Male clients

[cherriedlove]

Okay hopefully this is in the right place because I have a bit of a rant.

I'm working in a small salon in a somewhat conservative town. I'm pretty much newly qualified and so thankful for the opportunity to build up my experience. Within a month and a bit, I've already got a handful of regulars, I pay out of pocket on my ridiculously meager wage for external training so I can be the best therapist I can be. In the time I've been at the salon, gross profits went up by almost 50% and this has been the most profitable month in 2 years (which is NOT ONLY because of me but mostly because another extremely hard working therapist) and things have really been looking up. I feel really excited about the salon and just making the business thrive.

But today I am not so sure. I don't consider myself radical, but I believe in treating men and women the same. So I really am not phased by things like male waxing, pedicures or massages.

I was told that one of the therapists was fine with male clients. She wasn't. I didn't realise that the salon was "women only with the inclusion of some partners/relatives" and I booked in a male client for a pedicure and massage (even though the owner was standing right next to me while making the booking). There was a bit of complaining behind my back by the therapist because she didn't want to do a male client. So I got called in to do a half-day specifically for this client and obviously I helped set up treatment rooms and did a lot of cleaning so I wasn't there just for that appointment.

I spoke to the therapist who was upset about the booking directly and she told me she had negative experiences before and didn't like being alone in the salon with males. Fair enough, I understand and I don't blame her for feeling that way because personal experiences can really shape you.

But what upset me today was that I had to do my male client's pedicure upstairs hidden away from the female clients. We have a beautiful pedicure station set up but instead I had to take him upstairs and do a pedicure on the bed because there were female clients downstairs. It worked out fine because I adapted and we did a massage afterwards, in fact it worked out better because it was a wayyy better set up for my posture. But it was mostly the principle that annoyed me. Should male clients be "hidden"?

Downstairs the client (it being a local town, clients are often friends of the owner and therapists) and my fellow therapist were having a bit of a chat about me because I was doing a male client and made a comment or two when I came downstairs. I found that extremely disrespectful. I'm not ashamed in giving treatments to men whatsoever. My client today was absolutely wonderful: respectful, polite, receptive and warm and not inappropriate at all.

Now my male client wants to make a rolling fortnightly appointment with me. His monthly total for appointments would be like 7% of gross profit for a slow month. But because of our "no males" policy I've pretty much had to tell him tactfully that I'll speak the owner but the chances are it might not happen.

Personally I think it's fine for individual therapists to decide to decline male clients. But I don't believe serving male clients is a taboo. It's not about the metro trend blah blah. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT. I think males should have the exact same privilege to look after their skin, their hands and feet. It's not just about appearance but skin health and well-being.

I'm a feminist and I really am a huge believer of treating men and women as equals and to me, it's an unfair policy that is borderline discrimination.

What do you think? Do you think having male clients will ruin a salon's reputation? Or should I shut up and just deal because it's not my salon and I don't know what this town is like?

 

[tonicj]

Unfortunately in this case I feel you will have to respect the salon owner's policy even though you don't agree with it. Some salons are fine with male clients and some are not. Did the salon owner not speak to you about it afterwards? Maybe take her aside and ask if you can re-book the male client and if she says no, then I'm afraid you will have to go with that.

I personally would not have a problem with a male client.

 

[fascinationkt]

Sounds like a bit of a awkward situation.
I feel sorry for you having to take him upstairs for the treatment as if it was dodgy or forbidden. Especially to arrive downstairs to inappropriate comments, really disrespectful & just not nice.
It's very odd that this policy was not discussed with you when you started.
Obviously the salon owners rules have to be respected a discussion is most certainly needed so such events don't happen again.
Good luck

 

[Jack Dunn]

Good for you for taking the time to ensure he received good customer service and enjoyed his treatments with you. It's a shame that the salon don't want to welcome male clients as the male grooming industry is a huge business and male clients can be extremely loyal, sadly the actions of a few can make some therapists a bit uncomfortable and I guess we all have to respect how people feel if they had unpleasant experiences in the past.

I only offer male grooming treatments so I guess it's the same thing and I normally recommend other local salons or therapists if I have calls or clients looking for treatments for their wives or partners.

Jack

 

[fluffy26]

He sounded pleased with you & your work, so if the salon doesn't want his business.... Nab him for yourself as a mobile client (if you have the means to do this at home or his house!?) x


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[cherriedlove]

Thank you guys so much.

