Coming to the barbershop for that fresh fade is something that your clients look forward to regularly, whether weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. It's a much anticipated personal grooming regimen for men and many women. It’s a time when your clients can get away from the daily grind, decompress from the week, and indulge in some self-care. Barbershops can and should be a safe haven: a community where one can relax and have honest, authentic and inspiring conversations with barbers and other customers. The visit to the barbershop has emerged as a place where community is created and maintained. Regardless of the cadence of clients' visits, even if it's just a one-off, you want to be sure you're making the experience a memorable one for them. 

Looking to elevate your client’s experience from the moment they walk through the door to when they leave? Here’s how to create a relaxing respite that they’ll want to return to over and over again:

Sometimes Clients Have to Wait, Make the Experience Worth It

If a client arrives early and on the rare chance you're running behind schedule or haven't begun managing your schedule with theCut, a comfortable waiting area can make all the difference. Shop owners, consider upgrading your chairs to provide a more pleasant seating experience. Surprise and delight your clients with a refreshing beverage and snacks. And don't forget to cater to their interests with a selection of current magazines.

Use aromatherapy to Promote Relaxation

Aromatherapy also helps regulate the nervous system and improve mood by using essential oils. You can incorporate this by placing a diffuser in your shop and the restroom. Diffusers are very simple to use. All you have to do is add water, sprinkle in 3-4 drops of a high quality essential oil, turn it on, and enjoy. The diffuser then expels a fine blended mist of water and essential oil into the air that ultimately soothes and calms your mind. Popular essential oil fragrances that are beneficial for relaxation include lavender, lemongrass, and sandalwood. 

An additional way to integrate aromatherapy into your client’s experience is to offer cold essential oil-infused towels upon their arrival. They can use it to cleanse their hands or place it on the back of their neck or on their forehead while they wait for their turn to get in the chair. To prepare the towels, fill a bowl with water, sprinkle in 3-4 drops of an essential oil, place the towels in the bowl for 1-2 minutes, remove each towel, wring it out and fold it, then place them all on a tray in the refrigerator. 

While aromatherapy offers diverse benefits, you’ll want to be mindful of clients with fragrance sensitivities and make any necessary adjustments accordingly.

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Related Content: 7 Services That Can Take Your Visit to the Barbershop to the Next Level

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Set the Mood with Music

Music soothes the savage beast. It has the power to transport us to a variety of moments in time. It can bring up past or present memories and emotions. It connects us. It can provide support during difficult times. Depending on the lyrics and tempo, it can either dial up our fight or flight response or take the body into a calm state. When clients walk through your shop doors, provide a curated playlist that allows them to dip into a relaxed state of mind. Consider genres like jazz, neo-soul, or lo-fi. Be sure to read the overall energy of your clients each day and switch up the vibes as needed.

These thoughtful additions to your barbershop won’t go unnoticed. They have the potential to significantly enhance your customer experience, taking your service offerings to the next level. Satisfied and happy clients lead to client retention, improved reviews (remember to ask for them), and increase referrals. Which of these enhancements are you most excited to start doing at your shop?

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