Growing your beauty business can be as painful as growing out your bangs or getting back in shape post-holiday. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s a primer on how to build clientele, earn more, and stress less, all while being true to yourself and your vision. 

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Starting Out

Want to get on the path to a fulfilling career? Start out on the right foot. Setting a positive, growth-oriented tone will help set you up for success.

Be consistent: Show up on time, every time.

Be profesh: You’re a professional. Show it by providing exceptional service and unparalleled expertise.

Make a plan: Don’t just dream of building a successful business. Plan on it. Get started with this helpful worksheet then develop a comprehensive business plan that covers:

• Services you’ll offer
• Your pricing structure and strategy
• Additional revenue streams
• Startup costs
• How you’ll fund your business
• Operating expenses
• Projected income

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Location, location, location: Whether you’re renting space in a larger salon or spa or opening your own location, you’ll want to consider:

• Distance to where your clients live, work, and play
• Ease of parking
• Security, privacy, and accessibility
• Architecture
• Interior design
• Workflow
• Niceties, such as snacks (for you and your guests!), WiFi, break room, utilities, and more

Check out this post for more tips on choosing a location that’s as fabulous as you are. Want an even deeper dive? Get the ultimate checklist for opening a salon.

Growing Strong

Once your business is underway, it’s time to write the next chapter of your success story: expanding your client base (not to mention your revenue). Top tactics include:

Retention programs: Acquiring new customers costs up to five times more than retaining current customers. Nurture current client relationships with programs that reward return visits, additional services, add-ons, referrals, and more.

Get your free Client Retention workbook!

Build your base: Gain additional clientele through referrals (think of it as business-building double-duty!), promotions, and networking.

Marketing: Flex those marketing muscles by building a following on social media channels like Instagram, encouraging client reviews, and sending out email and text promotions. Does marketing really make a difference? $1,500 in bookings in an hour says yes.

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Raise your prices: We know, we know. It’s a delicate subject. But claiming your place at the financial table shows value in your education, expertise, and hard work. When considering a price raise:

• Evaluate your business’ profitability, how much you’re working, and where you’d like to go
• Structure pricing in a way that resonates with your clientele
• Time an increase when clients need your services
• Get the word out via social media, email, and text with an app that streamlines the entire process – we happen to know a great one :)

Branching Out

Once you’ve started growing, it’s time to start branching outward and upward with tactics that help you earn more and work smart.

Reduce operating costs: From products to utilities to rent, you can reduce operating costs through analytics that uncover trends and opportunities.

Upsell and cross-sell: Help your clients find new ways to look and feel better while pampering your bottom line. Maybe they’d be interested in trying balayage rather than conventional highlights. Or perhaps they need a new moisturizer to better care for their newly glowing skin. Upselling and cross-selling provide additional value for you and your clients, now and in the future. Talk about a win-win.

Invest in people: You do it all. But you don’t always have to. By hiring smart, dedicated people, you can grow bookings, gain clients, expand hours, and even open new locations. Remember, even superheroes have help.

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!

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