Seasonal or not? Opinions please

[Minkeybox]

Hi guys,

Just after a few opinions please. I am in the process of typing my business plan to take to my mentor this week and I have been driving myself crazy with one thing!

Do you think the beauty industry ( waxing, tanning, facials, make up and nails) is seasonal?? I keep flitting between saying yes and no

Reasons I think yes are-

School holibobs are quiet (non existent in some cases) jan/Feb are also quiet but trade picks up at distinct peak times- wedding season, holiday season and christmas. Retail sales also shoot up at these times. Peeps are going to be more inclined to have something done as a one off for these times rather than be regulars.

but...

A lot of services (nails, lashes, tanning) require constant maintenance. So, someone having these done keeps coming back every few weeks despite what season it is. Even though there will not be as many 'one off' clients for special occasion stuff there should be a good base of regulars to bring in a regular income....

I am still at the business planning stage and have only a smallish client base (10 ladies) so my reasons are based mainly on what I read on here and see going on it local salons, but I'm stummped lol! I've really enjoyed writing the rest of it but keep coming back to this one thing,

So, would you class the beauty industry as seasonal or not? :cry:

Thanks in advance, I hope I've explained this as well as I hoped lol! xxx

 

[J33XSS]

I can see it from both sides, but personally I don't think it's seasonal... My takings are the same month on month, apart from December which is slightly more - but I can only fit so many people in a day, so it's not going to be double the other months of the years takings because I'm busy all year round. Bear in mind I've been trading for nearly four years though so it won't be like that straight away. I guess it also depends what treatments you offer, or if you're planning to specialise in just one? x

 

[Minkeybox]

Thanks for your input hun :Love:

Valid point on there only being so many hours in a trading day, I didn't think of it like that but that is very true! I have been realistic with how many clients I get in my first year, (If anything I've been a scaredy puss and have really underestimated it!) I will be offering a selection of treatments- natural nails & enhancements, spray tanning, facials, brows, lashes, make up and waxing (eventually intimate waxing too) so hopefully this will help as I'm not limited to one area.

Whats not helped is the sample Business plan I was given for reference is for a seasonal gardener! Think this is where the whole seasonal bit started in my head.... I think I'll be best to get rid of the word and maybe just explain the highs & lows lol.

Thanks hun, sometimes you just need to bounce a few ideas round to get it right in your head lol! xxx

 

[squidgernetball]

There is definitely a seasonal increase, but we are steadily busy all year round, and weirdly, October was out best ever month - including last Christmas!

If you have a good cross section of clients in your client base, you will have those that pick you up and drop you off as and when, and expect to be fitted in at a moments notice "because you always do my nails for my holidays/Christmas" etc when you literally haven't seen them since last Christmas, and others who will come religiously every 2 weeks for Shellacs, five weeks for waxing and so on!

The seasonal fluctuations are to be expected, but it's not like we close down for 6 weeks over winter - although we do close with exceptional snow as we are so isolated!!!

Vic x

 

[BeautySW]

We find November, Jan and Feb quiet so have to do some clever marketing in these months.

April, May, Aug and Sept being our busiest.

Although we see a slight increase in Dec we have to work hard for it. We find we can be quiet the first two weeks as people try to book in and delay their appointments close to xmas and then you work your nuts off in xmas week!! Resulting in the whole month balancing out to an average month.

 

[Redduck]

I find November is my most profitable month as this is when I put Christmas wrapped gifts on sale so most people buy one or two at each visit.

Since getting a card reader a few months ago I've found that people are buying even more than last year as they don't have to worry about having cash.

I would definitely factor in having a card machine as I've left it until this year and it is singularly the best thing I did for growth for my business.

Apart from November I find December, July, August are crazy busy and the other months are just busy though it does take a few years to get like that.

Good luck with your business

 

[pure]

I think for the purposes of writing a business plan you can say that there are seasonal fluctuations such as summer and Christmas however this industry is not dependant on seasonal variations such as certain retailers, holiday/travel industry etc who will only be busy at certain times of the year, whereas with good planning you should still be busy year round.

 

[squidgernetball]

I find November is my most profitable month as this is when I put Christmas wrapped gifts on sale so most people buy one or two at each visit.

Since getting a card reader a few months ago I've found that people are buying even more than last year as they don't have to worry about having cash.

I would definitely factor in having a card machine as I've left it until this year and it is singularly the best thing I did for growth for my business.

Apart from November I find December, July, August are crazy busy and the other months are just busy though it does take a few years to get like that.

Good luck with your business

So pleased it has benefited you. I cannot believe that people think the spend is the same with cash - it just isn't!

Vic x

Sent from my GT-I9195 using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[wonderwoman]

I find looking back over the years certain treatments are seasonal. For instance, massages in my salon are in high demand when there is a cold snap. I have the hopi ear candle in demand during the spring time for those hayfever sufferers.. Pedicures thrive when when the slightest hint of sunshine comes out. Make up is during "wedding season".

The demand for everything else is there, but it comes down to how you market it, how well your clients respond to what you are trying to focus on.

Every treatment has its cycle. To quote Made in Chelsea recently "I'm not seasonal! I'm a timeless classic!" xoxo