The hairdressing/hair-care industry is constantly evolving.
This is evident in the wide variety of hairstyles being created, not to mention some new products and services. Gone are the days when one went to the salon just to get a hairdo or a simple manicure or pedicure.
BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY spoke to two entrepreneurs in the industry. They said despite the ongoing recession, both men and women still needed to look their best and so business for them was still booming.
Furthermore, the young businesspeople said adding an extra service or product was one way of keeping the industry interesting, while remaining competitive.
Sandy Springer has been operating her Tis’ Beauty Parlour since 2002. She said the industry was being flooded with younger girls.
“A lot of people are doing hair and nails because it is something easy for them to do. But only the best will survive,” she said.
The trick to keeping up, said Springer, was constantly upgrading her skills, reading a lot on the subject and looking at innovative ways to do business, since styles and customers’ demands were changing “every day”.
“Before, it was just strictly working with a lot of chemicals but as time goes on and technology changes, we get into other areas, such as customized wigs. It actually changes with the times.
“I also go to funeral homes sometimes; I go and shave the eyebrows on the dead and make wigs for them. Yes, it is different. I only started doing that last month and already had three,” she said with a smile.
Springer maintains that traditional hairdos were not as popular as before because more people were searching for “longer-lasting” hairstyles. She believes it is partly due to the recession.
“There is a shift in business because the place is hotter and the chemicals don’t last as long as before.
“We used to have a lot of people every week come to get their hairstyle changed but now, they don’t have the money.”
She said her main focus was now on wigs. “Wigs have taken over big-time,” said Springer.
She noted that operating from her Content, St Lucy home was more profitable than renting a shop, which could cost as much as $1 500 a month.
Springer said she got clients “from all over” Barbados and as far away as St Kitts, Canada, England and the United States. She said it took her about five years to reach the stage where she is comfortable.
“I got offers to go to town but I refused them. Town will have to come to St Lucy.”
Karen Reid is the owner of KC Beauty and Barber Salon. She has been in the business over ten years and has now decided to add weight-loss consultancy to her operations.
“We are going to take Barbados to the next level – come and be comfortable and get a whole new experience,” she said.
Allison Lorde, the manager, will be offering the service.
“In the beauty industry we noticed there was a gap here in Barbados: having everything under one roof. So here we are, looking at improving body and beauty image in one place. It is a holistic approach to beauty,” Lorde explained.
The duo, who will be operating from West Terrace, St James, said the business now employs four people.
During the grand opening recently, Reid said she did not believe the industry was at the point of saturation. “In the beauty industry, there is no such thing as having too many because the competition helps you to stay on top of your game.”