March 1, 2021March 2, 2021

You talk, we listen: The first Salon Smart HUB Business Brunch

Fears, concerns, hopes and ambitions… What are the honest thoughts of hair professionals across the UK and Ireland? Here’s what Salon Smart HUB uncovered…

In February, we hosted the first Salon Smart HUB Virtual Business Brunch – an open forum with invited hair professionals from across the UK and Ireland, to find out what matters to you, the industry, right now – and how we can offer our support.

Armed with coffee and breakfast treats, attendees gathered together via a Zoom video call and talked openly about current business challenges and concerns, as well as hopes and plans for the future. The group shared personal experiences and insight from the past year, before offering advice and tips on how they made it through an exceptionally challenging period that was 2020 (and beyond…).

Unsurprisingly, the conversation centred around the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the unprecedented impact on business, services and state of mind. The continuing anxiety over uncertainty remains undoubtedly prevalent amongst every single attendee.

However, there was also an overwhelming unanimity that the pandemic has forced a well-needed period of reflection upon the industry, encouraging everybody to make changes, for the better…

So, which topics were identified as mattering the most, right now?

MENTAL WELLBEING
Overwhelmingly mental health and wellbeing was raised as a key concern and focus for both current and future plans. There was common agreement that there is now a need to prioritise and ensure that the mental wellbeing of individuals should at all times be front and centre. It is apparent the latest lockdown, more so than any other, has left a tremendous feeling of anxiety amongst the entire hairdressing community, with motivation much lower than it had previously been. This has triggered a re-evaluation of approach and practices, to better support self and staff during the ongoing lockdown and as we move towards the sector reopening. Consequently, we’ll be bringing you expert advice and resources for improving mental wellbeing in our April content drop, so do keep an eye out!

“I’m looking at providing a therapy contribution for team members as part of our employment benefits” – Naomi Brooks, The Hair Sanctuary

PACING THE RETURN
Closely linked to the significance of mental wellbeing is the importance of carefully pacing the return to work. While staff health and morale weighs heavily on salon owners, it is equally important for self-employed hairdressers managing their own diaries and client expectations. Many cited they were now reconsidering former business structures and schedules ahead of the next reopening and unlike previous lockdowns, this time they would not over-burden staff with longer opening hours in order to facilitate increased client demand, to safeguard individual and team welfare. Instead, the aim is to manage everything in a more maintainable and sustainable manner.

“We’re not going to have clients dictate to us this time – I’m going to slow everyone and everything down. We’re going to work within the normal booking schedule and not work any longer or extra hours” – Paul Hession, Hession Hairdressing

INVESTING IN THE TEAM
Another key takeaway from the discussion is that salon owners are placing even more value in their current team members, investing time and energy into existing staff to ensure they remain happy, healthy and content at work, rather than into plans to expand or restructure the workforce. In particular, supporting and retaining existing apprentices.

“Pre-covid, my focus was on growing the team and business. Now, it’s about working on and supporting the team I have” – Katie Allan, MAYFIVE

ACCEPTANCE OF CHANGE
Naturally, the subject of ‘change’ remained a hot talking point throughout the conversation, with all attendees acknowledging that the pandemic forced change upon the industry, welcome or not. There is a general consensus and acceptance that the industry will never return to the way it was, pre-Covid. But this was noted not as a wholly negative outcome, rather participants placed a positive on the opportunity they might otherwise never have had, to reflect on their businesses and processes – to take a long, hard look at how they operate and develop a fresh outlook on how to adapt and flourish.

“There is no going back, no returning to normal. It’s going to keep changing” – Anya Dellicompagni, Francesco Group

SUSTAINABILITY
Environmentally and ethically, the future looked bright, as it was discussed that most are making movements towards their salons being more environmentally-conscious – introducing new practices, no matter how small, in order to make a difference. Two thirds of attendees confirmed they are taking steps to become a more sustainable salon, from joining the Green Salon Collective to providing more environmentally friendly towels and being mindful of plastic, water and energy waste.