Are you offering Salon Pros the right Perks?
As a salon suite franchisee, you have the opportunity to offer your clients a wide variety of services and features beyond just a place to operate their business. Many of the standard perks come with the franchise you've chosen to invest your money in (if you didn't go the independent route). Regardless of your specific situation, the fact remains that if you want to thrive in this market, you will have to offer something beyond a door, chair, and working shampoo bowl.
There is enough competition in most major territories now that it has become a "buyers" market. This increase in competition means every salon suite owner needs to come with their own unique set of bonuses, perks, and extras to get the attention of the coveted high-performing salon pro. These "bonus perks" can be the difference between full suites and empty ones.
What we see in the market
We have seen a wide variety of perks- from the commonly offered discounts on product orders and subsidizing booking and payment software to the more unique business consulting sessions, education stipends, and free website perks. As a salon suite owner, you have to play the game of offering bonuses the salon pros want. Beyond that, you have to find extras that help the salon pros perform and are cost-effective to provide. We have seen bonuses of all kinds marketed in this industry including:
Individual bathrooms instead of stalls
Larger and more comfortable breakrooms with espresso machines
Cheaper laundry
Complimentary laundry (not recommended)
Custom wall painting
Access to a tax pro with industry experience
Business finance consulting
Retail price matching
Legal and government filing help
Delayed rent starts
Referral bonuses
Local store discounts
Free suite customization
Concierge service
Eco-friendly salon waste disposal
and more
The key, from what we have seen, is to design your extra benefits to appeal to your perfect customer, usually a high-performing hairstylist or esthetician. Alleviate their biggest pain points and take away their annoyances in a manner that won’t cost you a fortune and you will create insatiable demand for all of your locations.
How the perks are delivered
Many salon suite companies offer these perks included in their monthly fee, but we've also seen some players in the space use a tiered rent system to provide additional support, allowing those who can use/afford more perks to take advantage. The way you deliver and structure your bonuses is entirely up to you (and the limits of your franchisor). Regardless of what you choose, at the end of the day, you have to come up with a winning mix of benefits to capture those high-profile clients that will act as magnets, drawing other top service providers into your locations.
Benefits we offer your customers
When you sign up with us, you don't just get top salon suite industry social media marketing; you get the opportunity to add unique perks to your mix of benefits. We offer salon pro perks like discounted photography, business strategy services, social media marketing education, and more on your behalf. We developed these services based on years of industry research and the immediate needs we saw in the market, so we know they can add a distinct competitive advantage to your offerings. And with the salon suite space only getting more crowded, it's more important than ever to make your suite locations the obvious choice in your territory.
How are you standing out compared to your competitors? - Something to think about.
If you'd like to stand out even more, not just with bonus perks, but online, we are here to make it happen! Make choosing your salon suite a non-decision by giving your clients more support than your local competitor.