We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: if you have a cosmetology license, you’re a business owner.
You’re the CEO of your business, even if it’s just you in your studio suite or you’re a commission stylist working the opening shift.
But Chief Executive Officer is one of the roles we kind of shy away from. It’s too scary, too hard on other people, and (double yuck) too corporate.
But it’s also the role that will push you, your big, crazy goals, and your business behind the chair forward.
So today, we’re breaking down the 5 steps to fully step into the role of CEO and take your business by the horns.
Step #1: Decide your vision
You’ve probably seen companies post their vision statements on their websites or heard Britt talk about vision statements, but maybe you weren’t sure why they were so important or why they’re different from mission statements.
Vision and mission statements tend to go hand-in-hand. Vision is where you want to go; mission is how you’ll get there.
That’s why it’s so important to first decide your vision as a CEO; you need to know where you want your business to go, to do, what impact and legacy you want to leave behind.
Here’s how to get started writing your own vision statement:
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Decide what’s most important to you, that one amazing thing you want your business to accomplish.
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Write it down. (It’s okay if it looks sloppy right now.)
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Walk away for a few hours and do something else, then come back and reread what you wrote. Does it sound right? Does it give you tingles down your spine when you read it? Does it inspire you to go out and make magic happen every day?
If you said yes, you’ve got it right!
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Put your vision statement where you can see it every day. A Post-It in your planner or maybe even create a phone wallpaper in Canva with your special words. Whatever you do, put it in a place where your eyes land on it every single day.
Step #2: Pick your mission
Would you ever set off on a road trip without a clue where you’re going? Probably not, right? Your career needs that same kind of direction.
Your mission statement is what guides you in every other part of being the CEO of your business because it tells you how you’ll accomplish your vision. For example, FSBD’s mission statement is “To instill confidence in stylists and salon owners through real, modern, proven, actionable resources so that they are able to create the wealthy life they are dreaming is possible.”
How to write your own mission statement
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Reread your vision statement. Does it still resonate with you?
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Decide how you’re going to accomplish this big, crazy goal. Don’t worry if this feels like you’re standing at the base of Mount Everest wondering how you’re going to get to the top. Your mission statement will give you the path.
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Adjust and refine your statement until it feels right. It should be slightly challenging, but still inspire you to push forward towards your vision statement.
This doesn’t mean that your mission statement might not change or evolve as you move through your journey! If you come across a roadblock, don’t be afraid to take a detour.
Step #3: Define your target market
Now that you’ve done all this phenomenal work, you need to make sure you have your target market defined. Why? Because your vision and mission statements don’t matter if you don’t know who you’re talking to.
Close your eyes for a moment and think about your dream client. Not the nice client, not the client you don’t mind. Your dream client. The one you wish was in your chair from the moment you walked into the salon until the doors closed behind you on the way home. That’s your target market, the person you’re talking to to ensure your business stays successful and profitable.
If you want to dig deeper into target market (and even get some help from our amazing coaching team!), consider joining Thrivers Society!
Step #4: Know your brand
Newsflash: a brand is so much more than just your logo. It’s more than having a new front desk receptionist and the good snacks.
A brand is who you are. It’s how your clients feel when they’re in your chair, how they know they’re in the right space with a kindred soul. It should say volumes about who you are and what your business and speciality is.
If you don’t have a defined brand yet, consider your speciality and target market. Dig deep into them. Discover what suits you and your business, and will appeal to your target market as well.
Step #5: Be ready to make the hard decisions
We’ve covered some big things already, but being the CEO is more than setting vision and mission statements and defining the brand; it’s also making the big decisions to make sure you’re still on the right path.
And sometimes, those decisions aren’t easy.
Prepare yourself now to make those tough decisions easier, like making a decision flow chart (Does it align with your vision statement? No? It might be a pass), create your support network, and keep your vision and mission statements front of mind. Outline specifically where you want to go in life and say no to anything that doesn’t get you there.
Being the CEO might not always be easy, but if you steer your hair business right, you’ll achieve your dreams, get more income, more stability, and control over your career.