If you’ve been watching the news, then you know that Hurricane Florence is set to soon hit the East Coast with fury. We’re even doing some major storm preparation here in Charlotte which is a few hours west of the Carolina coast line.
All of this planning and preparation got me thinking about plans that are essential for lash artists. If Florence teaches us anything, it’s that life can sometimes be unpredictable. Here are five plans you should have in place for your lash business.
A Lash Plan.
Every good lash artist knows that lash extensions are completely customizable. Your plan should NOT be to just the same C curls on every client. Create a plan for each set of lashes you do. This is something we teach at Industry Lash Pro. Be sure that you have the knowledge and skill set necessary to create a lash plan based on personal features (i.e. eye shape, brow arch, lifestyle etc.)
A Refund Policy Plan.
This is should be spelled out on paper. Be very clear about your refund and cancellation policies. Remember that your time is money. Think about what warrants a refund? What about no shows? Be sure to display these policies clearly through your booking software.
An Emergency Plan.
This one is very important! We never are truly prepared for emergency situations, but we can get ahead by having a plan in place. What constitutes a lash emergency? Lots of things! Think about general health energies experienced by a client (have a cell phone or landline with you at all times while lashing). What do you do if you get adhesive in someone’s eye (this one is part of our Industry Lash Training, too!). What should you do if you spill your adhesive? What if your client has a severe allergic reaction to the lashes? All things to think about…
A Marketing Plan.
The idea of starting a lash business is great but you have to know how to market yourself. Before you start lashing, you should put together your marketing strategy and budget. Have a digital plan as well as a local marketing and advertising plan. Think about your referral program and how you will sustain growth. This is why we train lash entrepreneurs at Industry Lash Pro!
A Personal Plan.
Honestly, this is probably the most important one. I can tell you from having a family and running my business for years now that it’s not always easy to find that perfect work/life balance. Make sure you schedule time for yourself and your family. Schedule lunch breaks and days off. Let clients know about upcoming vacations. Have strict office hours so you can enjoy your time off with the ones who matter most!
