Much has changed since March 2020.

Before we can discuss where to go from here, we have to understand where we are today.

In so many ways, it’s a blur of COVID-19 fears, the shutdown, unemployment, PPP/EIDL, sanitizing protocols, reopening, staffing issues, occupancy restrictions, and clients stretching out appointments.

And then there’s the social/racial unrest, forest fires, hurricanes, and a divisive presidential election.

The pandemic’s impact on the economy has been devastating, especially to small businesses with limited resources.

• We hear the news of large business bankruptcies including Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, J. Crew, Pier 1, Gold’s Gym, Hertz, and most recently Sizzler Steakhouse.

1. Stable, on top of issues, and optimistic about the future: Culture and systems were well defined and disciplined prior to the pandemic. Financially stable, profitable, with cash reserves sufficient to meet economic challenges. Owner works a plan, embraces leadership, and is a persistent student of business.


2. Profitability challenges, staffing issues, uncertain about the future: Difficulty getting employees to embrace systems. Culture is functional but fragmented. Owner depends more on hard work than planning. Decision making is slow. Cash flow was a problem prior to the pandemic.


3. Tired of fighting cash flow, employee problems, stressed about the future: It’s hard to be optimistic and positive when every day is the same battle, and you have no battle plan.

• No new initiatives: Just finish out the last quarter strong by driving your key critical numbers such as prebook rate, productivity rate, first time/existing client retention rates, payroll percent, and profitability. The plan here is to begin 2021 in the best, most optimistic, position possible.


• Expansion: Landlords are getting crushed by the economy and most are highly motivated to negotiate very favorable lease terms. In fact, everything from equipment to build-out costs is negotiable. The plan here is to expand while your competition is hunkered down — or closing.


• Push the growth envelope: You’re in a good position to grow your business and create new opportunities. Internal systems can always be improved, and new ones implemented. Leadership teams can be charged with more responsibility. The plan here is to seize the moment and be aggressive, but not wildly aggressive.


• Build your Internal Training Program: Every salon/spa needs its own Internal Training Program. It’s the centerpiece of your quality control and business branding. The plan here is to create a consistently high level of technical and customer service expertise.

• You need coaching and a plan: Yes, money is tight and it’s great that you did your best cutting expenses to survive this pandemic. The problem is that your leadership toolbox contains tools that never worked or were never used. You know, it’s like that diet or fitness program that you started and never finished. The plan here is to get the coaching, guidance, and business skills you’ve needed for a long time. Talk to Strategies and we’ll show you what the next steps are.


• Reread the previous bullet point. It’s time to commit to creating a new and better future for you, your employees and your company.

• Own it — don’t blame it: If your business was teetering on the edge long before the pandemic, it was already in trouble. The pandemic, and the dire economic challenges it created, finally brought the depth of your troubles to the surface. It all happened with you as the leader. It’s time to own it so you can begin fixing it. The plan here is simple — look in the mirror.


• It’s never too late to turn your business around: If you believe that your business is beyond saving, my 27 years of coaching salons/spas says just the opposite. With the utmost respect, your current level of business knowledge doesn’t see the process of how to turn a business around. The plan here is to take a deep breath and fully commit to doing whatever it takes to save your business.


• You can’t do it alone: You need a new business toolbox. You need to develop the right skills to grow a business. You need a coach to hold you accountable. The plan here is to believe in yourself and get the coaching help you need to turn your business nightmare into the business of your dreams.