As inflation across the U.K. remains at record highs, with reports earlier this year revealing prices rising at the fastest pace in 40 years, Vagaro seeks to lessen the burden of maintaining business operations and financial woes on small business owners during this time. 

Vagaro, the leading comprehensive business management platform for the beauty, fitness, and wellness industries, is offering generous service options to small businesses in the U.K.

Realizing many owners are currently facing unavoidable cost increases in expenses such as wages, electricity, and supplies, the software company is providing relief for businesses by offering its most popular add-on features such as Xero integration, online store, and website builder, at no additional cost to the base price.  

These tools all have a proven history of increasing sales and revenue for users, which can greatly benefit businesses especially during these trying times.  

Additionally, Vagaro aims to help business owners find more breathing room by offering a low payment processing fee of just 1.29% + £0.20.  VP of Marketing, Charity Hudnall, says, “Cultivating strong relationships with our customers by truly putting them first is the strongest pillar in our company’s culture.  

Listening to their needs, especially during trying times, and responding not only with a solution, but a helping hand along the way, is ingrained in the way our entire team operates.  

When our customers succeed, we succeed, and our relationships are strengthened.”  

This is not the first time Vagaro has implemented relief for small businesses during uncertain economic circumstances. In 2020, the company previously offered its services to users completely free of charge due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  

Small business owners not currently on Vagaro who are looking to try a new software to help manage and automate their tasks can also currently sign up for an extended, 30-day free trial.   

About Vagaro 

Vagaro, Inc. is the leading business management and payment processing platform, and online marketplace for the beauty, fitness, and wellness industries. Service professionals in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia use Vagaro to manage, market and grow their business. Consumers choose Vagaro to search for and book wellness services on any device. To learn more, visit https://sales.vagaro.co.uk/ or https://vagaro.com.  

By Ollie Foster, OSMO Ambassador and owner of Number 47 Barbers in Chester

Assess your shop space costs

Are there areas within your shop that you can look to shave costs?  Lighting for example, you can change your bulbs to low energy where you don’t need the brightness as much (think staff rooms, toilets etc), can you also change your lights to movement sensor ones too in areas?  With your backwash, can you look to swap to a water pressure system like ECOHEADS that helps to increase the water pressure without using more water?  Also, have you looked at comparison on washing your towels in the shop versus an outside company?  You may be surprised! 

Take a good look at your colour stock

Size and space matters!  For those barber shops who’ve expanded their services into colour, have you taken time to really understand what’s needed or not in you colour stock room?  Buying lots of colours when you can just invest in a colour range that enables you to create permanent or semi shades from one tube, is a great cost saving option.  OSMO IKON is a demi colour range, so you just adjust the mix and timings to achieve your desired effect.  Plus, all the shades are intermixable, so you get an endless colour palette, too.  Also, think about how much you’re getting in your colour tube – often it’s only 50/60ml tubes, whereas brands like OSMO are 100ml tubes, so not only will you probably be paying less per tube, but you’re also getting a bigger size too.  So, make sure you’re looking at your colour stock and consider sensible changes to your core colours, as you can definitely be making savings on your colour services.  

Ensure your backwash is earning for you

We’re good at offering added services like shaves and maybe facial waxing, but are there treatments we can up-selling at the backwash area too?  Products like the new OSMO Scalp Therapy Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt is a great pre-cut experience to help remove product build up and get the scalp healthy too.  You can then finish this with the new OSMO Scalp Therapy Mask to elevate your hair cutting experience.  Work the backwash costs into your hair cut, so it’s not seen as an add-on but more of a luxury service.  Even if you don’t offer colour services, have you considered offering colour conditioning treatments at the backwash instead?  Products like the OSMO Colour Revive Conditioning Treatment is a low investment option to give your customers a refresh of their natural hair or help mask early greys – plus may stop them heading to those dreaded Just For Men box dyes!  The backwash is your shop window for retail too, so ensure you’re talking up the products you’re using, how they can be beneficial ie scalp cleansing, thickening, moisturising etc.  You’ve got a captive audience in that chair, and they want to hear what you have to say to ensure their cut lasts.

