Staying on Top of Industry Trends is Essential to Your Career as a Hairstylist
By Tamar Slaughter, Product Club Educator

1. Who are you in the salon industry? Are you a salon owner, W-2 employee, commissioned hairstylist, or 1099 independent contractor?
2. What is your target market?
3. What areas of service do you want to specialize in?
4. What are your short- and long-term career goals?

These questions represent the cornerstone of any successful brand. Taking the time to reflect on them reveals how to discern which trends will complement your individual brand identity throughout your career.

Classifying trends into the following 3 categories makes it easier to effectively infuse them into your method of operation.

Theory: A thorough understanding of Trichology aka hair theory is required as an industry expert. Clients want the health of their hair to be maintained. Therefore, focus must always be given to the theory behind the tools and techniques used to yield the end results patrons expect every time they sit in a salon chair. Remember, in cosmetology school a certain number of hours were designated for hair theory before students worked on mannequins and/or clients.

Practical: Utilizing modern tools and techniques to transform a head of hair into a crown of glory will attract new clientele, as well as retain the loyalty of existing customers. People don’t visit salons just for hair services. It’s the overall experience of receiving that hair service that earns their loyalty.

Business: Understanding the business side of the salon industry is what converts natural talent and passion into a profession. Therefore, it’s vital to understand the cornerstones of your brand to stay current of the best legal and strategic ways to operate.

For Example: Product Club is the only brand that teaches hair color theory unspecific to any hair color line. We also demonstrate ways hair colorists can revolutionize traditional hair color techniques to fulfill any trend requested. The focus of our market research includes finding ground-breaking ways technology can aid hairstylists in being more efficient in their formulation process, as well as identifying how to re-purpose classic application techniques for utilization in creating current hair color trends. This business strategy has positioned Product Club as the #1 resource hair colorists use to remain relevant in the salon industry, regardless of the trends that come and go. 

Now that we have defined how to measure the value of a trend, let’s discover the best ways to stay on top of them. The reality is that you are already doing many of these things. For example, taking the time to read this blog. This is proof that it’s not about reinventing the wheel, but more about realigning your focus with your purpose.

Let’s dissect how the strategic use of these industry resources can illuminate which trends best align with your individual career goals.

Trade Shows: These annual and semiannual events can serve as a one-stop shop if navigated properly. Otherwise, attendees leave these events feeling unfulfilled after spending an exorbitant amount of money. Before attending any trade show Its vital to first confirm if the intellectual equity built into the workshops, platform spotlights and networking opportunities available resonate with your individual career aspirations.

Pro Education Classes: In addition to their accessibility at trade shows, salons and distributors often host Pro Education Classes taught by manufacturers, as well as industry influencers. These classes normally offer an intimate environment for salon professionals to get a more personable opportunity to pick the brains of their facilitators.

For Example: Although the quality of Product Club’s education is unmatched, attendees who engage with the instructors are best positioned to extract the information they need within the subject matter of the class being taught. 

Business Seminars: Whether you are a salon owner, w-2 employee, commissioned stylist or 1099 independent contractor, seminars specific to the business of the salon industry are vital to the success of your brand. Select seminars that align with your existing or proposed business structure to certify if the tactics discussed are applicable. 

Blogs and Podcasts: How are you selecting which blogs and podcasts to entertain? Are you choosing them simply because the authors and hosts are popular? Or are you doing the research needed to find those that engage in a subject matter of relevance to your professional aspirations?  Even if the writing style and personality of an influencer is enjoyable, the focus of the information being shared must support your focal points. 
 
Social Media: Do you scroll with purpose? Or just consume whatever random information comes down your timeline? It is of paramount importance to be selective in who and what you follow and watch on social media. This includes carving out a specific amount of time in your scrolling adventures to focus specifically on industry research that’s supports your individual career goals.  

Assisting: That’s right, swallow that ego because assisting is not just for those new to the salon industry. Providing support for a business, brand or professional you admire is a concrete way to stay on top of industry trends, regardless of how long you have been in the salon. The trick is to ascertain if the relationships you cultivate can in turn nurture the cornerstones of your brand. 

Networking: Do you have a 30 second elevator pitch you can recite at a moment’s notice? If not, the continual opportunities available to build valuable relationships will be lost. As a professional in the salon industry, you must be able to clearly convey the cornerstones of your brand to effectively expand your clientele and your network.  
Use this framework to dive deeper into each of these segments and not only will you stay on top of industry trends, but you may also become a trendsetter yourself