I have been trying to do something bold for the last 2 years. And every time I think about it my heart starts to race. To me, it's probably the biggest change I could make with my business.
Bigger than a name change. Bigger than a staffing change.
It's changing the entire psychology of the way I earn money.
It's all about going tip-free.
Tipping and hairdressing have gone together as long as I can remember. I sat in a chair in college- probably my first ever self-paid haircut- and asked my hairdresser what was an acceptable tip. I genuinely wanted to know what she expected. I had been a server and gratuity was vital to my measly pay of $2.13/hour. I expected 20%. Is that what she is expecting too?
20% on a $20 haircut is one thing, but as hairdressing has gotten more expensive a 20 % tip is a big hunk of change. On $200 it's $40. On $350 it's $70. Man, oh man. That's a lot of moo-lah!
My stylist's answer was anxious, and it's the same one I have given over the years. "Oh, whatever you think. It's extra and I don't expect a certain amout." The reality is that a lack of expectation is a lie. The average tip in my experience is around 20%, and when I have gone to price my services I definitely consider gratuity as a vital and imperative addition to my income.
So I could say, "Yes. I depend on tips." Saying "Yes, in addition to the price you pay, I also depend on your generosity, which may or may not hinge on how you feel, your current bank account balance, how great our conversation is, how many times I complained about how much hair you have, etc." is manipulative, and that doesn't seem very fair- to either of us.
My tipping point with... tips... came from a recent experience while buying a bracelet at the mall. The fact is that next to everyone these days, in addition to charging more (my 8-oz coffee from Starbucks is now $6.71), is asking for a tip for the job you have always expected they were supposed to do. Getting a sandwich from a pastry case. Purchasing a bracelet from a mid-level jewelry store. Tip exhaustion is real, and I think everyone would rather the price just be the price.
So that brings me to the inevitable announcement that I will be raising my prices by an average of 20% + $5/hour so that the price is the price. There will be no add-ons- no toner add-on, conditioning treatment add-ons, base-lifting, etc. My services will cost $85/hour beginning September 1.
I am telling you this now so that when you begin to book into September (3 weeks from now) you will be prepared for the new pricing structure.
For instance:
A haircut will be $85
A color retouch + haircut will be $170
A mini-highlight (20 foils) + haircut will be $170
A half-head foil or root retouch with mini highlight + haircut will be $212*
A roots-to-ends color or full head foil will be $255
A transformative color (4-hour service) will be $340
*these services are a higher increase as I have priced them incorrectly in the past, so I have added a 2-hour blonding option
Essentially you and I will have a conversation about your budget vs. expectation, and we can come up with a plan for your hair. I am not going to nickle and dime your time, and I'm not charging by the minute. I will work within and charge you for the time selection you choose, unless we talk about changes that time allow in your consultation. I will not talk with my hands (I will not talk with my hands. I will not talk with my hands.).
The industry is moving in this direction, and I believe hourly and tip free pricing will be the norm in the next 5 years. I am friends with Asheville stylists who charge upwards of $150/hour! We are not there yet, but starting here is an important step.
Please, please, PLEASE let me know if you have any questions. Just email rachel@darlinghairworkshop.com, text 706.513.2435, or talk to me at your next appointment!
Warmly and with Gratitude,
Rachel Biestman
Augusta GA hair salon, Augusta hairstylist, augusta makeup artist, tip-free hairstylist, going tip-free, grovetown ga salon, Grovetown GA hairstylist, davines salon near me, augusta davines salon, evans ga salon, evans ga hairstylist, evans ga makeup artist, haircutting specialist in Evans GA, bob haircut specialist in Evans GA, Fort Eisenhower salon
Comments