To Specialize or Not To Specialize…

There are a lot of messages circulating the salon industry these days and one of them is the idea of “specializing” behind the chair. I believe that specializing can be damaging if done too soon in someone’s career in most settings. 

Here is why I believe this…

Many times a new hairdresser wants to specialize because they “look up” to someone online that specializes…or is perhaps fearful of certain services because of inexperience or lack of training.

As someone that has coached MANY hairdressers in their careers, I have always held fast to the belief that if someone wants to specialize, that is great - but it should come later in their career. 

8 years ago a beautiful gal started working for us and ended up being an incredible blonde specialist. When she first started working with us she LOVED clipper cutting and she wanted to do more clipper cuts. Over time and with training she blossomed into a lover of balayage, highlighting, lived in blonde looks and bleaching services. After the blonde enthusiasm started she started to LOATHE clipper cutting and short cuts. If we would have encouraged her to specialize in clipper cutting in the beginning, she would have missed a massive opportunity and wouldn't have had the same experience in her career.

In uncertain economic times it is also helpful for hairdressers growing their clientele to be able to accommodate a variety of diverse services and clients. This is a path of abundance during the time of growth.

The best part about “swinging the bat” in our industry is that eventually the hairdresser will end up with a clientele that is specialized in a way specific to them. This is a natural occurrence especially if a hairdresser decides to do models, photoshoots and capture client content that is specific to what they are passionate about. The natural direction will happen in the path of abundance.

When considering the idea of specializing, identify if it is out of fear or out of the abundance of experience.

With ample experience, hairdressers can specialize very successfully once they have spent some time in the greater industry. When done at the right time, hairdressers can THRIVE as specialists…just be sure to assess when the time is right and beware of specializing too soon or coaching your people to specialize too soon! It is so crucial to be mindful of these things when we are helping people grow in their careers in this industry :)

So much love,

Melanie

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