Be the expert you are when it comes to retailing advice

Selling retail products, doesn’t come naturally to many of us but we need to believe in our expertise and products we use!  Customers are investing their time and money to have a professional service, so ensuring they have the best products and advise to use at home, is a no-brainer.   Plus, once you get your customer onto that product, he becomes a fan of it for life usually!  Also, make sure you’re picking up on selling tales – is your customer concerned about his thinning hair?  Then recommend them subtle volumising products like the OSMO Power Powder, it’s easy to use and gets results instantly.  Retail should be second nature to us experts. 

Make sure you’re encouraging regular re-visits to your shop

As barbers, we get a mix of those bi-weekly customers versus those once every few months walking in.  It’s up to us to get our customers booking in more regularly.  Can you look at your current booking system – does it have a text/email reminder that can be sent out?  Target your social media posts to your  customers so they’re aware of your availability (and any cancellations).  Listen out to chats in the chair about upcoming Birthdays/Job interviews etc and encourage them to book in the day before with you.  If you can, the best way is to get them booking before they leave the shop – when you have them in the chair, this is the ideal time to be talking through the haircut, home styling tips and then cutting maintenance over the coming few months.  Get them into a routine of trims and reshapes. 

To order OSMO for your salon visit www.osmo.uk.com for your nearest wholesaler

Fresha continues to lead software innovation and introduce advanced features for hair, beauty, barbering and wellness businesses. 

With partners involved in shaping their software experience with Fresha, by requesting the tools and features they need to run their businesses even more efficiently, Fresha has listened and responded by introducing six new automated text notifications. From rescheduled and cancelled appointments to thank you messages, salons can now keep their clients informed like never before. 

Making sure clients receive up-to-date information about their appointment while avoiding no-shows and late cancellations is important to keep clients happy, and protect businesses from potential loss. In addition to Fresha’s existing appointment reminder text message, these six new text notifications are now available to Fresha partners.

Appointment confirmation 

Send clients an appointment confirmation once they’ve made a booking online or in-store. This important step lets clients know all the important details about the appointment they’ve just made, such as the date, time and address.

Appointment reminders

Enabling reminders for upcoming appointments ensures clients remember their appointment, which also helps to reduce no-shows and cancellations! Salons simply decide what time the reminder goes out, whether it’s one or two hours, or one or two days before. 

Rescheduled appointments

If an appointment needs to be rescheduled, partners can send an automated text message to confirm this. Salons will also be able to include any updated information regarding their appointment. 

Cancelled appointments

Appointment cancellations are less than ideal, but they do happen. Whether the salon or the client needs to cancel their appointment, a text message can now be sent to confirm the cancellation. If the client cancels, they will also receive information about any late cancellation fees that may apply. 

No-shows

What’s worse than a cancellation? A no-show. If a client misses an appointment, businesses can now automate a text message to let them know, along with information about the fees they’ve incurred for not arriving at their appointment.

Say thank you! 

As well as helping partners to manage issues, Fresha’s improved text message feature gives salons the option to send a ‘Thank you for visiting’ message once the client has completed their treatment and checked out. At this stage they’ll be prompted to rate and review the salon, and they’ll be given the option to leave a tip. If they do add a tip, businesses can also set up an automated text to thank them for that too.

For more information about this new feature announcement, read the latest blog here    

To join Fresha free, visit https://www.fresha.com/for-business   

On Wednesday 21^st September, the Business Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg announced a scheme called the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, to help with energy bills for businesses, voluntary sector organisations, such as charities and public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals and care homes. This includes hair & beauty salons and barbershops in the UK who are:

·         on existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after 1 April 2022

·         signing new fixed price contracts

·         on deemed / out of contract or variable tariffs

·         on flexible purchase or similar contracts

Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive, said: “The energy support announced today is a lifeline for many businesses in the hair & beauty sector that have battled through the last two years. The Government has listened, and we will be providing further evidence to make the case for hair & beauty as a ‘vulnerable industry’ needing support after the initial six-month period has ended.”

