COVID-19 Downtime I
COVID-19 Downtime I
Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
March 17th, 2020
March 17th, 2020
Now is a tumultuous time with COVID-19 sweeping the nation. I've compiled a list of relevant resources and ideas for stylists/barbers on how to prepare for, and make good use of, the downtime. It's not intended to tell you what to do, but rather give information that will help you make better decisions depending on your situation. Keep in mind this information is as of MARCH 17th, 2020, and things are changing rapidly. A link to real-time information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is provided under Section 5 below.
(1) Covid-19 Beauty Industry Economic Hardship Petition
(2) Take Advantage of the Downtime
(3) Gift Cards
(4) Shelter in Place Mandate for Six Bay Area Counties (California, Where I'm Based)
(5) Staying Healthy During COVID-19
(1) Covid-19 Beauty Industry Economic Hardship Petition
- A petition is circulating to request federal support of the following for beauty professionals in the United States:
- Emergency Medicaid Health insurance for those who are uninsured
- $100 billion in government-backed, low interest loans, to help support the the self-employment income that is disappearing
- Equal relief/aid funding of self-employed beauty workers (many beauty professionals are not covered under the current proposed relief bills being voted on at the federal level)
- Add your signature to support the cause. Link here.
(2) Take Advantage of the Downtime
- Submit the form listed on the HairLooks website to have your Instagram pictures uploaded into our database. We have a public beta running for people in San Francisco, LA and San Diego in need of a stylist or barber. Learn more here. You can also upload pictures yourself on our app here.
- Update your client list. Whether you're a contractor (rent) or employee (commission), doing this is crucial to your business.
- Reach out to clients via Instagram stories, text or email. Ask them to consider:
- Signing the petition in Item #1.
- Purchasing gift cards for future services.
- Submitting their email (if you don't have it) for updates on when you'll be back at work.
- Sample email, text and story templates here. Includes how to collect emails from clients.
- Tools for reaching out to clients:
- Barbicide certification course online.
(3) Gift Cards
- Ask your clients to buy them now to use for future services.
- Easier to implement for individuals who rent a chair (contractor).
- If you're a commissioned stylist/barber, check with your manager if this could be leveraged for individuals.
- Some systems that can help you set this up:
- Vagaro
- Square
- Kabbage
- Free service (recently deployed due to COVID-19, Square transaction fees still apply)
- Clients are essentially paying you up front for future services. Gives you money to spend today, but delays the time period where you'll have no income to a later date. Ideally, economic stimulus packages like the one mentioned in Item #1 can offset this. Alternatively, plan to increase your hours for a month or two after COVID-19 clears, and prepare to attract new clients during the downtime per recommendations in Item #2.
(4) Shelter in Place Mandate for Six Bay Area Counties (California, Where I'm Based)
- Bay Area orders ‘shelter in place,’ only essential businesses open in 6 counties, San Francisco Chronicle
- Overview sent to us by the law firm supporting HairLooks, WSGR.
- As of 3-16-20, all non-essential businesses have been ordered to shut down in San Francisco, Alameda County, Berkeley, Contra Costa County, Marin County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County.
- Beauty businesses operating throughout the rest of California should be prepared to follow the same orders should they occur.
- Governor Gavin Newsom is no longer enforcing one week wait periods for unemployment. Information available on ca.gov here.
- California's Employment Development Department (EDD) has insights on steps to take during COVID-19 epidemic here.
- Project Ellis housing relief grants for those affected by the COVID-19 shut down. Learn more here.
(5) Staying Healthy During COVID-19
- Live updates from the CDC here.
- Electronic resources available to check if you should be tested for COVID-19 when feeling sick:
- Stanford has started offering drive through COVID-19 testing. More information available here.
- Protecting yourself and your family from getting COVID-19. Advice from the CDC here.