Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1547346
Explore your benefits at ahphair.com 61 2 3 NO. 2: BUILD A CAREER AROUND SKILLS, NOT TRENDS One time, a client sat in my chair and asked me, "Are you going to block out my brows?" It caught me off guard. Social media has made everyone an authority, so I simply let her know that wasn't something she'd ever seen me do nor was it something she was going to see me do. When I work on brows, I create symmetry. I don't block them out with concealer or foundation because someone else does it on social media. Building a career around your skills instead of trends creates longevity because your skill will always be able to back up what you say you can do. I don't say I can do something if I know I don't have the skills; I'll educate myself or refer the client to someone who does. If I say I know how to do something, that's because I've taken the time to educate myself and practice. We don't just learn something from a book and immediately put it into practice. You have to develop that skill. Can you do it on different hair types? More importantly, can you make it make sense for the person sitting in front of you? Your technical knowledge gives you discernment in how to approach a trend. Remember, you're the professional. You're the one who determines what works for your client's features, texture, and lifestyle. Trends may influence what people ask for, but your skill determines whether you can deliver it and whether you should. NO. 3: LEARN THE BUSINESS BEHIND YOUR TALENT Your talent will get you booked, yes, but your business acumen will help you build something sustainable. What does that look like? It means understanding your numbers. ink about how oen you replenish a product. If something has been sitting on the shelf and isn't moving, that tells you something. How do you make your money back on that product? Do you continue carrying it? ese are business decisions. It also means understanding the difference between branding and marketing. Your branding may help people recognize you, but you still need to understand how you get in front of the customers who can actually book you. en there are the parts of business that aren't nearly as exciting: insurance, taxes, and expenses. If you're independent, those costs add up quickly. You can't look at what you brought in and automatically assume that's what you made. Let's talk about pricing and understanding what goes into building your rate. It's your time, products, supplies, education, insurance, taxes, travel, and overhead—it's all of that. If someone books a service priced at $500, that doesn't mean you're pocketing $500. You need to understand what it costs to provide that service before you can understand what you make. at also doesn't mean that because $500 isn't going directly into your pocket, you suddenly charge $1,000. Consider what's happening in the economy, what the market can support, and what makes sense for the type of work you're doing. If you're getting paid for branded content or user-generated content, make sure any agreements have contracts attached to them and that you understand usage rights. How long can the brand use it? Where? Is it organic social content or are they using your image and work in paid advertising? ose are questions you need to ask. You don't have to become an attorney, accountant, or marketing expert to get a better handle on your numbers, but you need to understand enough to recognize when you need additional education, when to ask questions, and when to bring in an expert to help. UNSPLASH