With salons now closed across the country, you’re probably already itching to get back to work. But, with a little extra time on your hands, it does mean you’ve got some space to get ready to return to the salon in top form.
We asked one of our very own specialists, Megan Proops, for her top tips for professional development during lockdown. Here are four ways you can build your skills for when you reopen your doors again — and stay engaged with the industry you love.
Learn a new skill online
Just because you can’t head to a physical training session doesn’t mean you can’t learn a new thing or two. This is a great time to think about how you can upskill yourself (or even your team) by learning new techniques.
Many training centres offer online courses at a range of price points that you can take without having to leave the house. Check out The Beauty Academy to add skills like Brow Lamination and Nail Extensions to your repertoire, or visit the Federation of Holistic Therapies, with plenty of accredited courses from various providers too.
If you live with friends or family members, you might even have some willing models at your fingertips to practice your new techniques on and get instant (and probably very honest) feedback.
Stay connected to the industry
Now more than ever, connecting with other salon owners and beauty therapists will help you find ideas, support and a sense of community — we’re all in this together.
Join our industry Facebook community group to chat with others and see what they’re doing to build on their skills right now. We’ll also be hosting a series of webinars and posting lots of blog content with more insider tips to help you breathe new life into your business when the doors open again. Follow us on Instagram to see what’s coming up.
Polish your online presence
When you’ve got a long list of appointments and admin to tend to, working on your online presence can be tough to make time for. But, particularly in the age of COVID-19, being discoverable online is key to your success in the long term.
Use this opportunity to think about how you can improve your online presence.
Invest more time in your Instagram and Facebook. Update (or just create) your website. Claim your business on Google. Share your best reviews, or photos of your best work. Make sure you’re bookable online. There’s plenty to get stuck into.
Get inspired
We all know that creatives depend on a steady stream of new, thought-provoking ideas to keep them engaged professionally as well as personally.
If you’re not sure where to start, look to connect with people and groups in the beauty world who’ve been there, done that, to get ideas from pros you can trust. Loads of free podcasts — like The Beauty Edit, Fat Mascara, Beyond the Beauty with Bobbi Brown, and The Beauty Business Podcast — are available on iTunes and Acast.
From fun chats about the latest trends to interviews with people at the top of their game and more business-savvy advice, you’ll feel ready to get back to business after only a few episodes in.
Technical books by beauty leaders like The Complete Nail Technician by Mariam Newman will also get new ideas flowing, and allow you to brush up on expert tips of the trade.