The majority of salon owners come into the industry as stylist - stylists who are passionate about serving guests and making people feel beautiful and confident. As a stylist, your career is focused on you and your goals and on the customer service that you deliver to your guests. It is incredibly rewarding, and the amount of positive affirmations you receive from your guests throughout the day are addictive and highly satisfying.

When a stylist transitions into becoming a salon owner everything changes.

It is no longer about you and your day and your guests, it is about your team. It is about what you are doing to nurture every employee into becoming the best that they can be– and this transition is difficult, to say the least.

I spent many years continuing to work behind the chair as I ran my own salon company. The day came, however, when I realized it was time to step away from my clientele and step into my new role as leader and mentor.

I realized that it was time for me to step away from working behind the chair when I started coaching and mentoring my staff. I thought less about me and MORE about WE– my salon company started to flourish.

I realized that the biggest thing holding me back from making this transition is that my self worth was very dependent on the accolades that my guests gave me. I felt scared to let go of that. I see now that being a successful mentor to the service providers in my company and having the opportunity to watch THEM be successful is much more fulfilling than anything my guests could have said back then.

So how can you start stepping away from working behind the chair?

Here are my TOP FIVE TIPS to transition from Behind the Chair to Full-Time Owner:

1. Step Back Slowly - Consider removing a shift every quarter or every six months.
2. Start a Leadership Team - This team will include members from each department: Front desk, Associates, Inventory Team Leaders
3. Have Consistent Leadership Team Meetings and Salon Staff Meetings - No company/sports team can hardly win without having consistent meetings/planning/coaching.
4. Grow Your Team - Coach, mentor, and walk each team member through your career path.
5. Do Everything Above with Love, Compassion and Heart! - Treat everyone you come in contact with the way you would want to be treated.

Becoming a strong leader is a journey - so remember to take it easy on your self and measure your success one small step at a time. Remember - you never have to do it alone. If you would like to connect with a Summit Coach to help you better your best as a salon company owner, click here to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation.