How Stealing Stylists Can Revolutionize The Industry
Alright, here we go. I am bracing myself for all the feelings that come up from this title. I can feel the eyes burning through the screen.
"How dare you steal my stylists!" It's a major fear for many of us: either experiencing the theft firsthand or facing the wrath of an irate salon owner accusing us of poaching their team.But seriously, what’s up with this weird possessive game over stylists? It's almost like claiming ownership over your favorite barista at Starbucks. Newsflash: They’re not your pets. Stylists are people (shocking, I know) with dreams and goals. And, just between us? The idea that one’s going to spend their entire working life under your roof is laughably naive.
My Stylist left. The sky's falling, right?
Alright, deep breaths. Here's a wild idea: how about relying on, I dunno, YOU? And no, I don’t mean frantically taking over their chair and clients. I mean you, headhunting stylists constantly and not needing a backup plan because you’ve already been working the plan non-stop since day 1. Or you can just hire the next stylist that walks through the door and just hope that they aren’t the bright-eyed newbies fresh from school.
HeadHunting is the Future
As you begin to shift your mind towards this widely used technique that every other industry relies on and has normalized, it will indirectly weed out archaic and toxic salon templates that put all the responsibility on the stylists to hit goals that they don’t care about. The speed at which other salons will have to evolve to keep up with the salons who are headhunting the best talent will be unprecedented in this industry that evolves at the pace of hair school. This act alone will ensure that salons that haven’t figured it out either adapt or become obsolete.
Seriously though, if you want to play the game that is already being played and take control over your business, make an offer that’s worth talking about. If you want to stand out, then be different. Like, actually different. Not just “we have organic tea” different. And while you're at it, pick your people, build the salon you want. It's more fun that way.
Take The First Step
Jumping into headhunting without engaging with the stylists you're eyeing? It comes off a tad... stalkery. So, if you're keen on taking control of your revenue, you've got to go where they are (hint: think TikTok and Instagram). Dive into their socials, show some love, get a sense of who they are, and introduce yourself. Your Instagram? It's not just a lookbook anymore. While clients are great, you're on the prowl for stylists too. So, mix it up! Live beyond the hair pictures, tell them what you believe in and how you salon differently. You want them to see that you do and mean the things you say. Aim to make your marketing so authentic that stylists are thinking, "I've got to be there." Because, let's face it, sticking with the familiar is always easier. Trust? It’s the game-changer. Slide into their DMs, lay out who you are and what you're about. And be genuine about it. By being a breath of fresh air, their curiosity will be piqued.
This proactive approach is how we reclaim our businesses, easing the load on stylists. This is how we make real change.
