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While salons remain unable to open, NHBF’s Tina Beaumont-Goddard and Lucy Watson-Smith offer help and advice to get you through

With lockdowns continuing to cause huge problems for everyone working in the beauty industry, it can be difficult to plan a head and look forward in a positive frame of mind.

Looking for mental health support?

“We are in frequent contact with members who are struggling to cope with the pandemic and repeated lockdowns, which have taken their toll on those working in the beauty industry, both financially and psychologically,” says Tina Beaumont-Goddard, director of the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF).

“That’s why we have welcomed the opportunity to support Public Health England’s Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign. As a start, you can take a quick quiz that provides tailored suggestions called a Mind Plan, showing you simple steps to help deal with stress and boost your mood.” Discover more advice, resources and tools to support mental wellbeing and enable you to take action at everymindmatters.co.uk

Learn how to support a bereaved colleague: nhbf.co.uk/bereavement, and how to promote mental health: nhbf.co.uk/back-to-business-mental-health.

In need of inspiration?

NHBF members benefit from a free 15-minute business coaching phone call every year provided by highly experienced coaches. Six of them recently shared their inspirational thoughts on how to deal with the financial and psychological challenges currently facing many in the industry. See more at nhbf.co.uk/coach-inspiration.

Not furloughed? Get busy

“Remember that if you are furloughed, you must not do anything that provides revenue or services for your business,” says NHBF marketing director Lucy Watson-Smith. “However, if you are not furloughed, you can, for example, boost your income by promoting gift vouchers and really pushing your product range if you sell online. As well as your usual products, you can also create special lockdown ‘self-care’ collections for clients to use while you are closed.”

If you don’t sell products online at the moment, think about opening an online shop. You can find out more at nhbf.co.uk/retail-savvy.

Social media and marketing

“Use your social media accounts to stay in contact with clients by carrying out surveys, sharing top tips and offering health and safety advice for carrying out beauty treatments at home,” says Watson-Smith.

“You should also use the time you have while closed to create a workable marketing plan, including a strategy for reopening. Review your plan regularly and be adaptable to meet your clients’ needs, which may have changed during the pandemic.” Find out more at nhbf.co.uk/back-to-business-marketing.

Sort your finances

Now is the ideal time to make sure your business is in the best possible financial position. See if you should swap business accounts at nhbf.co.uk/business-banking, check your prices are right at nhbf.co.uk/prices and, most importantly, create a solid cash flow forecast at nhbf.co.uk/cash-flow. Stay up to date with the financial support available at nhbf.co.uk/financial-support.

The NHBF

For less than 80p a day, the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) will work with you to support your beauty business through and beyond the pandemic. Find out more at nhbf.co.uk.

Join the NHBF before the end of March 2021 and quote PBM25 to get £25 off your membership fee. 01234 831965