Let’s begin with the basics regarding dealing with COVID-19 in Tarrant County. This from the Texas Department of Health and Services, as well as the CDC, regarding preventative measures in a beauty salon and for personal life:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE?
These are tough times, for sure, for small businesses. For many we are talking about your livelihood, and now the directive is out and your beloved booth rental is closed for business, and worse is you don’t know for how long.
Salon and Spa Galleria is with you in spirit!
We hope you can find a way to make ends meet during this lockdown. We hope you find some government assistance which will provide you with relief. Check with the Small Business Administration about direct aid and emergency programs which may help you during these times.
You may have to take on a part-time job to make ends meet. There are a ton of delivery jobs available at this moment. Restaurants are looking for delivery people, as are major supermarkets.
EMAIL CUSTOMERS AND STAY IN TOUCH
You can be sure that your customers will want to hear from you while on lockdown. You can be the “squeaky wheel” during this time of social distancing. Stay in touch with them. Talk to them about beauty tips. Share information with them which they can use at home.
PRODUCE VIDEOS AND PODCASTS
Now is the perfect time to become a YouTube star. Produce your own beauty program, either on YouTube or a podcast for people to listen to. Monetize it and make some spare cash, but it is also a great marketing tool for your beauty shop for when you can go back to work.
USE THIS TIME FOR PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
If you are like most small business owners, you never have time for planning for your salon suite lease business. Now is that time. Imagine all the things you dreamed about when you first opened your beauty salon. You can work towards that vision now that you have spare time. Don’t wallow in worries . . . choose, instead, to be proactive!
USE THIS TIME FOR CREATIVE MARKETING
Sooner or later we will return to normal, and people will return to their regular shopping with a vengeance. Now is the time to imprint your business name on their brains. The time for aggressive marketing is now and yes, marketing often costs money, but we encourage you to learn as much as you can about guerilla marketing techniques and get the most for less.
CHIN UP AND MOVE FORWARD
We will get through this. You will get through this. Be aware that special assistance will be available for small business owners, so make sure you apply for that assistance if you qualify.
Wash those hands, wash down your salon suite, wash out your mind of negative thoughts, prepare for a brighter future and, above all, stay positive!
