The best way to break up with clients?

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salonowner95

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Hi, I would reallly like some advice on how to break up with clients.
I’ve had my salon for 3 years now & I have a range of clients doing most services. I have invested 1000’s of pounds into my education in balayage & it is what I specialise in I would say 60-70% of my clients are balayage with the other still being grey coverage, highlights, cutting etc

being in lockdown has really made me think about what I want to do with my career & I really want to focus on my niche being balayage & I only want to be doing balayage clients when I return to the salon

how do I go about breaking the news to these clients that don’t have a balayage? I feel so bad, some have been coming to me for years but their services don’t bring me joy & make me passionate about my job anymore

any advice is welcome or any past experiences

thank you!
 
Do you have other staff that you can refer them too? If so you could possibly introduce them on their next visit to smooth the transition.

I think this would be key, as if you only want to do balayage as it will be a reoccuring problem, for example when a balayage client starts going grey they might want to come in for root touch ups in between, or they might want to change their colour and go darker or super blonde.
 
I do have a junior I am training up at the minute the option to transition over to her is there but she’s not cutting at the moment that’s the problem

& I guess I’d they had a balayage I wouldn’t mind doing their retouches/greys & they can go blonder/darker with their balayage
it’s the every 4-6 week full head colours/highlights I’ve fallen out of love with
 
I do have a junior I am training up at the minute the option to transition over to her is there but she’s not cutting at the moment that’s the problem

& I guess I’d they had a balayage I wouldn’t mind doing their retouches/greys & they can go blonder/darker with their balayage
it’s the every 4-6 week full head colours/highlights I’ve fallen out of love with
Rather than sort of sack them off. Is there room for persuasion with these clients maybe? Maybe suggest trying something different, some clients especially after lockdown, people would have maybe gotten used to having darker roots and lighter ends etc.
Also if they maybe decide they want to stick with highlights etc maybe your junior can do the colours that you don’t want to do, but you could maybe still c/bd until your junior is cutting.
it just seems a shame for you to loose clients, when this could be a perfect opportunity for your junior to start building their own column (if they aren’t already that is)
It also means the clients are still putting money in to your business and not someone else’s and also means youre not resenting the work you’re doing.
Hopefully this was helpful.
Good luck with whatever route you choose :)
 
I get what you’re saying - but - like all things I wouldn’t be putting all my eggs in one basket!
Balayage will be superseded by another look soon enough - and although none of us want to be a ‘jack of all trades’, - we should be cautious not to limit ourselves too much .... I wouldn’t sack anyone - maybe just ‘prioritise’😉
I love a root touch up - it’s where I can make quick easy money - in & out in little over a hour - where as the balayage client is a much longer appointment, more costly stock wise, less profitable, less predictable - & more stressful!
I love a challenge - but I also love a column scattered with root touch ups!
 
being in lockdown has really made me think about what I want to do with my career & I really want to focus on my niche being balayage & I only want to be doing balayage clients when I return to the salon

As everyone above has said, you shouldn't lose your clients, especially in these challenging times. There's always some risk of not getting enough "balayage only" clients in the short and perhaps long term, which might force you to backtrack on your initial decision.

I'm not a PR expert, but beside trying to offer some alternative you know they might be happy with there's not much you can do here. It's not something you can make them feel less frustrated about IMHO.
 
Personally the 4-6 week clients are my bread and butter. I rely on them for my regular Income

The balayage clients I have are 1-2 times a year unless it’s a toner refresh etc. Not as much of a regular income

I wouldn’t completely sack them off because one day the balayage look will not be as popular and you will be wanting the regular clients back.

Start with doing the main colour yourself (the full head foils/root touch up etc) even your balayage. Then have your junior/assistant do the toners, colour melts, treatments etc.
If she’s not cutting, you can cut their hair and the junior can blowdry whilst your doing another colour client.

Maybe find a way to tweak who does what to get the most out of your junior to help you bring in more income.
That way the junior learns quicker too and you have a nice income each month.
xx
 

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