I've contacted the salon owner. On my second day I was literally left by myself in the salon despite being newly qualified. She's a wonderful woman and I actually really enjoy working on my own. But when it comes to salon policies, no one tells me a thing Or they give me the wrong information which is even worse. I had a chat with the primary therapist today who was in a horrible mood but through some open communication, we've come up with a few changes and hopefully we can get some rhythm and consistency going on. The salon owner is not present, she rarely answers her phone, comes in once a week. The other week she cancelled 2 of her clients for no reason. It's a tough balance because I have to keep the primary therapist happy and the owner happy and sometimes I still make some stupid mistakes (my timings for treatments are quite bad but slowly getting better).

I've enquired about brazillian waxing for women with the owner before because the two other therapists will only do standard bikinis. And she gave me no reply...so that was a bit of a bust. If the salon isn't open to brazillians, then I think male clients might be pushing the envelope too much.

I've emailed her and asked to do a half-day every fortnight specifically for this male client. he's willing to pay 50% deposits and his treatments actually cost more than my wages so financially it's not a risk. I've let her know that if she's worried about the salon's reputation, I will continue doing them upstairs away from female clients and ultimately it's up to her and I will let him know either way. I understand it's not my salon and it's not my place to change her salon for my preferences. At the end of the day, let's be completely and utterly honest, some of our female clients will have similar opinions to my fellow therapists and not feel comfortable with us having treatments for both genders.

I'm being very selfish too, I want to get better at male grooming. I'm good with massages, facials and nails. But specifically waxing, I'd love to do wayyy more chest, back, leg and facial waxes (especially brows!) because males have a different aesthetic. Facials are my speciality but waxing is where the big bucks are!

Fluffy: I so so wish I could do mobile treatments but I'm actually passing through England, just working here to help fund my travel. I'm only here for another a year and a bit maximum. I don't think I can start my own business here.

Jack: Men are extremely loyal clients and they actually listen to you. Retailing to a female clientele is sometimes a bit useless because they've heard it all before. When I gave my aftercare to my male client, he was very responsive. If I said he needs a pedicure and massage every week, he'd book every week. I love when my clients see my advice and rebook options as genuinely caring about them instead of just blabbing on to make more money.

Again thanks for listening and replying. I find salongeek far too therapeutic haha.

 

[gillian w]

I think you are someone that needs to run a salon yourself or work for yourself You seem pretty strong willed which is fine I'm not knocking that but at the moment remember you are just an employee.Its not up to you to change things and do this and that you are probably rubbing everyone up the wrong way.

I'm not sure if I have got this right but was the therapist expected to be on her own with a new male client in the salon.If so then this should be a no and its quite right that you shouldn't have taken the booking if no one was going to be there.

 

[gillian w]

Just to add when you are newly qualified don't act like a know it all,take the time to learn and listen,especially in a salon because not only will you learn from some of the good things you will also learn from the bad things.None of your experiences will be wasted.
Nothing wrong with ambition but not everyone wants to run with you.

 

[cherriedlove]

Hi Gillian, thanks for taking the time to reply.

Firstly I think you're responding mostly to my original post. I've since sent an email to the salon owner and left it up to her and will respect her decision. If you read my posts, you will see that I do look at the other side of the situation and have stated it is not my salon and not my place to change her salon to my preferences. I am very much aware that I am an employee.

With your comments on me being a know it all and rubbing everyone up the wrong way, actually it's not that way it all. I'm very supportive of the other therapists and definitely know how skilled they are, I don't work with them that often so we don't chat too much. You don't know me in person so I don't need to prove anything, but I am really open to communication. We've now got a communication book in place and the girls are able to write down things like cleaning jobs etc to help with consistency and get their voice across. If I'm on with the girls, I will help set up their rooms, do a lot of cleaning, get drinks for their clients when they're busy with treatments: anything to help them. I need to be very clear: I love working in a team and supporting a team. Yes I do love working by myself as well, but I'm not the type of person who sits on the sideline bossing people around. The primary therapist says I make her day a lot easier and she's happy working with me. Doesn't seem like I'm rubbing her up the wrong way to me.

My salon owner was WITH ME when I made the male client booking and did not say a thing. I was also told that the therapist I made the booking for was fine with male clients which was not the case. I actually asked her directly as well if she was okay with the treatment because I didn't mind changing it. The therapist was umm-ing and err-ing but said nothing at the time, only when the day came closer. Neither the therapist or the salon owner communicated with me about the "no male policy" until pretty much today. I'm not angry or upset with them because they were just trying to be "nice" and didn't want to confront the issue which I wish they did (a lot earlier).

In terms of being newly qualified, just because I've just finished my qualification doesn't mean I don't have ANY experience. I've worked in salons before and have worked in make-up and as a facialist whilst training. I'm just always wanting to gain experience and I know I can always learn new things (which ironically is what you criticized me about). When the girls are on, I will ask them, tell me how you do things so I can learn. My salon owner however is never really on so learning from her is not an option right now.

