Coronavirus Tips For Salons & Spas

While hysteria surrounding the recent coronavirus outbreak may seem overblown, the effects are having a real impact on salons and spas around the world. Let’s separate fact from fiction and discuss some tips to navigate the crisis.

What is the Coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that was first identified in Wuhan, China and has spread to several other countries around the world.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  People are thought to be most contagious when they are the most symptomatic (the sickest).  It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

To learn more about COVID-19, make sure you only use reliable sources of information.  We highly recommend all of our clients review the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers and other official publications.
 

How is the Coronavirus Affecting Business?

Since the virus is mainly spread through close contact with other people, “social distancing” is being used to avoid contracting the disease.  Businesses and events that feature personal interactions, including salons and spas, are suffering from this social distancing.  For example, Questex recently canceled The Beauty Experience NY (IBS NY) and the International Esthetician, Cosmetic and Spa Conference (IECSC) amid COVID-19 concerns.  In areas where there have been proven outbreaks, like Seattle, salon and spa owners have seen a steep decline in appointments.

In addition to in-person events and services, the coronavirus has also impacted the supply chain for beauty products.  Due to quarantines and shutdowns, products made in China and other countries are either unavailable or have experienced a dramatic spike in price, giving salons and spas a double whammy to their bottom line.
 

Tips for your Salon or Spa

While some have gone to extremes, like providing “long distance” haircuts with 3-foot poles and surgical masks, we recommend using common sense measures like the following.

• Keep a clean workplace! Wipe down stations after every appointment and perform a daily deep clean with disinfectant.
• Have tissues readily available for staff and clients to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, keep hand sanitizer in every stylist booth or therapist room, and provide disposable wipes for staff (and clients) to wipe down common areas.
• Keep your sick employees at home and create a back-up plan to ensure your appointment book is covered.  Make sure to setup your automatic notifications to alert any customers that they may be seen by a different staff member if their preferred operator must stay home sick.
• If there is an outbreak in your area, consider sending a promotional email or including a brief message on your online booking page letting clients know of the precautions you’ve taken so they can feel safe at your salon or spa.  You may also consider having a no handshake policy and kindly asking sick clients to reschedule their appointments.
• Lastly, use Fortune Teller to create a 12-month cash-flow plan that details projected service and retail revenues, expenses, and net cash.  If things continue to get worse, you’ll want to build a cash reserve to weather the storm and avoid going into the red.