When you’re a hairdresser, you have so much power in your hands. After all, most women have a close relationship with their hairdresser. The hairdresser makes them feel like a queen. When you’re first starting out in the field, it might be easy to feel intimidated. However, if you remember the following tips, you’ll be able to carve your own path and excel.
Never stop developing your craft.
Yes, you’ve earned your cosmetology license. You’re ready to practice on your own. This doesn’t mean that your craft is fully developed. On a daily basis, set aside time to practice your skills. Whether you’re practicing new hair color techniques or ways to trim curly hair, purchase mannequins and salon equipment in order to get daily practice.
Promote your services consistently.
Even if you’re hired by a salon, it’s still up to you to develop a name for yourself. Showcase your work on sites like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Promote your own brand by partnering with your customers. If they repost your work on their pages, they can receive a certain percentage off of the next service.
Invest in your development.
Find ways to actively invest in your professional development by reading books and attending conferences. Find a mentor who you can follow. Take note of the moves different industry professionals are taking. Maintain a pulse on where the industry seems to head next. If you notice a specific trend is picking up speed in the haircare industry, learn and master the technique. This will keep you marketable and profitable.
Develop emotional intelligence.
You’re not just in the business of doing hair. No, you’re also in the business of building relationships. You’ll have to deal with tons of people with tons of personalities. You’ll need to learn the art of emotional intelligence in order to succeed. If you’re feeling as though you clash with people a lot, it might be time to do some self-reflection. Therapy is another great investment in order to make sure you’re doing the work to be the best hairdresser you can be. Even if you can do hair extremely well, no one wants to be around a grumpy person.
Now that you have your marching orders, put your head down and get to work. When you’re focused, consistent and humble enough to learn, it’s almost impossible to fail. You might make mistakes. Learn from them, and continue to develop yourself. If a specific method isn’t working, it’s okay to pivot. When you remain focused on the bigger picture, it’ll be easier to remember why you started and push through any fear.
