luxury spending will stop/be reduced. People are cutting shopping, cutting oven use, cancelling streaming services, looking at any way possible to save.

The fact is, when most people are going to struggle with rent/mortgage, food and heating, hair & beauty services will be the bottom of the priority list.

I’d strongly recommend people come up with a game plan for the next 18+ months.

Sadly I agree, the bit of 'spare cash' people had for nails, facials, pedicures, brows, etc is going to be taken by necessities going forward. There will be a core group who will continue getting their treatments but will it be enough to sustain us all? I doubt it 😔

I think hairdressers will fair slightly better, there is a need to look presentable with regards to hair but I suspect they'll see a large drop in things like colouring and extensions.

I've seen a couple of posts in here recently about people setting up new businesses and asking for advice, I've resisted answering because I just want to shout 'don't do it!' But I don't want to rain on someone's excitement parade.

I spoke to a distributor the other day who said October is aalways quiet but they expect a rush towards Christmas, usually I'd agree but this year I'm not sure.

It's scary and heartbreaking
 
Just hopping in here! Im a mobile hairdresser and I have been quiet also since July/Aug. I thought it was just me! There's a definite slump at the moment and salons are quiet also. I think it will pick up towards Christmas, but without sounding to pessamistic, I think this will be the norm due to everything going up. Busy times will be holidays. Everyone's feeling it!
 
Just hopping in here! Im a mobile hairdresser and I have been quiet also since July/Aug. I thought it was just me! There's a definite slump at the moment and salons are quiet also. I think it will pick up towards Christmas, but without sounding to pessamistic, I think this will be the norm due to everything going up. Busy times will be holidays. Everyone's feeling it!
I ageee, it makes me so sad. I’ve been in the beauty industry since leaving school! Working for myself was the best thing I did, I don’t know what else I’ll do if I can’t continue 😞
 
I ageee, it makes me so sad. I’ve been in the beauty industry since leaving school! Working for myself was the best thing I did, I don’t know what else I’ll do if I can’t continue 😞

Agreed, I've been running my nail business for 19 years, it's my second career, not sure what a 53 year old menopausal woman can do now 🤔
 
Yes covid really changed this industry. I lost a lot of customers, people have now got used to letting their hair grow, go grey, going without perms or going less with blow dry's, or getting friend's to do it, lots colour their own now, with a box dye at £6-7 they don't want to pay salon prices. I think more salons will shut, even my local wholesalers is quiet. I used to do this along side a different job and that's what I'll probably do now. And just do mobile as a sideline. But what I do see is salons closing, and barbers opening instead. Male barbering/grooming is growing but I wouldn't want to do that full time.
 
Agreed, I've been running my nail business for 19 years, it's my second career, not sure what a 53 year old menopausal woman can do now 🤔
Hi Trinity,

For one so talented I wondered if you had considered offering training? Or becoming an educator? This could run alongside your few remaining clients and help to fill your diary.
I have done a few one to one sessions with a trainer and enjoyed the undivided attention.
Personally I have been asked if I would do some training but my family ties are a little too much right now.

I hope you can think of something, you have so much to give!

RosieR
 
I've had to get a different job 😭 I start on 31st Oct. I can't see things in the beauty/hair industry getting any better for a while. I'm struggling to pay my bills on my nail wage. Ive also lost about 30% of my clients due to them not having the extra money for a luxury service. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to close my business or not, it's so hard to let go of something i love and have put so much into but i feel deep in my heart that the time has come 😢
 
Hi All,
I changed careers due to health issues and have struggled to increase my client list. Even my model who only pays £15 has said that she cannot afford it anymore 🥺
I sit and rack my brains trying to think of ways to build up, but this is just so soul destroying.
I cannot travel as I am disabled, I work from home, so not the most professional look for high end clients. I live in a small town and there is nothing vacant to rent anyway, not that I could afford it...
I put everything into this and don't know where to go from here...
 
I've had to get a different job 😭 I start on 31st Oct. I can't see things in the beauty/hair industry getting any better for a while. I'm struggling to pay my bills on my nail wage. Ive also lost about 30% of my clients due to them not having the extra money for a luxury service. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to close my business or not, it's so hard to let go of something i love and have put so much into but i feel deep in my heart that the time has come 😢

I know it's not what you want to do but good luck with the new job, hopefully it will allow you to hang on until the tide turns. Things will improve but no-one can predict when.
 
Agreed, I've been running my nail business for 19 years, it's my second career, not sure what a 53 year old menopausal woman can do now 🤔
Do you offer footcare services, such as pedicure or toenail reconstruction? There seems to be a steady demand for this.
 
I know it's not what you want to do but good luck with the new job, hopefully it will allow you to hang on until the tide turns. Things will improve but no-one can predict when.
Thank you Trinity. Hopefully it works out for us all eventually.
 
Do you offer footcare services, such as pedicure or toenail reconstruction? There seems to be a steady demand for this.

I'm pedicure trained but never took to it, found it more hassle than it was worth. I feel its another service that people are just not going to be able to afford, no need for toenai reconstruction in the winter/no holiday. No holiday booked = no money.

I appreciate the suggestions and support and I'm aware I sound negative and I'm trying not to. I've been considering my options for months, there's no money to add new services (I'm aware you need to speculate to accumulate and yes i could find the money if necessary) and all the options are still treats/luxury/nice to have, not necessities.
 
October is always a quiet month especially in hard times because everyone’s saving for Xmas so hold out and you should get your clients coming back very soon.

I always wondered if a subscription service would work - there are companies that would handle the monthly payments for you and you could tailor it to your business in offering a client a discounted service for their subscription.
It helps with peoples budgeting as they wouldn’t have a big outlay when it comes round to an appointment.it would also mean you have a monthly steady income and a steady flow of repeat customers. You’d just have to work out average yearly spend and include a discount/special offer.
Just an idea….
 

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