Overcoming isolation

Being a salon owner can be isolating, but you can put a strategy in place to deal with this and effectively manage your business, explains salon business expert Liz McKeon

Research has consistently shown that entrepreneurship can be a lonely and isolating journey, even if you have a salon team around you. Sometimes, it feels like there is nobody to share your load; the challenges of running a salon, or even the joys of your successes. Many salon owners also report financial concerns as a reason for this increased level of isolation.

That feeling of being alone, and craving accountability and support, needs to be managed. Otherwise, this can lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety and even depression. To prevent this isolation from becoming overwhelming, you can put a strategy in place to manage the demands of being an effective salon owner.

1. Grow and nurture an online community of like-minded people. Social media is not just for selling or marketing. You can also use it to connect with other industry professionals through Facebook groups and communities, Instagram, and Twitter lists.

2. As Covid restrictions start to ease, allocate time in your diary to go out and network. It is crucial to also form real-world business connections, even if it is just for a 10-minute catch-up over a cup of coffee. Networking events are useful for creating business links and connections, but also to get a sense of community and find a support network. With the pressures of the salon, it is easy to find reasons for not taking time out of the building, so make this a priority on your to do list.

3. Make time also to acknowledge achievements and salon milestones. Often there is a tendency, especially in the early stages of growing a salon, to focus only on that never-ending to do list.

Celebrating achievements at the end of each week or month will give you a renewed sense of purpose and energy, and will also help to keep your team highly motivated and positive.

4. Find an accountability partner to keep you motivated and driving forward. It can be hugely beneficial to find another salon owner who is at a similar stage of business to you, who you can easily relate to and bounce ideas or frustrations off.

5. Improve your work-life balance. Schedule regular social activities with your closest friends, as studies have shown that having an active and enjoyable social life is crucial to your health. It can be difficult to make time for this, so put these dates in your diary and make them as important as any business meeting. Otherwise, the entrepreneurial rollercoaster can become overwhelming.

Running your own salon is incredibly rewarding, but it is also a stressful role. It doesn't matter how many low-value activities you eliminate from your schedule, or how often you see your friends, you can't escape stress. Learning how to cope with it is the key to finding the balance.

It is important to recognise the signs and triggers of entrepreneur isolation, and experiment with various management strategies to find out what works best for you.