For many salon owners, managing inventory is a necessary but often tedious task. For Luke Huffstutter, owner of Anastasia Salon in Portland, Oregon, and his manager Mady at their West Lake location, this challenge became even more critical after an unexpected turn of events—a fire in a dumpster outside their salon building that forced them to close for five and a half months. Now, as they reopen, they face a new challenge: reclaiming control of their inventory and their profits.
Inventory management isn’t just about counting products – it directly impacts profitability. Over-ordering can tie up cash while under-ordering risks disappointing clients and frustrating colorists. To streamline this process and recover lost profits, Anastasia Salon turned to Vish, a color management software that offers a smart solution for managing color and backbar inventory. Through the beta testing of Vish’s soon-to-be-released Inventory Management System, Luke and Mady are reclaiming control of their color inventory operations, ensuring that it doesn’t eat into their bottom line.
A Post-Fire Reopening: Overhauling Inventory
After over five months of closure, Mady and her team at West Lake faced the difficult task of managing inventory that had been displaced, some moved to other locations and some sitting unused for months. “We had products everywhere - some at other locations, while others had just been stored,” Mady explains. As they got back to full operation, the need for efficient inventory management was more important than ever.
The manual approach of counting tabs doesn’t always work, even in the best of situations. Luckily, Vish’s Inventory Management System steps in to help. This system uses historical product usage measured from their innovative salon scale technology and will soon sync with the appointment book to predict future needs and automatically adjust inventory levels.
Vish’s Inventory Management: Smart Solutions in Action
The beauty of Vish’s Inventory Management System lies in its ability to turn data into actionable insights. It uses past product usage, combined with current bookings, to automatically predict and adjust inventory needs. With this system in place, Anastasia Salon avoids manual inventory tracking and the guesswork that often leads to mistakes.
“For the first time, we have a system that accurately predicts what we need,” Mady says. The system adjusts in real time and enables the salon to manage stock levels efficiently. “Reopening after being closed for so long, we established a baseline faster than if we had relied on manual methods.”
Customization in the Beta Test: Tailored for Every Salon
Luke and his team are part of the beta testing phase for Vish’s Inventory Management System, allowing them to customize the system to fit their specific needs. Mady describes how, during this phase, they often double-check inventory counts against the system’s data. While there are some initial hurdles, each update makes the process smoother and more intuitive.
“We’re testing it in a live environment, and there has been a few bumps,” says Mady. “But with every update, the system gets easier to use.” One of the most valuable aspects of the system is its customization. Vish allows salons to set specific inventory guidelines, tailored to each product and service.
This customization helps the salon manage product usage down to the last tube of color. With specific guidelines in place, they avoid unnecessary stockpiling and ensure they have exactly what they need on hand. “We’re no longer overbuying color, and we can fine-tune the system to match the way we work,” Luke explains.
On average, Vish users see a 25.7% reduction in total product used.
Improving Cash Flow: Turning Inventory into a Profit Driver
Managing cash flow is one of the biggest challenges salon owners face, especially after a disruption like a long closure. Vish’s Inventory Management System directly addresses this issue. By ordering only what they need, the salon frees up cash that was previously tied up in excess stock, allowing them to reinvest in other areas of the business.
“Only 15% of salons are cash flowing” -Glenn Baker
Will Simpson, Head of Partnerships at Vish, emphasizes that inventory management is more than just keeping track of stock; it’s about improving cash flow. “The system helps reduce overstocking and frees up money that can be used elsewhere in the business,” he says. Luke sees this benefit firsthand. “Before, we’d have color sitting on the shelf for months, tying up cash. Now, we manage inventory better and free up cash to invest in other parts of the business.”
With the extra cash flow, Luke and his team focus on growth—expanding services, improving marketing, and enhancing the client experience. Vish ensures that inventory is no longer a cash drain, but a profit driver.
Future-Proofing with Intelligent Inventory
Vish’s Inventory Management System evolves over time, learning from the data it collects to improve accuracy. As the system gathers more information, it becomes better at predicting the salon’s inventory needs. Mady sees this evolution as a major benefit. “The longer we use Vish, the better it gets. The system is already helping us avoid both overstocking and shortages, and I think it’s going to be a game-changer as we move forward.”
Luke agrees, noting that the system is not just about saving money today—it’s about positioning the salon for long-term success. “The data-driven insights allow us to make smarter decisions. It’s not just about cutting costs; it’s about running a more efficient, future-proof business.”
Resilience and Innovation
Anastasia Salon’s journey toward reclaiming profits through smart inventory management highlights the resilience and adaptability of small businesses in the beauty industry. After months of closure, Luke, Mady, and their team found a way to turn an operational challenge into an opportunity for growth.
Through their partnership with Vish, they are not only managing inventory more effectively but also improving cash flow and setting the stage for future success. Their story shows that with the right tools and a commitment to innovation, even the toughest challenges can lead to new opportunities.