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Hair Care

A Profound Take on the Beauty Industry

July 8, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Read Gina’s story as she was recently featured in Insights for Success Magazine!

My family has been in the beauty industry since 1929. I grew up sweeping hair off of the floors of my parent’s salon. I always loved the artistry of the business as well as the process involved with making people feel and look better. Move forward 40 years and I am the founder of one of the most successful suite concepts in the industry, Phenix Salon Suites.

The beauty business is a fast paced and rapidly moving industry. There is always something new coming down the pipeline and if you are not in front of it, you’re behind it. When I started Phenix Salon Suites I was looking to serve Lifestyle Professionals in their pursuit to become sole beauty proprietors. I realized that most beauty and wellness professionals partially entered the business because they wanted to work for themselves. I also understood that undertaking opening a multi-chair or multi-station salon required financial resources that many people simply didn’t have.

This was an insight that I was lucky enough to understand because I had worked behind the chair for many years and I had spent my life growing up in the industry. I believe this is still a trend that we are seeing. I recall when the suite concept was the elephant in the room. Meaning, we were beginning to have an impact on the traditional salon model but we had not yet emerged as a player in the industry.

Today, in the United States, the suite concept has taken off like wild-fire with multiple salon suite concepts spanning across the country. I am certain this is a trend that we will continue to see. With the emergence of the Corona-19 pandemic, the need for social distancing and additional hygiene practices has become very important. The suite concept is a perfect solution to this dilemma for the beauty and lifestyle professional.

As a suite owner, a professional services one client at a time in their suite. Items such as common waiting areas, shared wash bowls and equipment that is used by multiple parties are eliminated. In addition, the professional may customize their space to their liking with their own décor. They may set their own hours, establish their own prices, and use products of their choice. Each location offers on-site laundry and restroom facilities and, at the Phenix locations, a receptionist is available to greet and direct clients when they enter the store. And, all of this is affordable at the fraction of the cost of building out a full scale salon.

We are also witnessing trends with investors that are seeking out a franchise investment. The salon suite concept is a much more hands off model compared to many other franchise opportunities such as fast food. Once a location is built out and suites are leased, a franchisee is actually encouraged to step back and allow the professionals to operate their own businesses. Unlike many models, the requirement of being on location daily is far reduced.

Along with this benefit, the model doesn’t require the franchisee to purchase an abundance of products that they are continuously required to use in order to operate. The individual salon professionals purchase their own products and equipment for daily use which far reduces the investment required o maintain the suite model on an ongoing basis. As the suite concept continues to be investigated by interested parties, it’s certain that it will be a popular option for many.

I also believe we can anticipate seeing the suite concept experience international expansion in the next 12-24 months. Phenix Salon Suites has just extended our footprint to include the United Kingdom (UK), with our first store currently under construction in Manchester and several others in the planning stages. As of now we understand that there will be a period of educating professionals on the concept, however, I believe with certainty that the suite concept will be equally embraced in the UK. We also have a variety of other international markets underway which we expect to be very successful.

As we progress, technology has also become more and more significant in the industry. The cell phone has brought beauty into a world where salon and lifestyle professionals can now manage their businesses from the ease of their phone. And, it’s clearly notable that hardback appointment books of the past are headed for the shelf. Professionals are seeking interactive solutions which allow them to communicate easily with their clients. They are seeking simple touch booking and scheduling features that allow consumers to schedule their own appointments. They want to be able to order products with a push of a button and email receipts out without being burdened with paper.

To meet this need, last year my company developed a business app for the beauty and lifestyle professional called Gina’s Platform. The platform is 100% free to any beauty or lifestyle professional in the industry and it has a comprehensive booking and scheduling system as well as a POS (point of sale) system with some of the lowest rates in the industry. In addition, it has options for following trending beauty news, accessing online education and purchasing product as well as extensive client communication features. The app even has financial reporting features for end of the year tax time.

As mentioned previously, the beauty industry is a well-oiled, fast moving, machine. It’s always important to be looking ahead and leading the pack if possible.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Article, Business, Hair Care

TIP OF THE WEEK – How to help your child feel comfortable with getting a haircut

June 22, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Most of us have encountered the small child that is afraid of having their haircut and possibly even visiting the salon. Here’s some of my tips for handling your littlest clients.

