Scissors, Skills, and Smarts: Why Most Hairstylists Aren't Making Bank

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Ever wonder why some hairstylists thrive while others barely survive? The statistics are sobering: nearly 80% of stylists struggle to make ends meet, while a select 20% enjoy financial comfort and career satisfaction. What's the difference between these two groups? 

This eye-opening episode breaks down the five critical qualities that separate successful hairstylists from the rest. It's not just about technical skills—emotional intelligence tops the list as the most crucial factor. The best stylists understand that their clients' journey and experience matter just as much as the haircut or color they receive. They read emotional cues, prioritize client comfort, and ensure every moment in their chair feels special.

This short but powerful episode challenges you to honestly assess where you stand with each quality. Are you going through the motions on autopilot, or are you creating meaningful experiences? Do you retreat to the break room when you have downtime, or do you use it strategically? Do you know your "magic number"? The answers to these questions might reveal why you haven't reached your potential yet—and what you can do to change that. Could this be the year you prove everyone wrong and step into the top 20%? Listen now to find out.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (01:28):
Today we're bringing you one of our most popular
repeat episodes, and for goodreason this one struck a chord
with so many of you.
Did you know?
Statistics show that only asmall percentage of hairstylists
are living a truly comfortablelife, while nearly 80% are still
struggling to make ends meet.

(01:49):
But here's the good newsSuccess leaves clues.
In this episode, I break downthe five qualities the most
successful hairstylists all seemto share.
As you listen, ask yourselfwhere do I rank right now?
Could this be the year youprove everyone wrong and step

(02:11):
into that top 20%?
Welcome to All About Hair, wherewe talk, shop, share stories
and spill the secrets behindgreat hair and a great career.
I'm your host, denise Kylitz, aformer salon owner, educator
and a lifelong hair crusader.
Whether you're a new stylistbuilding your book or just

(02:31):
someone who loves learning aboutall things hair, you're a new
stylist building your book orjust someone who loves learning
about all things hair, you're inthe right place.
This week's podcast is shortand sweet.
I actually read this articlethat I really wanted to share
with you, so I just kind of likecondensed it a little bit.

(02:53):
It got me thinking.
Everybody wants to be a hundredthousand dollars stylist, but
it seems these days people don'twant to put in the work.
I know that's going to be veryunpopular and people don't want
to hear that, but I see a lot ofnew stylists out there.
They follow a lot of people onsocial media and they want the

(03:14):
mountain without putting in thework and the effort to climb the
mountain.
So this episode is going totalk about what are the
qualities that you really needto work on to be successful, to
be part of the top 20% who areactually making it, because
unfortunately, most stylists inour industry don't even bring

(03:36):
home $25,000 a year.
That's sad, so sad people.
We have to change that as anindustry.
We have to start treating ourprofession like a profession and
hopefully these five littletips will help you out.
The first quality of asuccessful hairstylist is
emotional intelligence.

(03:56):
They know that doing great hairis only half of what makes a
hairstylist successful.
Their emotional intelligencehas them in tune with how people
feel.
They know when they walk intothe salon, the focus is no
longer on them.
They are now a part of theclient's journey.
The focus is no longer on them.
They are now a part of theclient's journey.

(04:16):
Top earning stylists know howimportant it is that their
clients feel special throughouttheir entire salon experience.
In fact, their main goal is toensure that every client's
journey in the salon is amazing,from the moment they call the
salon to how they feel walkingthrough the doors, to how
relaxed and comfortable theyfeel during their appointment.
It is only when you have nailedthe client's journey that they

(04:38):
will know that they havesucceeded.
I consider this to be the mostimportant quality of all.
Ask yourself this do you feellike you have emotional
intelligence?
Can you tell when your guest isuptight or stressed or relaxed?
Do you go above and beyond tomake your guest feel special and
heard, or are you on autopilot,just going through the motions

(05:00):
transactions?
Think about it.
The second quality of asuccessful stylist is drive.
These stylists will not waitfor someone else to push them to
the top.
They are more than willing toput in the extra work it takes
to set themselves apart Due totheir focused nature.
You won't find them in the backroom getting sidetracked.
Instead, you'll find themmarketing themselves on social

(05:23):
media or even checking in withtheir clients from days prior,
making sure they still lovetheir hair.
They know time is money, sothey spend their time wisely.
Although self-driven mostinvest in mentors, coaches and
advanced classes to keep theirmomentum going, what about you?
Do you find yourself sitting inthe break room complaining that

(05:43):
your next guest just canceled,or are you proactive and you use
that time to market yourself onsocial media or check in with
yesterday's guests that you justdid a fantastic new color on?
Maybe she has a friend that shewould like to refer, maybe
she'd like it a little bitlighter around her face, and you
just happen to have time to dothat for her and make a happy

(06:04):
client.
Hmm, number three successfulstylists are goal setters.
They are serious about settingnon-negotiable goals.
They know where they arefinancially and where they want
to be.
They are clear on retentionrates, new guests and existing
guests and their retail toservice percentage.

(06:24):
Yes, that's still a thing.
They set monthly, weekly andeven daily goals and know their
magic number.
The magic number is the amountof money they need to make daily
to either support their currentfinances or propel them into
the life they long to live.
The best way to track thesegoals and numbers is by
journaling or tracking themevery single day.

(06:45):
Do you track your numbers?
Do you know your magic number.
Successful stylists are forwardthinkers.
Because of their forwardthinking mindset, you will
rarely hear them making excusesor complaining.
Rather, you'll hear thempraising others and looking for
ways to help everyone in thesalon to succeed.
They are usually the ones inthe salon that are not afraid of

(07:06):
change.
If anything, they're excitedabout it.
They understand the concept ofif you win, I win, making them
great team players.
Finally, successful stylists areauthentic.
I feel like this word has beentossed around a lot these days,
but it's true.
Authenticity is a collection ofchoices that we have to make

(07:27):
every day.
It's about the choice to showup and be real, the choice to be
honest, the choice to let ourtrue selves be seen.
That's actually a quote fromBrene Brown.
She's one of my favorites.
How about you?
Do you have these fivequalities Emotional intelligence
, drive, goal setting, forwardthinking and authenticity.

(07:50):
I think it takes a very specialperson to have all five of
these, and you might not haveall five every single day, but I
think, if you really look at itand you put this package
together and you really look atyourself, I think you could
probably make this year the yearthat you're going to prove
everyone wrong.
Are you going to be part of thetop 20% killing it.

(08:14):
Thanks for tuning in to AllAbout Hair.
If you loved this episode, hit,subscribe, leave us a review
and share it with a fellowstylist or hair loving friend.
You want more tips, tools andbehind the scenes?
Goodness, follow me on YouTubeor head to my website at
denisekeilitzcom.
Yes, I know it's hard to spell,so don't worry, the link is in

(08:36):
the show notes.
Until next time, keep learning,keep creating and keep loving
what you do.