5 Business Skills Cosmetologists Should Know March 19, 2021

Cosmetologists need to know a variety of skills out in the working world. Practical skills like hair cutting, coloring, styling, and basic skin care are all things you’ll need to know, but did you know that they also need to know a bit about business and marketing?

While you don’t need to be a master of marketing to be a successful cosmetologist, there are a few basic business tactics you should be aware of. Here are five essential skills cosmetologists need to know!

1. Social Media

Beauty professionals are all over Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. In fact, according to Media Kix, Beauty, Lifestyle, Fitness & Fashion Influencers are in the top six most popular types of influencers on Instagram. We can definitely see the reason why. Makeup and hair before and afters, how-tos, and transformations are all aesthetically pleasing, motivating, and some audiences even find them relaxing.

As a beauty professional you can easily tap into this demanding market. Create a business Instagram account, give yourself a professional bio and photo, and then start posting high quality pictures of your work! This is also a great way to reach potential clientele, and connect with repeat guests. You can also utilize this as a portfolio to show off your work or refer future employers to.

2. Time Management

1. Whether you work for yourself or at a salon or spa, time management will be crucial. Time management means planning your tasks for the day and doing them efficiently. Here are a few tips to use to keep on track:
   • Get a planner. You can keep this on your phone, or if you’re a fan of written planners, keep it in your purse or bag. Write down all of your plans on a per day basis. Don’t leave anything out. Plan your lunch, your appointments, your family plans, everything! This will help you visualize your daily schedule and the time constraints you’re working with.
   • Stick to your commitments. Once you’ve written everything down, stick to it. Try your best to be dedicated to the timeframe of each commitment. Showing up late or taking too long can shift your schedule entirely.
   • Plan personal time. Your relaxation is important. It can be very easily to overload your calendar, and it can suddenly make things feel overwhelming. If you don’t plan a break, your time management skills can feel a bit rough.
   • Time management skills. These can be hard to master, so don’t fret if you don’t stick to everything perfectly the first day. Keep dedicating yourself to learning the skill, and you’re sure to pick it up quickly!

3. Community Building

Many good businesses realize that their involvement in their local community is one of the most important things they can do. Building relationships outside the walls of the salon can help the relationships on the inside. Consider working with local charities, go to community events, and get involved where you can.

Not only can you get your business name out there, but you feel good when you do good.

4. Networking

In addition to getting to know the local community around you, you’ll want to get to know other professionals. Collaborations, features, and just supporting those around you in their skills can help you build a network of friends and peers that might help you in several ways in the future.

Good networking can help you in future employment, events, or just making friends with people who have similar interests!

4. Financial Management

Money can be a source of stress for a lot of people. It doesn’t have to be! Practicing good financial management can help you keep the stress off. Here are a few money managing tips you can put into practice:

• Keep a financial journal. Make sure to write down your income and expenditure. It is recommended that you track where money moves each time you pay a bill or purchase a new item. Always keep receipts, keep track of proof of purchases.
• Budget. Try your best to plan expenses ahead of time. If you know you’ll have to replace a salon chair soon, plan for it and save.

What Tips Would You Give?

Are you currently a beauty professional? What tips would you share with those who are just getting started?