Calming Influence: How do you and your salon stay balanced during the busy holiday season?

Marri Aviza and Lisa Norgrove

"The holiday season is always a busy time in our industry and long days can take their toll on all of us," say Marri Aviza and Lisa Norgrove, owners of Rumors Salon and Spa in Latham, New Jersey. "But we have found many creative ways to keep everyone in the holiday spirit while retaining that much- needed balance." We decided we would split the holidays between our team members and offer a split-shift program to accommodate all of our opening hours and the needs of our team. We encourage them to make up any lost hours during other shifts throughout the week at their convenience.

"Staying organized is one more key to keeping the stress level to a minimum. We do as much shopping as we can in November and decorate the salon before Thanksgiving.

"At Rumors we know giving is what the holidays are all about. Each year we choose a group we can support both for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have worked with such organizations as The Battered Women's Shelter, The Salvation Army, Parsons Family Group Home or we have adopted a local family in need. Seeing that you can make a small difference in the lives others reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season."

"Planning ahead, and getting things done as early as possible, helps balance out the holiday madness."

-Marri Aviza and Lisa Norgrove

Paula Donovan

"We focus on balance throughout the whole year and heighten this focus during the holiday season," says Paula Donovan, owner of Blue: A Complete Hair Salon, in Lexington, Maine. "Some ways we stay balanced as a team during the busy season include:

"First, we have a monthly staff meeting that emphasizes open communication that is positive and inspirational. We use our weekly one-on-one meetings to help each staff member manage his/her stress and guide each one through our cumulative experience to stay happy and enthusiastic during this time of year. We also reinforce what they do know: A good diet and exercise helps to manage stress and boost confidence. As part of the salon culture, we dress up and not down, and we emphasize this during the busy season because it also increases confidence and shows a polished style. Finally, as one of our core values, we make sure to help and support each other during the day.

"Our focus on balance ensures that our clientele enters our salon and feels a seamless environment where they are relaxed, pampered and get excited for their own holiday festivities."

"We use our weekly one-on-one meetings to help each staff member manage stress and guide each one through our cumulative experience to stay happy and enthusiastic during the holidays."

-Paula Donovan

Julie Judge

"To help my staff stay balanced I work to keep things running smoothly," says Julie Judge, owner of Tru Salon in Pittsford, New York. "We have extra staff at the front desk and in the service area. Keeping the salon organized, clean and the reception/retail area neat helps everyone to stay calm and focused.

"We have a meeting to kickoff the holiday season for our staff to make sure we are all on the same page, know what's going on in the salon with specials, holiday gifts and scheduled events. We have a holiday retail contest for our staff to keep things fun, get them in the holiday selling spirit and create a little healthy competition!

"My staff extends their availability the weeks prior to accommodate our guests' needs. In turn, I close the salon the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas to give my employees a little something to look forward to. We work hard during the holidays and they love being able to have the extra time off to spend with family.

"And, there is always the food! Our guests are always bringing in goodies and I order pizza and wings as a ‘thank you' for my staff on the craziest day before each holiday. Food always keeps us balanced and happy. Since we have processes and procedures in place to keep the salon running efficiently throughout the year, the holiday rush is just another busy day. Continuing to stay professional and ‘smile' helps my staff to ease any tensions that guests may have during this rush."

"We have a meeting to kick-off the holiday season for our staff to make sure we are all on the same page, know what's going on in the salon with specials, holiday gifts and scheduled events."

-Julie Judge