Eighty-nine percent of clients visit the salon at least twice a month. That’s a pretty good turn out! But if you’re feeling stuck in a rut, it is likely your clients are too. You can give yourself and your clients a new outlook by giving your salon or work area a makeover. Not to worry, however, a makeover doesn’t have to mean big money. Here are a few tips for sprucing up your image without breaking the bank.

Pretend you are a client. Pretend you are seeing your salon or work area for the first time. Walk into your salon and ask yourself these questions: What is my overall impression? What are the first things that catch my attention? What are the things that impress me? What are the things that don’t measure up to my expectations? Take notes, and then tackle the small things you can do something about today.

Cut the clutter. Limit yourself to one small family photo and clear your table and countertop space for items that will bring in the bacon. Ask yourself how every inch of your salon or work area could best be utilized to increase the bottom line. Remove anything that doesn’t live up to this potential. Qualified replacements include tent cards that call clients to action (meaning they invite clients to ask about or purchase products or services), mini seasonal displays that can be changed often, or a featured polish shade of the week. Just the act of tossing out clutter will increase your focus on your business.

Think clean. Sometimes a makeover can be as simple as cleaning often neglected nooks and crannies. Are your retail shelves and products free of dust and grime? When was the last time you removed and thoroughly cleaned every item on your nail table, pedicure cart—even in your dispensary? Sit in your client’s chair and look all around you to catch hidden grime that clients see from their perspective. Things that are clean look newer.

If these walls could talk. Do they send a message that’s current with the type of clientele you want to attract? Or, are they lost in another era? Photos of “The Rachel” haircut and five-year-old nail posters need to go. NAILS and many product manufacturers offer frame-quality posters that will encourage clients to try a new look. Just update them frequently.

Be new. Successful retailing is all about being new at every opportunity. The latest nail lacquer display is a small investment, but worth its weight in gold. You make back your investment, but worth its weight in gold. You make back your investment and then some, and clients get an opportunity to buy an inexpensive beauty boost. Changing your displays each season is a smart way to capitalize on your business dollars, and on manufacturer provided imagery.

Update your salon menu. If you’ve been offering the same services for years, it’s time to stir things up. Adding a new service to your menu will pique clients’ interest, and will result in new bookings and service extensions. Consider giving all your services a fresh new look by designing a new menu. You don’t have to hire a graphic designer either—most home computer software programs have hnady templates. All you have to do is enter the information.

Create a new destination. Turn a lost corner of your salon into a retreat. A Shoji screen is an excellent way to separate an area from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the salon. Add to this a small table with a beautiful orchid or other floral display or a mini table waterfall and you’ve just created a slice of paradise for the ultimate pedicure or manicure service.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to update your salon’s image, but if you have a budget for a total salon makeover, do talk to your distributor sales consultant. He or she will be able to guide you in exactly the right direction. Happy makeover!