In the beauty industry, we have taken our ability to work for granted. We frequently frame questions as individuals with power of choice: Do I want to be independent or an employee? Which services should I specialize in? Where do I find new clients? How do I increase my income? When should I expand my business?
Exploring the possibilities, we rarely acknowledge the risks associated with performing services in person.
When the COVID pandemic forced salon closures, many of us faced an existential crisis with little power of choice: How do I continue without my work and can my business continue without me?
To assert and protect ourselves, we must prepare for the harsh realities and potential threats to our work.
Managing risk may not be as exciting as learning a new technique or creating a client loyalty program, but it’s ultimately more strategic and advantageous. You cannot protect your business while:
• Failing basic requirements like minimal training and valid licensing
• Providing services beyond your scope of practice.
• Violating health and safety regulations.
• Working on clients with problematic medical conditions.
• Falsely advertising services.
• Underreporting income and avoiding taxes.
• Misclassifying and inadequately compensating the pros.
“Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.” – Thomas Carlyle
Beyond your legal obligations, you can take precautions like obtaining insurance for your health, auto, home, life, professional liability and business property. An independent insurance agent can provide specific guidance on which policies best serve your interests according to your personal and professional circumstances.
Product safety has become a bigger concern lately as we learn more about the health risks posed by certain chemicals and procedures. Federal agencies, like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), have jurisdiction over our industry, and we should be more aware.
“The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Speaking of health, why not take better care of yourself? Get quality sleep, seek counseling, stop smoking, improve your eating habits, develop an exercise routine, work more ergonomically, take frequent breaks (including the bathroom!), know your family health history, have regular exams, ask your doctor/nurse practitioner about your concerns, etc. Your physical and mental health could be your greatest asset, not only for personal well-being, but for the medical costs and complications you could avoid later in life.
We don’t often discuss personal safety within our industry, but it’s something to take seriously. Every news report of a violent incident at a beauty salon should remind us of how vulnerable we can be. “Good customer service” shouldn’t make you a target. Protecting the physical well-being of yourself, your coworkers and clients is more important than being friendly and making money. For example, while other salon owners welcome walk-ins and unplanned interactions by keeping their doors unlocked, I do just the opposite at my salon. Working by appointment only and having a magnetic door lock do wonders for securing a professional space.
An earlier version was published by Beauty Cast Network.