Fall is here which means summer is officially over. Kids are back in school, the leaves are changing color, and hopefully the weather where you live is getting cooler. Fall is my favorite time of the year; I like the cooler weather and the fall colors. I enjoy running on brisk mornings and hanging out with friends by a bonfire in the evening. Another reason I enjoy fall is all of the scents of the season.

In Minnesota, this is the time to harvest apples and pick pumpkins. Fall is when Minnesotans start preparing comfort foods like “Hot Dish.” A Hot Dish usually contains a can of soup, rice or noodles, hamburger, and sour cream or cheese. Not all of these ingredients together necessarily, but it’s baked in a casserole dish and served hot — that’s why we call it a “Hot Dish.” We also start using our slow cookers and crockpots. It’s comforting to come home when the whole house smells good and dinner is already prepared.

One of my favorite aromas of the season is apple crisp or pumpkin pie. I enjoy the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg and it makes me feel warm. Have you noticed how a lot of retailers and restaurants offer seasonally scented or flavored items? Check out your surroundings. Coffee shops are offering pumpkin lattés, apple cider, and cranberry tea-flavored items. Home stores offer spiced apple and cinnamon-scented candles. Restaurants are offering butternut squash ravioli, spice cake, and pumpkin pie. Retailers are cashing in on the scents of the season and it got me thinking. Are you?

Many salons offer seasonally scented services with their pedicures and manicures. This is a great way to get your clients to try an add-on service. You can change the scent to complement each season. This can dramatically increase your income and grow your numbers. Will a seasonal scent entice clients to try something new? Yes, it will, but everyone may not take you upon this offer.

Offering seasonally scented services can add a lot to your nail department. With that in mind, it may also add time, products, and additional costs. A lot of nail technicians tell their owners, “If we provide seasonally scented services, customers will come.” Yes they will as I mentioned, however we should be able to sell the service even if it is unscented. We should be selling the additional service benefits, not just the aroma.

Introducing seasonally scented services will take time, advertising, and planning. Think about how your salon will advertise the new seasonal services and market them to your clients before you launch the scent. It is necessary to research service costs and the cost of the additional service. Inquire about the scents available and how to customize the service. Make sure the entire department is trained on the service and does the service the same way. When performing additional services, it is necessary to have service standards.

Check back next week for recommendations on how to choose a seasonal scent, implement it, and make it a successful launch. Offering the scents of the season and cashing in — one more way to help you stand out above the rest and become the BEST!

— Jill