When you’re running a business costs can be high, so if we’re able to make relationships that can help us out, it makes it all a bit easier (and more affordable!)
At home, if you needed some help with decorating, you may have a friend who could help; or if you’re stuck on the computer, then there’s always that techy mate you can call on. Most of the time we have a network of friends that can help us out in a lot of situations. And your salon business should be no different.
Aim to build a network of local business that can help you offer a better service to your existing clients, gain new clients and if the need arises, help you out in times of difficulty.
How could it work?
Never underestimate your skills as a stylist; they are extremely valuable and you can use them to trade with other business. Your skills, for their skills. In return for free haircuts for their staff or doing the colour of the owner for free, what can they offer you? Obviously you don’t want to be cutting the hair of everyone in the electrical shop in return for a new lightbulb each month, so you need to make sure the trade is balanced. Take a look at how much the services you are offering are worth, and work out what you would need in return to make it worthwhile.
Aside from trading goods and services, also look at how you can join forces to help out both business. For example, partner with wedding shops and photographers so you can promote each others’ business and/or events, and maybe even offer a joint package.
Other ideas could be:
-Linking with local fashion shops: in return for taking care of the hair for the shop assistants, you get free clothes to use at your shoots, shows and any creative work. Also it makes the assistants walking and talking adverts for your salon as they recommend it to their colleagues and friends.
-Link with local bakeries: could they provide you with a weekly supply of freshly baked biscuits that you can give to your clients with their tea of coffee? It will generally be a lot better than supermarket ones and it also a great advertisement for the bakery.
-Link with art galleries: See here for a whole article on it.
-Link with car washes: Another article here.
The best bet is to have a walk around your local area and make a record of every business you pass. Then write down all the services of products they offer and see how they could be beneficial to you. Not all will work, but try and think hard to make sure you aren’t missing a potential great link. When you approach the other business, make sure you know what you are saying and how you can both benefit.
Let us know you get on, and if there were any unexpected business links that turned out to be amazing, we’d love to hear them.