Uncomfortable conversations are hard. Avoiding conflict is harder.

There are only so many conversations that are relevant to our industry. 

• Realistic expectations

• Proper haircare

• Scheduling

• Goal mapping

Realistic Expectations

Addressing expectations happens in the consultation and are established by science, not desire. It doesn’t matter how much a person wants a specific look, if it is not scientifically possible to get that look outside of a wig or extensions, then they will not have it. It’s not about your skill, but we tend to take it on like it is. 

They need to know that this won’t work. If you don’t have that uncomfortable conversation, then you will have guaranteed conflict as you proceed down a doomed path. 

Proper Haircare

Clients need five pieces in their hair care toolbox: cleanse, condition, treat, protect, and hold. Keeping it easy to follow nurtures their trust in you and will help in those times when you need their cooperation. It also increases loyalty and helps you grow your business with quality clients. 

If you don’t have the conversation about haircare, then they’re not going to get the results from their investment that they’re expecting. When their color fades or their blonde turns brassy, they’ll think it’s your quality of work and look for a different stylist.

Scheduling

Establish your availability in a way that serves you and your intent to make a great living while preserving your off time. Do not ever let someone push you into moving your schedule for them. Your chair is a business, just like the dentist or a coffee shop. If they want to come to you, they’ll make it a priority. There’s only one of you and hundreds of them. You have limits and when you forget that, you get burnt out. 

Online booking eliminates conversations about your schedule. Any time they try to bypass your schedule and ask you to make exceptions for them, you can always empathize with the shortness of time and encourage them to find one of yours that works for them. Sometimes they need to be reminded that you don’t have more hours in your day than they do. We all get the same measurement. 

Goal Mapping

Your clients will need ongoing conversations about the status and maintenance of their hair goals. Their appointments can get mindless for both of you sometimes, but you can’t let that happen.

I always ask my clients if they have “hopes and dreams” for their hair that day. I usually already have a plan for them, but they like to feel included. Keep them on track and make it feel fresh even when it’s not a huge difference.

That way, it doesn't mean switching stylists when they feel the urge to switch directions. It means responding to your question with “Yes! Here’s what I was thinking…”

You already know what these conversations are, and that's powerful information to have. You can devise a plan for every uncomfortable relevant conversation you would ever have with a client.

That's pro-level.