In this episode, Susan tackles the provocative question of if awards are actually a 'fix'. Drawing from her extensive experience as a judge for various beauty industry awards, she emphasizes the rigorous process behind award selection and the importance of distinguishing genuine awards from marketing gimmicks. Susan encourages listeners to view the award application process as an opportunity for self-reflection and celebration of business achievements.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Not all awards are legitimate; it's important to differentiate between genuine awards and those that are merely marketing tools. Consider whether you feel deserving of the award based on your efforts and achievements.

• Filling out an award application can serve as a valuable exercise in self-reflection for your business. It encourages you to highlight your accomplishments and recognize the progress you've made.

• Decide whether to keep your award application private or to share it with clients and stakeholders. Sharing can elevate your business's status and create excitement around your participation.

• The judging of awards involves a significant commitment of time and effort, including thorough reviews of applications, deliberation calls, and sometimes site visits. This process ensures that deserving businesses are recognized.

• If you become a finalist or win an award, prepare a press release and a list of contacts to share the news. This proactive approach helps maintain visibility and leverage the recognition for your business, even if you only reach the finalist stage.

BEST MOMENTS

"Awards, are they a fix? And normally, I think when I get something as abrupt as that, I think the person sending the question in does think that they are a fix."

"If you haven't entered awards or you haven't judged before, you don't realize how much work goes into it."

"It's a great process to actually fill in an application form for an award because it really makes you look at your business from a different angle."

"If you do become a finalist, that's great because then you can really, really go to town, tell everyone."

"Make sure that at every point you've got a press release because it becomes old news very, very quickly."

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

SPONSOR

https://www.phorest.com/

In this episode of "Beauty Business Matters," Susan Routledge sits down with the inspiring Sara Shoemark, founder of the multi-award-winning Glow Salons. Sara shares her journey from a young beauty therapy student to a successful salon owner with multiple locations. The conversation delves into her experiences in the beauty industry, the importance of training and supporting her team, and the little things that set salons apart in a competitive market. They discuss the significance of creating a welcoming environment for clients, the value of communication, and the power of flexibility in the workplace. Sara also highlights her commitment to continuous learning and development, both for herself and her team, while sharing insights on managing a multi-site business effectively. This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and practical advice for anyone in the beauty industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Emphasis on Personal Connection: Simple gestures like using a client's name, offering a warm welcome, or providing small comforts can significantly enhance the customer experience.

Importance of Training and Development: Offering opportunities for professional development not only helps retain staff but also ensures high-quality service for clients.

Flexibility in Work Environment: Providing flexible working hours and understanding individual team members' needs can lead to a happier workforce.

Learning from Experiences: Both positive and negative experiences in the industry can provide valuable lessons.

Community and Support: Maintaining connections with former team members and supporting their journeys fosters a sense of community.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always say I was never the best therapist but I was the only one. So I became extremely popular because there was no one else around." - Sara

"I always think as well, Susan, does it matter when they're in work as long as they're fully booked?"- Susan

"It's those small things that those clients see... It's a smile, it's feeling welcome, it's somebody just taking a moment to look up at you."- Sara

"I always say to my team, you know, the thing is, if something happens, just say. It doesn't matter. It's real, isn't it?" - Susan

"I do need to... get back into training as well... to keep my teams motivated and progressing with me." - Sara

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Beauty And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

https://marketing.susanroutledge.com/blueprint-masterclass

SPONSOR

https://www.phorest.com/

In this midweek episode, Susan addresses the pressing issue of declining retail sales in salons. Susan emphasises that while clients are still purchasing products, salon owners must take responsibility for understanding why their sales are down. Susan offers practical advice, including the importance of communication with team members and clients, implementing a seven-day money-back guarantee, and ensuring that staff are well-trained in product recommendations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Client Engagement: If retail sales are down, it's essential to communicate with your team and clients to understand their needs and preferences.

• Proactive Reordering: Implement a system to track when clients are likely to run out of products. Reach out to them before they run out to encourage reordering.

• Training and Education: Ensure your team is well-trained in product recommendations. Emphasise that retail sales are just as important as treatments.

• Money-Back Guarantee: Consider offering a seven-day money-back guarantee on products.

• Product Re-evaluation: Regularly assess the products you offer to ensure they meet client needs. Conduct surveys or discussions with clients about their preferences and what they are currently using to identify potential gaps in your offerings.

BEST MOMENTS

"If your retail sales are down, then I think, you know, the book stops with you. You need to address what is going on."

"If a client has bought some products from you, you should have a rough estimate of when those products are going to run out."

"It takes a lot for a client to actually take your advice, leave the salon, go online, look that product up, buy it online."

"We are selling things that those clients are still going to be buying. And that's why marketing's there, to get in front of people."

"If you really think that your clients aren't liking your products, are they the right products for you?"

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Beauty And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

https://marketing.susanroutledge.com/blueprint-masterclass

SPONSOR

https://www.phorest.com/