Friendship and Business
The Fine Line Between Friendship and Lash Business:
How to Manage It
As a lash artist, it's not uncommon to become friends with your clients. You spend hours chatting while you perfect their fluffy lashes, and before you know it, you're swapping memes and talking about your personal lives. Although, as much as you love your clients-turned-friends, it's important to establish clear boundaries between your personal and professional lives. Here's how to do it:
Communicate your expectations upfront
Let’s talk about friends turned clients...
When you take on a friend as a client, make it clear from the beginning that you'll be treating them like any other client. Set expectations around things like booking appointments, cancellation policies, and payment. Having these boundaries in place will help prevent any awkward misunderstandings later on.
Supportive friends are honestly a rare find and we obviously want to value them. Just make sure that that does not turn into you allowing for things you wouldn’t normally stand for in your lash studio. Trust me, going above and beyond for someone turns into an expectation and when you end up having to set a clear boundary you may risk the relationship. Effective communication from the start is key. Have them go through everything you would have a typical client go through.
Stick to your policies
That brings me to policies, It can be tempting to let things slide when it comes to friends, but it's important to stay firm on your business policies. If your friend cancels last minute or tries to barter on price, don't make exceptions just because you know them personally. This is why I mentioned setting clear expectations from the start.
Stick to your policies and remind them that it's nothing personal, it's business. You wouldn’t ask them to go to work for less than they make. So explain to them that it is inconsiderate of your time and your clients to ask you to do the same.
Separate your personal and professional lives
Now let's talk about clients turned friends...
While it's okay to share some aspects of your personal life with clients who are friends, it's important to maintain a level of professionalism.
Avoid getting too personal or oversharing, and keep the majority of your conversations focused on your client's needs and preferences.
When you're not at work, try to keep your personal and professional lives separate. That means not texting or DMing about non-work related things outside of business hours.
Remember, establishing boundaries with clients who are friends isn't about being cold or unapproachable. It's about respecting your own time, energy, and value as a lash artist.
So go ahead, be friendly with your clients, but don't forget to prioritize your own needs too.
Don't Get Ghosted: Why Deposits are a Game-Changer
You know how annoying cancellations can be as a lash artist. Not only do they mess up your schedule, but they also cost you money. That's why I've learned the importance of using deposits and cancellation policies to weed out flaky clients and attract the ones who are serious about their lash game.
First things first, let's talk about deposits. I require a deposit from all new clients before I book their appointment. It's not a huge amount, just enough to show that they're committed. This helps to filter out those who are just browsing or aren't serious about booking. Plus, it protects me from last-minute cancellations or no-shows. You set your deposits based on what works best for you and your time.
Next up, cancellation policies. It's important to have a clear policy in place that outlines how much notice clients need to give before canceling or rescheduling, and what the consequences are for not doing so. Personally, I require at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. If a client cancels within that time frame, they forfeit their deposit. It may sound harsh, but it's a necessary measure to protect my time and income as well as my other clients' time.
By using deposits and clear cancellation policies, I've been able to attract more ideal clients who respect my time and value my work. It's all about setting expectations and sticking to your policies. Trust me, your business (and your sanity) will thank you for it!
Tough Love: How Having Tough Conversations Can Benefit Your Lash Business
Are you tired of dealing with difficult clients and awkward situations in your lash business? Well, it's time to have some tough conversations.
I know, I know. It's not exactly a fun topic, but trust me, it's necessary for your success.
By setting boundaries and enforcing policies, you'll establish a stronger foundation for your lash business and attract the right kind of clients.
Now, I'm not saying it's going to be easy. But with the right approach and mindset, you can turn these conversations into valuable learning experiences. Here are a few tips to help you navigate these tricky situations:
Be respectful, but firm. It's important to maintain a professional tone and treat your clients with respect. However, that doesn't mean you can't be assertive and stand your ground. Remember, you're running a business, not a charity.
Listen to their side of the story. It's easy to get caught up in your own perspective, but it's important to hear your client's point of view. This will not only help you understand their concerns but also show that you value their input.
Offer solutions. Don't just say "no" and leave it at that. Instead, try to find a compromise or offer alternative options. This will show your client that you're willing to work with them and that you care about their satisfaction.
Seek advice from others. It's okay to ask for help! Reach out to friends, mentors, or colleagues who have faced similar challenges. They can offer valuable insight and support during these tough times.
Remember, tough conversations may not be easy, but they're essential for a successful and thriving lash business. So don't be afraid to have those difficult dialogues, and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow from them.
These moments will become a bit easier as you grow your confidence. It's all a part of running the business you want to be in. Remember, if you wanted to do things that didn't make you happy you could easily work for a large company. You do this to fulfill your passion and you do not have to do anything you don't want to!
This blog post was a little more though love than I like to write. However, I have been receiving a lot of feedback from fellow business owners. This is a harsh truth being a female business owner. Especially in the beauty industry. Sometimes people will not take you seriously and they will attempt to pull one over on you. I used to feel so terrible. Then I realized. I respect others and all I am asking is they do the same.
These steps are difficult to implement at first but they will pay off for you. You will cultivate your dream clientele and your heart will be so full when you see every client's name on the books.