  • When the child arrives introduce yourself and take them on a mini tour where you explain what takes place in each part of the salon. (Note: start with the salon chair, visit the washbowl, show the scissors and the hair dryer)
  • Make sure to ask if they have questions and strive to answer all of them.
  • Keep an extra child’s shirt on hand in case the child refuses to wear the cape. (Hint: You can always describe the cape as a Superhero cape to get them more on board).
  • Explain to the child that they’re getting their hair “styled” or trimmed”. It’s best to avoid using the word “cut” as this can sound scary.
  • Keep a small treasure box on hand and allow the child to draw a gift at the end of the appointment if they behave and are brave.

Filed Under: Business, Barber, Business, Hair Care, Lifestyle Tagged With: child, children, haircut, haircutsforchildren

TIP OF THE WEEK – Everyday Hair Maintenance

June 15, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

As we age, the way we maintain and take care of our hair often needs to be modified for the best results. Here’s a few things that I recommend for aging beauties when it comes to hair care:

  • Stop with the daily wash to avoid drying out the hair. Natural oils tend to lessen with age so you want to maintain some of them.
  • Keep your hair well-moisturized. Hair tends to lose some of it’s natural shine due to a decline in the natural oils generated by the scalp. Moisturizing can help with shine and movement.
  • Don’t assume you have to go short. Nowadays, any length for any age is the rule.
  • Embrace your natural texture meaning go curly if you have curls. Contrary, wear your hair straight if it’s naturally straight. This will help you to avoid over styling which lends itself to drying the hair out.
  • Embrace your grays. Never before has gray been so fashionable. Don’t be afraid to capitalize on this trend.
  • Enjoy your age. Remember, every age offers new opportunities.

Filed Under: Business, Hair Care, Lifestyle, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: hair, haircare, tipoftheweek

Tip of the Week: How Dietary Habits Impact Your Hair

May 24, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Strong and healthy hair is a direct result of the nutrients and minerals you consume to fuel your body.

-A diet lacking in nutrients can lead to hair loss, dullness, and more.

-A well-balanced diet loaded with protein, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids, can contribute to longer, thicker, and stronger hair.

-Make sure you’re consuming foods rich in biotin, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

-Eggs contain a great amount of protein and biotin, two nutrients that help promote hair growth.

-Berries provide antioxidants that offer beneficial vitamins and minerals to help protect your hair follicles against damage from free radicals.

-The body uses vitamin C from to produce collagen, a protein that helps strengthen hair.

-Always consult with a physician before making any dietary changes.

Filed Under: Business, Hair Care, Lifestyle, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: diet, healthyhair, tipoftheweek

Tip of the Week – How To Select A Mask For Your Hair

May 18, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Need to know what to look for when selecting a hair mask? Here is my Tip of the Week for selecting a hair mask.

 -Seek out a mask that has ingredients which can lend to repair and hydration such as keratin, biotin, collagen, essential fatty acids, vitamins, emollients, and humectants.

-Avoid masks with silicones which can clog your pores and drying your hair from the inside out.

-Avoid Isopropyl alcohol which can strip the hair of its natural oils and can cause damage to the hair.  Hint: As a rule of thumb, you should avoid any hair product which has alcohol or an alcohol derivative in the first four ingredients listed on their label.

-Always use a professional product line to ensure quality non-damaging ingredients are used.

-Select a mask based on your hair need, ie; for color treated hair, for broken or damaged hair, etc.

-Always consult with your Salon Professional when you have identified a mask to try or ask for their recommendation.

Filed Under: Business, Hair Care, Lifestyle, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: haircare, hairmask, tipoftheweek

Tip of the Week – Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Hair and Scalp

March 23, 2021 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Are you wondering what the buzz is about apple cider vinegar and if it’s good for your hair? Here’s what I recommend: ⁠

  • Apple cider vinegar can be used as clarifier to remove residue from products and the environment that build up on the hair and scalp. ⁠
  • Combine one part apple cider vinegar and five parts water. Use as a rinse after shampooing. Check with your stylist before using as those with a sensitive scalp may need to dilute more. (Hint: Apply the mixture with a spray bottle or pour it directly onto your hair. Allow it to sit for around three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Then, condition as normal.) ⁠
  • Apple cider vinegar helps exfoliate scalp skin, which can help with dandruff and reduce dry itchy scalp. ⁠
  • Those with skin disorders, skin abrasions or hypersensitive scalp should avoid apple cider vinegar as it may promote further skin irritation. ⁠
  • Always consult with your stylist before starting a new clarification regimen. ⁠
Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

    Filed Under: Lifestyle, Business, Hair Care, Tip Of The Week Tagged With: applecidervinegar, hair

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