WARNING!
HARD TO SEE CHANGE AHEAD!

Today, in our profession we can see that there are two clearly defined groups forming:

The “traditional” hairstylist, with her/his salon or franchise in one of the prime locations of the town, city or district. Colleagues, out there on their own, or with the help of their families, battling each and every day to defend his/her clientele. Doing the best she/he can.

And fighting against the capital which, after the slowdown in the real estate sector, has been reinvested in ours. With enormous chains of low price salons. Several of the well known brand names are no longer run by hairstylists, but by executives, under the thumbs of powerful investment groups. They are staffed by people straight out of the schools and academies, with scant experience but sufficient skill to justify the low prices charged.

An independent, well trained hairstylist with his/her own salon should not, in principle, have too much reason to fear such low price alternatives. There will always be clients of for all.

BUT… There is something happening out there which seems to be changing everything …We all know that in our societies it is the EGO is all important … and if you limit yourself to merely looking after your clientele adequately, offering high quality work but NOT INFECTING THEM WITH ENTHUSIASM … then maybe you’re not quite so good after all ,,, Maybe, it turns out you’re even a little on the pricey side … Maybe your salon is just that little bit too far from her home …Or, quite simply, she wants somebody TO MAKE HER FEEL GOOD (what does it matter if the colour or cut aren’t quite “perfect”!). Anybody just starting out, employed by one of the new chains of salons, whose work is just “comme ci, comme ça”, could win the heart of any of our clients if they know how to make her feel good. Like a goddess … (And, at a lower price!)

It’s the biggest threat out there today!.

So: Watch out for this rather complex threat which could impact so negatively on our businesses!

lluis llongueras