by Mike Bandy

 

Last night, Tabatha took over Salon Vendome in Houston, TX, a salon with five owners, no receptionist, and having been in business for 7 years.

 

During the first meeting with Tabatha, all five owners bickered with each other, and the discussion was about how most people in the salon were behind on their rent, including two of the owners. In total, the salon is behind on its rent by $60,000. The hidden cameras showed that Janiece, one of the stylists, was gossiping about a client, and most of the other stylists were texting and ignoring clients that were coming in. Tabatha said that the owners have no respect for anything, and then took over.

 

The inspection of the salon showed that the owners decorated their own stations and didn't consider the overall look of the salon. A lot of the stylists don't clean their stations regularly, and there is lots of shabby furniture in the salon. It doesn't look very high end at all.

 

The next morning at the staff meeting, Tabatha tried to get to the bottom of what's happening in the salon. The staff seemed to realize that they needed better customer service, and recognized that the management was a free for all. Janiece was the only stylist not to be paying her rent on time. Tabatha wanted to get an idea of how well the stylists work, and she brought in a bunch of wigs. The clients that came in were all from The Rose, Houston's leading breast cancer organization, and the stylists were going to style the wigs for them.

 

The stylists got to work, and most of them did very well. Janiece told her client about how she messed up someone else's hair, which wasn't professional. Overall, Tabatha said that all of the stylists do great work, but the problem is customer service. She told the staff that she wanted the women to feel pampered and to feel good about themselves, and she wants the staff to make all the clients feel like that.

 

The next day, Tabatha brought in clients that she'd sent in undercover, and they said that making appointments was difficult, the salon doesn't look like they're professional, and the service isn't at the same level as their talent. All of them said that they wouldn't come back to the salon. After the clients left, Tabatha gave all of the owners a hardhat and told them that they're renovating their own salon. She gave them $2,500 to do it, and they had to brainstorm and come up with ideas.

 

They decided to repaint the salon and put in shelves for their retail products. Lacey said that she wasn't sure if what they'd decided would look good, and the others chastised her for not going along with the plan. Tabatha said that nobody could make a decision and stick to it, because nobody has any responsibilities, so she made a list for the owners of what their responsibilities are. The staff came back in for the renovation, and the owners led the way.

 

Tabatha asked them all how it felt to work together, and they said it felt good. Tabatha rewarded them by taking over the renovation, but in a couple of days they'd be back for reopening day, and all back rent would be owed on that day.

 

Two days later, everyone came back to find that the look for the salon was more high end; they had a new booking system and reception area, as well as a beverage bar. Every stylist got professional salon tools as well. Tabatha wanted everyone to be professional and to do the best work they can. Angel and Susan paid their rent, but Janiece only had a check for what she owed that week.

 

Tabatha brought in a receptionist, and the day began. Things were running smoothly; the regular clients were raving about the salon, and Jack said that he'd never seen the owners this enthused about anything. Janiece was sharing negative personal info with her clients again, and Tabatha took her aside and spoke to her about it.

 

The final recommendations that Tabatha made were for each of the owners to step up and take their responsibilities seriously. Janiece was fired, Tabatha was impressed that the owners stepped up.

 

Six weeks later, Tabatha came back to find the management doing a great job, and nobody was behind on their rent. The salon has been very busy and everyone felt better about the way the salon was being run. Janiece got another job in a commissioned salon and was doing very well. Tabatha was impressed by how well the salon was doing, and said they'd be successful if they stayed on this path.

 

 

Tabatha's Salon Takeover airs Mondays at 10/9c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

 

For more Tabatha's Salon Takeover links, visit SirLinksALot.net