What makes those famous salons so special?

Have you ever wondered what makes those famed beauty salons so remarkable? Surely it can’t be the quality of services they provide alone. Although they usually employ the top tier industry specialists and the most promising juniors, there are plenty of smaller salons which do the same, but they still don’t get near as much hype. Is this all about money, fancy equipment and expensive interior designs? Does your salon have to scream: “luxury” in order to become renowned? Or maybe there are other qualities that make salons stand out?

The highest level of integrity

The shortest and most straight-to-the-point definition of integrity is doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Integrity means honesty, taking responsibility for your actions and most importantly, being consistent with your values, even if it would be easier to do otherwise.

In business, integrity is usually associated with great work culture and transparency towards both employees and clients. A systematised structure ensures harmony in both employee management and customer service. Such salons have strong management systems, designed to create consistency in the way services are delivered. In such salons, all workers are treated equally and are provided with candid employment conditions. They stick to their policies, don’t make exceptions and have a lot of respect and reverence for their customers. Most importantly, they don't penny-pinch when it comes to investing in staff and client well-being. Overall, these salons are well-managed, run by a strong-minded leader, with a clear goal and persistent values.

A degree of professionalism & focus on education

Of course, the level of advancement is an absolutely basic quality. This is why the best salons treat the recruitment process so seriously. The new team member has to be on a very high level of professionalism right off the bat - but there is no time for resting on your laurels. The most renowned salons are known for requiring continuous self-improvement. It doesn’t matter if you have been a licensed specialist for two or twenty years. If you want to work with the best, you have to stay relevant in the capricious, constantly changing and ever-advancing beauty industry. As for additional education, such salons have their own educators and invite guests to showcase new treatment methods and special advice for working with clients.

A modern approach

Owners and managers from renowned salons understand that there is no space for mindlessness, a lack of empathy, favouritism, prejudice and discrimination when running a modern business. These are no longer tolerated in the beauty industry.

This is why successful salons provide facilities for a wide range of clients. The interior is prepared for guests with motor disabilities and retail products are vegan & cruelty-free. There is no place for gender discrimination and categorising clients based on their age, gender or race. Inclusivity in the industry has become a required norm, and so is eco-friendliness. You don’t see receptionists in upscale salons wasting tons of paper on noting appointments or running customer records. All mindful owners and managers are going digital - which leads us to…

Technology in the service of man

Have you ever wondered how owners and beauty salon managers of those famous salons are able to maintain their business when the number of responsibilities of an average salon owner already sounds like a living hell?

The beauty industry is extremely human-centric and therefore it’s quite improbable that it will ever become fully automated. Beauty services require a human provider - their experience, expertise, empathy and creativity. However, these salon owners understand that other departments of their businesses not only make good use of, but even require the help of software. Why is that?

Well, in recent years the industry has taken a 180-degree turn. A salon is not just “a place to get your hair, nails, facial or massage done” anymore. It is so much bigger than that - customers expect you to be knowledgeable and skillful, perform complicated services they have seen online, remember all their visits and any information they have given you and be present on social media. You need to have total control over inventory, manage your staff, be communicative through numerous channels, keep track of appointments and never make mistakes… and so on, and so on. And don't forget to smile!

This is why the owners of influential salons focus on customer-centred aspects of their job, while some aspects are automated by advanced software. Even if duties are divided among other staff members, there is still a whole lot of managing to be done. A leading-edge system such as Booksy provides tools like online booking, automated marketing, a handful of useful reports, work schedules, digital client forms, drag and drop rescheduling, client records with advanced data protection and so much more. Here's the biggest secret prestigious salons have - they utilise reliable beauty & hair salon software that automates their work and saves them time.

Themes & unique visual identification

When you walk into an influential salon, you can initially see that there’s something special about it - it just looks so cool. On further inspection, you notice why - their interior was designed with exceptional care for details and is very consistent with the salon’s theme. When you visit their website, you see the same palette of colours, perfectly fitting layout and the overall theme is still going strong. You are amazed by this business’s appearance because it’s unique and cohesive - they have chosen their gimmick and are sticking to it.

Clients love places with a theme. When you have your own special motif, you are not “a salon” anymore - you are “that salon that has flowers everywhere” or “that salon stylised as an old railway station”. It is obvious that achieving a desired theme takes time, financial investment and effort, but if you decide to do so, you begin your business journey with additional points for recognisability right off the bat.

Find out whether the place where you run your business hasn’t got an interesting backstory - maybe there was a bakery years ago? Maybe there is an urban legend connected to the place? Places with an actual history are even cooler. But if there is not much to play with, you can come up with a motif yourself. Think about something that you like, that defines you, something you can gracefully play with as your business theme. You don’t have to be another Susie Beauty or Samantha’s Lashes. Your very own salon identity plus a spoonful of social media marketing equals incoming wide recognisability.

All salons begin small, there is no exception - but some are simply destined for greatness. With a candid approach, a focus on development, high morality, a unique look and great software supporting you, you can go really far. We can give you the best beauty salon software out there, with all the features you and your clients need - and we are just waiting to hear about your salon becoming widely renowned and extra famous. Make us proud!