Inclusivity matters. In a business, your consumers and target audience shape the future of your success, affecting sales, relevancy, and reputation. Being able to cater to everyone and make them feel safe guarantees a more fruitful future for your business. Explore these four tips on how to make your hair services more inclusive.
Broaden Your Stylist Training and Services
One of the biggest differences between barbershops and salons is the type of hair they cater to and their traditional service selections. Barbershops typically tend to shorter hair and hairstyles—like different buzzcut variations—and facial hair. Meanwhile, salons cover longer hair and hairstyles, with their shortest length being pixies and bobs.
Broadening your stylists’ skills and expanding the services you offer provides more inclusivity. Train your stylists on all hair lengths, from close forehead shaves to Rapunzel-length locks, and all hair types. Add additional hair services, like facial hair maintenance, and provide lots of different options for your clients to explore.
Diversify Your Representation
Everybody, no matter their race or identity, seeks hair services. Who doesn’t want to freshen their look and indulge in a self-care experience? Diversifying your representation with your staff and marketing makes your business more welcoming to all. Avoid whitewashing your advertising and encourage hair professionals of any race, ethnicity, or gender identity to work with you.
Expand Your Selection of Products
Different hair types require varying products and care. Some hair textures require heavy-duty products to hold a curl, while others need conditioners to tame their ringlets. Stocking up on an array of different hair products allows you to better cater to a wider clientele and their specific hair needs.
Expanding your selection of products also gives you the ability to accommodate other needs and preferences. Some clients use only natural or plant-based ingredients. Others don’t care what goes on their hair. Being able to cater to both preferences makes your hair services more inclusive to all.
Make Your Space Feel Safe
In relation to product selections, the brands you choose to support and invest in also affect your business’ inclusivity. Some brands give back to all communities and are also putting in the effort to enhance inclusivity. Other brands don’t care or have a history of ostracizing certain races or identities. Align your goals of inclusivity with the brands you invest in for your business to show that you care about everyone.
Further make your hair service a safe space for all by:
- Respecting pronouns
- Learning proper name pronunciation
- Being aware of microaggressions
- Standing up for your clients
- Offering equal treatment
- Listening to client feedback or concerns
Welcoming and catering to all guarantees better success because your clients drive and influence the bulk of your business. Make your hair services inclusive with these four tips and build a business that thrives.