Business going down the pan - any ideas what to do please?

inkie

What about her expanding, and using this time to train to offer alternative things such as nails/spray tan/beauty treatments.

Alarm bells started ringing when you mentioned the spiritual group that she belongs to. Perhaps she needs to free herself of this - maybe her business will not take an upward turn until she does.

I personally find that leaflets do not have a good return - we live in a mulitmedia age and competition is fierce. She needs to get out and about and talk about her unique selling point - rather than the leaflets in a random drop, why not target a particular client group? Or have her details plastered on her car?

scoobydo_2

Hi I have a teenage daughter and like her mates she's into her hair and make up . How about your friend branching into kids/teen pamper parties doing hair do's as demos of how they can put hair up and do nails and make up .set a price per party and supply gift bags with mini hair products in .

Alan50

I have been in business for many years, read most of the posts and you do have some very good advice. Motivation and understanding you clients needs are the base of any sucessful business...she...not you must do some work on this.
I would think her target initially would be older ladies, why not try residential care homes, sheltered housing, Housing associations for the elderly. Most of the ladies and some gentlemen will have a warden/on-site manager to assist with day to day issues, this person would be trusted by the ladies, once you have convinced this person of your product/service you will get the enquires.
Its a telephone job for you,
1. Phone book/Yellow pages...obtain wardens name/introdution
2. Follow up introductory letter with leaflets for her notice board
3. Include some sort of USP.
4. Ensure the contact phone works/switched on

Good Luck

Alan.

acheekymunky

Hi,

Maybe your friend would benefit from doing a Business Plan? She could get help from the business link website, they are very good. If she does her plan it will give her something to aim for therefore hopefully dissolving the depressions she is in. Now while it is quiet for her she can spend time doing this business plan, researching etc and is a work in progress something she will always be referring to and updating. It is possible your friend could get a business grant to extend her skills as someone mentioned in a previous post for a USP i.e learning to do manicures which can be done whilst the clients hair dye is setting?

Business link put me in touch with an organisation called Train 2000. They are for women only who are starting out in business and not only are all their courses free to attend...they pay you £7.50 a day for meals and transport!! I done their 3 day fast track business course and it was excellent. They hold courses on all kinds such as marketing, tax and ni, internet, the list goes on!

Although I dont have time to do any of their free courses now (business is on the up) I do still have the back up of a business advisor whom I make appointments to see or e-mail if i need advice!

hopefully there is a similar organisation to this in your friends area!

good luck to you both!

sheryldoc

Firstly.. your a great friend!.. you seem to care more about her than she does herself Well Done..

Secondly.. Jst exactly what most peeps above have said.. look at it like shes starting from scratch.. ads in all local newsagents.. possibly local paper depending on how much it costs.. supermarket boards.. also maybe see where the local mother/toddlers or coffee mornings are held and see if some leaflets could be left there?

Word of month how about discount off next appointment if you introduce a friend?

Hope it gets sorted.. crimbo time is when EVERYONE gets a hairdo.. so this is perfect time to get some more clients..