How does it work?

The Government will compare what you are estimated to pay to your energy supplier against an amount they have set. The Government amount is called a baseline and is priced at less than what it is expected suppliers will pay for wholesale energy this winter.

The Government supported price has been set at:

• £211 per megawatt-hour (MWh) for electricity
• £75 per MWh for gas

(A comparable rate will be set shortly for Northern Ireland.)

This is less than the expected price from energy suppliers which is:

• £600 per MWh for electricity
• £180 per MWh for gas

However, the reduction only applies to the wholesale price of your energy not your final cost. This is to keep it in line with the Energy Price Guarantee for domestic customers ie your home energy bills. Your final per unit price could include network charges and operating costs, plus the impact of competition between suppliers. It will also change for different contracts and tariffs.

Fixed Contracts

The discount will be based on the difference between the government-supported price and the wholesale price for the day that the fixed contract started. The Government will publish the wholesale prices and will use for calculating this for each day from 1 April 2022.

Variable, deemed, and all other contracts including those due to renew

The discount will reflect the difference between the Government supported price and relevant wholesale price but will be subject to a ‘maximum discount’ that will be determined at the beginning of the scheme.

If you are on a variable or flexible contract, you will need to choose if you want to move to a fixed contract. This is likely to suit you if you don’t want your price to keep changing each month. Your supplier should be in touch to discuss this.

When will I receive my benefit?

This will be applied automatically, and you will see the discount from your October bill – which you usually receive in November. You will continue to receive this benefit until 31^st March 2023. The energy situation will then be reviewed.

PLEASE NOTE: If you get a message asking for your bank details, this could be a scam. You can report messages you think are suspicious

What do I need to do? 

Business owners do not need to do anything as the Government expects suppliers to contact them over the coming weeks to explain what will happen. The discount on wholesale energy is same for every supplier. However, we advise contacting your supplier to ensure that you will get the most benefit from this new scheme.

Energy brokers have no influence over the reductions that will be applied to wholesale energy costs under this scheme. You do not have to take out a new contract or change your contract for appropriate reductions to apply to your bills automatically.

Case Example

A small retail shop uses around 1 MWh of electricity and 2 MWh of gas each month.

They are on a variable contract, giving them a current monthly energy bill of around £1,400 per month. As they are on a variable contract, they can receive support up to the Maximum Discount (currently estimated to be £405/MWh for electricity and £115/MWh for gas).

Applying the Maximum Discount rates means that their monthly energy bill reduces by around 45%, leaving them with a bill of around £800 per month.

For more advice and information about the Energy Bill Relief Scheme please visit the UK Government website.

WAHL British Barber of the Year 2022

Have you got what it takes to be crowned Wahl British Barber of the Year? It’s time to show them what you can do! If you want to be recognised as one of the UK’s finest barbering talents, now is your moment.

To enter, go to the submissions area on their website and tell Wahl why you think you’re worthy of the title Wahl British Barber of the Year. They want to hear about your barbering career so far and your ambitions for the future, so this is your opportunity to sell yourself. You’ll also need to submit up to 4 images showcasing your best work. Make sure these are the best possible representation of your skills. Wahl want to be impressed!

Finalists will be contacted and provided with further details once entries close on 30th September 2022.

WAHL British Barbershop of the Year 2022

Do you have a unique environment that sets you apart from every other shop? Are your staff the best in the business?                                        

If this sounds like your barbershop, you’re in with a chance of being crowned Wahl Barbershop of the Year 2022. To be considered ENTER your submissions TODAY.

Finalists will be contacted and provided with further details once entries close on 30th September 2022.

Ever wondered what it takes to become a WAHL Barber of The Year Finalist?

Visit past competitions and see who made it to the finals and also the entries that made them stand out and secure a place in the final. 

See how your work and standards compare and who knows, you could be joining them one day.

It costs nothing to enter, but the rewards if you make the finals are monumental as you will see this competition has helped to launch many careers!

http://www.wahl-competitions.com/british-barber-of-the-year-winners

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has called on Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister, to provide a series of actions giving immediate support to hair, beauty and barbershop businesses and shore up their survival chances over the next six months.

