What Does Build A Clientele Mean

When you start out in this business, the common advice is to “hurry and

build a clientele” but what does build a clientele mean? If you are like most people, when you start out you have limited experience and probably zero clients!

When I left hairstyling school, I had to start marketing myself because I was new to the business

and knew nobody.  I was not that person who grew up in their mom’s salon or whose aunt did hair like many of the stylists that get magazine interviews. I came in with experience as a client.  Some people tried to make it seem like an impossible dream but I comforted myself that no one is  born an immediate professional. 

I also learned that you should not expect family and friends to

leave their hairstylist(s) to come to you.  Blood or not.  They are not confident you will do what they want.   Along the way you will encounter loafers, scammers, cheapskates and angels.  The ones you get the most will depend on your ability to assert yourself.  

In the afro-centric world, there are many talented folk who people

will call up for hair emergencies.  These people will be a family member or friend of a friend that is good with their hands.  After having their hair done, they might leave a small token but normally they thank you and walk out.  If you let your lack of experience let you become this person, you will have difficulty improving your income.

Regarding the question: what does build a clientele mean?  You need to provide professional hair services

to many people so they will keep coming back.  Along with professional work, you need to have:

• A pleasant personality
• Be willing to talk with anyone
• Not discuss other peoples business
• Not be judgemental when people tell you their secrets
• Have the patience of several Jobs (from the bible)
• Willing to continue training to keep up to date with changes in the field.

These are the things worth knowing if you are curious “what does build a clientele mean”.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & Dreadlocks, A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.