What do you do when a client wants a creative cut and color, but isn't booked for enough time? “You make it work,” says Joi Rooks, owner of Fresche Salon in Atlanta, GA.
“When this first time client came in, she had booked her appointment online and did not book it properly, so I did not have enough time booked to create the creative color pattern and a whole new look she requested," says Rooks. "Immediately, I was bummed because I really wanted to do these services for her. I initially thought, 'No way, not enough time' - even my assistant was telling me to ask her to come back another day. But, I knew if I sent her away, she may go somewhere else and I really wanted to do it. I asked her if she could be patient and allow me to fit her into my schedule that day, and she was very excited and thankful that I would even try to make this work.
"Sometimes, your schedule on the computer makes it look like you are more booked, and don't really have any 'play' time. But, being an experienced stylist for over 24 years, I know what I can do and how I can make something work. I mapped out her color, clipped up my section, and had my assistant take notes on the color formulas I needed mixed, and she was responsible in preparing them for me. By the time I was finished with the plan, 4 color bowls were waiting for me and I began to paint.
"If you use your time wisely, plan it out, have an assistant to help you, and make sure the client knows you are working this in so they have to be patient, it will almost always work out. Not only that, but you will gain a loyal, very happy, new client out of it. I did not think I would be able to cut her hair too, but I finished with the client before her a bit sooner than expected, and as I was blow-drying her beautiful new color, I started the conversation about her haircut (that was going to be done a week or two later). When I finished drying her, I realized again, I can make this work and she can have it all today. So, I was able to do a dry cut on her and create this beautiful haircut that showcased her amazing fun color underneath,” says Rooks.
Why does Rooks make it work? “It’s actually very invigorating for me - it challenges me to be creative on the fly and to not be so rigid about my schedule,” she explains.
The end result was a dimensional red with peekaboo blonde and a geometric razor cut to show it off.
More time saving tips:
- Have assistants do the blow-drying; teach them how to do it "your" way.
- Map out color sections while your assistant mixes the formulas.
- Utilize Pinterest as a consultation tool to showcase work and inspirations.
[Image courtesy of Glow Communications]