According to the latest NHBF quarterly State of the Industry survey in July 2022, businesses are only just again showing the more positive signs of recovery that we first saw in September 2021, before it was choked off by the Omicron surge over Christmas. Only 44% of businesses are making a small or good profit, raising prices is a consistent trend and reliance on government support is still high at 50%. Business confidence has improved, but 42% of sector businesses still face the long shadow of debt built up during the pandemic lockdowns, which will take 63% of those indebted businesses more than two years to clear.

In a letter sent to both PM candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak last week, the NHBF requested the following:

1. Introduce a small business energy price cap with grant support.

A small business energy price cap for small and micro businesses, accompanied by emergency grant support for a six-month period, would shield them from crippling energy bills. Energy companies should also be encouraged to offer a range of flexible payment plans so that businesses are supported to pay off bills over a longer period.

In a sector where energy costs are the largest or second largest overhead, we know from a sector wide survey in March that the overwhelming majority have seen prices rise and for half by more than 50% over the last year. In response to rising prices, businesses are already cutting costs, putting up prices, holding off taking on new staff and introducing multiple energy saving measures. 

• Reintroduce 100% business rates relief.

Businesses need crucial help with fixed overheads, to maintain cashflow and keep them in business as energy and business costs rise. Building on the 50% discount, we would like to see 100% relief re-introduced as soon as possible and for the remainder of the financial year 2022-23.

The previous 100% relief was invaluable in supporting sector businesses through the pandemic. We also call for a freeze to the business rates multiplier that will rise in the autumn in line with inflation, to protect businesses from higher rises to rates bills.

3. Offer targeted apprenticeship incentives small and micro employers.

The sector is desperate to provide meaningful jobs to more young people, but in a sector made up predominantly of small and micro businesses, affordability is challenging in the current climate. The £2.7 billion made available in the Autumn Budget 2021 and £2 billion Apprenticeship Levy underspend offers opportunities to channel funding to small and micro businesses through offering apprenticeship incentives between £1,000-3,000 per employee. This would particularly to help fund the gap between the apprentice wage and the national minimum wage for older apprentices aged 19+. 

• Restraint on increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.

We have called on the Low Pay Commission for restraint in their recommendations to the Government on further increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW), given the current challenging economic environment. In response to the rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and NMW/NLW in April, businesses absorbed some of the extra cost by reducing their profit margins, but many put up their prices. However, it is a balancing act and businesses can only raise prices so far before customers return less frequently.

• A fairer tax system and a crackdown on tax evading businesses.

The NHBF is calling for a fairer approach to the tax system which creates more of a level playing field between businesses with employees and businesses using self-employed individuals, a growing trend within the sector.

We would welcome further discussions with HM Treasury around the way that VAT is applied including raising the VAT threshold so that more small and micro businesses benefit from relief, reducing the VAT rate to 5% or introducing tiered rates for the smallest businesses to remove the disincentive to grow and remain below the threshold. 

We also call on the Government to lead a crackdown on informal businesses operating on a cash basis in the margins, not paying tax or VAT, which means they charge lower prices, undercutting and threatening the survival of responsible businesses and undermining pay legislation.

Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive, says “The sector is in the midst of the cost of doing business crisis, with energy bills rising at an exponential rate, supply price inflation at levels not seen for a generation, increases to staff costs and a skills crisis that is putting the future health of the sector at risk.

The sector has ridden the rollercoaster business environment over the last two years and survived, due to its own steely resilience and the vital support provided by governments across the UK. With continued support from the UK Government, we are confident that the personal care sector will continue to play a crucial role in the UK’s economic recovery, thriving high streets and community wellbeing.”

The hair and beauty sector makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, with £5.5 billion spent on services in 2019-20^[1] and consumer spend across the whole sector totalling £27.2 billion^[2] in 2018. Salon businesses, led predominantly by female entrepreneurs, provide valuable careers to 257,000 people, more than half aged 18-35, across the UK. The sector enhances the health and wellbeing of local communities and, despite the pandemic, the number of businesses continued to grow.

