Treatments - do you specialise or do you offer everything?

[High Hopes]

Hi geeks
Im in the middle of switching from mobile to a home based salon. I was researching skin care ranges and cant help feeling a bit disheartened. I actually dont enjoy facials very much and i dont do them very often. Im also not confident with my nail painting and panic everytime someone chooses a "scary dark colour". I absolutely LOVE waxing and spray tanning.
My question is how many of you specialise in just one of two areas?

Do you think clients are more attracted to therapists who specialise in the teatment they are after rather than a "jack of all trades"?

Do you think its wise at this time to cut out certain treatments reducing outgoings on products, but obviously risking loosing potential clients?

Would love to know your thoughts

xx

 

[Jemima Ocean]

Its probably a question of practice and confidence I should think.

People will probably come to you for the things you love doing - the waxing and the spray tanning. Not eveyone loves these things - I dont really like waxing and love facials and massage.

Someone I know, and use regularly, only does mobile spray tanning and is always busy. She is a really nice girl, fairly quick and charges £20 per spray tan. If there are 4 of you or more then she charges £15 per person.

Hope this is of some help.

 

[chrissy84]

hi, i think you could definately specialise in one or two areas, for instance if you love waxing, take a specialist waxing course. same with tanning and any other treatments you enjoy.
I work in a salon, one of my colleges hates full leg waxes where as i love them, she loves pedicures and im not so keen. we find we are more enthusiastic about the treatments we like doing and although we do a very good job on the ones we dont enjoy so much, we find it easier to recommend our favourites x x

 

[High Hopes]

this is exactly my point, I dont think its a good idea to spend out money on products for facials when i a) dont do many b) am not really enthusiastic about them

I am just worried that my treatment list will look way too random, and people might think Im still training or a bit hit and miss. I really enjoy pedicures, i LOVE doing minx, spray tanning and waxing.

I am going to book up a waxing course to improve my skills further this year, hmmmmm its really tough, i dont want to put people off by not offering these other treatments. x

 

[lenna]

some of the best people in the industry only specialise in one or two treatments, i have two salons near to me that specialise solely in waxing and they do be booked up week or two in advance, when you tap into what your good at and your strengths you do become a success you get known for that area, sure look at kim lawless on this site she i think only does waxing and im sure there are others aswell on this site who have chosen to only offer what they love and are very successful, i would not be worried about it at all

 

[chrissy84]

it wont sound random i promise you.just look at how many people there are just offering spray tans, or salons purely for nails. Clients will notice that if your specialising in specific treatments and doing them day in day out your going to be fab at them!
Totally agree with lenna,kim specialisis in waxing and look at her reputation.....it speaks for itself x x

 

[High Hopes]

this is what makes me more confident, there are people out there doing it, and being successful for it.

I think tapping into my strengths is better than trying to do everything and just becoming a jack of all trades which is so dont want to be, but i feel you become when you first leave college.

maybe one day i will want to start doing facials again but for now i dont think my heart is really in it. x

 

[angelina221]

I only do waxing, spray tans and eyebrow and lash tints.
I hate feet, i can't paint nails and facials and massage are not my thing either so i just stick to the jobs i am good at and that i enjoy.
I do have another therapist that does everything though.
If you are the only therapist then it is rather handy to be able to offer a wider range of treatments.
My other therapists does lots of manis and pedis and if she wasn't here then they would have to go elsewhere.

 

[essentia]

I do not think it matters as long as you enjoy what you do - as has been said doing one or two things does not stop you being busy. I intend to specialise eventually - I have already got rid of my body treatments and will thin other treatments out as I go along.

 

[Meriden]

Hello

I would definately play to your strengths! that's what your reputation will be built on.

You are not alone . Unless you are totally brilliant at everything , most people if they are honest, would admit to being better at some treatments than others. It doesn't make you less of a therapist. Its harder when you work on your own , but you could refer to another therapist that you trust , to do the things that you feel less comfortable with,. like they would do in a salon.

This is quite helpful when one of you goes on holiday, so your clients don't miss out.

You could put out some feelers to see if their is anyone interested in working with you in that respect. Lynne from Calla salon has some great ideas about networking - she posts on here a lot.

Alternatively put a post here to see if there's any one who would let you practice on them so you could get some pointers without spending too much on refresher courses.
Most people are glad to help.

It comes down to ethics and professionalism, and basically- not poaching each others clients deliberately.
Have faith_ but I would focus initially on what you do best.

Good luck&
best wishes Meriden xx

 

[High Hopes]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Yes i do have someone i could pass clients over to, we cover each others holidays/sickness and it works very well.
Did anyone else get trained in everything and drop treatments they didnt enjoy? X

 

[user 29587]

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[High Hopes]

I specialise in spray tanning only! I'd rather NOT BE jack of all trades and master of none in a way...and I don't mean that everyone who offers more then one treatment is no good lol I just mean for me, its my sort of selling point to potential clients.

I love tanning, love being tanned and everything to do with it so its perfect for me....I want to be the person everyone calls if they loving being tanned as much as me if that makes sense.

Kim x

See i would rather be passionate about one or two things and be absolutely brilliant at it, rather than being able to give an ok facial, a standard massage etc.
Im just worried that the less i offer the smaller the market i have to appeal to x

 

[Martin Duffy]

I know it's not meant that way, but referring to those of us who do all treatments as "jack of all trades" is rather rude as it implies that we are somehow bodgers. It's possible to decide that the route of specialising is best for yourself without implying those who don't do some treatments well & muddle by with the others.

There are people who just do one or two treatments and succeed and there are those who don't. Ultimately, the main factor that will decide your success is yourself.

Regarding facials, have you thought of reflecting on why you don't like them and then perhaps considering if you can change the products/routine so that you do enjoy them?