Balancing Your Hair & Beauty Business During the School Summer Holidays
The school summer holidays can be one of the busiest yet most challenging times of the year for hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists and salon owners. Alongside looking after your clients, many professionals are also juggling childcare, family commitments and changes to their usual routine. This isn’t helped by the huge cost of summer childcare. According to the Family and Childcare Trust, holiday childcare costs an average £179 a week.
The good news is that with a little planning, you can keep your diary running smoothly, make the most of the busy summer season and still enjoy some well-earned family time. Here are our top tips for balancing your hair or beauty business during the school holidays.
Let Your Clients Know Your Summer Availability
If your opening hours are changing over the holidays, let your clients know as early as possible. Whether you're reducing your hours, taking annual leave or working around childcare, keeping clients informed helps avoid disappointment.
Update your booking system, social media channels and business profiles with your availability, and encourage clients to book ahead. If you're taking time off, consider creating a waiting list in case appointments become available. Make sure you are well stocked up on hair and beauty essentials during this busy period.
“If you have childcare in the day, try and condense your working hours by booking appointments as close together as you can”
Be Flexible with Your Schedule
The summer holidays can require a little extra flexibility. If your usual working pattern isn't possible, think about adjusting your hours to fit around family commitments.
You could:
- Offer earlier morning or later evening appointments.
- Work longer days and take extra days off.
- Block out dedicated family time.
- Use quieter periods for admin, stock ordering or planning your social media content.
A flexible schedule can help you continue supporting your clients while creating a better work-life balance.
Ask your family and friends for help
You've probably heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child", and that can feel especially true during the school summer holidays.
If you have family or friends who can help with childcare, try planning ahead so you know which days you'll have extra support. You could even create a childcare rota with other parents and return the favour on your days off. Having a reliable support network in place can make balancing appointments and family life much more manageable.
Make the most of holiday clubs
Holiday clubs can be a great option if you need childcare during the school holidays. If you're eligible, you may be able to reduce the cost through the UK's Tax-Free Childcare scheme or other local support programmes. It's also worth checking whether your local council offers funded holiday activities for eligible children.
Planning ahead and booking early can help secure places before they fill up, giving you greater flexibility during your busiest weeks.
Stagger holidays with your partner
If you have a partner, consider taking annual leave at different times so one of you is available for childcare while the other works.
Although it may not be your ideal summer plan, staggering your holidays can help keep your business running smoothly while reducing childcare costs and making it easier to manage client appointments throughout the school break.
Work weekends
If weekdays are proving difficult, consider adjusting your working pattern over the summer holidays.
Offering appointments on Saturdays or Sundays while your partner or another family member looks after the children can help you maintain your diary without relying on additional childcare. You can then enjoy more quality time with your family during the week without missing out on valuable business.
Recommend Summer Haircare
Summer presents plenty of opportunities to recommend products that help clients maintain healthy hair between appointments.
Consider recommending:
- UV and colour protection products.
- Hydrating shampoos, conditioners and heat protection sprays.
- Anti-frizz treatments.
- Deep conditioning masks and sprays
- Clarifying shampoos for removing chlorine and product build-up.
Not only do these recommendations help clients care for their hair throughout the season, but they also create valuable retail opportunities for your business.
Recommend Post-Holiday Hair Treatments
Many clients return from holiday with hair that's feeling dry, faded or damaged after exposure to the sun, sea and swimming pools.
Encourage them to book a post-holiday appointment for services such as:
- Deep conditioning treatments.
- Bond repair services.
- Toners to refresh colour.
- Glossing treatments.
- Haircuts to remove dry ends.
These appointments help restore the hair while giving clients another reason to return to your salon.
Don't Forget to Take Time for Yourself!
You spend every day helping your clients look and feel their best, so don't forget to make time for yourself too.
Whether it's a family holiday, a long weekend or simply a few days to recharge, taking a break can help you return feeling refreshed, motivated and ready for the months ahead.
Enjoy a Successful Summer
The school summer holidays don't have to mean choosing between your business and your family. With some forward planning, a little flexibility and the right support, you can continue providing an excellent client experience while making the most of the season.
Summer is also the perfect time to introduce clients to professional hair care products that protect against sun, humidity and holiday damage, helping them maintain healthy, beautiful hair between appointments while creating additional retail opportunities for your salon.
Explore our range of professional hair and beauty products at Salon Services and discover everything you need to help your clients look and feel their best this summer.
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