@nhbfsocial

NHBF

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^[1] Industry Statistics 2021

^[2] British Beauty Council ‘Value of Beauty’ Report, Oxford Economics (July 2019)

On the PIVOT POINT LAB platform, entitled Skills Zone, can be accessed by NHBF members anytime, anywhere via their phone, tablet or laptop. 

Skills Zone will host a series of easy-to-follow guidelines and lessons in line with the NHBF Professional Code of Conduct. 

Lessons include:

• Understanding qualifications and training requirements
• Being clear on Health & Safety
• Understanding consultation and allergy alerts
• How to manage advertising, promotions and pricing
• Understanding pay and tips

Richard Lambert, NHBF chief executive said: “Running a hair or beauty salon or barbershop business can feel very complicated, with lots of things that need to be in place to allow professionals to concentrate on building a client base. 

“The launch of the Skills Zone, which can be found in the Member Benefits area on NHBF.co.uk, offers free access to the NHBF School on PIVOT POINT LAB. LAB provides newly developed professional standards resources to master the knowledge required to protect your clients and your business.”

Janet Coates, PIVOT POINT LAB, Customer Experience & Engagement manager said: “Point LAB is a great platform to provide online educational support to the NHBF Members in the most modern and easily accessible way”.

Resources are easily accessible via your phone or tablet and will be key in helping your business grow, so ensure its future success by signing up online to the new NHBF Skills Zone.

To find out more about Pivot Point and stay connected visit:

Website: pivotpoint.co.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/PivotPointUK

Instagram: @pivot_point_uk

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK and Northern Ireland is OUT NOW.

Get your copy here!

LONDON CALLS FOR THE ALL-STARS 

The latest issue of BarberEVO is OUT NOW! This issue is headed up by a composite shot from American Crew’s outstanding All-Star Challenge collection.  

We were thrilled to be invited to get the chance to peek behind the scenes of the shoot, called ‘London Calling’ which included the work of the incredibly artistic talent gathered from all over the globe. Check out the full collection and a look behind the scenes in this issue. We are beyond excited to be working closely with American Crew in the future, watch out for more content coming up.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Also, in this issue we are giving away Simon Shaw. Take him, he’s yours! Well, for one day only. Win Simon to come to your barbershop or take your team to the Wahl Training Academy… however you want to use Simon’s knowledge, he’s up for it… nothing weird mind, that’s his only condition! See pages 34-35 to find out how to enter.

TECHNOLOGY

Love it or loathe it, tech is now an essential part of a barber’s business. There are so many options now to make life easier, and you don’t have to be a tech whizz to get your head around them. Whether it’s booking apps, marketing, POS options, reminders, there’s so much out there that can streamline your day to day. Have a read and see if it’s time to trade up with tech

BEARDCARE

Beard services – how do you view them? A quick add on or an essential part of the barbershop menu? The beard remains on trend, and we talk to the barbers who are making the most of what is currently an essential service to many clients.

WELLBEING

The wellbeing of staff, clients and the ever-stressed owners, is more important than ever, and we look at ways the industry is embracing wellbeing practices into the barbershop. We speak to the Podbarber about how listening is as important as talking, and we investigate the spa type services that barbers are introducing to aid client relaxation. Sit back, relax and read all about it.

SCISSORS

The humble scissor is the tool you can’t do without. But how much do you value your scissors? We look at what’s on the market – from the budget options to the wallet busting top enders. It’s not all about cost, there are great options for all budgets, and we talk to Rum Barber about the best options for the beginner barber as Yoi Scissors talk about which performs best in each cost category.

We hope you enjoy this issue! You can order your print copy here. 

The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Project Men welcomes three new Brand Partners to work alongside the mentoring programme.  

Captain Fawcett, Matakki Scissors and Wahl will be working alongside project leader Simon Shaw to ensure the project members extend their knowledge and skills in all things men’s hair and barbering, as well as product knowledge and education in the latest techniques.  

