I've only been in the industry a year or so, but I'm finding it hard to build a clientele. Everyone I have talked to say it takes several years and the only way to really build is from referals. There has got to be a way to speed things along. Does anyone have advice or suggestions?

Dear aliciamd84

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My salon does not advertise.

We have complimentary haircut cards that we hand out to anyone whose hair we would like to cut. I personally hand them out at doctor's offices, the post office, the nurses station at the hospital, and to anyone I think will look great with my art on their head.

Presto chango, my business has almost tripled in 3 months time!

I have read that you retain 25% from this practice but I can tell you that not only have most of the comp haircuts come back and paid for their haircut, they have also booked color and brought along friends.

Some owners may frown upon this practice because they are not making any money off of their employee in the short run but in the long run it really does pay off.

Ask yourself this? Would you rather have the chair busy or would you rather have a perspective client looking into an empty salon?