Set Up Policies to Benefit Your Lash Business This Summer

With Summer already here, it’s not too late to set up some last minute policies to help you during the busy and hectic period of the season. Appointments can stack up and feel chaotic, you don’t have time to take a lunch break and you keep reminding yourself to put in that stock order until it becomes last minute so you overspend on delivery! The summer season can be daunting for all busy Lash Techs, so what can you do to alleviate some of these avoidable scenarios? Let’s take a look at our tips on how you can make summer time easier for yourself!

Late Policy 

Life happens. Your client is on their way to their appointment with you but there’s an unfortunate circumstance that means they’ll be late for their treatment. As an understanding business owner, you should allow late clients around 15-20 minutes. You can utilise this time to prep your tools and workstation or do some much needed administrative work. But do not let this become a habit! Late clients can run over into other appointments, leaving your regulars and new clients unhappy.

To make sure you still perform a good treatment for your late client, consider using Premade Fans instead of making all Volume fans by hand. Cover the bottom layer fully, 75% on the middle layer, and 50% on the top layer, use some wider fans to cover gaps. If your client desires a more Classic Lash set instead of Volume, consider suggesting to your client that you may need to use some 3D Premade Fans to make up for the lost time. Using Hybrid Lashes is a great way of creating what the client wants but also making sure you have the time to do it.

Moreover, you will have clients who are unfortunately very late. After 15-20 minutes it is okay to consider the client is a ‘no show’. Even if they turn up after 45 minutes and keep asking you to do the treatment, you must consider the clients you have booked after them. If you begin treatment at this point your late client will overrun into the time of your next client, and so on. Suggesting the client makes a new appointment is the best solution as no tips or quick tricks can speed up the process of lash extensions beyond this point of lateness. 

Taking Deposits 

Summer time can see you doing more treatments than usual. Clients are rushing out to vacations so they book in last minute appointments and your regulars want to come in for an infill. Your bookings take a life of their own and it all builds up. You’ve made sure to stock up on enough lash glue, lash extensions, pretreatment etc, so you have invested hard earned money into the season. But suddenly, a bunch of clients are late or ‘no shows’. A way to make sure you’re on top of everything and to not lose your investment is to have a Deposit Policy. 

It is standard practice for other beauty treatments to take a deposit before the appointment so you should feel completely within your rights to ask your clients for one too. Of course, it is up to you on how much to charge for your appointment deposits but make sure it is enough to cover your lost time if it happens. If a client is a ‘no show’ you can feel secure in knowing you at least have a deposit so you can spend the ‘lost’ time having a quick lunch break, doing some paperwork or catching up on your Lash Business social media.

Cancellation Policy 

This policy is a mix of lateness and deposits. It is important to have good client relations and of course a client may need to cancel or reschedule for any reason. Having some kind of flexibility with regards to cancellations will keep your regular clients happy in the knowledge that they will  be able to either reschedule their appointment to a date and time that suits them better, or they can cancel if they’re not sure when they will be able to come instead. When setting this policy though, ensure that the policy gives clients a time frame of your choosing, (preferably long enough to reshuffle your schedule ahead of time so you can fill in their gap) so around 48 hours before their appointment is reasonable. 

On the other hand, it is your choice to choose a policy where a deposit is no longer refundable. If your client cancels less than 24 hours before their booking, it is safe to consider this as a ‘no show’. This may be all too late for you to fill that slot. Making sure your clients understand your policies may seem daunting but don’t forget, you’re running a business and these practices are standard elsewhere, so your service should be no different.

Take Your Breaks

The season is heating up, and with temperatures rising there is so much to monitor. From the conditions in your workspace to the next appointment, a cancellation or a late client. There is a lot to juggle. Let’s not forget you have paperwork and that restock you’ve been meaning to do for a few days. 

Make sure to step back, take a breath and remember that it’s okay to have a break. If you find your clients are becoming overbooked and you’re overwhelmed, spread them out. You have only two hands after all. You may need to tell a potential client that you have no further free slots until the following week, and that’s okay.

Take your breaks when you’ve scheduled them. If you have a break scheduled after an appointment, have a snack, take a seat and relax. You need it and you deserve it. Keep refreshed and hydrated, especially in the Summer heat. Our Lash Baddie Tumbler is not only stylish, but it will keep your drink cold for up to six hours! It holds 750ml of liquid, so you know you’re staying hydrated. It’s a great way to remind yourself to take a sip and have that well deserved break!

• Finally, remember to enjoy the summer sunshine. Vitamin D and spending time outside of your workspace will do wonders for your mental health and physical well being. Working during these busy periods can seem like a nightmare but you can follow these steps to alleviate some of the pressure off the season, and enjoy it too.