As a beauty salon owner, you know customer service is of the utmost importance. The entire beauty industry revolves around service, and you probably spend most of your time going out of your way to keep your customers satisfied. But what do you do when a problem customer is causing disruption in your salon? When is it appropriate to address their bad behavior? Here are three types of salon clients you shouldn't be afraid address when they cause disruption:

1. The client who's never on time.

Every salon owner knows this type of client, the one who never seems to be able show up on time. If you have a client who's been late to an appointment more than three times in a row, you shouldn't be afraid to address the issue with them. When clients show up late, it can throw off your entire schedule, which can make you seem unprofessional to other clients who did show up on time. Let your consistently late client know that it's unfair to the rest of your clients to bump them back to accommodate someone who can't keep their own schedule straight. If you don't feel comfortable addressing the issue with your client, try telling them their appointment is at an earlier time than it actually is.

2. The client who's way too loud.

Chances are you've had a client in your salon chair at some point who just doesn't seem to have an indoor voice. This can annoy other clients and cause you to look unprofessional. If chatting with your client is starting to sound more like a screaming match, it's all right to tactfully let your client know they're being too loud. In many cases, loud talkers aren't even aware of the issue, so don't be afraid to gently let your client know they're being disruptive.

3. The client who takes up all your time.

While most clients have an idea of how long their appointment should be, you'll inevitably end up with the one client who always manages to squeeze extra time out of you. They may ask you to try several different styles before making their decision, or spend so much time chatting during the consultation that it takes you 15 minutes just to get them to the shampoo bowl. Whatever the case may be, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable taking control and explaining that you need to keep things moving in order to keep your schedule on course.

Although the beauty industry is built around exemplary customer service, that doesn't mean you should feel uncomfortable addressing problem clients. If you find yourself dealing with any of the disruptive clients mentioned above, find a way to respectfully and tactfully address the bad behavior before it causes any further disruption.

Whether you want to renovate your current space or build out a new one, finding the perfect contractor for your beauty salon can be a challenging process. Simple changes like getting new styling stations or salon chairs are easy enough, but if you're in the market for a more in-depth remodel, you'll need to find a reliable contractor. Chances are you're spending a significant amount of money to transform your salon, and with that kind of investment you want to make sure you find a reliable contractor you can count on to do quality work. If you're in the market for a contractor for your beauty salon, review the tips below to help ensure you make the right choice:

1. Ask about their past experience.

Building out beauty salons comes with its own unique set of challenges, so it's a good idea to look for a contractor who has some experience working with salons. Ask about what kind of projects the contractor has worked on in the past, find out if they primarily work on large-scale projects or just small renovations, and see if they have a portfolio they can share with you.

2. Find out about insurance and licensing.

Before you hire any contractor, ask about their licensure and insurance. If the contractor cannot supply proof of both, do not move forward with them. Banks usually require the contractor to be licensed in order for you to secure a loan, and insurance will protect you if anything unexpected happens on the job.

3. Visit other salons they've worked on.

If a contractor stands behind their work, he or she shouldn't be afraid to show you their past jobs. If you can, visit some of the other salons and businesses the contractor has worked on to get a firsthand look at the quality of their work. Ask the business owners if the contractor hit their deadlines and stayed within budget.

4. Find out how long they've been in business.

A contractor who has been in business for at least five years most likely does quality work that satisfies clients. If the contractor you're considering hasn't been in business long, this shouldn't necessarily rule them out, but in general contractors who have been in business longer deliver results you can count on.

5. Make sure you understand their payment terms.

Before you sign any contracts, make sure you are crystal clear on the contractor's payment terms. You should know exactly when payments are due and what you're actually getting for your money. Also make sure the payment terms cover scenarios like what will happen if the contractor does not meet a deadline or goes over budget. Don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to in order to understand the payment terms. If the contractor seems hesitant to answer or doesn't explain things in a way that quite makes sense, this should raise some major red flags.

