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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia breaks down the key challenges hairstylists face in their journey to success and how adopting systems and automations can revolutionize their careers. Whether you're just starting out or navigating the next level of your business, understanding these two critical phases will help you achieve true work-life balance and sustainable wealth.
Episode Highlights:
1. The Two Phases of Struggle for Hairstylists
Hunter discusses the two major phases every hairstylist must navigate on the road to success:
- Phase 1: Growing your clientele. The biggest challenge here is standing out in a saturated market, especially with the rise of digital platforms like Instagram, Google, and YouTube, where clients have endless options.
- Phase 2: Scaling your success. Once you’ve built a strong client base, the focus shifts to managing communication, increasing demand, and balancing client expectations with your available time.
2. Challenges in Growing a Clientele (Phase 1)
Growing a clientele in today's beauty industry is more challenging than ever. Here's why:
- Increased competition: Clients have more access to hairstylists through online platforms and apps. Finding new clients and standing out can feel like an uphill battle.
- Educated competition: New hairstylists are coming into the field with business and marketing acumen, making it tougher for everyone.
- DIY hair care products and influencers: Clients are bombarded with DIY hair care solutions through brands and influencers, making it harder to keep them loyal to your services.
3. Challenges in Scaling Success (Phase 2)
When hairstylists move into phase two, new struggles arise:
- High client communication demands: Clients today expect rapid responses. Studies show 68% of customers leave a business due to poor customer service, and a “fast” response is considered within 10 minutes.
- Post-pandemic scheduling issues: Clients are busier than ever, leading to pressure on hairstylists to work unfavorable hours.
- Losing 20% of your clientele annually: Due to natural attrition, hairstylists need to consistently welcome new clients to maintain growth, even if it feels impossible with a fully booked schedule.
4. The Importance of Time and Systems
Hunter emphasizes that the common issue across both phases is time. Without enough time to focus on business growth, personal life, and self-care, hairstylists face burnout. The solution? Implementing automations and systems. By streamlining your workflow, you can:
- Regain control of your schedule
- Enhance your clients' experience
- Meet the fast-paced demands of today’s customers without sacrificing your work-life balance
5. Leveraging Automations and Systems
Drawing insights from Fortune 500 companies, Hunter shares that 90% of businesses believe in automating processes to meet evolving customer needs. This automation revolution isn't just for big corporations—hairstylists can harness these tools to stay competitive and avoid burnout.
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