Entrepreneurial tips from salon owner Dahlia Flores
Ever since she was a little girl, Dahlia Flores has always envisioned herself owning a beauty salon. In her 30s, while based in Japan, has made the dream happen with two branches located in Tokyo and Manila.
Named after the symbolic cherry blossoms of Japan also known as sakura, Sakura Lounge JP and Sakura Lounge PH continue to bloom with Dahlia’s hands-on approach in handling the business. Dedicated to keeping the branches well-maintained, she shuttles back and forth.
During the grand launch of her Quezon City branch at 20 Lansbergh Place, Dahlia indirectly gave us tips on how to run a beauty business by just speaking her heart out. She is undoubtedly fueling this project with hard work and pure passion.
Here are some things I learned from her:
Identify a niche. “Bakit ang mahal?”(Why is it so expensive?) This was Dahlia’s initial reaction to salon prices in Japan. Driven by the desire to give high-quality service to both Japanese and Filipino clients at affordable rates, she worked on developing her own business. Success often lies in identifying a unique niche or addressing a specific problem in the market. By honing in on an underserved need, your business can distinguish itself.
Provide a personal touch. With a love for cherry blossoms, Dahlia turned her salon into one that visually transports a client to Japan. I learned that it is important to develop a unique and personal touch that sets your salon apart. Whether it’s personalized consultations, custom-tailored services, or a warm and inviting atmosphere, adding a personal touch creates a memorable and positive impression on clients.
Innovate. The thriving business owner keeps herself updated and stays ahead by fostering a culture of innovation. Whether it’s improving existing products or services or introducing groundbreaking solutions, a commitment to continuous improvement ensures that the business remains relevant and competitive.
Learn. There is value in staying abreast of the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in the beauty and salon industry. Regularly attend workshops, seminars, and training sessions to ensure your skills and knowledge are up-to-date, enabling you to offer cutting-edge services to your clients. Dahlia invested time and effort to personally equip herself with the know-how to perform the services her salon offers.
Love your employees. A positive workplace culture with open communication, mutual respect, and a healthy work-life balance, contributes to higher employee satisfaction and productivity. Happy employees are more likely to be engaged and committed to the success of the business. For Dahlia, employees are like family.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and salons were not operational due to the mandatory lockdowns, she continued to pay for her employees’ salaries until things got back to normal. In return, Dahlia’s staff members stuck it out with her until the business recovered. She also provides yearly travel incentives to reward them for their hard work. Her staff recently spent a two-week vacation in Japan while the Manila branch underwent renovations.
Have passion for customer service. Infuse your salon with a genuine passion for customer satisfaction. Train your staff to prioritize exceptional customer service, creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for clients that goes beyond just the quality of the services offered.
Dahlia’s eyes lit up as she talked about promoting self-care for both men and women and the joy of seeing clients happy. Re-enacting how a satisfied client reacts to having beautiful eyelash extensions or nicely manicured nails, she showed proof that providing the gift of gratification to the target market can be the best return on investment.