CUTTING EDGE, THE

Central Penn Business Journal, Oct 26, 2007 by Bair, Jessica

REGION

Employee training helps differentiate independently owned salons

Bushwhackers Salon and Day Spa's secret to success lies within its employee-training program.

The program began about a year and a half ago at the East Hempfield Township-based business. New employees are matched up with a seasoned stylist for the duration of the program, which can run up to 40 weeks.

"When they get out of that program, they're ready to go out on the floor. They have no fear," said Sharon Mountz, managing director of the Lancaster County hair salon. "It's not going to be a job; it's going to be a career. They're not going to fall by the wayside in five or 10 years."

Employee training is one way for independently owned hair salons to compete with chain salons. Most clients choose their hair salon based on where their favorite stylist is, said Bonnie Bonadeo, director of education and program development for the Arizonabased Professional Beauty Association.

The association represents members of the professional beauty industry, from manufacturers to salons, and provides them with education, advocacy and networking.

"Knowing the quality of (a stylist's) work, whether (it) is (at) a chain salon or independent, is why the client may choose one over the other," Bonadeo said.

Mountz said she is not concerned with the competition offered by chain salons. Bushwhackers concentrates on building loyalty with its clients, which is supported by training the staff in career and life skills.

"We do what we do to the best of our ability" Mountz said. "I don't feel like we can compare ourselves to anybody else. We need to focus on what we're doing."

Bushwhackers is a full-service salon and spa that offers haircuts, chemical services, manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, body waxing and more.

The business began in 1981 as a salon in the Millersville area. It moved to 2,500 square feet of space in East Hempfield in 1991. Spa services were added in 1997.

The salon has grown to employ about 18 workers and treat between 300 and 400 clients a week. About 75 percent of the business is from the salon, while the rest comes from the spa services, Mountz said.

Kimberly Acworth also understands the importance of training her employees. Acworth is the president of Kimberly's Image Salon and Indulge, two salons in York County. The employee training helps to retain customers, Acworth said.

"We are always a work in progress," Acworth said. "When you are ripe, you're rotten, and when you're green, you're growing. I'm all for staying green."

Acworth has more than 17 employees between the two locations. These employees serve roughly a few thousand clients each week, Acworth said. Some of those customers come from more than seven hours away, she said. Her target market includes affluent clients that expect attention to detail.

"The client that we service expects us to stay updated on high-fashion trends whether they are interested in them or not," Acworth said. "I stay updated with many industries that closely relate to my business and how we can continually update and create an experience in the chair."

BY JESSICA BAIR

jessicab@journalpub.com