The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year... For Beauty By Bash

This is my favorite time of year! Not just because it’s 50 to 60 degrees outside, which I love, but because my annual Client Appreciation Day occurs in this season. This year I have the privilege of not only celebrating my clients but also celebrating my one year anniversary of having my own salon suite!

When I decided to start my business, I wanted to address many of the things I felt were lacking in the former jobs I’d held. The most common concern was how they valued employees/clients.  For the most part, employees are often undervalued and are seen as ‘worker bees’ needed for productivity. Clients were often seen as income that was only as valuable as the amount of money they were bringing in. The next step was figuring out a way to celebrate my clients beyond the typical Starbucks card. (BTW, Starbucks cards are one of my favorite incentives)

Next in the planning process was choosing a date. I knew that whatever date I’d chosen I would have to commit because I wanted it to be an annual thing. So back in August 2016 I began looking for my own salon space, I had no idea it would take so long. I thought for sure that I’d have a space by mid-September. To my surprise, I wasn’t even close. I saw so many spaces that were overpriced for the square footage or had horrible parking. Some were in the crappier parts of a neighborhood but had immaculate interiors. The one thing that was an absolute for me was the noise level. It had to be a location with minimal noise and outside sound interference. Once I realized I was still looking in the middle of October, I almost gave up and started looking for salons with rooms to rent. I felt so defeated. As one last Hail Mary, I logged onto Craigslist looking at commercial spaces for rent. I know people are often skeptical about anything found on Craigslist, but I found an ad that seemed promising. I contacted the poster and she too worked in the beauty industry. SCORE! I went to see the space and it was absolutely perfect! Of course at that time it was the first week of November and I didn’t sign a lease until the November 12 with my Client Appreciation Day scheduled for the 20th. No pressure, right?

I went into overdrive on planning and getting my suite together. I spent so much time in Home Depot with color swatches and paint samples. After I selected on colors, I had to find the right décor. I wanted comfy and relaxing and inviting, warm tones with adjustable natural light. I spent one whole weekend with my family painting. On the last night after everything was dry, we relocated my entire treatment room from the salon I was in to my new suite. We literally set up the whole room that night. I was running on pure happiness and satisfaction. My children were exhausted but excited. I think we finished around 10:00pm.

While doing all this, I was simultaneously planning my Client Appreciation Day that also turned into an Open House. I decided to now have my Client Appreciation Day be an opportunity for the immediate community to come and check out the latest business addition to the neighborhood. This was also the time that my existing and future clients could purchase services and products at great discounts. I had to secure the refreshments, vendors, reorganization of the furniture to accommodate my guests, etc. It was quite a task, but one I was more than happy to oblige. The event went off without a hitch! I don’t recall a single hiccup through the entire day. So I am elated for this years’ Open House event that has now morphed into a Client Appreciation Day – Open House – Anniversary celebration.

You can find the details for the Open House on the events tab here on my website. If you’re going to be in the area, feel free to drop by. This year we will have Raffles, Vendors, Service & Product Specials, and food will be catered by Smokin’ Flaps.

I hope to see you there!