The holiday season is about to kick into high gear and the salon will be buzzing with non-stop blow dryers as you enter your busiest time of year.

But the busy season isn’t just about seeing clients back to back for 12 hours straight. Put your focus on these three concepts and not only will your days will fly by, you’ll find yourself in a much better mood by the time you’re headed home.

1. Boost profits. Busy chair = more retail opportunity. Add the fact that it’s the busiest shopping time of the year and you’ve hit the retail jackpot. Hopefully your salon is on top of all of the obvious retail strategies—travel sized items for stocking stuffers, special gift sets, gift cards, etc. That stuff is all great, but don’t forget that you are the one with a personal relationship with the client sitting in the chair. She can’t figure out what to get her teenage niece? Suggest a facial gift certificate. Needs a last-minute gift for her mother-in-law? Point out your new color-care line. Believe it or not, your client will appreciate the suggestions and the fact she can get some of her holiday shopping done outside of the mall.

2. Reconnect with clients. You may have some clients who are in and out of your chair in record time every visit. Although you’re busy, take a few minutes with these clients to reevaluate their cut and color. Mention you saw a style that would look good on her, or suggest a different shade for highlighting. Clients sometimes feel neglected, but they’ll never tell you. They’ll just go somewhere else. Taking a little extra time every once in a while, especially around the holiday season when they want to look their best, will make all the difference in the world.

3. Flex your creative muscles. Taking extra time in a consultation has another advantage—it allows you to be more creative. Turning a brunette client auburn or giving your client with a bob a pixie cut challenges you and pulls you (and the client) out of a rut. Try to get two clients a week to try something different and see how it inspires you to try new things on your other clients.