Simon says: “We’re really excited to be working with our new Brand Partners, which will bring even more opportunities for the team members. Our calendar of events and education continue to raise the standards of barbering and men’s hairdressing, bringing together some of the best names in the industry to mentor the next generation.  

“Wahl is excited to be the Electrical Partner for Project Men, it’s a great opportunity to show the next generation what we can offer, and allows us to do more project days and offer amazing education to inspire the future generation of men’s hairdressers and barbers.” 

Captain Fawcett Founder Richie Finney, comments: “Captain Fawcett is simply delighted to have been invited to supply the wet products for the Project Men programme. This opportunity is hugely exciting for ambassadors and brand partners alike. Suffice to say that the Captain is chuffed to bits to be involved and further looks forward to welcoming the Project Men Crew to Fawcett HQ.” 

Matakki Scissors Director James Curd says: “We are delighted to collaborate with Project Men and the Fellowship for British Hairdressing. In the short space we’ve been working with this Project we have been blown away by the talent we have witnessed and the level of the work that is being produced by the team under Simon’s guidance. The opportunities for the delegates on this course are unreal, and we are excited to be recognised as a part of that in providing our scissors.” 

Director Emma Curd added: “We were incredibly excited to be asked to work alongside Simon Shaw and some other fantastic leading brands in the industry. Coming from a regulated professional background, I personally believe that excellent training, standards and continued professional development, is essential to any industry. We have always worked to provide opportunities for our ambassadors and working partners to meet those standards and share their knowledge.” 

The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Image Awards are back for 2022! The most anticipated awards in the hairdressing calendar sees hairdressers and barbers across the UK recognised for their innovation, inspiration and beautiful imagery.

Some of the most iconic hairdressers have won the award, including Nicky Clarke, Anthony Mascolo and Errol Douglas MBE. Now, the categories are open for entry, inviting hairdressers from across the UK – and internationally – to enter the awards with the stunning images they create. 

For 2022, images must be from 30 May 2021-30 September 2022 and rather than uploaded onto Instagram as in previous years, there is a special private entry portal. Closing date is 30 September, judging is totally anonymous, and the winner will be announced at the Fellowship Luncheon & Awards on 5 December.

Also launching for 2022 are the Art & Commerce Awards, previously known as the Business Awards, with two new categories.

Fellowship Image 

The ultimate award – an image that showcases the professionalism, passion and skills from British hairdressing. 

2021 winner – Casey Coleman, Chair Salon

Afro Image 

An image that captures all textured hair, curls and coils, taken in a professional environment.

2021 winner – Emma Simmons, Salon 54

Colour Image 

A stunning professional image puts hair colour at the heart of the image. 

2021 winner – Jonathan Turner, Hooker & Young 

Men’s Image 

An outstanding image from a professional collection, or an individual shot taken in a professional environment. 

2021 winner – Charlie Cullen, Joe and Co 

Snapshot Image 

Whether it’s a client, a friend or non-professional model, this hair photo showcases your work outside of the photographic studio. 

2021 winner – Efi Davies, TONI&GUY

International Image 

If you are based outside the UK, this is the category for you! 

2021 winner – Jacky Chan, Oscar Oscar Salons

Art & Commerce Awards 

Individual Salon Award

Recognising the very best individual salons in the UK.

2021 winner – Karoliina Saunders

Salon Group Award

Open to independent salons, or those that are part of a group or a franchise with two or more salons.

2021 winner – Blushes Collective

NEW! Session Hair Stylist of the Year 

Aimed at those who work in the fashion world, from behind the scenes at fashion weeks to working won international brand campaigns and high-profile celebrity photoshoots. 

NEW! Educator of the Year

Aimed at individuals or teams providing hairdressing education, including colleges, private academies, in-salon educators and freelancers.

NEW! Hall of F.A.M.E. Award

Open to all former members of the F.A.M.E. Team, share your unique stories of success after being part of the mentoring programme 

Closing date is 30 September, visit the website for all the details https://fellowshiphair.com/awards-1/2022-fellowship-luncheon-hair-awards