It’s the beginning of your shift, but as you walk through the doors a client is already waiting at the front desk. You notice the display case is running low on your best-selling product, and there’s a note that a stylist is out sick, so you’ll need to reschedule their appointments. And the phone is ringing.
If you’ve ever worked as a manager in the service industry, this probably sounds like just another day in the life. From open to close, you’ve got clients to please, staff to manage, and on top of everything else you have revenue goals to hit. Whether you’re selling coffee, facials, or hair treatments, the stakes are high and sales cycles happen in real-time.
Front-of-house (FOH) salon management is not for the faint of heart. It’s a fast-paced interdisciplinary role, best suited to career-minded folks who want to learn the ins and outs of a business. I started my career working FOH at Sally Hershberger and BENJAMIN, two upscale salons here in LA. There are a few things I wish I’d known heading into the job, and I’d like to share what I’ve learned with you.