Receipt Books

This is another valuable tool for a multitude of reasons. I have mine printed by a commercial printer with the business name.  I usually get 150 receipts into a foolscap folder and it fits in the back of my equipment case.

Why is it so good:-

•  It is a great record keeping tool- use if for your daily totals, and accounting records

• It is easy to check back what you charged last time.

• Clients keep them, - another contact point.

• Adds to your professional image.

• A client can see just what she had paid for.

• I add the credit card details and have my client sign it

• It keeps my prepared and cut foils flat close and handy.

A template of my receipts can be downloaded from the members area of our site  http://www.easy-hairstyles-everyday.com

Appointment Book

Essential of course, I have used student diaries, all sorts really along the way - the best I found was a mid size leather binder diary.  Each year I could add the new diary pages for the coming year, and I still kept my phone contacts and other personal information.

This diary has room for my client cards for the day - so I can update cards as my client's hair was processing.

I toyed many a time with using the calendar on my mobile phone as my diary so I did not have to carry a diary with me.  This makes alot of sense particularly if your phone has an auto-sinc facility.  (As you recharge your phone at you computer it is sinking all the new information into "outlook " - this way you have a back-up if your diary is lost.  Secondly for security you have another separate record of your daily activities.

If you forget your phone then you are in trouble - so at times I do both. For me I think I just can't shake the idea of not having a diary.  Look into it and see what works best for you.

Equipment Case

The case you carry your equipment in will literally make or break your business. I have heard stories from clients that will make your straightened hair curl.

The worst one was of a mobile hairdresser turning up at a clients premises using a milk crate to carry her tools and equipment - the client was appalled - but she didn't say anything, she never had her back again - and I guess the girl still doesn't realize what she did wrong.

There are numerous equipment cases on the market now, but I was not able to find a case that catered properly to my needs - so I designed one that did, and I still use it today.

I wanted a case that would:-

• Handle well going in and out of the car,

• Look good and professional,

• Hold all my basic equipment,

• Get equipment easily without pulling out half of the contents to find what I wanted, or to have half the case pulled out because other equipment became tangeled in my blow-dryer cord.

•  Be easy to clean and sterylise as well.

A great many hair and beauty professionals use this case and I have never yet had a negative comment  in 10 years.  Use whatever case you like, just make sure that it fits the criteria above, and make sure that it has a lid or cover.

If you are interested in my case you can see it on my website  http://www.easy-hairstyles-everyday.com, it is very reasonably priced compared to what is on offer in the market.

To the left is a photo of my case with the saddle that I use for colour products - it holds my tint bowls, brushes, peroxide and colour. 

When not in use it slips off my case and into my car. I had the case made for me by a company that repairs suitcases, it is lined in plastic. 

My drawings (plans) for the saddle are in the members download area.

Oh by the way I might suggest that orange or anything light coloured is not a good idea!

Remember that when you open it your client will be having a good look,  keep it clean, and neat inside and out. I had a saddle made for mine that fits over the handles for when I am taking colour into a premises. 

I only take into the client's home - just the colour and accessories that I am going to use,  as well as my equipment case..