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As a talented hair stylist, your expertise lies in transforming locks and boosting confidence. But behind every incredible hairstyle, there’s another crucial aspect that’s often overlooked: inventory management.
Whether you’re a solo stylist or managing a salon, effective inventory management is a fundamental practice that can elevate your business, streamline operations, and enhance the overall client experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of inventory management, how it can set you up for success, and what our experts recommend you stock up on for the upcoming spring season.
1. Seamless Client Experience
Imagine a scenario where a client requests a specific hair product or treatment, only for you to discover it’s out of stock. This can lead to disappointment and a potential loss of business. Efficient inventory management ensures that you always have the right products and tools on hand, allowing you to provide a seamless and satisfying client experience every time.
2. Optimized Productivity
An organized inventory system minimizes time spent searching for products, tools, or color options. With easy access to what you need, you can work more efficiently, maximize your appointments, and create a smoother workflow. This translates to more satisfied clients and an increased number of appointments each day.
3. Accurate Stock Levels
Running out of popular products can be frustrating for both you and your clients. On the other hand, overstocking can tie up valuable funds that could be used for other aspects of your business. By monitoring your inventory levels, you can strike the right balance and ensure that you have the right amount of products available when needed.
4. Financial Management
Effective inventory management has a direct impact on your finances. By keeping track of your product usage, you can analyze which items are popular and contribute the most to your revenue. This data helps you make informed decisions about which products to reorder, which ones to promote, and where to allocate your budget effectively.
5. Reduced Wastage and Costs
Products with expiration dates, such as hair treatments or color products, can lead to wastage if not used in time. Proper inventory management allows you to keep tabs on expiration dates, preventing unnecessary waste and saving you money in the long run. It also helps you identify slow-moving items and adjust your purchasing accordingly.
6. Smooth Salon Operations
If you’re managing a salon with a team of stylists, proper inventory management becomes even more crucial. It ensures that everyone has access to the products and tools they need to deliver exceptional service. This fosters a sense of professionalism and consistency within your salon, leading to higher client satisfaction and retention rates.
7. Enhanced Professionalism
A well-organized inventory system showcases your professionalism and attention to detail. Clients notice when a stylist is prepared and has everything they need to create the desired look. This level of organization builds trust and confidence in your skills, setting you apart as a reliable and dedicated professional.
Stocking Your Salon for Spring
Now that you understand the importance and benefits to inventory management, it’s time to put it into practice. With the warmer months approaching, many clients are getting ready to start their summer blonding journey. We asked our experts for their recommended products and tools for conquering those spring transformations.
Color
While the specific colors may vary based on your regular clientele, you can safely assume you’ll be running through 7, 8, 9, and 10 shades tubes most frequently. Here are our most popular color lines!
Alchemic Color is a celebration of the art and science of alchemy. Their 91-shade color collection is designed to meet all your color needs – refreshing, toning, and grey coverage – while being consciously crafted without ammonia, PPDs, resorcinol, gluten, or animal-derived ingredients.
CØR.Color is perfect for the chemically conscious hairstylist looking to switch from traditional color to a healthy alternative. This color has been formulated with high performance in mind while being ammonia, PPD, and resorcinol free. This means you’ll get long-lasting color without exposing yourself or your clients to harsh chemicals. It is also Cruelty-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, and comes in recyclable packaging so that you can do right by yourself and the planet.
CLEAN.liquid is a revolutionary clean hair color that provides a glossy reflective pigment to the hair. In addition to being free from ammonia, PPD, and resorcinol, the pH-neutral formula allows for gentle coloring on all hair types.
Lightener
Areté Keratin Blue Powder Lightener
This ultra-luxurious hair powder lightener is infused with vegan, hyaluronic-like sugar amino acids, taurine, and indigo pigments – en bleu – to deliver a clean lift up to 9 levels during hair enlightenment services. A formula that aims to preserve the hair’s delicate keratin structure and moisture levels, promoting optimal neutralization.
Areté Botanical Butter Lightener
This botanical lightening cream provides the ultimate respect for the hair fiber, reinforcing and hydrating the hair as it lightens it. From on-scalp applications to free-form hair painting, its versatile, buttery consistency derived from shea butters, inspires a range of creative lightening techniques with up to 6 levels of lift.
his new addition to the O&M Lighteners Portfolio is when you need that extra bit of lift. It’s perfect for darker bases wanting to go platinum. Don’t be afraid to utilise your usual go-to developer strength as the conditioning agents protect while lifting, leaving hair feeling incredible.
Treatments
Banish brass and bring on the blonde! The Conquer Blonde Masque deeply conditions and restores the brightness of blondes and greys with a safe, non-toxic formula.
Areté Botanical Bond Hair Repair Masque
Experience the perfect marriage of sustainable scientific innovation and traditional reparative remedies. Fueled by PROPLEX™, a 100% plant-derived complex, this mask restructures hair fibers and relinks ionic bonds to restore hair to its optimal state.
In conclusion, effective inventory management is the backbone of a successful hair styling business. From creating a smooth client experience to optimizing productivity and reducing costs, it plays a crucial role in your overall business operations. By adopting robust inventory management practices, you not only enhance your service quality but also establish a solid foundation for growth, efficiency, and client satisfaction. So, let’s keep those tresses in check and make inventory management an integral part of your journey toward becoming an exceptional hair stylist.
