Okay, the decision has been made to pause operations in your salon, spa or medspa due to the coronavirus.

Deep breaths…you WILL get through this.

The most important thing for you to do now is to be proactive. And that starts right now.

Here is a list of action items for you to start implementing right now in order to ensure your team and clients are informed, your physical location is secured, and your business is set up to operate at its full potential when it’s time to welcome guests back in the door.

• Communicate your intentions with your team: Be as transparent as possible, and let them know how frequently they should expect communication from you throughout the pause in business. Plan out daily/weekly updates to keep them informed, engaged and educated. Give them reassurance that you are there for them if they need a person to talk to
• Create scripts for clients: They need to know when the pause will begin, when it will end (if known) and how where they can find updates (Instagram, Website, Email, etc.).
• Change voicemail to reflect the verbiage developed in your scripts.
• Create an email auto-responder to reflect the verbiage developed in your scripts.
• Post an update on your website to reflect the verbiage developed in your scripts.
• Call all guests to inform them of the pause. If you have a targeted opening date, be proactive and reschedule all appointments so that you can start generating revenue right away. Just be sure to remind clients the situation remains fluid, and you will notify them if further rescheduling will be required.
• Put a sign on the front door outlining all details of the pause, as well as how clients can contact you if needed.
• Post pause details on all social media outlets, giving specific details/instructions for clients that currently have appointments booked.
• Email guests with pause details on all social media outlets, giving specific details/instructions for clients that currently have appointments booked.
• Turn off your automated email and text confirmations.
• Unplug all non-essential electronics.
• Check the fridge for anything that may go rotten.
• Lower heat (or raise AC).
• Finish and fold all laundry.
• Remove valuables, set alarm, and alert police department of closing date. (Note: Do NOT cancel your alarm service).
• Supply your team with information on how they can fill for unemployment (if applicable). Check with your state labor department for details and possible economic assistance.
• Guide your team on personal budgeting
• Contact your landlord to request a rent reduction. Be sure to outline a fair reimburse plan.
• Ask vendors for delay in payment on anything you owe on, including leases, loans, credit cards, utilities, software companies, banks/lenders, etc.
• Cancel any subscriptions that you will not need while closed.
• Contact your bank for a line of credit.
• Visit the SBA Disaster Relief site and determine if you qualify for a low interest disaster loan. If you do, apply immediately!
• Contact your business insurance agent to determine if you are covered for any losses. Business interruption insurance does not cover a pandemic, but put a claim in anyway, as there is legislation in place to potentially change that.
• Contact your health insurance for your employees to understand their options if premiums are no longer being paid.
• Start diving deep into your cash-flow plan and adjust accordingly. It is IMPERATIVE that you keep your cash-flow plan updated and accurate during these next few months.
• Have a mindset that you WILL be re-opening, but start game-planning NOW. Your opening strategy needs to be at front-of-mind.
• Use this downtime to get ahead by accomplishing all those projects and tasks that you haven’t had the time to complete. Work on your internal training program. Paint the walls. Map out your social media content for your re-opening. Don’t squander this opportunity to get ahead and come back out swinging!
• Create a plan for the next year, being realistic with productivity. It may need some ramping up when you re-open.
• Keep a journal notebook (or doc on your computer) and notate EVERYTHING. Also, add your daily thoughts in your notebook, including your gratitudes. Let’s stay positive!
• Practice self care – You can’t take care of others if you don’t first take care of yourself
• Be creative with ways to generate revenue while the business is closed. Some examples include curbside retail pickup, deliveries, online consultations, etc.
• Game plan with your team on how to keep them engaged…whether it’s helping creating social content, virtual staff technical training, taking an online course, etc.

Remember, being proactive is the best thing you can do for you, your team and your business. Yes this is a big list, but you don’t have to do it alone. Get your team involved. The more they are involved in the planning now, the more engaged and “ready to roll” they will be when your doors open again.... Read More

This post was originally posted to our Facebook group, the Strategies Business Idea Exchange, by former Certified Strategies Coach, Lisa Cochran, who owns The Studio – Aveda Hair Salon & Spa in Hattiesburg, MS.

I am reaching out to encourage you as we all navigate through a new business landscape.

In 2005, our area was devastated by hurricane Katrina. The devastation was horrendous, and we knew we were looking at years of recovery. We lost the roof to our new salon, our cars were crushed by trees, our home had trees on it and the list went on and on.

But we survived, and our business did too.

We are stronger for it.

I understand comparing a hurricane and a public health emergency are two very different things. But the response can be similar.

Right now, you might be experiencing a lot of fear, and rightly so. But now it is time to act.

In response to COVID 19, here are nineteen random thoughts, questions and tips to keep my fellow salon/spa owners moving:... Read More

Scenario 1: An owner is concerned that her team just doesn’t care about, or appreciate, the salon/spa and all it does and offers. Some talented employees left to rent suites. Service providers want more money. They want more of everything. The owner is frustrated.

Scenario 2: The salon/spa has been operating at a loss for too long. One partner runs the business and the other just wants to do hair. Both have taken pay cuts. The business side partner knows what needs to be done but is stuck without the support and cooperation of the creative partner. The creative partner just wants the business partner to make things better. Both partners are frustrated.

Scenario 3: Everyone is confronted with COVID-19 and how to respond to it. Personal lives and business operations are being disrupted. The stock market has no tolerance for uncertainty. Leaders need to make the tough decisions to lock down the spread, even if it requires extreme measures.... Read More

This a blog post I didn’t want to write.

In this digital age, we’re being bombarded with up-to-the-second bulletins of new confirmed cases and mores deaths from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

It’s only natural that people are concerned enough to begin altering plans and events are being delayed or cancelled. Tokyo has yet to decide on delaying the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The airline and cruise ship industry are experiencing empty seats and staterooms. Face masks are hard to find. Supply chains for manufacturing are strained. The stock market has become a roller coaster.

Fear has a domino effect and can spread faster than the coronavirus itself. The last thing I want to do is write a blog post that raises the already mounting level of concern.

I feel it is only prudent that I offer you a short list of things you should be doing to prepare your salon/spa business to weather any adverse effects coronavirus fears can bring.... Read More

This blog post focuses on two critical elements of leadership:

First, it’s about the behaviors that you, as the salon/spa owner, choose for self-leadership.

• If you chose to lead yourself with purpose, discipline and urgency, you have the foundational behaviors for leadership success.
• If you chose to avoid certain aspects of leadership, procrastination and indecision behaviors will prevail. If you can’t get things done, don’t expect those you lead to get things done.

Second, it’s about how your leadership shapes the behaviors of those you lead. To build and grow an employee-based salon/spa, your most critical role is to shape your team’s behaviors to not only bring your vision to life — but to create a sustainable brand.

The bigger and bolder your vision, the more defined and dialed in your leadership behavior must be.... Read More