This story originally appeared on Sola Salon Studios
The past few months have been filled with unprecedented challenges, and for many salon professionals, getting back into the salon provided much-needed comfort and excitement. However, reopening is no walk in the park. It comes with longer days, eager clients, anticipation to get “back to the way things were”, and navigating a new normal of increased sanitation, wearing a mask, and calming clients' nerves.
Dawn Bradley, business coach, hairstylist, podcaster and industry expert, has a few tips for establishing back-to-work boundaries.
Your lack of boundaries does not equal excellent customer service
“This one was a tough one for me to accept for a long time,” says Bradley. “I prided myself on my excellent customer service and going the extra mile (which is great) until I started using that as an excuse to not have any boundaries in my business… But the thing is, when you say yes to one thing, you’re also saying no to something else.” It can take years before we fully understand that establishing boundaries is critical to living our best lives. Getting back to work in a healthy and significant way will take intention and grace, and careful consideration is necessary.
First thing’s first, you will not be able to make everyone happy. Make peace with that right now.
It’s important that you truly accept this sentiment and embrace it wholly. Bradley says our beliefs are like a compass and we head in the direction of what we think is possible. Boundaries are not slamming a door in someone’s face. When done with kindness, compassion, and empathy, healthy boundaries take care of both you and your clients. “You’re not creating boundaries to them and at them, but for them.”
Don’t let scarcity take over
It’s common to feel that if you don’t get all your clients in ASAP that they will go somewhere else. But that’s thinking that there’s not enough to go around. Bradley encourages everyone to live in an abundance mindset. “Trust that there’s more than enough to go around, that you’re worth it, and your clients will wait!” Your clients value you more than you realize, and they’re willing to wait. They’ve already waited.
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