Inclusivity is more than just a buzzword. Taking steps to break down barriers and making sure you create a safe space that feels inclusive and accessible is essential for any modern salons. This is an important part of running a salon, not only for your customers but also for your staff.
You might not think you are deliberately excluding anyone, but simple things can make a salon feel unwelcoming to certain individuals. By taking an inclusive approach, you can make everyone feel more welcome.
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Inclusivity is about providing an equal experience for everyone, no matter their background or identity. It's about making sure your salon is a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and comfortable.
It's not just about fitting in with the current trends. When you offer an inclusive environment, you can serve more customers, which is always going to be best for your bottom line. Not to mention, it's the right thing to do.
Creating a sense of exclusivity is no longer the aim. If you want to succeed in 2022 and beyond, you need to make inclusivity a key goal. Here are five ways you can make your salon more inclusive.
This means ensuring that there are no physical barriers preventing people from entering your salon. This could include things like having a ramp or lift for wheelchair users or providing Braille or large print materials for those with visual impairments.
You should also think about your booking system and make sure you don't streamline your systems so much that you make your salon inaccessible to some individuals. While you might focus on online booking for the majority of customers, you should offer alternative methods such as phone booking to those who need it.
If you aren’t sure how best to serve your customers, just ask! Many will be willing to share their experiences to let you know how you can make the salon or spa experience more welcoming to them. There may be small barriers you aren’t aware of that are putting off potential customers.
Your salon should be a place where everyone feels welcome, no matter their background or identity. This means making an effort to create a diverse and inclusive environment, whether that's by hanging artwork from different cultures in your salon or playing music from a variety of genres. You should also think about the language you use in your marketing materials and on your website, and make sure it's inclusive of all genders, sexualities, and races. A sensitivity reader can help you to determine if you are hitting the mark in your communications. You should also pay close attention to what you share on social media and how it could be interpreted.
It's important that your staff are trained on inclusivity and understand what it means to be an ally to marginalised groups. This will help them create a more inclusive environment for both your customers and their coworkers.
You can provide name tags with preferred pronouns to help ensure no one is ever misgendered while in the workplace. You can also include this information in your booking form to ensure that no customer ever faces the same uncomfortable situation. Not everyone will want to supply this information, and that’s fine too, but it can make life a little easier for some customers.
Your salon should offer a variety of services that cater to the needs of all kinds of people. This means offering different types of haircuts, styles, and colours, as well as makeup and skincare services. If you don’t currently have the skills in-house, ask yourself why, and what you can do to change this.
You should also think about offering services that cater to people with different disabilities, such as those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Neurodivergent individuals may struggle with personal contact and the busy environment of a salon, so consider offering quiet appointment times when the salon is a little calmer.
Inclusivity isn't something you can achieve overnight; it's an ongoing process. This means that you need to be an active ally to marginalised groups, whether that's by donating to organisations that support them or speaking out against hate speech and bigotry. You can also show your support by flying the pride flag at your salon or participating in events like Black History Month.
By taking these steps, you can make your salon a more inclusive space for everyone. Not only will this make your salon a more welcoming place, but it will also help you attract new customers and grow your business. So, what are you waiting for? Start making your salon more inclusive today!
