What You Can Learn About Running a Successful Small Business by Watching TV

I don’t watch a ton of TV, but sometimes I do like a little mindless entertainment to unwind. And I always enjoy the nature and Discovery channels.

Besides, if you want to know what the people in your target market are thinking and talking about, you need only turn on the tube to their favorite channel.

Anyway, lately I’ve gotten totally hooked on Tabatha’s Salon Takeover. Even if you don’t own a hair salon, or have employees, there are some major lessons to be learned.

If you haven’t seen it, it’s on Bravo. And Tabatha, who is oh-so-much more than just a host, is a total ball-buster…But she’s also really, really good at taking a failing salon and turning it around single-handedly.

She boldly tackles everything from customer service to the latest techniques in hairdressing, how to increase revenues, sales training, booking appointments, cleanliness, marketing, management…You name it.

She has seriously high standards. And she isn’t shy about making sure they’re met.

Basically, Tabatha is the kind of smart, strong, outspoken woman you either love or hate (or just love to hate)…Usually depending on whether she’s calling you out for bad behavior or not.

Though I have to say, even the haters generally come around by the end of the episode. That’s how good she is.

The best part of the show is that you get to see everything from behind the scenes…Starting with hidden video of the salon in action.

You wouldn’t believe what goes on in some places of business (or maybe you would!?!). And you should see the look on the salon owner’s faces when they’re brought in to watch the footage!

Once the owner is done squirming, she takes their keys and you get to watch her quite literal take the whole place apart, piece-by-piece, person-by-person, then put it back together again. The transformation in everything from morale to revenues is amazing.

Entertaining. Informative. What more could you ask for from a TV program?
Every small business owner needs to be watching this show!

Here are a few bits of Tabatha’s wisdom worth remembering (paraphrased)…

“Always rebook before they walk out the door. It’s good for the client because they get the appointment they want. And it’s good for your business.”

“As the owner, you have to take control of your business.”

“The behavior of the owner and mangers sets the standard for the employees.”

“No matter how long you’ve been doing this, or how good you are, there’s always something to learn.”

Find out when the show is on your neck of the woods here:
http://www.bravotv.com/Tabathas_Salon_Takeover/season/1/index.php

Check it out and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!

[tags] running a small business, marketing, business lessons from TV [/tags]