There was a time I thought having a full diary was success.
Because that’s what we were taught.
Fill the diary.
Fill the diary.
Fill the diary.
And to some extent, it worked.
Back then, when I first had my salon in 2009, it was a philosophy most salons adopted.
However, many still hold this theory – and it’s damaging their business.
And maybe even yours too?
Once upon a time, this was something we preached!
But we changed…
Because the industry changed.
Now, don’t get me wrong, a busy, buzzy salon filled with highly profitable business is a great thing!
But most salons aren’t filled with this…
They are filled with marshmallows.
Marshmallows are something many salons have.
It means business that fills the space right up, but with no nutritional content (I’m taking full credit for this excellent analogy, btw).
And these marshmallows….
Well, you’ll recognise them.
They are clients who only come in for cheap deals, last minute offers and unprofitable treatments.
And when we see white space in the diary and panic, we fill the space with big, fluffy, marshmallows.
I wonder, do you have marshmallows in your diary?
I had a lot of them once upon time in my diary – because white space scared the life out of me.
But, if I filled the diary with something – anything – even marshmallows, I felt calmer!
And safe!
Do you feel like that?
The thing is, a full diary gives us a sense of safety. It makes us feel validated, seen, popular… maybe even successful.
And it ‘might’ mean those things… for a few businesses.
But generally, it means something else.
It means exhaustion, stress, reactivity and no space to grow.
And then when it came to paying wages or the tax bill the inevitable question always sat there.
“Where is all the money?”
Sadly, being busy doesn’t pay bills.
Being profitable pays bills.
But, when we see a full diary, we assume one equals the other.
As a salon mentor of over 12 years, I see this story over and over.
Salon owners hiding under the guise of therapist
Because as long as you’re the therapist…
You don’t have to look at the numbers. You don’t have to delegate. You don’t have to face the truth about profit margins. You don’t have to risk stepping into something bigger.
Am I ringing any bells here?
Busy is comfortable.
But it no longer works…
And it’s time to change.
And we are gonna have to get uncomfortable.
And if we’re honest? That feels terrifying. I understand that.
Because changing your business – and changing your mindset, it’s overwhelming.
It becomes about leadership. Standards. Strategy. Courage.
And courage is uncomfortable.
Join me for my new training, The Freedom Formula, for free, which explains it all…
https://www.salonceoaccelerator.com/freedom-formula-webclass-live
