3 Ways Lash Bars Can Keep Clients Safe as They Reopen
If you run a lash bar, then you know that face-to-face interaction and a hands-on approach to delivering your services is crucial to your business. However, during a time when your business was forced to close temporarily due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you may be wondering how you can safely reopen while keeping your clients and staff safe and healthy.
Even though keeping your business clean and safe has always been a priority, now is the time to not only stay informed on the regulations put in place in your area but to also take advantage of the low-touch features your lash bar software provides.
If you’ve been given the green light to reopen in your area, here are a few ways to keep your clients and staff feeling safe and comfortable.
1. Provide protective equipment for staff and clients
You want your lash bar to be a safe space for your clients and your staff. However, for your lash technicians to properly do their job, it’s pretty much impossible to enforce the policy that requires your staff to maintain six feet away from your clients. By making sure you have ample protective gear on-hand, like masks and gloves, you can help ease any fears your clients or staff may have about coming back to your business. While a majority of consumers (79%) plan on returning to their regular beauty businesses, 36% say they’d go to the business that creates the safest environment.
Pro tip: Get creative with safety. Booker by Mindbody customer, The Magnolia Parlor, created customized masks for staff to wear while they are working and interacting with clients. They even have disposable masks on-hand for clients who either forget their masks or don’t want their masks to get ruined during their appointment.
2. Educate your staff on new policies
One of the most important things you can do right now is to ensure your team understands the new processes put in place to keep them and your clients safe. Be sure to update your lash bar’s staff handbook to include any requirements when interacting with clients and your new cleaning policies. Now is also a good time to re-think your cancellation policy—while you should still have one in place, you should create leniencies for clients who may be feeling ill on the day of their appointment. The last thing you want is a sick client coming to your lash bar just to avoid a fee.
Let your staff know the reasoning behind changes and provide any necessary training. Right now, your staff is wearing more hats than usual. Rather than just providing services, they are now taking on the role of enforcing very strict policies that some clients aren’t used to just yet. Help avoid any conflict by providing your team with positive language they can use if clients fail to comply with social distancing guidelines or your new policies.
3. Embrace the low-touch journey
With the right software, you can minimize contact, protecting the health and safety of both your clients and our staff. With Booker and Messenger[ai] by Mindbody, you can treat your clients to a safe and seamless experience from the moment they book at your lash bar to after their visit. You can nix the waiting room, implement contactless check-ins, and send waivers and forms to clients to fill out before they arrive to eliminate the need for a shared tablet and clipboards.
When a client's appointment is coming up, your Booker software automatically sends a text message directing them to text ‘H’ when they arrive at your business. Clients then receive an automatic message letting them know to remain outside until your team is ready for the appointment. Staff members are notified through the software the moment clients check in. Once the appointment is over, your staff can use their personal devices to ring clients up for their services, allowing them to skip the front desk and enjoy a contactless checkout.
These are just a few tips lash bars can implement right now to keep clients and staff safe as they start to reopen. If you’re looking for more tips to help set your lash bar up for success amidst the coronavirus pandemic, be sure to check out our infographic on reducing contact at your business and our COVID-19 Survival Guide.
