| Okay, so you've already heard and read about what | | | | it for the 9-to-5 routine. My financial success stems |
| a cosmetology school can do for you. Cut and color, | | | | from my willingness to work really hard to keep |
| head massages, scalp treatments, skin care, eyebrow | | | | clients who aren't afraid to compensate me for the |
| shaping, manicures and pedicures, and so on. But | | | | extra effort. I also market my talents extensively. I |
| what's it really like to be a cosmetologist? We asked | | | | bet you'll ask me about marketing. |
| one of the area's premier stylists to chime in on what | | | | Q: Yes, I will. Thanks for the heads-up. I guess a lot |
| it takes to build a successful client base, to call your | | | | of stylists forget they are self-employed and that |
| own shots in the marketplace, and to maximize your | | | | marketing is really critical to being successful. |
| earnings potential. Her responses might surprise you. | | | | It depends on the person. If a hair stylist is happy |
| Q: So you've been in the salon industry for five years | | | | just being behind the chair, as we say, then that's |
| now. What advice can you offer new beauty school | | | | great for them. Everyone has his or her own |
| graduates? | | | | motivation and situation. I've got a passion for |
| I think a lot of academy grads automatically think | | | | fashion and am always looking to push the envelope |
| they should apply at a local salon when there are | | | | in terms of technique and creativity. For me, it's a |
| actually a lot more options available to them. A | | | | career that never stops pushing me to improve. |
| growing trend is for mobile hairdressers who go | | | | Many hair stylists underestimate the value of |
| around to people's home, even nursing homes, to do | | | | word-of-mouth as a marketing tool. Or they're just |
| hair, make-up, manicures, pedicures, and skin care. | | | | too shy to ask. But this business is about putting |
| Magazines and photo studios looks for freelancers. | | | | yourself out there. Word-of-mouth is the most |
| Even home parties, bridal showers, and weddings are | | | | efficient, least expensive way to market your |
| popular. Besides, you get to choose your hours and | | | | business. If you're in it to win, then ask your clients |
| your rates. There are also a lot of tax write-offs | | | | to refer you to a friend, especially if you're just |
| involved when you're self-employed. But you'd better | | | | starting out. |
| take the time to develop your marketing materials, | | | | Q: Well then, what about marketing? What's your |
| like a professional portfolio. People want to know | | | | approach? |
| you're qualified. | | | | It's gotta be the whole package. From showing the |
| Q: Is this economy, I think a lot of stylists are | | | | client what works for them, to advising them on new |
| concerned about income. What has been your | | | | products, to introducing new ways to improve their |
| experience? | | | | personal appearance. You just can't be their 'hair |
| How much you earn is completely up to you. Stylists | | | | cutter.' You need to be their personal consultant to |
| willing to work long hours, like nights and weekends, | | | | total good looks. And I mean that in a really genuine |
| have greater earnings potential than someone just in | | | | way. A client will know when you are phony. |