Becoming a successful salon manager: Skills, responsibilities and tips

Becoming a salon manager is an exciting step in your career, but you’ll not only need a passion for beauty but also the skills and knowledge to ensure everything runs smoothly.

From the key skills to develop and what a salon manager does daily, to tips on how to succeed in the role, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about becoming a salon manager.

 

 

What skills do you need to be a salon manager?

Thinking of stepping into the role of a salon manager? You’ll need to have a few key skills in your toolkit to succeed:

Leadership

You’ve got to be able to lead and inspire your team. As a salon manager, you’re the one who ensures everyone’s on the same page, shares the same vision, and feels supported. Plus, you’ll need to resolve conflicts and give morale a boost when needed.

Financial knowledge

Budgets, expenses, payroll – that’s all in a salon manager’s job description. Knowing your way around the financial side of things is key to keeping the salon running smoothly.

Time management

You’ll be juggling appointments, staff schedules and stock deliveries. The way you handle it could mean the difference between a client returning or not, so time management is key to staying on top of things.

Communication

You’ll be chatting to staff and clients all day long, so clear communication is essential. Plus, being a great listener will help you understand both your staff’s and your client's needs.

Sales and marketing

Your salon’s success isn’t just about great haircuts and beauty treatments, it’s also about getting people through the door. Your knowledge of social media, email marketing, and loyalty programs, plus attending local events will help attract and retain clients.

Problem-solving

Things don’t always go to plan in a salon. Whether you’re short-staffed or dealing with an unhappy client, you’ll need to think on your feet and find solutions for any unexpected challenges you encounter.

 

What are the key responsibilities of a salon manager?

Now let’s look at a salon manager’s key job responsibilities:

Staff management

• Hiring, training, and mentoring both new and current staff
• Creating schedules to make sure everything runs like clockwork
• Conducting regular staff evaluations and giving feedback to keep the team motivated

General operations

• Opening and closing the salon
• Keeping an eye on stock levels and coordinating with suppliers for restocking
• Making sure all products are available and everything is in tip-top shape for clients

Financial management

• Managing daily sales and keeping track of revenue
• Preparing reports on how the salon is doing (think profits, expenses, and budgets)
• Handling payroll and taxes

Marketing

• Developing and implementing marketing strategies
• Running promotions, special offers, and loyalty programs to keep clients coming back
• Keeping an eye on customer feedback and reviews—so you know what’s working and what’s not

Client satisfaction

• Creating a welcoming, professional atmosphere that makes clients feel pampered
• Ensuring everyone leaves happy and dealing with any complaints quickly and professionally

Health and safety compliance

• Making sure the salon meets all health and safety regulations
• Conducting regular risk assessments
• Keeping up with new regulations and making adjustments where needed

 

 

A day in the life of a salon manager

Curious about the typical day of a salon manager? Let’s take a look:

Morning:

• Open the salon and set everything up for the day ahead
• Check staff schedules and make sure appointments are in order
• Ensure all products and tools are stocked and ready to go

Throughout the Day:

• Manage the flow of clients and keep appointments running smoothly
• Handle any feedback, complaints, or special requests from clients
• Keep an eye on staff performance and offer guidance when needed
• Process payments, review sales reports, and check inventory levels
• Work with vendors if any supplies need restocking or equipment needs repairing

Afternoon/Evening:

• Run staff meetings or catch up with individual team members
• Update social media, plan promotions, or brainstorm marketing ideas
• Finish up the day with closing duties: balancing the cash register, securing the salon, and preparing reports for the day

 

How do you become a salon manager?

If your goal is to become a salon manager, there are a few steps you can take to prepare yourself for the role.

Understand the role

Make sure you know exactly what a salon manager does, although you should have a good idea of this by now. If not, go back and familiarise yourself with the key skills and responsibilities we’ve outlined above.

Get the relevant education and training

To become a salon manager, having a strong understanding of both the beauty industry and business is essential. You might want to consider courses in cosmetology and business management, as these will give you the foundation to manage a salon successfully.

Gain real-life experience

Reach out to local salons and see if you can get some work experience. Shadowing salon managers will give you first-hand experience of the day-to-day operations, setting you up for success when you step into a salon manager role yourself.

Develop your professional skills

Attending industry events and building connections with other salon professionals will expand your network, while also keeping you in the loop about any industry changes. Focus on continually developing your skills (leadership, communication, marketing, time management and finance acumen) to stay ahead of the curve.

 

How can you be successful as a salon manager?

Once you’ve landed your dream role as a salon manager, you’ll want to make sure you’re successful. Here are our top tips for managing a salon:

Create a positive work environment

Your team’s happiness is one of the key components to your salon’s success. Create a positive environment where staff feel supported and motivated. You can do this by keeping morale high, resolving conflicts quickly and hiring staff members that fit well within the existing team.

Build strong client relationships

Happy clients equal loyal clients – and a strong salon reputation is everything in the beauty industry. Focus on delivering exceptional customer service and consider introducing a loyalty program to reward your regular clients.

Keep learning

The industry moves fast! New beauty trends are popping up all the time, so it’s important to stay alert. Social media and industry events will help you stay ahead of the curve. How can you implement these at your salon to stay relevant?

Set clear expectations for your team

You’ll need to establish clear procedures so everyone is on the same page. From staff schedules to salon-wide goals, make sure your team knows what’s expected of them. When your team is working toward a shared vision, your salon’s success grows.

Stay professional

Things won’t always go perfectly—whether it’s a last-minute staff shortage, an unhappy client, or an issue with your suppliers. No matter what comes your way, staying calm and professional is key. Your attitude will set the tone for how the situation is handled, so keep things cool, calm and collected.

 

 

Specialist beauty salon insurance through Ripe

As a salon manager, you’ll put a lot of your time and effort into ensuring that your salon is successful, but it’s not without its risks. You may want to consider specialist insurance to demonstrate your dedication to your client’s safety and for added peace of mind.

Insurance arranged by Ripe includes up to £10m of Public and Products Liability cover, and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard, so you’re protected against third-party claims for injury or property damage.

You can also choose additional cover options, such as Employers’ Liability and Buildings cover, so you’re only ever paying for the cover you need.

Learn more about how we can help here, or get an instant online quote.