© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Chapter 7 Salon and Spa Business Tools

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Salon and Spa Business Tools A salon and spa personality is governed by five main components –original composition –management –staff members –The support systems –The inventory/supplies © Milady, a part of Cengage Learning

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Original Composition Walls, floor, and ceiling –must be easy to maintain –must be sturdy and not need constant repair Plumbing and electrical connections –should be checked and maintained at least once a month –repairs should be made when needed Brushes, combs, and manicuring equipment –must be constantly replaced should always be in perfect condition

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Original Composition Towels, robes, etc. –should be replaced as needed should be kept extremely clean

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Management Attend to the needs of all parts of the salon and spa Help the staff succeed Allow the staff to participate Develop your own management skills © Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. Photography by Dino Petrocelli

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Staff Members Ways to encourage good salon and spa spirit: –technician thank-yous –gifts for your technicians –help all you can in the salon and spa

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Staff Members –above all, teach to educate the client, not sell the client “no” only means “I don’t have enough information” increase the number of times the client sees you in a given period of time (rebooking) increase the number of clients you see (referrals)

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Support Systems Computer systems Bookkeeping system Working capital Front desk associate Maintenance department © Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. Photography by Dino Petrocelli

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Computer Systems Hardware −computer, computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer, auxiliary equipment Software −computer programs that do specific jobs such as appointment management, accounting, and inventory

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Selecting a Computer Program Search for software that provides exactly what you want Most software companies will provide training opportunities −Training should be done when the salon and spa is closed −There are usually several ways to perform some of the programmed functions; learn one way

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Selecting a Computer Program Train the front desk associate in the areas that she needs to know the complete training program should be taken by the salon and spa owner and another person, such as a spouse or manager As new front desk associates are employed, they will have to take the training

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. How Many Computers Does a Salon and Spa Need? The front desk associate must have a terminal The salon and spa owner needs a computer in the office A laptop with a virtual private connection (VPN) could allow some work to be done at home when the owner has time away from the salon and spa

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Internet Access Can be used for: −finding information on products and their use −Ordering −checking prices −finding people looking for employment Photosani/Shutterstock.com

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Internet Access Many salons and spas today are providing areas with wireless access, complimentary laptops, and so forth for their clients’

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Bookkeeping System Be sure that the bookkeeper is prompt about paying your employees and that the checks are accurate The booking can be done in-house or outsourced

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Working Capital A salon and spa must have enough working capital (in cash and a checking account) to make change, cash checks, and pay bills A salon and spa may have to cut down on hours because there is not enough working capital

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Front Desk Associate Keeps the whole system running smoothly Duties should be well- defined and known to everyone in the salon and spa Is the salon and spa’s number-one public-relations officer and must reflect the best image for your salon and spa © Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. Photography by Dino Petrocelli

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Maintenance Department To maintain an orderly salon and spa, you must: −hire a good maintenance person −delegate duties among staff members Duties that need to be taken care of include: –cleaning the windows, doors and walls –painting doors and walls when needed –caring for the restrooms –changing light bulbs when needed

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Inventory Supply Room Keep an up-to-date inventory on hand at all times Make and keep a “want list” handy Place and store merchandise wisely and safely Take time with your supply representative when placing your order

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Inventory System An inventory list is a written account of all the products that your salon and spa has on hand Use a spreadsheet or a large book that can be ruled for keeping an up-to-date inventory Use this inventory system to make accurate purchasing decisions

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. The “Want List” Contains the things to be ordered from the inventory sheet and any other things that your technicians might want to order Post in the supply room

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Store Merchandise Wisely Arrange your supplies in an orderly fashion When new merchandise comes into the salon and spa, be sure that the old merchandise is brought to the front to be used Be sure to store cosmetics away from heaters and dryers, as many types spoil in heat Keep products away from the sink unless they are necessary for shampooing

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. The Supply Room/Inventory Design Plan Disorganized supply rooms with cabinets that are too large lead to wasted products, overlooked products (causing overpurchasing), and wasted time spent by the technicians looking for supplies

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Floors The floor in your supply room should be: –easy to clean and maintain –stain- and soil-resistant

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Cabinets and Sinks How many? What size? How should they be arranged? ©Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. Photography by Dino Petrocelli

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Drawers Drawers should contain: −brushes and combs −permanent wave rods −processing capes −shampoo capes −heating cap

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Shelves Catchall drawer should contain: – screwdriver – hammer – measuring tape Under the catchall drawer, there should be two shelves for cleaning fluids and the boxed, economy-sized supplies for cleaning

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Supply Wall A wall covered with shelves is recommended over cabinets (the addition of doors to these shelves will cause them to become disorderly and cluttered) A 2-foot shelf, placed 30 inches from the floor, will serve as a mixing table for tints and permanent waves

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) By law, MSDS must be kept on hand and be easily available Establish a location for these in your supply room in a folder or notebook Be sure that the sheets are promptly and neatly filed and that everybody knows where they are and how to read them

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Washing Machine Place on or against a wall that easily provides water and drain connections The back of the machine should be closed off and covered to prevent items from being dropped behind it Purchase a machine that is new or just slightly used © Milady, a part of Cengage Learning

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Dryer A dryer is necessary if you have already invested in a washing machine Be sure that the dryer has a lint filter that can be easily cleaned after each load of wash is dried Consider purchasing energy-efficient or front- loading washers and dryers, which are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Soap and Bleach Cabinet Consider the cost of soap and bleach, a major factor in doing your own laundry A cabinet the same size as your washing machine or dryer will do nicely The top of this cabinet, if covered with a good Formica or plastic, makes an excellent place to fold the towels and laundry as they come from the dryer

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Towel/Sheet Storage Towels are usually kept in the shampoo area A tall cabinet should be located next to the soap and bleach cabinet to house the towels, sheets, and other clean laundry (should not contain any other items)

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Broom Closet Contains all cleaning implements, such as brooms, mops, scrub pails, and dustpans Hang as many of these items on the wall as you can This closet should have a tile floor, which should be washed weekly

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Water Heater Three kinds of water heaters: – Electric – Gas – Solar energy Water heaters can also be installed outside or inside a building The size of the water heater will depend upon the size of the salon and spa and the amount of business you intend to do

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Standard Equipment Standard equipment does not need to be replaced as often as working supplies It does need to be replaced several times a year

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Cleaning Supplies Many more items are used regularly in salons and spas, such as: – glass cleaners – wood cleaners – dusters – trash bags

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Retail Supplies To be used in the salon and spa To be sold for home use (retail) © Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. Photography by Dino Petrocelli

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Private Label Good-quality products that carry the salon and spa name on them You may have to order substantial quantities of these, but the price per item is often lower than for major brands They carry your salon and spa name on the bottle, and will constantly remind your client about your salon and spa

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Summary A salon and spa has a personality, dependent on original composition, management, operators, supplies and maintenance, and the work it produces All parts must work well or else the salon and spa will fall into trouble To perform well, management must attend to all parts of the salon and spa, help the staff succeed and participate, and develop management skills

© Copyright 2012 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Summary Support systems include the bookkeeping system, supply room, supply system, working capital, front desk associate, and maintenance department A well-organized supply room/closet will ultimately save you time and money