The formulator and director of Salubre Cosmeceuticals tells us how her business is adjusting.
Tell us how you are coping in this changing environment?
It has been a stressful time as it’s not only the impact specific shutdowns have had but its people’s fear and anxiety that has also impacted our business. As a Chinese Medicine practitioner we are considered an essential business however the cosmetic acupuncture element (more beauty related) of our business doesn’t seem to be as requested. Nevertheless, we have taken our business online to allow those still looking for help for their health ailments to have it readily available while still being in self-isolation.
What strategies have you put in place to cope with the changing beauty industry?
In the clinic, we ensure our environment is kept hygienically clean. After each patient the linen is changed, surfaces are cleaned with anti-septic agents and the door handle of the consultation door is cleaned both inside and outside. In the waiting room, the surfaces such as the front desk, hicaps keypad and the door hands (both inside and outside) are cleaned after each patient enters and leaves. Additionally, we have moved many consultations online and posting out treatments for those seeking help. We are conducting skin assessments via Zoom to help clients choose the right skincare for their skin concerns. Regularly sending out newsletters with updates and information on how to improve immunity and what can be done if signs appear.
Most importantly we are conducting our business and our conversations in a calm rational tone as this is essential for everyone’s wellbeing. Making the changes to our business has been done so that impact to our patient’s health is minimal during these very uncertain times.
Any advice to other businesses out there during this challenging time?
“The biggest piece of advice is to remain calm and avoid any conversation around fear. Everything will be okay and we will be back to normal. Yes it can lead to the closure of some businesses and the impact to a person’s financial situation but coming from a place of fear stops your ability in problem solving. The best ideas come to us when we are calm, so meditating will help you process this unprecedented situation and will inadvertently help you look at other ways you can increase your income streams. On that note, what are your skills, how can you increase your income streams in other areas beside face to face contact with clients. Online workshops are great, do remote skin assessments to help clients with making the right decision with suitable skincare. You can update your website, continue on marketing yourself and your salon. When this is over you will be in people’s mind when they need your help as they continued to see your presence online and in their socials. Perhaps collaborate with other like minded businesses to create competitions to increase your database and social following. Do you have products that are a great care package during this time. People are bored so they will be picking their face after eating too much sugar/choc – especially easter is just around the corner and our supermarkets are filled with chocolate eggs. There is a lot of content you can get out there to connect with your clients when before you may have had little time to do. You could also create a content planner for 2020 and get that up and running so when it’s time you can implement it as its ready to go.
As you can see there is so much work to do even if you aren’t in your salon. So use this time to build your business up and get all the paper work you’ve been avoiding done.
Visit the #BEAUTYSTRONG hub at www.professionalbeauty.com.au/beautystrong/
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