Preparing Not Panicking - COVID-19
Salon Professionals,
I write you from a very quiet Saturday in my salon. These last 2 weeks have been filled with so much uncertainty. We have seen people fill shopping baskets full of toilet paper and other commodities. Some of us sat back and laughed, judging people for being scared. Fast forward to seeing grocery store isles empty and fruits and vegetables picked over and the fear has engulfed us all. Lots of questions fill my head daily. Am I going to be able to find items for my home and business? Am I staying cool or am I falling deep into this collective fear. I’m choosing to create my future instead of standing by and waiting to see what happens. I hope you can join me in moving forward and planning for the future.
So how can we plan for the next few weeks or months?
If you haven’t started now, start picking up essential items to continue to service clients.
Here are a few things to have on hand:
Extra color tubes of your go to N series and cool tones
An extra tub of lightener
A couple boxes of gloves
”Quats” Disinfectant for tools. This can be used in a spray bottle to wipe down non porous surfaces to keep your clients safe.
An extra box of foils.
Please don’t buy everything out. We need to leave some for others.
Connecting with clients about how you intend to keep them safe is critical to whether or not you will see clients coming into the salon in the next couple weeks.
A few things you can do to let them know you are operating with their health in mind
Send an email to your client list that runs through all the new ways you are keeping the salon safe.
Post to social media the email you wrote and tag your clients
Keep a spotless salon
Post on Social media people in your chair. time to get creative and leave the balayaged client with hands at the back of the head for later
Make sure you wipe down the chairs in front of your clients. Don’t wait till they leave to do it.
Forgo handshakes and hugs at this time.
Ask clients to stay home if they are showing any signs of illness or have been exposed to the virus
Kids are out of school so let them know if their kids are symptom free they can bring them.
I’ve attached the email I sent to the bottom of this letter for reference. Please feel free to copy, edit and paste.
Try not to panic
We know small business will see the strain of the economy first. Start creating a back up plan now. Address ways to cut back your expenses. Look at how you will drive business in the future.
Being reactive at this point and offering discounts to get butts in chairs will only hurt us more in the long run.
Start creating better experiences for your clients by being present with them instead of running to the back room and disappearing after you’ve applied color. Have a conversion about what new ideas you have for their hair at their next appointment.
Make sure you have pre-booked their next appointment.
Show gratitude for them coming to their appointment.
Reach out to your clients personally and let them know you are thinking about them. Stay connected.
The best thing we can do at this time is stay focused on creating a heathy business for the future. This will pass and as long as we don’t go into reactive mode. We will get through this.
Best wishes to you for a healthy and prosperous time
-Kim Creekmore (HairLoveDesign)
CULTIVATE a HairLoveDesign Salon
Friends and Family of CULTIVATE,
I was hoping that I wasn't going to have to send out a letter in regards to the Covid 19 scare, but it seems to me that that we are only in the beginning of what looks like a long fight to get the spread of this virus under control.
It is important for us to do our part in making sure our clients know that their health and wellness is always on our minds when we provided services for you in the salon.
Our goal is to make sure that we can stay a safe place for you to visit. Here is what we are doing, and will be doing going forward.
New precautions:
We will be asking all clients to reschedule appointments if you are showing any cold or flu signs. This includes, runny nose, gastrointestinal illness, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, chills, etc. Even if you think they are allergies but are not sure we ask you to please reschedule.
We will now stay home if we have any signs of cold or flu symptoms. In the past we have worked if our clients did not have concern about getting sick.
We will be asking you to wash your hands as soon as you come into the salon and before you leave.
We now know the schools will be closed and if your littles are well please feel free to bring them to your appointment if you do not have a sitter or a family member to watch them. We still are asking you to be symptom free for your appointment and that will extend to your little one. We hope that we can continue to serve you during this time
We will be the only ones touching the iPad for check out purposes
Using paper cups for coffee, water, and tea
Ask if you are comfortable receiving the complimentary neck and shoulder massage
Temporarily stop the hand massage add on service
We feel at this time it is important to minimize handshakes and hugs (this one is a hard one for me because I love the connection and gratitude I can share though this simple gesture)
We will continue to:
Wash hands between each and every client
Use new disposable gloves on each and every client
Use clean clothing covers (smocks) with every client
Use clean towels that have been disinfected with bleach each shampoo
Provide disposable paper towels for hand washing
Keep a clean salon
What you can do at home to help stay well:
Wash hands frequently
Use a paper towel to open bathroom doors
Take a multivitamin and probiotics daily (70% of our immune system lives in our gut)
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
Encourage family to stay home when they are not feeling well to help keep the germs from spreading in your home.
Carry tissues on you at all times, in case you need to sneeze or open a public door.
Keep a small bottle of antibacterial in your car to use on your hands ( I know they are not anywhere to be found in stores right now but I am sure you have a bottle or two in drawers or cabinets around your home)
Our intention is to be able to continue to serve you in this time of uncertainty. Our small business counts on the continued support of each client each and everyday to stay active in our community.
We are so very grateful for each of you.
-Kim at CULTIVATE