Salon on the Verge of Closing: What Would You Do?
Next up in our series of helping business owners solve their most-pressing problems is Kristina Graham, a salon owner whose love for the business keeps her afloat, even when she's struggling.
Let's dive into her story and come together as a small business community to help her get back on her feet.
Missed the last few weeks? Check out personal chef Johanna Gelb's story and music production company owners Cody and Bj's conundrum. Each received an incredible community response, with over 100 other business owners chiming in to offer ideas, solutions, and expertise.
Let's show Kristina the same enthusiasm and support.
Have a business challenge you'd like the community to solve? Drop it in the comments for a chance to be featured.
Business Challenge of the Week: Salon Struggles
This week, we're featuring Kristina's Beauty Salon. Below you'll find more about her business, customers, and problem.
The Business: Kristina's Beauty Salon
Kristina has owned and operated a full-service salon in Carrollton, Texas for over 30 years. And her services go way beyond just a haircut.
Catering to both men and women, she offers everything from hair color and waxing to pedicures and acrylic nails. She even offers free nail art to go along with your manicure.
Like many small business owners, Kristina had to fight the odds to get where she is today. She bought her salon when she was only 18 years old and fresh out of beauty school—she had to sell her car to help pay for it. And even that wasn't enough.
Determined to secure financing, she went to the bank every day asking for a loan. She was told from the start that most women-owned small businesses fail in the first year. But that didn't stop her.
Her persistence eventually convinced the bank manager to give her a loan. Her nana covered the rest, and 30 years later, she's paid back every penny (nana included).
The Problem: The Pandemic Drove her Customers Away
But then Covid hit, leaving her struggling to make ends meet. "I'm already past the point of closing," she says.
But she loves her customers and the people who depend on her. "I can't find it in my heart to say goodbye to multiple generations of families or to lay my employees off."
Despite the fact that she's not making money, she's not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
I wish there was more help out there for us still trying to have the American dream. Any advice would help me—I’m not ready to give up.
What Would You Do?
Now it's your turn—what would you do if you were in Kristina's shoes? How would you try to bring in more customers and more money?
Take a look at her profile for ideas and then share your thoughts, solutions, and advice in the comments below.
Let's help Kristina get back on her feet, save her salon, and give other salon owners ideas and inspiration to keep at it. That's what this community is all about.
Comments (1-10)
Kristina, your challenges and situation is shared by many business owners during this unprecedented situation. I would try a couple of ideas: offer an "At Home Styling Experience". I know many people (some seniors) that are not able to leave their homes and would love to have your services and company at home. Maybe look at what can be done on that front to keep things going. A second idea - that would appeal to your regular, dedicated customers, is offer a voucher package where clients can purchase cuts, styles or services TODAY - in person and online - but redeem over the course of the next 12 months. I am sure you have already heard some good ideas, but I wanted to share my support. Good Luck. Doug
Give back to the community by setting up a program like giving free haircuts to people out of work. How can you do this I bet your asking? Ask your existing customers to come in for a haircut and make a donation to help people who are out of work by paying for their haircut. This will show you are helping others during COVID-19. Promote this in community so non customers will come in. Get your local politicians to help promote it as well, by letting them know about the program on social media.
This shows that you are helping put people back to work.
Promote each person you help on social media showing others your helping give back.
Other ideas offer coloring at home kits delivered to people’s houses. They can buy it on your website and you deliver it. This works when you are closed due to COVID.
Also some towns are getting grant money form the state to help keep local businesses.
Hang in there you can get through this.
Hi Kristina. I am a woman who owns a small business and my advice to you during this pandemic is to take all of your costs down as far as you possibly can. I mean the rent and employees and services. Really think about why you started this whole business and go back to just that. Do what you do best and offer the best of you. Don't take less money! you deserve a fair energy exchange for your best service. It's like starting over but you know that you can grow the business back to where it is now. I think this time will be faster as the economy recovers. Show your customers that you are doing everything you can to keep them safe while in your care and hang on <3
COVID19 has affected many businesses, and I find it surprising that businesses going under do not consider using website+social media to do outreach and advertising. After all, more people than ever are isolated and are online.
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Hey Kristine not sure how you pay your overhead etc
Did you shorten hours?
Cut a day back can save electricity and more. We closed one day more dropping electric by a substantial amount.
Im not making money for me as of now I was doing great before pandemic.
I put all my unemployment checks in biz to keep it going.
The girls are good they are getting paid and we are making just making rent we are all just getting by.
I would look at cost raise prices a little many took huge jumps in prices that to played a role in loss of clients that lost jobs.
I’ve been here 30 years 27 my biz it’s hard.
hang in there.
Keep positive is Texas offering grant money?
you can trace out to me privately if you would like.
Kristina! Hang in there! You have a very specific skill-set that people around the country would want to know about. Your experience can be positioned as an online coach. You could easily offer coaching and consulting by developing a course. This would create business and income to get through this crazy time with Covid. You can use your passion to help others by teaching them how to do the skills you have. When covid hit I lost over 14 consulting events where I would have traveled nationally and internationally. I quickly turned my attention to online and have actually made out much better financially and it has allowed me to re-create my coaching and consulting model.
Rent or buy a tower heater and canopy offer drive in/through for hair styles, cuts, & trims. Might be enough to keep you in business. Offer sales/deals on products to reduce your inventory.
check city, township codes.
also, think about combining services with others to share costs and expand services.
Kristina, You are exactly the kind of American we need to rescue, someone who is in love with their work and not afraid to push forward.
I am retired Microbiologist and the lack of knowledge by politicians, even doctors, who do not listen to Microbiologists, is staggering and it only further panics the public.
I suggest you contact your local hospital and offer your services through them to patients, PROVIDED the Chief of Infectious Diseases (usually an MD/PhD Microbiologist) provides you with the guidance and training in how to work with techniques and tools to prevent transmitting anything.
With that background I don't see how any mayor could question your skills in performing you talent on customers in your shop. It is a combination of protective barriers and behaviors.
I also am in Kristina's shoes.
My yoga studio has been closed since mid-March and once the Governor lifted the restrictions, I still won't be able to operate mostly due to 10% indoor use capacity.
I don't think that folks are in a position to pay higher prices and with limited capacity, I won't have enough income to pay rent, staff, etc.
Virtual classes have been one option and outdoor classes may not last due to weather elements and in colder temperatures.
I also am not ready to close the business for good and hoping for more assistance and trying to create other ways to keep us going.
So difficult but staying hopeful.
I love how passionate Kristina is about her business! It sounds like she has some loyal customers and cares about her employees.
Nowadays, social media offers endless possibilities for businesses. I would recommend her taking a step to add revenue by creating online live courses to assist her customers with learning how to do some of their beauty care at home. First, she would share some basic secrets for free to hook them in, then ask them to join her live each week to learn something new (maybe just 30 minutes each time). This way her clients still continue their relationship with her and she can also grow her reach to outside her local area by asking them to share with others. These don't have to be perfect. That's the beauty of it! They should be professional, but still fun to bring out the personality that her clients have grown to loyal to and love.
I am always happy to help women entrepreneurs. Kristina, if you are interested, please reach out for some tips. Good luck!