Yes I am very ambitious, no doubt about it but I also know I'm an employee and I'm not the boss here.

This is an internet forum, I didn't rant like I did here to my salon owner, believe me haha.

 

[Nearlyme]

Strange question but does the salin serve a lot of the Asian community? I only ask because I know that often people of different faiths/religion/race have taboos about male and female mixing and that in a beauty salon would be frowned on.

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[BitsyProspect]

My dear, I can so relate in many ways:
You are very well spoken, your written grammar is impeccable and you explain yourself very clearly... THAT says a lot about a person in a very short time with limited media. If you are getting any flack, incorrect information or negativity from your co-workers, I would suggest that they are jealous or threatened by you and do not want you to succeed above them.
Meet face to face with your employer and iron out all the do's and don'ts before proceeding. Perhaps a staff meeting is needed so that everyone is on the same page. If you choose to do these services and are happy to do them upstairs, that is your choice with the blessing of the salon owner. I know you have to work with the other girls and it may not be easy at times but you are the bigger and better person... they can learn from you. Continue to be humble and respectful and you will be fine.
I am mobile and do men too... husbands, couples and male couples for mani's and pedi's. I don't have this problem with my part time nail business but I have in the past working in an office.
It sounds like you have excellent work ethics and you should not compromise that. If you have the ability to adapt to this client and safely visit him at a location outside of the salon... go for it! No hassles and you will probably get referrals.
Best of luck to you and I'd like to hear how it ends up resolving!

 

[Kim Lawless]

I have male and female clients and they are treated in exactly the same way. However, it was my choice to specialise in mens waxing and I totally appreciate and respect that most female therapists do not want to treat men.

There are various reasons for not wanting to do so and all valid ones. Some don't feel comfortable, their partners don't like it or they may have had bad experiences (many have).

There are plenty of male therapists that I know through business that would baulk at the idea of doing a treatment on a woman and likewise, I totally respect their views and reasons too.

From a business point of view, a lot of female clients would feel very uncomfortable with men in the salon and that's a fact, so you could find some clients going to another salon. In fact I went for my usual pedicure recently and it's always packed out with women having a good old girly chat and a laugh. There was a guy in there having a pedicure and the atmosphere was very stifled and you could see that the women felt uncomfortable. Probably for no other reason than not wanting a man to see them getting their hard skin done and their unpolished toe nails but they didn't like it and neither did I, even though I wax naked men and don't give it a second thought.

I totally get where you're coming from and I'm all for equality but this isn't equality; it's a simple fact of some women not feeling comfortable with men around whilst they're getting their treatments done. No different from Mens Grooming salons only accepting male clients.

 

[cherriedlove]

Hi,

I just wanted to give a super quick reply to what's actually happened. My male client is now the most reliable source of income for this salon. He is very loyal and comes in fortnightly and his treatments amounts to more than any other regular we have. He is an absolute gem and a lovely guy, and all the female therapists agree he's lovely.

It's all been resolved, there's no drama about it anymore (although as usual there's always something).

I agree with a lot of the points of views that have been shared in this thread, for example sometimes we do pamper parties and the ladies just want to be comfortable and have a laugh.

But overall I think there is an influx of female-oriented salons, like even in a small town where I am, there is at least 10+ salons, none of which that cater to men. I just think it'd be nice to go into a salon and feel comfortable regardless of gender and more specifically not even worry whether you'll be allowed to have a treatment. There's actually a fair few salons that do both male and female treatments without the salons being oriented specifically to one gender, including one I've worked in before. However I'm working in a small country town now, just one of the many things I'm trying to get my head around haha.

 

[dawncbn]

If your travelling, come to Liverpool and work for me. I like your attitude and I'm looking for someone

 

[cherriedlove]

If your travelling, come to Liverpool and work for me. I like your attitude and I'm looking for someone

Haha you're a gem! I would if I could, but my boyfriend is still studying at the moment and he's got a fairly solid job atm. I hope you find someone, I can't even imagine how hard it is to find hard working staff who will treat your business like you treat it.

I definitely won't say I'm the ideal therapist though, I can tell you that. Desperately need more waxing clients so I can start speeding up! Plus I am a little OCD about cleanliness, going by the "book" (e.g. cleaning checklists) and making sure treatments are set up properly. But I am pretty chuffed with my facials and massages with a 90% client snore rate I think the ideal therapist is someone who might not be perfect but is willing to put their all into it. Good luck xx

 

[TheBeautyRoomClinic]

just read this thread, glad it all worked out in the end, you sound like a grand employee well done & good luck on your travels