Renovating your beauty salon or moving into a new space can be an exciting time for any salon owner - once the task of finding the perfect contractor has been completed, that is. To ensure you find the perfect contractor for your salon, be sure to follow the tips above.

The right computer software can be one of your beauty salon's most valuable assets. Beauty salon software can help you run the day-to-day operations of your salon, manage your salon more effectively and collect data that can provide insight into new marketing opportunities. Choosing the right software for your salon can be challenging, especially if you're not very IT-savvy. Here are some tips that can help even the most technologically challenged salon owner find the perfect salon software.

1. Don't make your decision based on cost alone.

Quality salon computer software is as essential to your business as salon chairs and styling stations, so this isn't an area in which you should cut costs. The upfront cost of the software and any recurring costs for ongoing services or subscriptions may seem high, but think about how much money good software can save you in the long run. Consider how much time and money you can save with quality computer software when making your decision.

2. Perform your due diligence.

Before you commit to a software option, take a little time to do some background research on the company. How long have they been in business? What kind of reviews or testimonials do they have? What kind of customer support do they offer, and how long are response times if you have questions or problems? These are all questions you should ask before deciding on a software option.

3. Decide if you want cloud or local.

With cloud computing, your software and data are stored online rather than on your physical computer. In other words, your client database and records are housed on an Internet server, not your local machine. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access your software and data. This is beneficial because if anything were to happen to your computer you could still access your software and database online. When deciding what kind of salon software is best for you, weigh the pros and cons of cloud vs. local before you make your choice.

4. Read the small print.

In many cases, when you purchase salon software you pay an upfront fee and then sign a contract for ongoing support. Before you sign any contracts, though, be sure to read them thoroughly and check for the small print. Pay attention to things like the length of the contract, your options for canceling the service, and your costs and obligations regarding software licensing.

Choosing the right salon software may seem like a daunting task, but it pays off in the end. Quality software can make your salon more efficient and help you save both time and money. Before you choose software for your salon, be sure to review these tips for making the right choice.

Opening a beauty salon can be demanding enough, but staying open and growing your business present their own set of challenges for salon owners. New or inexperienced salon owners (and sometimes even seasoned veterans) often end up making a few common mistakes that can be detrimental to their business. Here are some of the most common mistakes beauty owners make that you should avoid.

1. Ineffective marketing campaigns.

Many salon owners make the mistake of running ineffective marketing campaigns. The Internet and smart devices have forever changed the way businesses market to consumers, and salon owners need to incorporate integrated marketing strategies in order to reach their target market. In addition to running effective marketing campaigns, it's also crucial to measure your results. This helps you identify what's working and what isn't, as well as where to spend more money and where to cut costs. Effective marketing can help you get bodies in your salon chairs and turn first-time visitors into repeat customers.

2. Poor cash flow and money management.

One of the biggest problems beauty salon owners face is effective cash flow and money management. Seeing money coming in from clients each day is great, but in order to stay in business and grow your salon you need to understand where your money goes. Remember, there's a difference between revenue and profit, and a solid financial plan is a must for any successful business. If you aren't really the accounting type, be sure to hire a bookkeeper who can help you manage your money.

3. Too many "special offers."

It can be extremely tempting to run special offers in your salon when times are tight or business is slow, but tread carefully. For one thing, running too many specials without taking into account how it will affect profit can seriously hurt your business. You may be getting more clients at your styling stations but still end up losing money or barely breaking even. Another potential problem is becoming known as the "discount salon." If you run huge specials all the time, it can decrease the perceived value of your services in the eyes of your clients and hurt your brand image.

4. Insufficient employee training.

Your stylists are some of your most valuable assets at your beauty salon, so it's important to invest in their education. Training employees both on beauty techniques and effective communication with clients will ensure that each person who ends up in your salon chair has an exceptional customer experience.

Owning a beauty salon can be rewarding, exciting and profitable, but it can also challenging. As a beauty salon owner, you can help avoid sleepless nights and undue stress by learning from the mistakes of others and avoiding these four problem-causing situations.